|
When we're lining up our putt, especially if we are confident with our putting we expect the majority of them to go in. Certainly when we begin missing a few our self-confidence lowers, and soon we begin to doubt our abilities. Some of that corresponds to our expectations and what percent of them we presume we ought to be making. Possibly the reason is that when we watch Sports Center or various other golf highlights on television we see professionals making putts from everywhere around the green. We very often overlook these are actually highlights but not common. We should realize even the professionals will not make the high percentage of putts most of us might presuppose. So regardless that we ought to always have high expectations, we must always be also realistic about what the percentage of putts made by even the best golfers. So we will look at a few recent statistics to indicate that putting in fact is more challenging than we imagine. For instance, you likely are convinced every putt less than three foot should be a gimme. But in past statistics high handicappers only make around two out of three of those putts, and for females it drops to almost ½. In 2008 tour players made 98% of these putts less than 3 feet, which is definitely a good number, yet still one in every 50 are missed for the best golfers in the world. Here are some further data from the PGA tour events in 2008 which will shed even more light on how difficult it is for the greatest golfers in the world to fare statistically well on the greens: Distance Percentages 4-5 ft. 81 5-6 ft. 70 6-7 ft. 60 7-8 ft. 52 8-9 ft. 45 9-10 ft. 40 10-15 ft. 28 %15-20 ft. 17 %25 ft. and more 5 What these statistics indicate are that the pros won't make all of them; not even close to it. Whenever you knock yourself by missing an 8 footer, know that the top golfers on the planet make them only half the time. This also informs us that at least statistically we are able to lower our score results after we are able to become better in three areas. The first would be to become very accomplished at making the three foot putt and under. That's the place we can eliminate most wasted putts. Next, putts in excess of ten feet for the typical beginner aren't high-percentage, so make sure your "leaves" are not so hard they will likely lead to three putts. Finally, when you are successful using the initial two the 4-10 footers are those that will either make or break a good round. These would be the ones that you should either opt to go for, or recognize that particular putt has problems and you need to play safe. It will depend on many things, including green conditions; break of the green and possibly most significantly how you have been stroking the ball at that point in the round. If you are into golf like we are, we invite you to check out our website http://golfshortgames.com, as well as an article on tips on drawing a ball with your driver. Jim O'Connell is an avid golfer and writer living in Chicago.
Related Articles -
putting expectations, statistics of putting, check putting expectations,
| 
