66: Steal this Sports Psychology Tip to Make More Putts Instantly

Wicked Smart Golf - A podcast by Michael Leonard

Want to make more putts?  Steal this sports psychology hack I learned after working with a sports psychologist before going to Q-School in 2019. One of the biggest things I wanted to discuss with him was putting, as I knew I had serious room to improve. I remember telling him, “Sometimes I kind of blank on the greens and forget what I’m doing. I lose focus and kind of space out.”  His solution was to give my mind a clear breakdown of the putt. He told me from behind the ball, read the putt, analyze the green's slope, and then declare it to your mind. It worked wonders at Q-School and still something I do with every putt to this day.  Now, after reading the putt, I give my mind a clear image of how the putt should break.  I will say to myself (in my head), Okay, I got ten feet, uphill, right to left. My aim is just outside the right part of the cup.  This gives my mind a clear image of what the putt should do and helps clarify the goal. The more specific the description, the better. As Billy Casper said, “Try to think where you want to put the ball, not where you don’t want it to go.” To give yourself a clear picture of the putt, you need to use a few green-reading techniques that I’ll discuss in the next point.  Remember if you struggle to visualize like myself, verbalize the putt to give your mind clarity on the read. Hopefully it leads to making more putts than ever!  Here's how Wicked Smart Golf can help you: Learn how to practice like a Pro (FREE Video Series): https://www.wickedsmartgolf.com/practice  Ready to master the mental game? Learn more about Mental Golf Type (MGT): https://www.mentalgolftype.com/a/39011/Hfvo4urF  Want to have Tiger like confidence with your putter? Use the “Look and Shoot Putting System”: https://www.autogolfshop.com/wicked/  Buy Wicked Smart Golf Book (111 Ways to Play Better Without Swing Changes) on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39zNch7   Need a custom practice plan? Then you need the Under Par Golf App (enter WICKESMART10) for 10% off: https://underpargolfapp.com/pages/wickedsmartgolf  Need to add distance to your game? Start speed training with SuperSpeed Golf: https://amzn.to/3gfqj61   Want a more consistent swing? Buy the Lag Shot training aid (voted best training aid in 2022 by Golf Digest):https://lagshotgolf.com/u/wicked-smart-golf  ______________________________________________________ My other social media channels: Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wickedsmartgolf  Subscribe to Wicked Smart Golf on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGt1yzKR05YpqipoLVkr5yw?sub_confirmation=1  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wickedsmartgolf/