The Putting Strategy Pros Use on Pinehurst’s Terrifying Greens | The Game Plan | Golf Digest

[@ythandlerandom1278LK]

The high and soft thing is fascinating - I was always taught to "always try to end up below the hole" - this is a great piece of knowledge to add to the arsenal!

[@Randsurfer]

Ending up below the hole applies more to the approach shot to the green and especially with extreme slopes.

[@riggz5496]

@@ythandlerandom1278LK yep I used to end up so far below the hole thinking like that. Since watching this I’ve left myself waaay better putts. It was a good video

[@bman4527]

I’m over reading every putt for the next 6 months now

[@lukekerrdineen]

'atta boy 🤣

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

Especially on those left to right breakers.

[@joshuaharris3145]

How soon did you skull one low after writing this?

[@samuelchoisamchoi714]

This is soo good! This series is phenomenal.

[@lukekerrdineen]

Hey guys! It's LKD. Hope you enjoyed our most recent Game Plan video. Drop any questions you have in the comments below, and I'll answer them!

[@jimlahey3919]

Thanks LKD. Hey, I seen that your favorite swing tempo is Max Homa. Now, is that current, or of all time? Max certainly is right up there with Couples, Els, Oousthuizen, etc. Louis O has always been my favorite tempo and swing in the world of golf. I think he has the most picture perfect, technically sound swing in the game.

[@gamebaggolf]

Insightful as ever! Would you be open to doing any analysis on how players develop a winning mindset e.g. Bryson says he's played a lot off the red tees to learn what it feels like to go low, and this shows in some of his scores e.g. Greenbrier and recently the PGA - contrast this with many other great players who just can't seem to push through to the end when the pressure mounts. Are there any patterns in this more subjective aspect of the game?

[@josephsoto727]

I love this series!! I went to Pinehurst 2 years ago and I can't wait to go back. Truly the golf Mecca

[@buc4ever19]

Keep these videos up LKD. They are incredible

[@craighattam283]

I have enjoyed every one of your Game Plan episodes. Great Stuff. Love Golf IQ podcast as well. Does this make me a golf nerd?

[@hietanbs]

This video series is awesome, keep them up!

[@lukekerrdineen]

Thanks! We love doing them

[@thegreenkeeper2537]

Added benefit of over-reading. When your subconscious knows what the line is then if you hit it too low, you’ll actually hit it a little harder in order to make it. Over-reading will make you hit it a little softer. Result = closer second putt.

[@Railerik]

I got a tee time in 30 mins, the timing of this video dropping is perfect!

[@Ashley.Toft64]

How’s the round going

[@Railerik]

@@Ashley.Toft64 Just birdied the 2nd hole. 1 under so far. 😎

[@nebaseball6]

Courses near me in PA, putting when you’re off the green isn’t an option due to the higher, thicker rough. Taking your lowest lofted club you can use for the shot however, is usually your best bet.

[@jlwmkkp]

Great video. High vs. low side segment was useful and make zone makes me want to practice more short putts and expand the zone!

[@lukekerrdineen]

You got it!! A lot of people see a 15 footer and think that’s in their make zone, when in reality, it’s not.

[@zsommers1]

LOVE Golf digest giving away all the secrets!!!

[@shaneshort3216]

This is the VERY best golf content, thank you!

[@tomotto1298]

Lucky enough to play there once, our caddy described the greens like trying to hit a golf ball onto a sleeping elephant. Perfect analogy in my opinion

[@lolobuggah2670]

Great tips for better scores.

[@Jorge_Alvarez1]

Question for LKD! Regarding lag putting, do you recommend lining up the ball or not? I consciously don’t on lag putts so that my focus is on the entire putt, not just the line. I line it up on putts inside ~20 feet that I’m trying to make, but maybe I’d be better off not with those putts as well. Cheers!

