Introduction:

In the quest for lower scores on the golf course, many players devote endless hours to perfecting their swings on the driving range. But what if I told you there’s a fascinating way to test the correlation between your shot-making skills and your overall golf score? Imagine being among the elite ball strikers, hitting long drives and never missing a green. You might wonder, where does putting fit into all of this? Let’s explore a compelling experiment that could revolutionize your approach to golf improvement.

The Experiment:

Here’s the setup: For each hole of the 18 holes you play, or on the practice putting green if you prefer, attempt a 10-foot putt. Half of these putts must be uphill, the other half downhill. Mix it up with 6 right-to-left, 6 left-to-right, and 6 straight putts to keep it interesting. Now, here’s the catch: there are three hurdles to overcome before counting your score.

• No Short Putts Allowed: If you leave a putt short, consider it game over.
• Keep it Close: If your first putt lands outside a 2-foot circle around the hole, it’s game over.
• Avoid the Three-Putt: If you three-putt, it’s game over.

For those that can’t seem to complete these 18 holes without making one of the above mistakes, I’d encourage you to spend nearly the entirety of your practice time on the putting green focusing on green reading, alignment, putting stroke, and developing the feel for the pace of a putt.  I can tell you right now, the dedication you give to improving your putting will give you outsized returns compared to practically any other practice you could do at this point.  

Now if you’re in the group that did manage to get by these initial three hurdles, congratulations!  Add up your score. Shooting at least 6-under represents the average number of 10-foot putts made by a scratch handicapper (roughly 33%). The PGA Tour average makes around 40%. If you hit 6-under or better, I’d suggest your focus should be on ball striking. However, if you fall short, it might be time to shift your attention to the putting green.

Why It Matters:

Putting prowess is often overlooked in favor of the long game, but it’s where scores are truly made or broken. Spending countless hours on the driving range may not yield significant improvements in your score if you can’t get the ball in the hole.  By prioritizing your golf improvement efforts based on this experiment, you can optimize your practice routines and see tangible results on the course.

Conclusion:

Next time you’re looking to enhance your golf game, consider the power of putting. This simple yet effective experiment can provide invaluable insights into where you should focus your efforts for maximum improvement. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, mastering the art of putting is critical to unlocking your full potential on the course.