Article #68
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Dear Jitterbug:
I've tried everything to make short putts. It's not so much the six-footers as it is the two- and three-footers. I gag on the supposed kick-ins. Help if you can.
Bill Flake
Jitterbug Gang Fan
Jitterbug:
It's the do-or-die aspect of short putts that scares golfers. Nobody wants to waste an opportunity.
"Oh my," the golfer must think. "If I miss this three-footer, I will have squandered a perfectly golden chance." Or worse, "All my friends saw me practicing short putts. If I miss this putt they'll know I wasted my time." Or even more destructive: "I'd rather be farther away. At least then I'd have an excuse for missing."
Whatever it takes, Bill, you have to get your mind off the expectations surrounding the task, and on to what you must do to roll the ball into the hole.
Mr. Vaughn:
Anybody who has more trouble with a two-footer than a six-footer is suffering from self-doubt and fear. Call it what you want, but all else being equal, a two-footer should be easier than a six-footer.
So, buck up, Bill, ask yourself, "What in the heck am I afraid of?"
There can only be two answers. You are either afraid of the damage done to your score by missing, or you're afraid of looking foolish for having missed.
I suggest you look both fears directly in the face. Adopt an attitude that, miss or make, you can deal with the outcome. Remind yourself that no battles are won or lost with one shot. Know that if you bemoan outwardly for missing that you're feeding your demons, confirming to the world that your miss was a product of self-doubt. Stare the task in the eye like you'd want your young son to look at the bully before refusing to give up his lunch money. Decide that you'd rather miss with poise than make it with a nervous stab.
Remember this: you'll never get anywhere emotionally attached to the outcome. Improvement comes to those who take pride in the attempt.
Lord Berry:
It takes ten minutes to putt 150 short putts into the hole. Do this before every round and in short order you'll wonder what the fuss was all about. Do this every day, and soon, instead of you shaking over every short putt, the opposition will shake every time you step foot on the green.