[@lukekerrdineen]

I’d say what you do is close to what most pros do. They’ll use the line on the ball mostly on straight putts, and/or putts inside 10 feet (the third scoring circle) and freewheel everything else. 20 feet seems a *little* far too be using the line, but ultimately it’s whatever makes you feel comfy and confident

[@Jorge_Alvarez1]

@@lukekerrdineen thanks for the reply! Will try tightening that range up to inside 10 feet and tempering my expectations with the flat stick 🤣 can’t hurt to match what the pros do 👊

[@williamgarry2635]

I still think that you should “line up” to the break that you read on those long putts, and then forget about it and FOCUS ON THE RIGHT SPEED. You will find that it is often the difference between a 10’ second putt & and a >3’-4’ second putt… I will often try to find a mark on the green that is on my line within 12” of my ball and just try to make the ball run over that spot with the right speed so that I’m “lined up” but I’d rather obsess over the pace than the line on a long putt. And of course, the speed of the putt determines how much break you play!!!

[@nowaythatnamewastakn]

I don't use ball lines, I draw imaginary lines on the green with my eyes and putt on those lines.

[@jerryturner2310]

@@nowaythatnamewastakn Yes. I do the same thing! Plus, my belly doesn't like me bending down too much to line up the line on the ball. LOL

[@RuairiODonnellFOTO]

Loved Payne Stewart. RIP. Great golfer, great style. Nothing was boring about Payne

[@tnusplyrmb]

I half agree with missing the read high above the whole. If you miss it high, you may have a severe slope finishing putt even tho it's closer. Missing it low sometimes leaves you with a 4 to 5 ft finishing putt BUT it's more likely it's directly downhill of the hole leaving you with a straight uphill putt which is more forgiving. My 2 cents

[@MNL54321]

I get what you’re saying but I think, especially for amateurs, golfers are more likely to pull and push putts the further the ball has to roll. So in essence, proximity beats out more break

[@ollyw2897]

I’d never considered the missing high thing. Really interesting. I’d rather have a 2 foot downhill. Than a 6 foot uphill I think.

[@pauldolan6459]

Great video thanks

[@shortexposureastrophotogra4988]

They didn't mention the rainsuit Payne Stewart was wearing when he won the 1999 US Open. He cut the sleeves off so it didn't interfere with his swing.

[@sionnachog894]

And he cut the bottoms off his trousers!

[@barrysfriend382]

this is great!!

[@pobodysnerfect9270]

I love this channel

[@jefftaylor8644]

Great video.

[@MichaelJones-ff9gb]

Great content, thank you!

[@lukekerrdineen]

Thank YOU

[@Justilineous]

1:02 ohhhh I went to pinehurst and JUST NOW SEEING THAT THIS WAS HIM😢😢😢

[@douglasolsson7768]

I use a bit of aim point. I don't walk it but know that most putts are 0% to 3% slope and make my best guess and use the fingers at arm length to get my spot. Works for me. I'm consistently near the hole while my friends under read it and fall well below the hole.

[@dabdias]

I have had exactly the same experience since I started to use aimpoint. I took an aimpoint class to help with my short putts, but it ended up helping a lot with the long putts too because of under-reading putts much less often.

[@dr.frankenputz865]

I would much rather have a 6-8 footer up hill than a 3-4 footer down hill with break on fast greens but that's probably why I am a 10 handicap🤣

[@lukekerrdineen]

Statistically, you're more likely to make the scary downhill short putt!

[@mikejones-go8vz]

10 handicap is an honest handicap, if you don’t practice, then you are a good player

[@LT1]

Up hill is so much harder.

[@squirrelydan3]

I over-read most of my putts in my last round. The trouble is, some of them had hardly any break at all, so they didn't end up any closer to the hole than if I'd gone to the other side 🙃. I was misreading everything it seemed like. Usually, the medium range putts are the one thing I have confidence in.

[@Geekermo]

Low stimp crappy greens in which all mortal golfers as you and me play do not break like the greens in Augusta.

