Three Secrets to Putting: RPO

Three Secrets to Putting: RPO

Routing – Definition: a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program.

You MUST develop a pre-shot and putting routine, the same actions, the same amount of time every time. Make your routine your own, your routine does not have to look like anyone else, in fact it shouldn’t. A routine will help you deal with external/internal pressures and ultimately help you putt out of your mind. Elements of a world class routine include…

1. Reading the Green

   1. Get Low, Behind the Hole, Last Three Feet, True Center

2. Visualization

   1. See success, see the ball go into the hole, hear it go into the hole.

3. A “Trigger”

   1. A respected beginning to your series of athletic movements

      1. Breathing, Glove Putt etc.

4. Preview Strokes

   1. Feel the desired shot before it happens.

5. Trust and Athleticism

   1. Respond/react to the target, don’t think your way through the stroke. 

6. Post-Shot/Putt Routine

   1. Asses your process and commitment not the outcome.

7. Time

   1. Your routine could and should be timed with a stopwatch. 

These are suggestions, not mandates, build a rock solid routine and stick to it. “If you care about the result of your shot/putt, you should go through your routine. If the outcome is irrelevant, don’t go through your routine”

Practice – The way you practice can make you better or worse, the decision is yours. 

Organizing your practice is a BIG DEAL, we know that learning and mastery requires challenge, sequence and persistence. Practice should be organized in the following way…

1. Block Practice – Warming up, use feedback tools such as mirrors, gates, string lines, alignment sticks and drills. Should be 5-20 minutes

2. Variable Practice – Use games that allow you to benchmark your performance against your previous results. Vary your practice so that you are constantly having to respond to a change in your environment. 

Simply hitting balls or hitting putts without a target, goal, process is simply spinning your wheels. You can improve rapidly if you organize your practice and approach, it as sacred. Every top player practices with intention and passion. Bonus, if you practice well you don’t have to spend as much time doing it, the statement “quality over quantity” is a truism when it comes to golf practice.

Outlook – Control the things you can and let go of the things you can’t.

I have seen thousands of golfers grade themselves and their effort based on the RESULTS of a shot or putt. It’s natural to think this way, good shot equals good effort, and bad shot equals bad efforts, however this is a mental trap and should be avoided at all costs. Golf is a very hard sport and if you become result-oriented you will find yourself frustrated, losing the joy of the game and in general just plain miserable.

There is a better way, focus on PROCESS, the only thing you can control. Focus on your attitude, your pre-shot/putt routine, your post-shot/putt routine, how you treat others, how you respond to bad bounces, holes and shots. When you realize that focusing on score and quality of shots is secondary, maybe even tertiary you are on your way to mastering the game of golf. I promise you if you have a “can do” attitude, a rock solid pre and post shot routine, treat the golf course and playing partners with respect and let go of your attachment to results you will hit your best shots and enjoy your lowest scores. Bonus, you will enjoy playing golf and feel a tremendous sense of freedom because you are not tying your self-worth to your scores. 

Life Connection – While I am sharing golf “best practices” surely you are starting to see that there is a connection to life in the words above. The game of golf teaches us so much about ourselves and the lessons learned in order to become a great golfer will help you navigate the uncertainty of life. There is no bad bounce or bad break you won’t be prepared for… Go Crater!

PATRICK OROPALLO, PGA

Player Engagement Consultant