Comments on: Blink – Maybe You will Play Better

By: Lewis Greer

Lewis Greer — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:10:52 +0000

I think this is especially helpful on chip and pitch shots, a place where a great deal of over-thinking is done. But I also think it requires some experience. The more data your mind has to draw from, even if it is background processing, the more likely it is to make an excellent call.

When I’m playing with a friend who is a beginner and see him/her struggling with distance on putts, I’ll have them toss me a ball — which they almost always do with accuracy. Then I ask them how much they “thought about” how hard to swing their arm. In most cases they can apply that immediately, but if they don’t have experience with a putter or don’t hit the ball solid consistently, it doesn’t help as much.

The line in putting is less important than the speed, and of course the two impact each other. My experience is that over-reading causes more misses than under-reading, but putting with confidence, whatever that takes, is critical.

Great article! Thanks much.

Although I’m a feel player, I started using a distance measuring device this year and it has helped me play faster and better. Any shot struck with confidence is better than one struck without it, and having confidence that I’m hitting the right distance — especially on the angles, as mentioned by SFGolfer — makes my play better.

By: SFGolfer

SFGolfer — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:51:55 +0000

My pre-shot is one loose swing behind the ball to “lube” the swing, pick a spot a few feet in front of the ball, line up, quick waggle and go. Nine times out of ten, I hit my aiming mark and avoid trouble. Putting is pick a spot in front of the ball, two practice putts, look at the cup and go. I’ve made many clutch birdies and pars this way. Measuring device helps confirm the yardage and club in hand versus guessing especially if I’m at an angle to the yardage marker. I love doing math in the wind. One club less for down wind. If against the wind, I’ll throw some grass and will take more club depending on the speed the grass blows. If the grass falls lazily then one club more. If the grass blows hard, then two or three clubs more but not swing any harder.

By: Scott Seward

Scott Seward — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:14:37 +0000

Golfnut – Thanks for sharing. I think most of us would make more putts if we spent less time agonizing over the line. I especially think this could help on short putts. Instead of marking, continuous putt; you’ll probably make more having had less time to get stressed over the meaning of the putt.

By: GolfNut

GolfNut — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:03:52 +0000

Without reading this article, I changed (shortened) my pre-shot routine for my last round. I took fewer practice swings, stepped up to the ball, made a couple waggles, and swang freely at the ball. I read putts quickly, selected the line, and “felt” the distance of the putt rather than “think” the distance.

I had three birdies on the front (shot 35) and shot 2 over on the back for a nice tidy 73 (I’ve got a 6 handicap, one of my lowest rounds in YEARS).

So, I think there just might be something to it. My point is, don’t “think it”, “feel it”. Then DO IT.