DON’T WASTE PUTTING PRACTICE
The good news about putting is, you’re probably already dedicating
to my putting coach, Derek Uyeda. First, I read each putt like I would on the course. If the putt has some break, I figure out two lines: a high line for maximum break at slow speed and a low line for faster speed. Then, I check if the putt is uphill or downhill. A downhill putt, like the one I’m lining up here, will be close to the high line; an uphill putt will be close to the low one.
Once I like my line, I pick a spot close to the hole, 15 to 30 centimetres away, that the perfect putt will roll over given the break. Then, I track that back to the ball and decide where I have to start it to roll over that spot by the hole. When I’m comfortable with those two spots, I know I have a fair chance of making the putt. I work very hard to be
process-oriented when I’m putting and not think about results, in practice or competition. I know, success in putting is very clear-cut – you make it or miss it – and it can be hard to not react to that. But I can only read it right and get the ball on line with a good roll. If I miss, you won’t see me throwing my hands up. It’s commit, execute, accept.
time to it. When you roll some putts before you tee off, that’s legitimate practice time – if you use it well. The key is to make the reps good reps, not just rapid-firing putts from hole to hole. I’m very intentional when practising putting thanks
54 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JULY/AUGUST 2025
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