Reactive Putting
- December 6, 2007
This may seem like a bit of a stretch, but I truly believe that putting is all about reaction.
How does one go about “reading” a putt? And what language is it in? If you have never thought for more than a second on what reading a putt really means, I challenge you to do that now. We know what reading results in, e.g. your target line, a feel for the speed, but how this actually comes into being is often overlooked.
How does a shortstop learn to throw to first base? He practices, of course. And then he practices some more. But what about this practice makes him improve his accuracy? Is it that he is focusing on exactly what direction his shoulders should be pointing, the precise angle of his arm movement, and the exact instant to release the ball? Or could it be that he is focusing on honing in on his target, and developing a feel for the actions that get exactly the desired result?
Back to the real question at hand, I believe that we read putts best during the first look at the hole after addressing the ball. We don’t just use our eyes to read; our feet and our ears are sensing the slope and speed of the green. Our initial read of a putt does not involve any spots, points, or targets other than the cup. We see the putt as a whole, as an arc, a direction and a speed combined. Our bodies and minds are in a perfect position to react to what we have learned through our senses.
Here’s my suggestion. The next round you play, try this putting routine. Walk the length of your putt, around the opposite side of the hole, and back to your ball from the other side. Come back to your ball from behind it (no need to crouch, look at your target line, or attempt any mental imagery). Then hit the putt within two seconds of approaching it. See how you react.
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Written by John at 2:47 pm. Short Game  (No Ratings Yet) Loading ... |
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