How important is putting and practicing putting (vs other areas)?

[JuniorGolfParent]

I am talking outside of 3-putt avoidance and not missing “gimme” putts. Those seem like foundational for a competitive junior golfer.

But will you really make that many more putts from 4-8ft by practicing a lot? Rough math would make me think at most the difference between an average and great putter is making 10-20% more of those mid length putts - which probably only translates to about a stroke per round?

My son doesn’t like to practice putting, and doesn’t think it would be a good use of his time vs improving in other areas. He told me he thinks practicing an extra 60 hours (1 hour a day for two months) would be better spent working on short game and wedge shots instead of putting.

Is he right?

 

[tiger1873]

 

hard to say what a person needs to work on with putting without really seeing what is happening. But the key is to make almost everything in within 6 ft If your missing 6 foot putts your going to three putt a lot.

the farther out you go the less your going to see a return. Putting is more important. Cause your not going be chipping a ton of chips plus if you can’t sink 6 foot putts having an awesome short game isn’t going to matter either since your not going to save a lot pars.

i would start with a 6ft putt and see how many they make. If you can make 9 out of 10 your on target. If not figure out why the putts are not dropping. Could be a ton things too everything from bad putting stroke to just putter that doesn’t fit and even horrible greens.

 

 

[hangontight]

 

My just turned 9 YO sons putting has improved dramatically over the last 6 months since we changed the focus of putting practice and play from “3 putt avoidance” to “try to make EVERY putt” . Part of that includes more practice in the “comeback” range of 2-5’ of course, but he has made way more 6-15’ putts than before which far outweighing the occasional 3 jack. I can tell his attitude has changed from putting with fear (of a 3 putt) to Being assertive, it’s really freed him up. Don’t even keep 3 putt stats any more, don’t beat yourself up, or even mention them. He and I are both more apt to reflect on a round and mention putts left short than mentioning any 3 putts. Kind of look at 3 putts as an occasional cost of doing business ...in the business of being a good putter, haha. It’s been enlightening to see how putting can keep him in a round on those days when ballstriking isn’t that great. As far as practicing, I had to dig deep to keep him engaged in putting practice- as with any area try to find games and challenges that are fun and don’t seem like “drills” that suit their style. Now he has a few practice plans for putting days that he does on his own and seems to enjoy short game practice.

[leezer99]

Putting and driving are the two most important pieces of the game for junior golfers.

[darter79]

big fat no. I would agree with @leezer99 and go even further to say the younger they are the more important driving and putting are. We spend a ton of time on 2-10 footers. Why that length because that is 90% (maybe higher of all putts she has. Putting has to be a top practicing point. I don't disagree that wedges are very important as well I would spend a ton of time on putting, especially what is weak in his putting area.

[tiger1873]

that is true for anyone starting out. But once you start to improve your game and achieve hitting a high percentage of fairways and able to sink enough puts inside 10 feet having a good wedge game is a must otherwise you will not lower your score. If you end up 2 putting your chips your going to end up with bogey on a lot holes.

with kids having the correct speed is what is important though can’t teach that they either figure it out or they don’t.

 

by the way if you end up practicing something for hours on end and see little results your doing something wrong or it’s something your not capable of doing.

[wildcatden]

Putting is critical. Need to be making those 6ft and under putts at a regular clip as this helps 3-putt avoidance when having to hit those long lag putts that end up in that range. And making those 8-foot putts for birdie are what gets a round going. My junior made 2 of those today and would have simply had tap-in pars if he missed them, but those birdies and par saves from that distance drive momentum.