Some golfers are so gifted on the greens it seems the only explanation is divine intervention. The ball rolls so true it feels like it’ll never miss. When these golfers step over the ball, you’re expecting a make every time. For these golfers, it’s fair to wonder if they ever miss.
When watching gifted putters like these, it’s fair to wonder how they became so dialed in on the greens. Were they just born great putters? Or did they work at the craft to develop the skill? It’s a fair question to ask, and one that GOLF’s Subpar co-hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz posed to Greg Chalmers on this week’s episode of the podcast.
“I would say it’s definitely an area you can develop,” Chalmers said. “But you have to start really early.”
Chalmers, winner of the 2016 Barracuda Championship, explained that when he began playing golf as a child, his home course only had a putting green. The course was equipped with a net for practicing full shots, but the amenities were extremely limited.
“We just had putting competitions,” Chalmers said. “So I spend endless and endless hours just competing at putting.”
Those putting games paid off as Chalmers went on to become an extremely gifted putter in his pro career.
“I think part of it is work,” Chalmers said. “But some of it might be that you just got lucky you were at a golf course that had a great putting green.”
For more from Chalmers, check out the full episode below.
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.