My golf season is a mix of regular rounds, match play events and team events. Every time I play, it is a new experience with respect to putting. The reason for the diverse opportunities is due to the ball never landing in the same place twice regardless of the number of rounds played. Playing in team events, it is a challenge to select the line that fits all the players, hence the statement by my friend Jack: “Putt What You See”. It is a universal statement that all golf teams should understand and employ.

On all the golf teams I play, none of us putt the same. Regardless of our skill, putting is as unique as snowflakes. None are the same no matter the circumstances. If you have played golf with a player long enough (as I have with by buddies Blair and Rick) it is easier to read putts for their game and offer advice as to the line needed to sink a putt. However, when playing with players that are new or at least unfamiliar, reading putts for them becomes a challenge. And the line chosen by each player defaults to their style, thus causing challenges for players putting before you during any golf hole.

The statement of “Putt What You See” was offered by our wise and experienced play Jack. He presented this statement in 2019 when we played together at Pine Grove in a four person scramble. After much discussion on particular putt, Jack interjected with this putting advice to help move our chatter along. Basically, Jack indicated that we were approaching our collective putting thoughts the wrong way. Each player has a unique putting style where they read putts to fit their stroke. This epiphany lead to a new way approaching our group think on putting.

The first step we accepted was a very broad look at the putt. Determining which way it broke was key. Then we spoke about how much the putt breaks. After that it becomes an individual approach to putting. The first player determines how much their specific put will break and states where they are aiming. The rest of us stand back and quietly watch them hit the putt. Other than sinking the putt, the first player has to hit the ball past the hole to ensure the rest of us can read the roll. Basically, the first player putts what they see and the rest of us go to school.

I am usually the last player to putt and by then I have a very good understanding on how the putt is going to play. This is beneficial because it offers both speed and line for me to use when making my putt. This does not always mean I will sink the putt, but I have a very good chance to be close at the very least. The trick to my success is that the players putting before me establish the information I need by “Putting What They See”.

For four years, Jack’s advice has shaped the way my team putts in a tournament. By creating an environment where players can putt to their style has improved the success of putts made during scrambles. It is amazing how one simple statement to create a paradigm shift in thinking while on the greens. “Putting What You See” might seem like a simple statement, however it has had a profound affect on my game. Thanks Jack for the sage wisdom!

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