Key Takeaways
1. Develop a positive self-image as a putter
People tend to become what they think about themselves.
Selective memory. Great putters, like Jack Nicklaus, have the ability to forget missed putts and remember only their successes. This selective memory reinforces a positive self-image and builds confidence. To improve your putting:
- Focus on remembering your best putts from each round
- Visualize successful putts before bed each night
- Change your vocabulary to speak positively about your putting
By cultivating a belief in your putting abilities, you create a self-fulfilling prophecy of success on the greens.
2. Focus solely on the target when putting
A good putter's target is never simply the hole.
Target orientation. The key to successful putting is clearing your mind of all thoughts except your target. Choose a specific, small target:
- For straight putts: A blade of grass or discoloration on the edge of the hole
- For breaking putts: A spot on the green where you want the ball to start rolling
- For long putts: The apex of the break or the crest of a slope
Avoid thinking about your stroke mechanics, the outcome, or external factors. Train your mind to focus exclusively on rolling the ball to your chosen target.
3. Gain control by giving up control
The proper role for a strong will at this stage of putting is to support a firm belief in the golfer's mind that all the preparation is done and the ball will go in the hole if he turns control of the action over to his subconscious.
Paradoxical control. To putt well, you must learn to relinquish conscious control over your stroke. This counterintuitive approach allows your natural athletic ability to shine through. To achieve this:
- Trust your subconscious to execute the stroke
- Avoid trying to steer or guide the putter
- Putt as if the outcome doesn't matter
- Embrace a sense of nonchalance or playfulness
By letting go of the need for perfect control, you paradoxically gain more control over your putting performance.
4. Establish a consistent putting routine
A good putter's routine can be that predictable.
Mental and physical consistency. A well-established routine helps you stay out of your own way and putt with confidence. Develop a routine that includes:
- Reading the green and deciding on a line
- Clearing your mind of distractions
- Visualizing the ball going into the hole
- Taking a consistent number of practice strokes
- Maintaining a smooth rhythm in your setup and stroke
Practice your routine diligently until it becomes second nature, allowing you to putt freely and confidently in any situation.
5. Embrace pressure and nerves in clutch situations
Good putters learn to welcome nervous symptoms, rather than fear them.
Positive reframing. Instead of fearing pressure situations, learn to embrace them as opportunities to showcase your skills. Recognize that nerves are a sign you're in a meaningful situation. To handle pressure:
- Rely on your established routine
- Focus on the present moment, not past or future outcomes
- Remind yourself that you've prepared for this challenge
- Use nervous energy to heighten your focus and engagement
By welcoming pressure, you can perform at your best when it matters most.
6. Trust your touch and don't obsess over speed
The light is always green.
Instinctive pace. Obsessing over the speed of your putts can lead to tension and poor performance. Instead, trust your natural ability to judge distance and pace. To improve your touch:
- Practice putting to the fringe of the green
- Vary your distances during practice
- Focus on rolling the ball to your target, not controlling speed
- Treat every putt as a "green light" opportunity to make it
Remember that your brain and nervous system are capable of remarkable adjustments if you trust them to perform.
7. Practice effectively to build confidence
When you practice with a ball and a hole, always putt to make it.
Quality over quantity. Effective practice builds confidence and reinforces good habits. Focus on:
- Short putts (2-7 feet) to see the ball go in the hole often
- Using games and drills to add pressure and engagement
- Practicing without a hole to work on touch and pace
- Utilizing the chalk line drill for alignment and stroke path
Avoid mindless repetition or practicing in ways that reinforce negative thoughts or mechanics.
8. Debunk the myths of perfect putting mechanics
There is no such thing as perfect putting mechanics.
Individual style. Don't get caught up in the pursuit of a "perfect" putting stroke. Recognize that:
- Many different putting styles can be successful
- The ball doesn't know or care about your mechanics
- Focusing on mechanics during play often leads to poor performance
Instead of obsessing over technique, focus on developing a stroke that feels comfortable and allows you to putt confidently to your target.
9. Overcome the yips through mental discipline
The yips originate in the mind. Their prevention and cure are mental challenges.
Mental reset. The yips are a psychological problem, not a physical one. To overcome or prevent them:
- Accept that missed putts are part of the game
- Develop a short memory for misses and a long memory for successes
- Avoid perfectionism and excessive analysis of your stroke
- Focus on the joy of putting and the challenge it presents
- Commit to a consistent routine and trust your subconscious
By rebuilding your mental approach to putting, you can overcome the yips and rediscover confidence on the greens.
Last updated:
FAQ
What's "Putting Out of Your Mind" about?
- Focus on the mental game: The book emphasizes the mental aspects of putting, teaching golfers how to develop a strong mental routine to improve their putting performance.
- Target-oriented approach: It advocates for focusing on the target rather than the mechanics of the stroke, helping golfers to putt more naturally and effectively.
- Overcoming mental barriers: The book addresses common mental obstacles like fear and doubt, providing strategies to overcome them and putt with confidence.
- Practical advice and stories: Through anecdotes and practical advice, the author, Bob Rotella, illustrates how golfers can enhance their putting by changing their mindset.
Why should I read "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Improve your putting: The book offers insights and techniques to help golfers of all levels improve their putting skills by focusing on the mental game.
- Learn from a renowned expert: Bob Rotella is a well-respected sports psychologist with extensive experience working with top golfers, making his advice credible and valuable.
- Enhance your mental game: It provides strategies to develop a positive mindset, which can be applied not only to putting but to other areas of life and sports.
- Engaging and relatable: The book is filled with engaging stories and examples that make the concepts easy to understand and apply.
What are the key takeaways of "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Focus on the target: The book emphasizes the importance of focusing on the target rather than the mechanics of the stroke to improve putting performance.
