Putting by the Numbers

The only two factors to consider when putting are distance and direction. The most important factor on short putts (under 10 feet) is direction. That's because the objective is to sink the putt. Even if you hit the putt to hard, but have the right direction, the ball can still fall into the hole. Nothing helps putts that are hit too short. On long putts (over 10 feet) the most important consideration is distance. Since the objective is to leave the putt close enough to the hole to sink the second putt, putts with the right pace or distance control will finish close enough to the hole even if the hit somewhat off line to make the second putt. However, if you hit the ball too hard or too soft, even if it's on line, you may have difficulty making your second putt.

Developing distance control can be accomplished as simply and in the same manner as memorizing the multiplication tables. If I ask you, ÒWhat is 3 times 7?Ó Without having to calculate the answer, you know the answer is 21. You know this instinctively because you wrote or said the question (What is 3 times 7) together with the answer (21) enough times that memory was produced. Once it was, any time you hear or see the question the answer automatically comes to mind. Your memory for multiplying is in your subconscious.

Now, distance control can be thought of in the same way. There is a question. How far does the ball have to roll? The answer is the energy necessary to roll the ball that far. There is no magic formula for determining how hard to putt the ball for a given distance. You just have to figure it out by putting enough balls from a known distance until you produce the memory for that distance. Because the brain is so powerful, you only have to develop the memory for a few distances, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet. Once you have the memory for these distances you will also have the distance control for any intermediate length putt (like 17 feet) less than 50 feet. And with just a little ingenuity you will be able to adapt to uphill and downhill putts as well as faster and slower greens.

Let me show you how easy it is. The first thing you will have to do is measure your stride length. This is a more accurate measurement than guessing by looking at the putt visually. Most golfers will have stride lengths of 2, 2 _, or 3 feet. Don't worry if your stride length varies from one of these distances by about an inch or so. This is sufficiently accurate. Mine is about 2 _ feet. That means for me a 10-foot putt is 4 steps. After you measure your stride length, determine how many steps you need to take for a 10-foot putt and step it off. The putting should be flat and straight. Place a tee in the ground so you don't have to keep stepping it off. Now, putt ball after ball until every putt finishes within a foot of the hole. You have just figured out how much energy is necessary to roll the ball 10 feet on a flat surface. Now you have your question (the distance) and your answer (the energy) the same way you have the question and answer for a multiplication problem. You just need a way to activate that memory instinctively on demand, the same way you do when presented with a multiplication problem.

To do that, continue putting from 10 feet, but initiate by saying or thinking Ò10 feetÓ. With enough practice you will be able to instinctively roll the ball 10 feet on a flat surface just by thinking 10 feet. Now, move out to 20 feet. Use the same process. Only this time give allow yourself a 2-foot margin of error. When you are satisfied with your distance control move out to 30 feet, allowing for a 3-foot margin of error and then to 40 and 50 feet, allowing for a 4-foot margin of error at both distances.

Remember, the putt should be as straight and as flat as possible. And it may take you more than one practice session to gain sufficient distance control at each distance. And you must refresh your memory for these distances by practicing this way every time you practice putting. Once you've developed the memory, it will only take a few putts from each distance to confirm your memory for each distance.

Basically what you will have done is place files in your memory for each of these distances. When you think or say Ò10 feetÓ, for example, your brain automatically opens that file labeled Ò10 feetÓ. Since the only information in that file is the energy for a 10-foot putt, that's the only information your brain can send to your body, so it moves precisely enough to roll the ball 10 feet. Now, if you have an intermediate length putt, 17 feet for example, when you think or say Ò17 feetÓ, your brain first searches for a file labeled Ò17 feetÓ. Since you have practiced 17-footers your brain doesn't find a file So it compares the information in your 10- and 20-foot putt files and extrapolates the energy necessary to roll the ball slightly more that _ difference between a 10- and 20-foot putt. And it does it at the speed of light. There's nothing for you to do but think or say Ò17-feetÓ and the process takes over automatically.

On uphill and downhill putts all you have to do is increase or decrease the number a specific amount, depending on the amount of slope. For example, if you have a slightly uphill 10-footer, you might think Ò12 feetÓ. If it's steeper, you might think Ò15 feetÓ. For downhill putts, your number gets smaller.

The same thing can be done on greens that are faster or slower than the one you normally practice on. Before playing spend time of the practice green. Step off 10 feet and putt the ball thinking Ò10-feetÓ. If the ball finishes short of the hole, the green is slower. If it finishes past the hole, the green is faster. If the change in speed is significant, spend time at each of the distances suggested above and come up with a new number for each of those distances. Make note of your new numbering system. It should only take you a few putts at each distance to come up with your new numbering system for that day. Unless you practice on greens similar in speed to the one you are playing that day your memory for this new numbering system will be lost shortly after you finish playing and your memory for the old numbering system will return.

Now, it will take a little work to develop your individual numbering system and adapt to the various conditions under which you play, but you will find you will develop very consistent distance control with very little difficulty and only a little ingenuity. Another advantage of developing and using a numbering system for helping you with distance control is that it keeps your mind occupied with relevant information when you play. Your pre-putt routine will consist of stepping off your putt and then adapting that number to account for slope and speed of the green. You won't have time to worry about 3-putting or what a missed putt will do for your score. You will be completely focused on the task at hand, making you an even better putter. And you won't leave your distance control to luck. If you have any questions or comments about this training technique you can contact me at DrTee1@aol.com.

*****

Dr Tony Piparo is one of the very few sports psychologist to concentrate on putting.

Winner of the prestigious American Psychological Association Award for his dissertation on the Effects of Chronic Fitness on Putting, Dr Piparo has attracted a wide following with his recent book with optometrist Dr Steve Kaluzne, Master the Art and Science of Putting: Training the Eyes, Mind and Body (Sports Performance Centers of Am. 1999). Dr Piparo has studied the physiology of putting extensively (with a Masters in Kinesiology to complement his Doctorate in Sports Pyschology), and combines this knowledge with his vast understanding of sports psychology and his experience of over twenty years teaching elite golfers. His 1Putt Golf School is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.