The Four Pillars of Great Putting—And the One You’re Ignoring

/ Dennis Sales Golf Academy/

When golfers think about putting, they typically focus on three key elements: green reading, speed control, and starting the ball on the intended line. But there’s one crucial factor that often gets overlooked—the mindset.

Mindset isn’t just about confidence. It’s about clarity, commitment, and the ability to execute a stroke without second-guessing. Without the right mental approach, even the best mechanics won’t hold up under pressure.

The Case of the Hesitant Putter

I recently worked with a golfer who struggled with speed control. Most of his putts finished short of the hole, making two-putts more difficult. When we analyzed his stroke on SAM PuttLab, we saw that his mechanics were highly consistent—so why was he struggling?

It came down to doubt.

He wasn’t sure whether to use the line on the ball or not. When he did use the line, he’d often second-guess his setup, adjust at the last second, and ultimately lose confidence in the stroke. This hesitation affected not just his ability to start the ball on line, but also his speed control.

Why Mindset Matters in Putting

The best putters in the world trust their process. They commit to their read and stroke without hesitation. If you're constantly debating your technique mid-round, your execution will suffer.

In this player’s case, we used data to determine whether using the line helped or hurt his performance. After testing both options, we found that he was better off not using the line. Removing that decision allowed him to focus on execution rather than overthinking his setup.

Key Takeaways for Your Putting

  1. Clarity leads to confidence. Doubt will show up in your stroke, so eliminate unnecessary variables.

  2. Commit to your process. Whether you use a line or not, decide before the round and stick with it.

  3. Your mindset determines your execution. A great putting stroke means nothing if your mind isn’t in the right place.

Next time you practice, take a step back. Instead of changing your mechanics, ask yourself: Am I second-guessing my stroke? If the answer is yes, it’s time to address your mindset.

Drill: Line or No Line Test

Objective: Determine whether using the line on the ball helps or hurts your putting.

Setup:

  1. Find a flat, straight 10 foot putt.

  2. Hit 10 putts using the line on the ball for alignment.

  3. Hit 10 putts without the line, aligning the putter face instead.

  4. Track how many putts you make with each method.

Analysis:

  • If you perform better without the line, stop second-guessing it!

  • If you perform better with the line, fully commit to using it.

Key Takeaway:

Eliminate doubt. If the line helps, use it. If not, forget it.

Ready to take your putting to the next level? Don’t let doubt and hesitation hold you back from sinking more putts. At Dennis Sales Golf Academy, we use cutting-edge technology and proven training methods to help you develop a confident, repeatable putting stroke.

  • Personalized putting assessments using SAM PuttLab

  • Proven drills to improve mindset, speed control, and start line

  • One-on-one coaching to eliminate doubt and build confidence

Book your best putting lesson today and start making more putts with complete trust in your stroke!