Welcome

Welcome to issue number 25 of The 3 Minute Golfer. This FREE, weekly publication is here to help every golfer improve their mental game and their personal wellbeing.

Everyone knows that mastering the psychology of putting can shave valuable strokes off your game. Welcome to Part 1 of our three-part series, where we begin by exploring the varied techniques golfers use to read greens. In our next newsletter, we will take a close look at the putting mindsets of renowned professionals. And Part 3 will conclude the series with an in-depth exploration of The 3 Minute Golfer’s patented routine. 

In this issue:

• The Psychology of Putting Part 1…Reading The Green

• Wellness Tip – Step Up Your Game

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

Not already a subscriber? Subscribe here.

The Psychology of Putting Part 1…Reading The Green

It’s a universal golf mystery…putting is the simplest shot in the game, yet it has a magical way of turning confident golfers into bumbling depressives. People can whack a drive down the fairway, splash out of bunkers like seasoned pros, and then…faced with a gentle two-footer…can send it rocketing past the cup or dribble it to within a tragic inch. It’s as if the laws of physics are suspended when the putter is at hand.

So, putting is a paradox…it’s a very easy skill, with many challenges. The primary difficulty lies in reading the green and making critical decisions regarding both the line and the force with which to strike the ball. More than just relying on the type of putter used…of which there seem to be an astonishing variety…the act of putting becomes an exercise for the mind. Choosing the correct path for the ball and determining the ideal speed require more mental acuity than physical skill.

It is a challenge…but don’t fear…the world of golf has always been fertile ground for gadgets, gizmos, and grand theories to meet all challenges. And, when it comes to putting, theories on how to read greens successfully have a number of different proponents, with Neuro-putting, the AimPoint system, plumb-bobbing and the good old “close-your-eyes-and-hope” being just some of the methods in common use? 

But, to putt well, there are also the technical issues of which putter to use, how to hold the club, what is the best stroke path, speed control and more, but that is for another time and place.

Neuro-putting…is a technique that, according to Dr. Izzy Justice and Karl Morris, was something they invented. It blends neuroscience principles, like focus and mental visualisation, into your putting routine. Neuro-putting research suggests that lower, more focused brainwave frequencies are beneficial for holing putts. It emphasises that every putt starts in the brain and that learning how to lower brainwave frequency enhances your focus on the target. It promotes visualising the putt, the line and speed, and maintaining that mental image throughout the stroke. Neuro-putting involves training your brain to process only the most essential information needed to accurately assess and perform a putt, aiming to reduce excessive analysis. It’s all about the feel…the vibe. See the putt, hit the putt…no over thinking.

AimPoint…on the other hand, is especially favoured by some professionals and those with a technical mindset, like Nerdy and Plotty, who find comfort in practical skills rather than relying on intuition or visualisation. Instead of trusting feelings or perceptions, they employ precise techniques, like pacing, squatting, and finger-pointing with the focused intent reminiscent of an airport ground crew. With AimPoint, you survey the slope, use your feet to feel the break, and then…crucially…stick up a number of fingers to indicate where to aim. It’s like charades, but for golfers. 

Traditional Putting…is a third method and the putting technique favoured by most amateur golfers. This style relies heavily on feel and instinct, with players often attributing missed putts to even the slightest distraction from their playing partners. Using this classic method, golfers do a quick read of the green, set up to the ball, and make their stroke with a mix of hope and intuition. There is no scientific analysis involved…just the timeless combination of experience, routine, and wishful thinking.

The Advantages of Neuro Putting…are rooted in leveraging the brain’s natural capacity to interpret environmental cues and convert them into refined motor actions. Supporters of neuro-putting emphasise the importance of mentally training oneself to execute smooth, repeatable strokes…achieved by visualising the ball following the right line and by reducing distracting thoughts. Neuro-putting is said to cultivate intense focus and, if successfully mastered, builds significant confidence on the green.

The Disadvantages of Neuro Putting…include the requirement for mental discipline…hard for many golfers…and there are rapid performance drops when your brain is tired, hungry, or preoccupied with last night’s golf dreams. There is also the danger that “neuro” might become “neurotic” if you start to over think the process.

The Advantages of AimPoint…are based in the method’s systematic approach. It gives golfers a tangible process for reading greens and removes much of the guesswork. Research by Mark Sweeney, the inventor of AimPoint, suggests that trained users may significantly improve their green-reading accuracy…although there are no peer reviewed studies to confirm the claim.

The Disadvantages of AimPoint…include the optics that turn the simple act of putting into a public spectacle. The required finger gymnastics and green pacing may not appeal to some because it can slow the pace of play. 

The Wild West of Putting…takes us to and beyond the green reading of neuro-putting and AimPoint, to where other strategies and techniques abound…Plumb-bob, the Claw grip, the Belly putter, Cross-handed putting, and even the time-honoured “ask your caddy and then do something completely different” method. While these are less scientific, some swear by them. But, of course, whatever method gets the ball in the hole consistently…is definitely the best.

The Method That Is Right for You…is ultimately a deeply personal and occasionally regrettable choice. Neuro-putting works wonders for the cerebral golfer who enjoys a bit of psychoanalysis with their short game. AimPoint is tailor-made for the tactician who loves a system. Meanwhile, the traditionalist might just trust their gut. But in the end, whether you putt with your brain, your fingers, or blind luck, the only thing that really matters is sinking the putt and looking good while doing it.

See the References Here.