Chokes...

[Iowa Hawkeye]

Had 5 looks at birdie this morning, all within 15 feet and only made one. One was an eagle pitch that rimmed off as it passed the hole. Any tips on how to step up and drain that putt?

[shankapotamus]

Loosen up, and be confident.

[microcrayfish]

Put pressure on yourself when you practice putting so you're used to it on the course. Something like that Mickelson drill a lot of people talk about when you have to sink all the balls around the hole before you can stop.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I think part of it is not being that good, I don't have chances that often so when I do, I'm thinking "Oh God, Birdie, Don't mess up."

[microcrayfish]

I think part of it is not being that good, I don't have chances that often so when I do, I'm thinking "Oh God, Birdie, Don't mess up."

That's why you need to create that same pressure in another situation. If you need to sink 20 putts in a row on the practice green it'll be, "Oh God, 18th putt, don't mess up", so you get a taste of what it's like when it's a birdie putt that needs to be made.

[ItsAllRelative]

What's been helping me with those putts is to take a little bit longer to line them up and set up for them.

Take an extra moment to double-check your read, then take a practice swing and watch the imaginary ball roll right into the cup. Then, step up and make a CONFIDENT putt. I've made more than one putt outside of my usual range just by simply convincing myself that I am going to drop the putt.

[CG031]

I think part of it is not being that good, I don't have chances that often so when I do, I'm thinking "Oh God, Birdie, Don't mess up."

What do you have to mess up if you within 15 feet? Step up and put a good stroke on it - committ to your line and speed - and BE CONFIDENT.

If you strike a good putt, what's the worst that's going to happen 99% of the time? You're probably going to have a tap-in for par...doesn't sound to bad to me!

[Nick88]

I wouldnt beat yourself up there man, some days they all fall in, some days none go in, just gotta take the rough with the smooth!

[RandomRaiderTTU]

Had 5 looks at birdie this morning, all within 15 feet and only made one.

Story. of. my. life.

Welcome to my world...we have membership cards and jackets.

[becksfan2185]

I wouldn't worry too much about it... it could've just been an off-day putting.

But, do you typically make the same types of putts when they are for par? I know there can be a bit of a psychological barrier there... the trick is treating a birdie putt the same one for bogie. I find myself with the opposite mindset - I seem to be more relaxed when the putt is for bird, because I'm still making par even if I miss. I seem to tense up when I have a tricky par save, because a big number flashes into my head.

Man, putting is so mental! Trying to forget about the score and relax is so hard to do, but that's the name of the game.

[P3R3]

That really isn't all that bad, how often do you make 15 ft putts? Some days its just your putting and has nothing to do with if its a birdie or not.

[CarlSpackler]

I would highly recommend Zen Golf (book). I've been posting quite a bit lately about it, but it is a good read and has good things in it for clearing your mind and focusing on executing putts, shots, etc. Whether for eagle, birdie, bogey or other, you want to focus in picturing the ball rolling to the hole and in the cup.

No, you don't have to convert to Buddhism.