The good news about putting is, you’re probably already dedicating time to it. When you roll some putts before you tee off, that’s legitimate practice time—if you use it well. The key is to make the reps good reps, not just rapid-firing putts from hole to hole.
I’m very intentional when practicing putting thanks to my putting coach, Derek Uyeda. First, I read each putt like I would on the course. If the putt has some break, I figure out two lines: a high line for maximum break at slow speed and a low line for faster speed. Then, I check if the putt is uphill or downhill. A downhill putt, like the one I’m lining up here, will be close to the high line; an uphill putt will be close to the low one.
Once I like my line, I pick a spot close the hole, six inches to a foot, that the perfect putt will roll over given the break. Then, I track that back to the ball and decide where I have to start it to roll over that spot by the hole. When I’m comfortable with those two spots, I know I have a fair chance of making the putt.
I work very hard to be process-oriented when I’m putting and not think about results, in practice or competition. I know, success in putting is very clear-cut—you make it or miss it—and it can hard to not react to that. But I can only read it right and get the ball on line with a good roll. If I miss, you won’t see me throwing my hands up. It’s commit, execute, accept. —With Peter Morrice
We’ll be adding more of Xander Schauffele’s best tips & tactics throughout the rest of the week. Check back in for more …
Xander’s Best Instruction Tips: Prep for Golf / ‘Commit, Execute, Accept’ / Neutral Swing / Uncomfortable Shots / Putting Practice / ‘A Steady Drip’
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com