I get a Lesson from the WORLDS BEST Putting Coach (Brad Faxon)

The Rick Shiels Golf Show43 minutes read

Brad Faxon gave Rick Shields a putting lesson in a video filmed at Old Marsh Golf Club, emphasizing key techniques like proper setup and green reading. The lesson covered various aspects of putting skills, including grip pressure, stroke consistency, and practicing routines used by professional players like Rory McIlroy.

Insights

  • Brad Faxon, a renowned golfer and coach, emphasizes the importance of proper setup, green reading skills, and adjusting stroke for different putting conditions to enhance putting performance significantly.
  • To improve putting consistency, prioritize the process over the outcome, practice with different clubs, focus on fluid motion, utilize alignment tools, and pay attention to grip pressure and putter design nuances for optimal results.

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Recent questions

  • How can I improve my putting skills?

    To enhance your putting skills, focus on having a putter of the correct length, ensuring a proper setup, and practicing reading greens. Pay attention to green reading exercises, adjust your stroke for uphill and downhill putts, and use a line on the ball for start line alignment. Practice with different clubs from six feet, simulate game conditions by pressuring yourself with the putter last, and simplify the putting process to gain control. Emphasize a fluid, continuous motion in your strokes, prioritize the process over the result, and engage in routine practice on the putting green with devices like mirrors for alignment and speed checks.

  • What are some key tips for reading greens?

    When reading greens, focus on identifying straight putts and understanding the impact of slopes on putting speed. Pay attention to the green from a distance and low to improve accuracy. Consider the difference in putting speeds on uphill and downhill putts, adjusting your stroke accordingly. Use a green reading exercise to enhance your ability to read greens effectively and control distance in putting. Remember to start your routine by hitting putts on the putting green, utilizing tools like alignment sticks for specific distances, and practicing hitting a dime placed at a distance from the hole to improve start line consistency.

  • Why is grip pressure important in putting?

    Grip pressure is crucial in putting as a softer grip allows for better distance control and a more natural stroke. Maintaining the right balance of grip pressure can significantly impact the consistency of your putting stroke. By using a softer grip, you can improve your ability to control the distance of your putts and achieve a smoother, more fluid stroke. Paying attention to grip pressure can help you enhance your overall putting performance and accuracy on the greens.

  • What is the significance of a proper setup in putting?

    A proper setup in putting is essential for ensuring a consistent stroke and improving your overall putting skills. Focus on aligning your body parts correctly, distributing your weight evenly, and positioning your eye line to ensure a smooth and accurate stroke. By maintaining a proper setup, you can enhance your ability to read greens effectively, control distance in putting, and improve your overall accuracy on the greens. Engage in routine practice to reinforce a proper setup, prioritize the process over the result, and build consistency in your putting routines.

  • How can I simulate game conditions in putting practice?

    To simulate game conditions in your putting practice, pressure yourself by using the putter last in the club sequence. This approach can help you replicate the intensity and focus required during actual gameplay, enhancing your ability to perform under pressure. By practicing with different clubs from six feet, you can develop essential putting skills and improve your performance in various situations on the course. Additionally, engage in routine practice on the putting green, focusing on alignment, speed, and distance control to simulate real-game scenarios and build confidence in your putting abilities.

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Summary

00:00

"Brad Faxon's Putting Lesson with Rick"

  • Rick Shields created an exclusive video for the Rickshaws Golf Show podcast Channel featuring a putting lesson from Brad Faxon, a renowned former professional golfer turned coach.
  • Brad Faxon, known for his exceptional putting skills, now coaches Rory McIlroy on putting techniques.
  • The video was filmed at Old Marsh Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida, showcasing the putting lesson.
  • Rick Shields expressed gratitude for the opportunity, considering it a bucket list experience.
  • Brad Faxon inquired about Rick's putting strengths and weaknesses, focusing on different putt distances and mental approaches.
  • Brad emphasized the importance of having a putter of the correct length, suggesting a general rule of thumb for measuring the putter's length.
  • Brad highlighted the significance of a proper setup in improving putting skills.
  • Brad discussed the essential skills of reading greens, starting the ball on the intended line, and controlling distance in putting.
  • Brad introduced a green reading exercise to enhance the ability to identify a straight putt and understand the impact of slopes on putting speed.
  • Brad explained the difference in putting speeds on uphill and downhill putts, emphasizing the need to adjust the stroke accordingly.

13:19

Mastering Putting: Tips for PGA Tour Players

  • Many PGA tour players use a line on the ball for start line alignment.
  • Reading greens from a distance and low can improve accuracy.
  • Pay attention to the green as you walk up, not just when you reach it.
  • Continuous motion and looking at the hole during practice strokes can enhance putting.
  • Club face alignment at address is overrated, focus on flow and feel instead.
  • Practice putting with different clubs from six feet for skill development.
  • Pressure yourself with the putter last in the club sequence to simulate game conditions.
  • Gain control by giving up control, simplifying the putting process.
  • Emphasize a fluid, continuous motion in putting strokes for better results.
  • Prioritize the process over the result to build consistency in putting routines.

26:31

Mastering Putting: Techniques for Consistent Stroke

  • Tour players typically start their routine by hitting putts on a putting green, using devices like mirrors to check alignment and speed.
  • Rory McIlroy, for example, hits long putts, goes through his bag on the range, then returns to the putting green for practice with different breaks.
  • A recommended practice is to hit putts to the farthest hole without reading it, focusing on sensing conditions and feeling the greens.
  • A useful tool for practice is an alignment stick with marks two feet apart, aiding in hitting putts at specific distances.
  • Practicing hitting a dime placed at a specific distance from the hole helps improve start line consistency.
  • Grip pressure is crucial in putting, with a softer grip allowing for better distance control and a more natural stroke.
  • The balance point and design of a putter, like toe hang, affect the stroke's consistency and face alignment during the swing.
  • The putting stroke involves an arc, with the putter traveling inside back to square and inside again, emphasizing the importance of face control.
  • A proper setup in putting includes alignment of body parts, weight distribution, and eye line to ensure a consistent stroke.
  • Engaging the body with movements like waggles and foot adjustments can help maintain a fluid and relaxed putting stroke.

39:22

Mutual Appreciation and Collaboration in Golf Podcast

  • Brad and Rick express appreciation for each other's work, with Rick complimenting Brad's putt, and Brad thanking Rick for the podcast, hinting at future collaborations and the presence of a special putter in the conversation.
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