Enter the Arena
Process
Thought is to take no practice stroke, or behind the ball looking at the target. Side on stroke allows time for mind to wander and “lose” the target.
Pre-shot
- See the ball rolling on your start line
- Picture the pace (how it enters/ entry point); target point the last third
- Practice stroke setup from behind; focus on sensory; matching tempo on the beat 6-7.
- Take a cleansing breath and “wipe” the putter
Setup
- Step in and align the putter; slip on the hand.
- Feet adjust
Execute
- Ready(1)
- Site and Focus target 2-3-4 (engage the target)
- Collect on 5
- Stroke 6-7
For three-foot putts, the system is for 3 targets:
- Feel the break with your feet
- Where you feel “nothing” – aim to the center of the cup
- Where you feel “a little” – aim at the inside of the cup
- Where you feel “ a lot” – aim just outside the cup
- This covers 98%; most immediate area around the cup <= 2.5% slope
Three Pillars
• Start line is everything
• Build “never miss short” roll
• Pressure proof your Stroke
The 3 Pillars of Inside-8-Foot Putting
- Start Line is everything
From this distance, reads are small. If you miss, it’s usually face angle at impact.
Go-to drill: Gate Drill
• Set two tees just wider than your putter head
• Putt through the gate from 4–8 feet
• Add a second gate 12–18 inches in front of the ball (this is the real test)
👉 Goal: 20 in a row from 4 feet before moving back
- Build a “never miss short” roll
Most amateurs baby these. Elite players are firm but dying into the back of the hole.
Drill: Back-of-the-cup speed
• Pick 6–8 feet
• Your intent = ball would finish ~12–18 inches past if it misses
• This tightens your line (firmer putts hold line better)
- Pressure-proof your stroke
Practice means nothing if you can’t convert when it matters.
Drill: Around-the-world (must-make)
• 4 balls at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 feet (slight slope if possible)
• Must make all to “pass”
• Miss = restart