Today, I wanted to figure out what exactly counts as a short putt. You know, those putts that seem easy but can really mess with your head? So, I grabbed my putter and headed out to the green to do some testing.
First off, I started dropping balls at different distances, starting real close, like just 2 feet from the hole. At this range, it felt almost automatic. I was just tapping the ball in, no big deal. But as I started moving back, things got a bit trickier.
Defining the “Short Putt”
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Experimenting with Distance
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The Mental Game
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Aim and Stroke Practice
I kept moving back, one foot at a time, to see when it started to feel like I actually had to “putt” instead of just tap it in. Around that 6-foot mark, I noticed I was having to put some thought into my aim and my stroke. It wasn’t just a tap anymore; I had to focus a bit more.
It’s funny, sometimes these short ones, the pressure, you know? It’s like, “This should be easy,” but then your brain starts overthinking it. So, I really made an effort to keep a relaxed grip and just trust my stroke, even on the shorter putts.
I spent a good chunk of time just working on my aim. It’s all about that putter face. Got to get it pointed where you want the ball to go. And then the stroke, gotta keep it like a pendulum, nice and smooth. Not too much force since you’re not going that far.
I even tried this one drill I heard about: I held the ball in my hand and practiced tossing it to the hole, trying to mimic that putting motion with my shoulders. It’s a weird little thing, but it really helped me get a feel for the right distance and pace.
After a couple of hours out there, I’d say anything 6 feet and in, that’s your short putt zone. But here’s the kicker: even though they’re “short,” you gotta respect them. Keep that aim sharp, that stroke smooth, and don’t let the pressure get to you, and you’ll be sinking those short putts like a pro. And remember, the pros make about 40% from 10 feet, so don’t beat yourself up if you miss a few. Just keep practicing!
