The best way to get good at putting?
- Routines are great.
- The right putter can help.
- And a practice basket is a must.
But the correct answer is not having to putt.
Or in other words, the tap-in.
But not having to putt is just the tip of the tap-in’s power …
In a competitive environment, repeated tap-ins will absolutely suck the life out of your fiercest rivals – and fortunately, in a non-douchebag way. Furthermore, I don’t care how good you are at converting circle’s-edge putts: You’re not jamming ten of ‘em in a row under actual pressure.
In practice, yes.
When it counts, no.
That goes for both Paul McBeth, as well as your local, 925-rated arch-nemesis. Hole after hole, that kind of stress takes a serious mental toll on players – it’s difficult to sustain. Whether from the tee or a fairway approach, tap-ins give the brain (and body) a two- to three-minute break.
During said break, you can finally take a deep breath and relax – loosen up a bit. Talk with other players on your card. When kosher, crack a joke or two. Prepare for the next hole, if you like.
And if that feels cart-before-the-horse-ish, remember …
It’s a tap-in.
Meanwhile, your cardmate’s stuck with a 34-foot putt.
Not to mention a few questions that require INSTANT answers:
- “Should I step, jump or standstill this thing?”
- “How aggressive do I need to be with this putt?”
- “Am I capable of making the comebacker if I miss?”
- “What’s the overall importance of this putt for my round?”
Repeatedly asking and answering these questions for one round is no biggie. For two rounds, you’ll survive. But three rounds of it starts to wear on a person’s mental endurance. So yes, cherish your idiot-proof tap-in. In bulk, know it’s doing severe damage to others’ play.
It’s sick. It’s twisted. It’s accurate.
Turn the knife.
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