Be A Confident Putter

Bobby Jones once said: "Putting -- a game within a game -- might just be said to be the most important part of golf."  Indeed, putting is an art. A good artist shows confidence in his or her work. Likewise, a confident putter has to feel that he or she is up to par.

It is not uncommon to make the unforgivable mistake of missing a short putt on the last hole. This could be devastating in that it may haunt you for the rest of your life. In golf success, the inability to forget a past mistake could be much worse-off than the inability to remember what to do.

Be a confident putter.

(1) Confidence in putting means the ability to consciously block off all your missed putts.

(2) Confidence in putting means positive affirmations about yourself being a good, if not a great, putter. Although your inner self might tell you to get "real," just remember that great golfers miss their putts too; the difference is that, for example, Jack Nicklaus chooses to remember his perfect putts, instead of his missed ones. You can do the same to acquire confidence in putting.

(3) Confidence in putting means changing your own perceptions about your putting techniques. Remember, a great putter is not born, but made through the conscious effort to improve not only the techniques but also the self-image. The effort requires practice and perseverance.

How do you become a confident putter?

(1) Practice mental visualization. Try to remember only the perfect putts you have made. Gary Player once said: "On every putt, see the ball going into the hole with your mind's eye." You will be amazed at the power of visualization: seeing is believing, and this applies to even mental visualization.

(2) Practice reliving the perfect putts you have made, not the ones you have missed. Visualize the positive ones in your next round of golf, and see them going in the hole.

(3) Stop complaining about the mistakes you have made, in particular in your conversations with other golfers. Remember, complaining and moaning only reinforce the negative image and may even become self-fulfilling prophecy.

Golf is a mental game. Think like Jack Nicklaus. The mind, more than anything else, is all that matters on the green. Remember, you may become what you think you are. This is the essence of confidence in putting.

Breakthrough Putting Secrets -- Learn to putt like the pros. Learn the secrets of professional putters. Master your short game. A detailed guide on the art of putting!

For more golf information, visit my website: Golfing Success Info Center.

Stephen Lau