How a Tour Pro Practices Putting before a Big Tournament
At [Riviera Country Club](https://www.rivieracountryclub.com/), in the peaceful hour before the sun dips below the horizon, [Tommy Fleetwood](https://www.tommyfleetwood.com/) can be found on the practice green, honing his craft and meticulously preparing for a big tournament. With renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon by his side, Fleetwood is dedicated to perfecting his putting technique.
The art of putting has always been a strong suit of Fleetwood’s game. Over the past six seasons, he has consistently ranked in the top 40 in SG: Putting, reaching a career-high of 14th in the previous year. However, in the early stages of the 2024 campaign, Fleetwood has struggled slightly on the greens, losing over half a stroke per round compared to his usual performance. Although the sample size is small, Fleetwood is determined to regain his putting prowess and improve his numbers.
As Fleetwood stands on the practice green, eyes focused on the 4.5-inch hole, Kenyon sets the stage for the practice session. Using an electronic level, he ensures the green is perfectly aligned. The duo discreetly performs a routine, analyzing the slope, break, and reading of the greens using AimPoint, a popular green-reading technique in professional golf.
The process begins with Kenyon placing a ball on the Poa annua, some six feet away from the cup. He then positions the level between the ball and the hole, carefully avoiding Fleetwood’s and his caddie’s view of the reading. Fleetwood and his caddie, Ian Finnis, take turns standing with their feet straddling the path from the ball to the hole, gauging the slope. They exchange subtle cues, speaking a language only understandable to those versed in AimPoint. A slope of one percent equates to one finger width away from the hole, guiding Fleetwood’s aim and putting strategy.
Continuing his pre-putt routine, Fleetwood points the black sharpie line on his ball just outside the hole, aligning his aim. With a final gaze towards his target, he begins his stroke. The ball gracefully glides along the surface, disappearing into the cup like magic.
Under the fading light of the setting sun, the process repeats itself. Kenyon moves to a different area of the green, placing another ball and calibrating the slope once more. Fleetwood tirelessly follows suit, refining his technique until he feels the unwavering confidence that propels him to success.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is AimPoint?
AimPoint is a popular green-reading technique used by professional golfers to gauge slope and break on the greens. It allows players to accurately aim their putts by interpreting subtle slope changes and utilizing specific measurements.
How does Fleetwood determine his aim using AimPoint?
Fleetwood and his caddie utilize their feet to assess the slope between the ball and the cup. They convert this slope into percentages, with each percentage corresponding to a finger width outside the hole. Fleetwood then aligns the black sharpie line on his ball with the designated target, ensuring precise aim.
Why is putting practice important for professional golfers?
Putting is a crucial aspect of the game that can make or break a golfer’s performance. Professional golfers, like Tommy Fleetwood, dedicate extensive practice time to improve their putting skills, ensuring they can confidently tackle the varying slopes and breaks they encounter during tournaments.
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Join Tommy Fleetwood on his practice journey, as he strives to regain his putting magic and achieve peak performance on the green.
1. Tour Pro Practices Putting before Big Tournament.
2. Riviera Country Club – A Peaceful Haven for Putting Practice.
3. Tommy Fleetwood’s Dedication to Perfecting his Putting Technique.
4. The Importance of Putting in Professional Golf.
5. Fleetwood’s Consistent Ranking in SG: Putting.
6. Fleetwood’s Struggle on the Greens in 2024 Season.
7. AimPoint: The Secret to Fleetwood’s Precise Putting.
8. The Role of Phil Kenyon – Renowned Putting Coach.
9. Fleetwood and His Caddie’s Unique Language of AimPoint.
10. Fleetwood’s Intensive Pre-Putt Routine at Riviera.
11. Fleetwood’s Confidence-Boosting Putting Sessions.
12. The Magic of Fleetwood’s Putting in the Setting Sun.
13. Fleetwood’s Tireless Pursuit of Putting Perfection.
14. Join Fleetwood on His Journey to Regain Putting Prowess.
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