“Drive for show, putt for dough,” is an extremely tired cliché, but it didn’t become hackneyed for no reason. When is the last time you met a player who shot near par without a solid flatstick? My guess is never. If you want to score, you need aptitude on the greens — it’s that simple.
Our readers seemed to think so, too. Instruction is always a popular vertical on GOLF.com, but in 2020 it was even more so. With work from home as a new norm and social distancing a must, golf took off in popularity. Putting advice was among the most sought-after.
Back in June, GOLF’s Director of Game Improvement Luke Kerr-Dineen sent out an email chain to the resident low handicappers posing the question, “What’s your advice to golfers who have no confidence over short putts?” We responded, he put the article together and it became the most popular putting tip(s) of the year.
1. They don’t practice them enough 2. They don’t have a system 3. They don’t look at the hole (on practice strokes) 4. They’re not aggressive 5. They look up too soon
Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.