- Develop a routine: Establishing a consistent mental and physical routine is crucial for successful putting, especially under pressure.
- Embrace the challenge: Good putters learn to welcome nervous symptoms and pressure situations, using them as opportunities to excel.
- Forget perfection: There is no perfect putting stroke; instead, golfers should fall in love with their current stroke and focus on making putts.
How does Bob Rotella suggest overcoming the yips in "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Mental origin: The yips originate in the mind, and their prevention and cure are mental challenges rather than physical ones.
- Change your attitude: Rediscover a carefree, confident attitude about putting, focusing on the process rather than the result.
- Forget perfection: Abandon the quest for a perfect stroke and instead commit to a routine that emphasizes seeing the ball going to the target.
- Rebuild confidence: Gradually rebuild confidence by remembering successful putts and developing a short memory for misses.
What is the "gain control by giving up control" concept in "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Relax and let go: The concept involves relaxing and letting go of the need to control every aspect of the putting stroke, allowing the subconscious to take over.
- Focus on the target: By focusing solely on the target, golfers can make a free, natural stroke without overthinking mechanics.
- Avoid over-trying: Trying too hard to control the stroke can lead to tension and poor performance; instead, trust your instincts and let the putt happen.
- Embrace nonchalance: Approach putting with a nonchalant attitude, as if the outcome is already determined, to reduce pressure and improve results.
What are the best quotes from "Putting Out of Your Mind" and what do they mean?
- "Putt to make it": This quote emphasizes the importance of putting with the intention to make the putt, rather than just getting it close or avoiding a three-putt.
- "The last thing you want to do if you’re trying to make putts is worry about speed": It highlights the need to trust your natural touch and focus on the target, rather than obsessing over the pace of the putt.
- "Every putt is a green-light putt": This means that golfers should approach every putt with the mindset that it can be made, rather than categorizing some putts as too difficult to attempt.
- "Fall in love with the stroke you have": Encourages golfers to accept and trust their current putting stroke, rather than constantly seeking a perfect technique.
How does Bob Rotella recommend practicing putting in "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Putt to make it: Always practice with the intention of making the putt, especially when practicing with a ball and a hole.
- Focus on short putts: Emphasize practicing short putts to build confidence and ensure you see the ball going into the hole frequently.
- Use a chalk line: The chalk line drill helps with alignment and confidence, allowing you to see the ball roll along a straight path to the hole.
- Practice without a hole: For touch and pace, practice putting to the fringe or a tee, which helps develop a feel for distance without the pressure of making the putt.
What role does routine play in putting according to "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Consistency is key: A consistent routine helps golfers stay out of their own way and focus on the target, leading to better putting performance.
- Mental and physical components: A good routine includes both mental and physical elements, ensuring that the golfer is in the right frame of mind and body.
- Develop a personal routine: While the physical routine can vary, the mental routine should always focus on seeing the target and letting the stroke happen naturally.
- Routine under pressure: A strong routine is especially important in clutch situations, helping golfers rely on their habits and focus on the present moment.
How does "Putting Out of Your Mind" address the importance of speed in putting?
- Trust your touch: The book advises golfers to trust their natural touch and not to worry excessively about speed, as the brain and body can naturally adjust.
- Speed and line relationship: Speed and line are interconnected; the right line depends on the right speed, and vice versa.
- Avoid speed obsession: Obsessing over speed can lead to tension and poor performance; instead, focus on the target and let the speed take care of itself.
- Practice for touch: Practice putting to the fringe or a tee to develop a feel for distance without the pressure of making the putt.
What does Bob Rotella say about the myth of the perfect stroke in "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- No perfect mechanics: There is no such thing as perfect putting mechanics; different strokes and styles can all work depending on the player's mindset.
- Focus on the target: Instead of obsessing over mechanics, golfers should focus on the target and let their natural stroke take over.
- Avoid overthinking: Overthinking mechanics can lead to tension and poor performance; trust your instincts and let the stroke happen naturally.
- Embrace your stroke: Fall in love with the stroke you have and focus on making putts, rather than constantly seeking a perfect technique.
How does "Putting Out of Your Mind" suggest handling pressure putts?
- Develop a strong routine: A strong mental and physical routine helps golfers handle pressure putts by providing a reliable process to follow.
- Welcome nervous symptoms: Good putters learn to welcome nervous symptoms as a sign that they are in a high-stakes situation, which they have practiced for.
- Focus on the present: In pressure situations, focus on the present moment and the target, rather than the potential outcome or past misses.
- Putt to make it: Always putt with the intention of making it, regardless of the pressure, to maintain confidence and focus.
What is the relationship between wedge play and putting in "Putting Out of Your Mind"?
- Closer putts from good wedges: Good wedge play results in closer putts, increasing the likelihood of making them and reducing the pressure on putting.
- Practice wedge play: Practicing wedge play is essential for improving overall scoring, as it leads to more makeable putts.
- Similar mental routine: The mental routine for wedge play is similar to putting, focusing on the target and reacting naturally to it.
- Threshold distance: Identify your threshold distance for wedge shots, within which you always try to hole the shot, similar to putting to make it.
Review Summary
Putting Out of Your Mind receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its focus on the mental aspects of putting. Many find the book's advice helpful in improving their golf game, particularly in developing a positive mindset and routine. Some readers note that the content isn't groundbreaking but appreciate its simplicity and practicality. Critics mention the book's dated feel and lack of mechanical instruction. Overall, readers value Rotella's emphasis on confidence, focus, and mental preparation in putting.
Similar Books
About the Author
Other books by Bob Rotella
Download PDF
Download EPUB
.epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.