Why Do Some Struggle with Making Short Putts?

Golfer:

"Why do some players struggle with short putts and what is your approach to teaching players to make them?"

Dr. Cohn’s Answer:

From a mental game perspective, I think players struggle with short putts (3-4 feet) because they put extra pressure on themselves to make them. These putts players expect to make. “Everyone makes short putts, it would be awful if I missed this one” a player may feel or say to him or herself standing over the putt. It is this extra pressure that a golfer puts on himself and thus a result focus about the potential for missing that creates problems. In addition, some players are afraid to embarrass themselves for missing a short putt, which causes too much trying and tension in the stroke. After players miss a couple of short putts in a row, they get the “I-can’t-make-the-short-ones syndrome” and thus talk themselves into thinking they will miss them.

As a mental game coach, I try to get players to understand what mental breakdown they are committing. Are you trying too hard, worrying about missing, embarrassed to miss, or just think you are a poor short putt putter? With this information, I am better able to deal with the specific challenge of the player.

With that said, there are a few things you can do to help you make short putts. First, don’t label the putt as a “short putt” and treat it differently than a 12-foot putt for example. The bottom line (or what I call the common denominator) in putting is that you have to hit your line with the right pace—and player forget about this basic principle. Second, you don’t “have to” make it. Even the pros miss short putts occasionally. When worrying about making, you are too result focused. Keep your focus on the process of hitting a solid putt on your line that you selected.

Third, don’t baby the putt into the hole and try to guide it. Give up control to your hand-eye coordination. You already know how to stroke a putt on line and you have trust that you can do just that. See the target (maybe right edge for example) and allow your body to start the ball on that spot. Feel it into the hole instead of trying to make a good “stroke.” Fourth, the past is over with. Let go of past missed putts. Every putt is a new putt and has to be treated as such. You have to treat every putt as if it’s the first putt of the day—with confidence and optimism that you will hit it on line. Take the same amount of time—not more or less—that your normal routine dictates.

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