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I grew up in the era before computers. While I'm no computer whiz, the thing I find most amazing about them is that they can store seemingly mundane facts and information until you seek them out and put them to use. Golf works much the same way. We record swing sensations, the affect of the wind on the ball and how a particular slope impacts the break of a putt. We call it the macro game, and nowhere is it more important than on the putting green. When we work with our professional players, we want them to start thinking about putting from the time they get to the golf course for their first practice round. The astute player begins taking mental notes about every element and aspect of the course and how these facts will affect their ball during the round. For the skilled player, the art of putting starts before they reach the green. We have our players look at the lay of the land and how the green fits into the landscape, and watch how a ball reacts when it lands on the green. We call it big picture topography, and it can impact the roll of the ball. We also have them take into account the surface of the green. If it's Bermuda grass, you want to see which direction the grain is going. A putt hit down grain away from a hillside or toward a water feature is going to react differently than a ball going in the opposite direction. The elements also can affect your putts. Check the wind. It can accentuate break or influence the distance a ball travels as much is it does during a full shot. Also consider moisture on the ground or extreme heat conditions. Finally, great players will watch their competitor's ball to see how it reacts on the green. Watch the other players as they play their approaches, chips and putts. The great players use this to their advantage. They don't watch the stroke. They watch how the ball travels across the green and what it does near the hole. All the great putters have consistent pace on their putts. You rarely see them leave a putt 5 feet short or race one well past the hole. This is accomplished through factoring all the elements that are influencing the ball and quickly calculating that into the equation before they stroke their putt. During your next round, look at the big picture. From the fairway, see if there's anything that will influence the roll of your ball when it's on the green. Once you reach the green, look for smaller topography features such as slopes or water that will impact your pace. Factor in the putting surface and the elements. Watch your competitor's ball and see how it reacts. Make your calculations and confidently stroke your putt. If it goes in, put the feeling in your memory bank for future use. n Jamie Mulligan is the chief operations officer at Virginia Country Club and the SCPGA golf professional of the year. |
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