Putting is a sense! Intuition makes golf enjoyable more than numbers (Becoming a Putting Pro)

The Difficulty of Putting

Putting is a very difficult shot despite the short distance. Unlike the pleasure of hitting far with a driver, putting requires you to hole the ball from a distance of just a few meters with precision. Many golfers practice by quantifying the stroke size, distance, and backswing in an attempt to control their putting perfectly. However, on the field, there are more complex variables than in the practice range. Therefore, if you cling only to the numbers, putting can become even more challenging. I believe that putting ultimately comes down to 'feeling.' It's important to trust your intuition while using the numbers as a reference in order to enjoy golf.

Limitations of Number Putting

Number putting is attractive and provides very clear criteria. For example, if you successfully made a 3m putt with a 15cm backswing, it feels natural to try again with the same 15cm under the same conditions. Currently, various putting trainers and smart devices analyze swings to suggest optimal swings for different distances, and it is even common to see players practicing with tape on the green. However, putting on the course is much more complex. The green speed changes daily, and slopes, grass conditions, humidity, and wind all have a significant impact. Even for the same distance, it cannot be managed with just one swing.

The Importance of Feel Putting

Feeling putting is an approach that comprehensively considers all variables. The key is to observe distance, slope, speed, and grass condition visually, feel them with your feet, and adjust using your hands and body. It is necessary to practice understanding and reacting intuitively rather than through numerical methods. Many professional players emphasize 'rhythm, speed, and the sensation of the hands' for this reason. Therefore, in practice, it is advisable to focus on mastering rhythm instead of numbers, and to close your eyes to deepen your sense of distance. This will help develop embodied skills.

Flexible Response in Practice

Feeling putting allows for much more flexible responses in real golf situations. Even when the condition of the green changes, there is no panic, and one can adjust the putting based on the tempo, ball speed, and hand feel that they perceive. Putting transforms from merely applying a simple formula to being an immediate reaction, which ultimately boosts confidence. Even in failure, feedback on the swing feeling is received instantly, allowing for quick application in the next putt. This will be one of the best ways to enhance adaptability in real situations.

Feeling makes golf more enjoyable

Feeling putting enhances the enjoyment of golf. Even if numerical putting is successful, it only leaves a cold sense of satisfaction, but when a putt is judged and performed intuitively, it evokes an entirely different emotion. Putting transcends simple technique and evolves into an artistic moment. Even in failure, the effort to seek the 'feeling' brings hope for better performance next time, making the overall experience of golf much more enjoyable.

Build putting feel through experience.

The sense of putting is not something you're born with it is developed through repeated practice. By investing time, you refine your ability to feel the distance, and this becomes a reliable standard. This sense is more accurate than numbers, and in actual play, it helps make important decisions. Additionally, this sense can be adjusted flexibly depending on the situation, allowing you to modify your rhythm or stroke according to the speed of the green.

Conclusion: Harmony of Intuition and Body

In the end, putting is not about calculating numbers it is about trusting your intuition in the moment and letting your body take over. Use number-based practice as a reference, but don't get trapped by numbers alone. Remember that true putting always begins with a feeling and ends with a feeling. This feeling will transform golf from a 'well-played game' into a joyful experience where the body and mind are connected. Therefore, when practicing putting, trust intuition over numbers, the body over the mind, and feelings over calculations.