Golf Putting Tips

Why would golfers think putting is so easy? Why would they think they can putt well with no practice other than a little warm-up before each round?

Putting provides an interesting psychological paradox: Golfers often treat putting as if there were nothing to it. But, then, they nearly have an anxiety attack when the chips are down and actually have to make one.

Consider the two halves of this paradox. Why would golfers think putting is so easy? Why would they think they can putt well with no practice other than a little warm-up before each round? perhaps it's because putting was their first contract with the game. They played putt-putt golf as a child, and they hit balls around the house with a putter before they ever went to the course. When they finally did take up the game, putting was the first thing they were allowed to do. Therefore, putting must be easy since a child can do it, and because it's the first thing golfers are allowed to do when they take up golf. This is a wrong but understandable misconception, which is only added to by the pros making it look so easy on television.

Ironically, the anxiety surrounding putting may stem directly from this misconception about easiness. Why wouldn't one be anxious about failing at something that is so "easy"? After all, if a child can do it, if it's the first thing you learn in golf, shouldn't you be ashamed of yourself for messing up such an easy task? Wrong, again. But try to convince your mind of that. Putting, indeed, provides an interesting set of psychological challenges, six of which will be explore next:

Putting Tip 1. Recognize and accept that putting is very difficult and that it will require a considerable amount of practice time.

Putting Tip 2. Being able to make four-foot putts consistently provides a tremendous advantage. This will take pressure off your short game and your long game.

Putting Tip 3. Develop a make-it mindset. Think of every putt as a putt to be made, an opportunity, a chance to score.

Putting Tip 4. Develop an expectation of success through an entire 18 hole round.

Putting Tip 5. Make practice as much like actual play as possible.

Putting Tip 6. Builds your game on solid foundation and hard work will endure.