As a golf instruction editor and professional, I’ve seen countless golfers struggle on the greens. Perhaps you know the feeling: standing over a crucial putt, muscles tight, your mind racing through every conceivable mechanical checkpoint. You desperately want the ball to drop, but instead, it sails past the hole, again. Frustration mounts, and the game feels more confusing than enjoyable.
What if I told you that the first step to making more putts might be to stop worrying about whether they actually go in?
The Real Trap: Chasing Results Over Process
It’s human nature to want to see the ball go in the hole. We all do! But when your focus shifts too heavily to that outcome, your putting stroke often suffers in predictable ways. I’ve observed it time and again: grips tighten, tempo quickens, and the follow-through shortens. You might even peek early to see if it’s going in, inadvertently pulling the putter face offline. That frantic energy, the desperate chase for the result, actually sabotages the very process that leads to success.
Many amateurs don’t realize that the ball ultimately going in isn’t entirely “up to you.” It’s a combination of your stroke, your read, and yes, a little bit of luck (bounce and gravity, anyone?). But great putters, like the legendary Ben Crenshaw, have always understood this fundamental truth.
“Ben Crenshaw never tried to make putts. He tried to make good strokes. When he did that well, the ball fell just like it did.”
This insight is profound. It tells us that our control lies in the quality of the stroke, not the outcome. When you make a good stroke, you give the ball its best chance.
Unlocking the Power of Tempo
In my 15+ years of teaching, I’ve found that putting is almost entirely about tempo. Think of it like a conductor leading an orchestra – the rhythm stays consistent, regardless of the length of the piece. Similarly, your putting tempo should remain the same whether you’re hitting a three-footer or a thirty-footer. When you shift your focus from “making putts” to “making smooth, tempo-driven strokes,” something truly remarkable happens.
Your body relaxes, your mechanics naturally clean themselves up, and you often start making more putts without even consciously trying to! Your stroke should resemble the consistent, unwavering swing of a grandfather clock’s pendulum. The length of the swing will vary with the distance, but the tempo – specifically, the 2:1 ratio of backswing to forward swing – should be your constant.
Drill 1: Finding Your Natural Rhythm (The “No Hole” Zone)
Let’s build your ideal tempo. First, establish your natural rhythm. Try this simple counting exercise: on your backswing, inwardly count “one,” and on your through-stroke, count “two.” Or, if you prefer, use the mantra “back and through.” The specific words aren’t as important as finding a steady, unhurried beat that feels good and natural to you.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Take this rhythm to the putting green, but I want you to intentionally avoid aiming at a hole. Yes, you read that right – no goal at all! Just focus on stroking the ball with your newly found rhythm and consistent speed. Let the putter swing freely, fluidly, like a well-oiled gate hinge. When you remove the pressure of the result, it becomes significantly easier to maintain that steady beat.
“When you’re not thinking about results, it’s easier to keep the beat.”
The Cornerstone: Solid Contact
Once you’ve established that smooth, tempo-driven stroke, the next crucial element is solid contact. When your putter face strikes the sweet spot of the ball, you should hear a clean, crisp “click.” Feel that distinct pressure on the face of the putter. That’s your goal – not making the putt, but consistently making good contact with a good rhythm.
When you combine a steady tempo with solid contact, you’ve done everything within your power. The ball will roll true, at the correct speed, and on the intended line. You’ve given it the best possible chance to drop, and at that point, the rest is up to your read and a bit of good fortune.
Drill 2: The “80/20 No-Look” Practice Protocol
This practice protocol, outlined by Brendon Elliott, is a game-changer. For 80 percent of your putting practice time, actively avoid looking at the hole. Instead, focus entirely on your timing and the quality of your contact. Listen for that clean sound, feel that solid strike, and get into the “groove” of your tempo. Only after you’ve firmly established that feel and rhythm should you introduce targets.
When you do bring in the holes, maintain that same focused mindset. Before each putt, try this: close your eyes and practice your stroke. Get a real feel for the tempo. Then, as you address the ball with your eyes open, make a conscious commitment to maintain that exact rhythm. Trust that proper execution will take care of the rest.
“Let go of your need to make putts, and you’ll make more of them. You’ll be able to putt without being afraid.”
The Freedom of Letting Go
It’s a beautiful paradox of golf: when you release the intense desire and fear associated with making putts, you often find yourself making more of them. This mental shift allows you to putt with a newfound freedom, without your stroke seizing up or stopping prematurely. And crucially, on those days when the putts just aren’t dropping (and let’s be honest, those days will happen), you can still walk off the green with a sense of quiet satisfaction, knowing you executed your process with integrity and skill. You focused on making good strokes, and that’s a victory in itself. Stop trying to make putts. Start making strokes. Your scorecard will thank you.
