Formerly one of the best putters on the PGA tour, Brad Faxon has a success formula that has served him well.He once led the tour in putting average, 3 out of 6 years. His best putting tips are listed below.These keys to great putting will help golfers who ask themselves, “why do I struggle with putting?”
Step 1) “Don’t be afraid to miss.It’s the fear factor.Worrying gets you into trouble and ties you up in knots.You develop the yips by being afraid of missing.Don’t think too much about it.Look at the line and trust your first instinct.You can’t be a good putter with too much conscious thought.”
Step 2) “You need a good stroke and a good attitude.Attitude is the most important.If I’m not in the right frame of mind, I don’t putt well.”
Step 3) “You need a consistent physical routine.That makes you more confident.I prefer if my body moves a little bit.Staying perfectly still cripples me.”
Step 4) “Like any other sport, being great requires practice and believing in yourself.I wasn’t always a good putter.When I practice, I think about what it takes to become a great putter.It frustrates me when people say I’m a natural and don’t have to practice.”This a a great practice putting tip.
How do I practice putting? Here are more specific examples of Faxon’s success formula golfers can copy to improve. “Before I start a round, I take a pen and draw a line on the ball about an inch and a half long.That line faces the direction I’m going to putt.I put the ball down with the line pointing toward the highest point in the break.”
“On every green, I check out the wind, the break, whether the putt is uphill or downhill, and if the green is firm or soft.I don’t take a lot of time doing all that.I pick out a line and know where I am going to aim.”
“I take a final look from behind the ball.I step up and visualize the putt and get set.I square the putter to the ball at address.Sometimes I take a practice stroke.Other times, not.I look at the hole once, then twice.Once I look back at the ball the second time, the shot starts. I don’t allow anything to creep into my head.”
“The toe of the putter is open a little coming back.It closes, then opens a little bit on follow through.The toe flows.That’s why I prefer a heel-shafted putter.The stroke should be the same every time you putt.The longer the putt, the longer the stroke.”
Top PGA tour player Scottie Scheffler has credited improved putting to his recent run of success.
For dozens more super practical, easy to implement golf game improvement strategies, check out the book “Good to Great Golf.”
