Improving your putting can significantly impact your golf game by helping you shave off strokes and gain confidence on the green. Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, a Sports Biomechanics PhD Professor at St. Francis Xavier University and co-founder of The Stack System, has identified three critical factors for improving putting based on over 20 years of research. These factors include green-reading, speed control, and face angle. Green-reading involves understanding the slopes and undulations of the putting surface and is crucial for reducing the number of putts taken per round. According to MacKenzie’s research, an average 15-handicapper misreads a significant percentage of putts compared to a Tour player.
Speed control is another essential component of successful putting. Tour players excel at judging and executing putt speed, leading to more accurate putts and fewer three-putts. MacKenzie found that golfers are seven times less likely to three-putt after reading and hitting the speed correctly. Face angle plays a major role in determining the success of a putt, as a ball won’t hit the target if the clubface is misaligned. Squaring the face is crucial for starting the ball on the intended line, and Tour players are significantly better at hitting putts on their desired start line compared to average golfers.
Contrary to popular belief, using a line on your golf ball may not always be the best method for putting, according to expert opinions. Impact position and putter path are often overemphasized by golfers, with MacKenzie highlighting the minor influence of where the ball hits on the putter face. Instead of focusing on swing changes that may take months to perfect, MacKenzie recommends prioritizing putting practice to lower scores. The three areas MacKenzie identifies—green-reading, speed control, and face angle—are key components in improving putting performance.
To enhance your putting skills, consider using training aids like TheStack Swing Speed Trainer, which includes both hardware and an app bundle designed by Dr. Sasho MacKenzie. The hardware component features milled Stack weights that enable various weight combinations for training purposes. The training app includes dynamic speed training formulated by MacKenzie, guided workout timers, custom speed metrics, and hands-free data entry using voice technology. By incorporating training aids and focusing on the essential factors highlighted by MacKenzie, golfers of all skill levels can improve their putting performance and sink more putts on the green with practice and dedication.
