Hello, Daily Duffer Nation! Sarah Chen here, your Golf Instruction Editor, and I’m thrilled to be back with you. This week, we’re taking a page out of the pros’ book, inspired by the buzz at the Genesis Invitational. Even with some early week rain at Riviera, the GolfWRX crew was on the ground, capturing insights into what the best in the game are using. While we can’t all have custom Cameron putters or a personal fitting session every week, we can certainly learn from their meticulous approach to equipment and, more importantly, translate that same focus into our own short game.
The Genesis Invitational brings out the best in golf, and seeing the attention to detail, especially with putting, is always fascinating. GolfWRX reported on a significant number of putters being photographed on Monday. This tells me one thing: even at the highest level, putting is paramount, and finding the right tool for the job is a continuous journey. You might not be testing a dozen Scotty Camerons, but you can certainly refine your approach with the putter you already own.
The Art of the Putter: Why it Matters More Than You Think
When I work with my students, whether they’re aiming for a tour card or just trying to break 90, one area we consistently revisit is putting. It’s often said that “drive for show, putt for dough,” and there’s so much truth to that. Think about it: a well-struck drive might save you one stroke, but a solid putting game can save you multiple strokes per round. It’s truly the great equalizer in golf.
The pros, as evident from the Genesis Invitational coverage, put an immense amount of thought into their putting setup. We saw galleries filled with details on specific putters. For instance:
“Hideki’s newest (so far) custom Cameron putter – 2026 Genesis Invitational”
And then there’s the mention of testing new equipment:
“Custom Cameron made for Aberg to test – 2026 Genesis Invitational”
This isn’t just about superficial changes; it’s about optimizing feel, alignment, and roll. While you might not have a custom Cameron arriving for you to test, the principle remains: your putter should inspire confidence and feel like an extension of your hands. If it doesn’t, even the slightest adjustment can make a world of difference.
My advice to you is to approach your putting with the same level of curiosity and attention the pros do. Don’t just settle. Feel matters. Visual cues matter. And it all starts with practice.
Actionable Drills: Fine-Tuning Your Putter Setup and Stroke
You don’t need a tour truck to improve your putting. Here are a couple of drills you can do with your current putter to gain more consistency and confidence on the greens:
Drill 1: The Gate Drill for a Square Face
One of the biggest culprits of missed putts is an open or closed clubface at impact. This drill helps train your putter to stay square. As the GolfWRX article highlighted the attention to custom putters, they are all designed for a precise roll!
Here’s how to do it:
- Find a relatively flat section of your practice green (or even your living room carpet!).
- Place two tees in the ground, just wide enough for your putter head to comfortably pass through without touching either tee. This ‘gate’ should be placed about 6-8 inches in front of your golf ball.
- Place another tee immediately behind the ball, positioned so that if your putter head slightly drags back, it will hit the tee. This helps ensure a smooth, forward initiation of the stroke.
- Set up to your ball as usual and make putts. The goal is to stroke the ball through the tee gate without touching either tee, and to avoid hitting the back tee on your takeaway.
Why it works: This drill provides immediate feedback on your putter path and face angle through impact. If you consistently hit the outer tee, your face is likely opening. If you hit the inner tee, it’s closing. By practicing this, you develop a more consistent stroke that keeps the putter face square to your target line, leading to a truer roll and more holed putts. Start with short putts (3-5 feet) and gradually increase distance as you gain proficiency.
Drill 2: The One-Handed Control Check
Sometimes, we get too much hand and wrist action in our putting stroke, which can lead to inconsistencies. This drill helps you establish a more stable, shoulders-driven stroke.
Here’s how to do it:
- Find a short, straight putt (2-3 feet).
- Take your normal putting grip, then remove your non-dominant hand.
- Make practice strokes and then putts using only your dominant hand on the grip. Focus on keeping your wrist firm and using your shoulder rotation to move the putter back and through.
- After making several putts with your dominant hand, repeat the process with just your non-dominant hand. You’ll likely feel a substantial difference in control and stability.
- Finally, return to your normal two-handed grip.
Why it works: Practicing with one hand forces you to eliminate excessive wrist movement and rely more on your larger muscle groups (shoulders and core) to power the stroke. When you go back to two hands, you’ll find that your stroke feels much more stable and connected, leading to better distance control and fewer pushed or pulled putts. This also helps you understand the subtle balance in your grip pressure, ensuring neither hand dominates too much.
Refining Your Focus: Beyond the Hardware
While the Genesis Invitational showcases the latest and greatest in golf equipment, as evidenced by the numerous “WITB” (What’s In The Bag) albums like those for Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau, remember that the equipment is only as good as the player wielding it. What’s truly inspiring is the dedication these players show to their craft. They’re constantly evaluating, refining, and practicing.
“The early week saw no shortage of rainfall at the George C. Thomas, Jr. track, dampening our photographic efforts. However, we were still able to shoot a number of putters on Monday…”
Even with challenging weather, the focus was on the details. This commitment to improvement, irrespective of conditions, is what you should aspire to. Don’t let a bad putting day discourage you. Instead, use it as an opportunity to analyze, adjust, and apply these drills.
I tell my students all the time that putting is a skill that can always be improved, no matter your current level. It’s not about strength or raw athletic ability; it’s about touch, precision, and confidence. By dedicating a little time to purposeful practice with these drills, you’ll start to see a significant difference in your scores and, more importantly, in your enjoyment of the game.
Keep those putts rolling true, and I’ll see you on the greens!