[@slurma]

Who's here after seeing Bryson win for Payne

[@12mmratchet84]

Avoiding a 3 putt is easy if you just do it in 5

[@JF-kb5cy]

what is meant by high when he said hit it high and soft? he still talking about puts right?

[@jettjones9889]

Over read the putt (on purpose) and have just enough pace to get to the hole.

[@jacole1234]

A better way to explain is if you read a break (lets say right to left slope/break to the hole) you will end up closer to the hole if you over aim to the right of the hole (above the hole), than if you aim too low (too far left in this case). A miss above the break/hole ends up 2-3x closer than if you aim too low. Make sense?

[@tomsefton491]

Do you predict that the player with the best greens in regulation stat combined with best lag putting is going to win at Pinehurst….?

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

No. The best shots gained approach and top 5 shots gained putting will be your winner.

[@Malhorne]

SO TRUE

[@mrmanyouare]

It’s all about the drip. RIP mr Stewart

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

We miss Payne all these years later.

[@Tone2593]

Alright lets see how I do tomorrow

[@dagg310]

most of the courses i play have that crappy turtle shell shape....and elevated greens.... and small , firm greens almost make it impossible to hold any kind of second shot to the green. always have to hit it short and hope it rolls up to the pin. any type of miss either bounces off the back or rolls off the sides. very frustrating, especially for weekend golfers just trying to enjoy the game. courses need to stop doing this crap

[@roryblake3232]

I played on like that recently. Only about 20 percent of 1 green was flat approach. The rest was a pitch onto a severely raised green

[@ccos1960]

I chalk it up to everyday greenskeepers setting up pin placements. Be kind to yourself. Some places I call "homes of the Three-putt." There, a three-putt is as good as a two-putt. And a two or a one? Give yourself the credit for making good plays. Laugh as you watch your partners pick-up after four putts.

[@dagg310]

@@ccos1960 oh yes...pin placements. i just played a course...one hole was a dog leg left...i hit a perfect drive....get up to my ball....look at the green....there was a tree off to the right side of the fairway....the pin was right behind the tree. so i just hit a perfect drive and now i can't ever go for the pin. not only that....the second shot was over water and right in front of the green was a bunker. felt like it was sunday at augusta !....lol. and of course all that frustrated me and i hit it thin into the water....lol

[@honuputters1891]

Why do we never see a putting video on a green that is in the condition that most golfers usually play on?

[@RuairiODonnellFOTO]

Because it's not putting, it's gardening!

[@sandbiatcada]

A hidden strategy is to putt into the hole or close to the hole...

[@LanceCampeau]

turtleback greens SUCK

[@kamikazefireball]

Totally agree - it's a gimmick not a feature. Already sick of hearing about Donald Ross and his stupid greens and the tournament hasn't even started.

[@repoman2115]

I prefer the greens to be more bowl shaped

[@sturdy_boi]

RIP Stewart

[@FiveFootFore]

Donald Ross is a menace.

[@dddmmm21]

How to avoid 3 putts = Putt better!

[@geoffcohen613]

Note Payne used a bullseye putter, still the best putters around for feel.

[@patrickobrien9481]

It was a Seemore putter

[@arnoldvongvirath1088]

John Daily commented is kind of unprofessional, you are playing for the big pay-check and you are top world ranking suck it up and finish your jobs, faire or unfair who cares?

[@Auguste10]

lol ok bro. 1) Clearly you don’t know Daly and 2) this was how many years ago? 😂

[@bigPOPPAmarbeans]

JD unprofessional? No way man. Ain’t no way.

[@davidtomsett]

Poor Payne, what a way to go, crash landing in the middle of nowhere.

[@IverKnackerov]

He probably went at 30,000 ft through lack of oxygen …same thing that got the pilot.

[@industrialpalletworx3548]

They just went to "sleep" due to lack of oxygen. Probably really peaceful actually.

