Breaking the Average Barrier - Part 2

One of the characteristics of the best putters I have known, is that they understand that all putts are different. So, with that thought in mind let us consider how using that one understanding changes our perspective, as we try putt better than average. 

Practice 

I am going presume to speak for all instructors when I say this, “Because striking a ball with a putter is a relatively easy task, there seems to be an assumption that finding the “right” putter or the “right” method, will substitute for the work required to succeed.  

Putting aids and repetitive drills prepare us for a single circumstance when the key to putting well is the ability to adapt to a different circumstance with each putt.  

The attitude of the “above average putters” is different. When interviewed there is a common theme. A ball, a putter, and a putting green and working on the entire process with each putt. A decision on ball speed required, reading the break, finding the appropriate set up for the putt, and then making the stroke. Making conscious decisions to perform an unconscious act. This is a key distinction; most practice regimes do the conscious portion for you.  

Here is a simple example. One of the drills I offer to my clients is to roll golf balls through a gate built with tees. I never ask them to putt through the gate to a target. I only ask to build a stroke that can roll the ball through the gate. But, because most are result based rather than process based, inevitably they connect a hole to the gate. That is where they fall into my trap. Often, I get feedback that says, “I can roll the ball through the gate, but I miss the putt. What is wrong with my stroke?” Nothing! The gate is in the wrong location. They forgot the more important conscious aspects of putting, speed decision, read decision based on speed, the appropriate set up for the putt and went straight to subconscious. They confuse the process of placing the putting gate in the correct location with the result. If you make the goal, ball through the gate, you know immediately if your stroke works or not, which is the goal of the drill. In other words, they let the gate substitute for the conscious aspect of the task. 

Before I get the negative feedback, yes, I do eventually connect the gate to the hole. In fact, all my practice regime is done with no aids other than 4 tees. But each layer of practice is done within a different context and with a specific goal.  

Last bit of advice for today. Do not make your practice regime easy. Do not substitute success at the drill with success on the golf course. Focus on the hard parts and everything gets easier.