What to Focus on When Putting
Last week, I wrote about the problems with labeling your putts. This week, I want to talk about golfers who focus too much on missing shots…
When you struggle with any part of your game, the tendency is to focus more on not missing shots or putts instead of making them.
Some of the golfers I work with get so defensive all they see when on the tee is the trouble and where not to hit the ball. And in putting, golfers imagine how they will miss a putt and what this means to the round.
Why do golfers focus on what not to do when playing a golf shot?
Often golfers focus on missing shots because of the fear of missing and the “aftermath” of missing…
Allow me to explain….
The aftermath is what you will feel about missing and how this will affect your game:
- What score will the miss take you to.
- What dropping a shot will do to your position in the match.
- Feeling embarrassed for missing an easy putt or shot.
- Wondering if your round is going to blow up.
- Feeling frustrated with missing.
As you can see, the aftermath of missing focuses your mind on all the wrong things: the outcome and how painful missing is…
This leads to tension, worry, and second-guessing while over the ball.
How can you focus on making instead of missing?
First, you want to define a routine for every shot: putting, chipping, and full shot as these will vary depending on the shot.
For each routine, you want to define what’s important to focus on and help you be in the moment.
For example, in putting:
- Read the Green
- Pick a line or target
- Rehearse the putt in your mind
- Feel the distance with practice strokes
- Focus on the target/line
- React to the image of the target/line
But defining your routine is just half the battle…
The next step is to immerse yourself in these important cues only. This is where your focus comes in especially at the end of your routine:
Are you focused on hitting the ball to your target or thinking about missing?
Here’s the Plan:
Plan A: Only focus on where you want the ball to go.
Plan B: Stop and refocus if you start to think about missing.
Related Golf Psychology Articles
- Golfers Who Are Afraid Of Missing Putts
- What To Do When Frustrated With Missing Putts
- How to Stop the Yips Cycle Before it Starts
Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!
Breaking The Yips Cycle Video and Workbook program is ideal for any amateur, collegiate, junior, and tour professional golfer who wants to break out of the putting, chipping, or pitching yips.
Golf coaches and instructors would also be wise to teach “Breaking The Yips Cycle” principles to their players who struggle with tension in their swing or the full-blown yips. This program is perfect for any golfer who wants to improve performance by swinging freely again!