Developing a strong putting technique and honing putting skills is the ultimate stroke saver in golf. Over the years I have tried a plethora of different drills and techniques with the goal of improving my putting. Ultimately to improve our overall putting game, it comes down three areas to which I should have focused my efforts. I wish I would have understood these three areas a long time ago, but after listening to Rick Shiels, I realize I was working around the areas of importance. The only challenge I faced was not honing in on these areas earlier.

After you watched the video, the three areas of starting the ball on line, speed/distance control, and learning to read the greens seem very intuitive. Unfortunately, I should have taken all my efforts and focused on all three. The point I think that is often overlooked, is that all of these putting areas are interconnected and cannot be worked on in isolation.

Developing the center of the Venn diagram where all three skills are honed is a challenging endeavour to say least. Each can be developed individually, but when making any putt all three of these basic tenets must be followed. It does not matter where the putt is being made from, all three must be used.

In the past, I would focus mostly on reading the green and speed/distance control. I just assumed that these two would take care hitting my line. Unfortunately, I realized after much trial and error, I should have focused more on this putting basic. I have rectified my way and now feel that all three of tenets are part of my putting game. I still make mistakes, but not because I am overlooking any of the three important points recommended by Rick Shiels.

What do you think? Can putting basics be broken to just three points? Or is it more complicated?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!