Padraig Harrington holed clutch putts on the biggest stages during his esteemed career.
The Irishman is a three-time major winner and won both The Open Championship and the PGA Championship during an incredible 2008 season. During those wins, he caught fire with his putter down the stretch.
At the 2008 PGA Championship, Harrington made 12-foot, 8-foot and 15-foot putts in the final three holes to win. During the back nine on Sunday, he putted just 11 times, and one-putted 14 times during his final round.
Padraig Harrington read those greens to perfection under pressure, and the 54-year-old gave out some advice to amateurs so they can do the same.
Padraig Harrington says wear on the hole reveals how a green is breaking
Harrington showed amateurs how wear and tear on the hole itself can give away which way the green is breaking. He gave the tip to the Fore Bros during a Pro-Am at Wentworth.
He explained, “The low side of the cup, you see how it breaks down during the day? (Points towards the hole, which has wear and tear on one side). You see how the low side frays? Always aim away from that side.
“The machine cuts vertically, but the roots are going with the slope. The roots on [the low side] are inside the cup and have been cut, and that’s why they fray. You see the roots for this lip (pointing to the uphill side of the hole)? They won’t break, because the roots are going away from the hole.”
Harrington also explained how the feeling players have standing over a putt can also give a read. He continued, “When you’re standing over it get a feel for it. If you feel uncomfortable, it’s always more break, it’s never less.
“People say, ‘I don’t feel good, I’m just going to hit it firm and straight.’ That will always make it worse. Always add break.
“The higher you go, the better your putting stroke is going to be. If I go too high I have a nice stroke. It’s always better if you’re not feeling great to go high.”
In the past, Harrington said the slope allows players to putt the ball closer to the hole. Now, he has revealed how to read which way to aim. Forget aim-pointing putts! Observe the characteristics of the green, and trust how you feel standing over the putt.
Justin Rose says putting is more mental than physical
Putting can be a unique point of frustration for amateur golfers. Unlike a traditional golf swing, it’s less about technique and more about feel. It feels so much more achievable to be a great putter, but in reality, it’s one of the hardest areas of the game to perfect.
Justin Rose, one of the game’s best putters, gave out some advice on how to mentally process a putt and be decisive with decisions on the green.
He said to georgiagolfcoach on Instagram, “Putting is not always about technique, you’ve got your green read, your visualisation and lining the ball up. Then I try and feel like that’s the last time I think about a line or the technique. I’m not into the flow of it all.
“As I’m walking in, I’m trying to be very visual and creative, like I’m trying to see in my mind’s eye the line, almost paint it back to the ball.”
Visualisation is one of the most effective techniques in any sport, and it’s especially useful in something as mental as putting. Using Rose’s method, amateurs can easily shave strokes off their game.
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