Welcome

Welcome to issue number 27 of The 3 Minute Golfer. This FREE, weekly publication is here to help every golfer improve their mental game and their personal wellbeing.

This is Part 3 in our three-part series, which concludes with insights The 3 Minute Golfer’s has gained through researching the crucial elements of successful putting.

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In this issue:

• The Psychology of Putting Part 3…Five Worthwhile Q …

• Wellness Tip – The Size of Your Plate

• Mental Demons Q+A

• In Person Events - Book The 3 Minute Golfer

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The Psychology of Putting Part 3…Five Worthwhile Questions

What did we learn in Part 1 and 2 about the Psychology of Putting?

Good question. Main takeaway? Any putting and green reading technique that works for you is a good technique.

In Part 1, we looked at different green reading processes. The conclusion? Whatever makes you feel less like a confused tourist staring at a subway map is the right one for you. The key is choosing the method that makes you feel psychologically comfortable and confident.

Part 2 went a little deeper and explored the variety of putting approaches taken by four seasoned pros. The big lesson is that “one size does not fit all.” Putting techniques are personal, like choosing your favourite coffee drink or deciding whether pineapple belongs on pizza…it doesn’t. You’ve got to experiment until you find the equipment and routine that clicks. When you do, every putt feels a little less terrifying and a little more like a fun opportunity.

Now in Part 3, we’re exploring the putting challenge a little further, with 5 helpful questions to ask yourself before every putt, and five actions The 3 Minute Golfer (T3MG) takes to putt with confidence. Because let’s face it…standing over a putt can feel a lot like standing in front of a multiple-choice test where all the answers are wrong. But before you take that delicate stroke, or the panicked stab, here are some questions worth asking and some actions that might be worth considering.

The Five Questions

1. Is this green actually sloping the way my eyes think it is?
Greens are sneaky. They look flat but can roll like a carnival ride. Your eyes will swear it breaks left, while gravity and your golf ball are busy forming a conspiracy to the right. Research in sports vision has shown that visual illusions can significantly alter a golfers’ perception of slope and alignment (Redding, E., & DeLucia, P. 2018). So, it is probably always better to trust the feel in your feet and body, not your eyeballs. If you feel like you’re standing on a hill, you probably are. 

2. What would happen if I actually hit it hard enough to reach the hole?
Many putts die tragically short. In fact, a statistical analysis of PGA Tour putting shows the majority of missed putts never reach the hole (Broadie, M. 2014). Some pros recommend aiming to roll your ball 17 inches past the hole…not sure why 17 but I’m guessing 18 inches is apparently too far (Pelz, D. 2000). So, ask yourself, do you want to be the golfer who gives every putt a chance…or the one who always leaves the ball just short?

3. Am I aiming at the hole, the break, or some random patch of grass?
Let’s be honest, half the time your line is just wishful thinking. You pick a spot and hope it works out. As discussed in Issue 25, techniques like AimPoint are said to have had good results improving putting accuracy (Smith, R., & Holmes, P. (2019). But, again, any method you use to select the line will work if you spend enough time deliberately practising and refining your technique.

4. How much is my last three-putt living rent-free in my brain?
Clear your brain of any negative thoughts and focus clearly on your chosen target. Performance anxiety research shows that golfers under pressure often experience poor outcomes because they focus too much on mechanics, and previously missed putts, instead of on their current target (Beilock, S. L., & Carr, T. H. 2001). 

5. If I miss, how far do I want to walk for the next putt?
This is strategy. Do you want to leave yourself a comfy uphill two-footer? Or do you want to roll the dice and face a slippery five-footer that could turn into a three or four putt? Smart lag putting, essentially leaving the ball in a zone that doesn’t require divine intervention, has been shown to drastically lower scores (Cochran, A., & Stobbs, J. 2005). Are you playing chess…or darts?  

The Five T3MG Actions

Given putting is the easiest of all the golf strokes, The 3 Minute Golfer has a simple and quick, 5 step putting process that is easy to execute. It’s not for everyone but you might find it helps crystalise your own approach.

Check out…the surrounding topography while walking up to the green and determine where the lowest point sits in the land around the green. Take a quick walk around the green to determine what bumps and swales are likely to impact the roll.

Pick a target…and choose a line before standing as comfortably close to the ball as possible, then square the clubface with the target.

Play…the probabilities and decide if the putt is to be sunk or lagged. Data shows that PGA level players hole 3-foot putts 99% of the time, but that drops to 40% at 10 feet, 7% at 30 feet and 4% at 40 feet.

Exhale…a full breath and relax for the two crucial seconds. 

Execute quickly…with a smooth stroke that accelerates with enough pace to leave the ball just past the hole. Never stand over the ball for too long…keep your head down and eyes fixed until the ball has well and truly left the club face.

The two key actions from a psychological perspective are…the big exhale, which triggers your parasympathetic nervous system to completely relax your body and significantly reduces the probability that tension will cause your hands to create a misfire. And to execute quickly before you need to breathe or before your mind starts second guessing the target line and speed.

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