[@blakephillips8688]

Is it just me or does the 10 min video not really tell us much. Except for “over reading putt” which doesn’t even tell us how to over read putts”. They are like yeah they have to put good and only miss it by 2 ft so they don’t miss by 6ft because that’s their strategy. Ohhh I get it their strategy is to play good golf ?? Dangggg I wish I would’ve thought of that. I’m going to start magically reading putts now. And they didn’t really even really tell us what was Payne Stewart’s strategy. All they said was get close to the hole. Like duhh okay don’t we all

[@carlosbeltranfan15]

I thought the same haha. They also didn’t have a “formula” for putting. The conclusion was just “that’s why pros practice putting. So they can make those putts that they otherwise wouldn’t” ok lol

[@LT1]

Sounds like you didn't really pay attention. The strategy is to minimize risk. Don't try to hole a 40 foot putt and risk going past the hole, just get it close. Don't hit chip shots when you're inches off the green, it likely won't be as close as just putting to get close. The only part that's be good at golf is to make the close ones. Which yeah the video says you have to practice.

[@danielberlin5968]

Are you guys stupid? This is the formula: - 50ft+ / off the green: minimize risk, use low lofted clubs when possible. - 10ft to 50ft: optimize for over reading, goal is to leave shortest second putt. - 10ft and in: you need to make these. Grind them. Every putt you miss in this range is losing shots in the SG world. This is about strategy, not mechanics. You’re responsible for figuring out how to execute against the optimal strategy.

[@user-xn7uh5ch2z]

@@danielberlin596810ft make rate is quite low for amateurs. Practicing 7 ft is more practical

[@andrewpugh9322]

Instructions unclear....I 5 putted

[@JD-ev1uj]

You practice. That's how.

[@RanceMcManus]

Have hours per week to practice putting.

[@nolo3]

so get it closer to the hole lol

[@nateassenheimer7439]

These stats are different than what lou stagner says

[@georgec5151]

tl;dw: they practice every day

[@taylormit]

They also make 99% inside 6 feet.

[@Dropandrun]

It’s actually about 60% inside 6ft

[@aliasErEf]

@@DropandrunI always find difficult to read fake news even more on golf by amateurs experts. You’re right….and even after 6 feet it drops dramatically fast even for Professionals.

[@emilgabl9069]

Why we live in a world of make believe now…it’s the new smart.

[@GentlemanJamesWin]

"The average is 2 feet max" is a nonsensical sentence.

[@DrMaccers]

"Harman at the European Championship" You mean The Open?!

[@squidlesfiddles]

He said The Open, you dweeb....

[@fudhater8592]

Imaging making millions of dollars by hitting a ball with a stick

[@cluman1]

You talking about baseball? Lol. Athletes are extremely over paid.

[@glenngriggs6445]

Trying doing it at that level

[@50--11]

Imagine making tens of millions via the stocks your grandfather bought.

[@touristguy87]

Blub blub blub blub blub...

[@jackmealor8455]

This video says a whole lot of nothing while acting like it’s intellectual. TLDR: Putt off the green if you can

[@riggz5496]

1. Putt off the green, 2. Miss high not low, 3. Practice your 50% putt

[@firstname7330]

You need a "pop filter" on your microphone. The way you pronounce the letter P is highly annoying.

[@lukekerrdineen]

I’ll get on that!

[@marksiddall379]

European championship? You mean THE open

[@15cuhonda6]

Crap to confuse you

[@rbslammed6163]

Might as well have simply stated: “your more likely to make more puts if you are better at making puts” Totally pointless video

[@ParawayGolf]

Not pointless but I agree it's a bit longer than necessary. Really the main takeaway should be err on the side of missing higher on longer putts. That's actually VERY helpful advice.

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

Brilliant take. I’m sure you’re killing it on the greens.

[@traderphil1967]

@@MrLuigiFercotti 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aaronmarsman]

TF is that guy wearing lol

[@johnmiller7682]

Are you kidding? That's Payne Stewart, RIP. That was his style. Of course I'm assuming that's who you're talking about. Hence the reason he wore it. He wanted to stand out.