The Golfers Mind

"The inner game has always been the last frontier in golf. Why? Because the source of all  excellence  is  within, and  because  that's  usually the  last place we look  for it."

Timothy Gallwey

The Inner Game of Golf

Balance

Centre Of Gravity - Balance

Masters Mind Mastery

Play With The Edge

The Golf Grip

Player & Snead On Sand

Golf Chip Shot

Fear Of Failure In Golf

New Groove Regulations

Golf Anger Management

NLP Anchoring 4 Golf

Improve Your Golf Focus

Unconscious Mind in Golf

Golf Imagery Controls Play

NLP & Hypnosis for Golf

Golf 1st Tee Nerves

Tour Putting Technique

5 Must Have Golf Skills

Greatest Putters

Aim & Alignment Series

  1  Overview

  2  Aim In Mind

  3  Dominant Eye

  4  Precision Targeting

  5  Learn And Focus

  6  Poor Aim/alignment

The Golfers Mind

Tour Tested and Used Putting Techniques.

Discover the Art and Science to Putt Magically.

Putt to Win!

Great putting is more of an art than it is a science and when I say science I mean the technical aspects like setup, posture, swing type,  path, putter etc. Please, I  am not saying that a good setup and properly adjusted putter is not important as I believe the better you get both the putter and your setup and stroke then the better you will be able to apply the art side of putting.

I always make sure my clients are happy with the putter grip and that the shaft length, loft and lie are all correct for their setup and particular style of putting. In addition I make sure they have either a face balanced putter or toe heavy depending what path they prefer, straight back and through or what I call "natural" path which arcs slightly. The stroke needs to be smooth and flow toward the target rather than too long in the back swing ending up with a decelerating stab at the ball. So some science is going to make a good impression on your putting.

The problem I see a lot is golfers getting too stuck in mechanics and using far too much of their conscious thinking to manipulate the putter, stroke,  rhythm and distance control. They are far too stuck in the science and manipulation aspects of putting when

Do this exercise. Get together with another person and gently throw a ball between you. As you are throwing the ball back and forth move around so you are constantly changing the distance between the two of you. Notice how you will naturally adjust everything to compensate for the changing distances you need to throw the ball. You are not thinking of how to swing your arm, how far back to take it, and how far your arm should follow through to get the distance right.

This is how you should putt, naturally, trust your unconscious and instinctive judgment. Look at the target, look at the ball and then let the putt go. Putting mechanics and the science of putting will only get you so far but even with great science a mentally weak putter will get poor results. On the other hand a golfer who has a great Mental Game of Golf will putt really well even if their science is not perfect.

Here is a good routine to get you started but you can modify it a little to suit yourself but don't change the instinctive aspects of this routine.

1 - When you are walking up to the green try to get a general feeling and idea of how the surface sits in the surrounding land. This may show you the dominant slope that balls will want to feed off to which may not be noticeable when you are on the green.

2 - When you are on the green start by looking at your putt from behind the ball and let your mind come to some conclusions about slope, speed and break.

3 - Walk over to the other side of the putt and let your instincts see the putt from that side (other side if the hole back to your ball) and always walk on the low side of the hole so you can see your putt from the side on position and the low side of the green.

4 - Look at the putt again from behind your ball and trust your instincts on the line and slope. DO NOT second guess yourself stay with what you first instinct or first impression is. How many times have you missed a putt after changing your mind and the ball has done what you thought the first time?

5 - Pick a precise target to send the ball to and make it as small as you can see, a blade of grass at the back of the hole or a slight blemish inside the cup. If you constantly leave your putts short start picking targets 18 inches past the hole on a line that the ball will fall into the hole if it goes to your target.

6 - Take a few practice putts WHILE LOOKING AT THE TARGET, not the ball. I see too many golfers looking down at their ball while making practice putts. Look at the target, your brain needs your eyes so it can see what it needs to do with your body to send the ball to the target! Do not try to manufacture distance, just let your mind and body swing the club and let an instinctive feeling develop in you.

7 - Next address the ball and settle into your stance. Look at the target once more, look back down to the ball and then let the putt go without consciously trying to control it. Don't wait once you look back down at the ball. Putt without delay so there is no time to allow your mind to wander onto controlling thoughts. You should get the same feeling when you putt as that when you were throwing the ball back and forth with someone. Look and react, trust your instincts. Just trust it and let it go!

You are not going to putt perfectly from the very first day but as you practice this technique you are going to get consistently better at it as you are able to let go more and your unconscious starts taking over more as time goes by. Your putting will definitely improve and within a few weeks and months you will have transformed your putting. Stay with it for a year and you will be one of the best putters at your club and can boast you do it without thinking! Neat!

Warm regards and wishing you Blue Skies and 65’s,

Mark.