If we learned anything from The Open on the weekend, putting is everything in golf. It is the great equalizer, the determining factor for a great round, and the anvil that crushes your opponent. Yup, putting decides everything. If you are still not convinced, aske Rory McIlroy and Cameron Smith!

It is amazing to think that to two put every hole, shoot a two under par 70 and still lose six strokes to your opponent. Rory McIlroy had a very poor putting day in comparison to the other players at the top of the leaderboard; putting 36 times without a three putt is not how a player wins a Major like The Open.

Cameron Smith, on the other hand putted only 29 putts to shoot a low round of 64 on Sunday. Starting four strokes back at the start of the final round, it was unclear that Smith had the game to make up the deficient and overtake McIlroy. Well, he did in no large part to his string of five birdies from the 10th to 14th hole where he one putted. His putting prowess is second to none and I think he is the best putter in golf today.

Yesterday I was golf with my friend Jack. He has played in the past, but not regularly. We decided to make a regular tee time on Monday’s and it has helped is game already. I mentioned about how a putting stroke could be made to offer an 80% solution to offer the greatest chance for success. He responded, rightly so, that putting is very much a feel stroke and that each player needs to find their own stroke that works for their game. Of course, he hit the nail on the head, but there some fundamentals of putting that I think all players should master.

I could make a list, but I wrote a 5 part putting techniques that covers all the basics. It starts with making solid contact, you follow all five of my articles by starting with the first called Putting Guides – Part 1 of 5.

Putting is the great equilizer. I am sure your convinced by now. But I do want to leave you with a parting thought:

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