What 2008 Brought #1
Putting is everything!
I learned this year, that if I can’t make putts, I can’t compete. Most guys out there hit the ball the same, but it’s the guy that makes the most putts that wins. Even more, the guys who make the most putts week after week, reach higher levels of competition. Putting is what makes or breaks a tournament. If you can make putts, you can turn a round of poor ball striking into a reasonable score. If you can make putts, you can turn a round of solid ball striking into a very low score. Having said that, if you putt well, you will keep yourself in the tournament; if not, you will have the weekends off.
How can I make more putts? I’ve learned that it’s all mental. Essentially, it breaks down to caring less about making the putts, and more about giving yourself the best chance at making putts. There is a proper way to think that allows the mind to free up and thus free up the stroke, giving putts a better chance at finding the bottom of the cup. The more your putts have a chance, the higher the odds that some will fall.
I’m taking this into the off season. I’m planning on working very hard on my mental approach to putting. If I can continue improving, I will become a better putter and be giving myself better chances to make putts.
