The Art of Feel – the roots of the best putters and baby birds

It is my opinion that the best putters are more of “feel putters” vs. mechanical.  And I believe that feel is one of those intangibles that is learned at a young age (under 8).

Growing up in Austin Texas, under the tutelage of Harvey Penick… he always told me to spend 80% of my practice time on my short game (putting and chipping).  Ben Crenshaw, one of Mr. Penick’s most famous pupils, is arguably one of the best putters ever in the game of golf.  Ben’s key asset, which I believe he learned from Mr. Penick, was using his talents to be an unbelievable feel putter.

As a parent teaching my own children to learn to putt, I love reflecting on the teachings of Mr. Penick.  I believe he would agree with me that too many parents tell their kids too much information (instead of letting them just hit the ball).

With respect to putting, I encourage parents to not try to teach their child any mechanics, but focus on teaching them to become good feel putters.  This skill is the foundation that can be established at a young age they can carry forward as they play the game into their adulthood.

A tip that Mr. Penick told me which little kids can digest was “hold the putter like I am holding a baby bird (light in my fingers)”… this enables the putter to be able to feel the club head when making a stroke.

I have written several blogs on different games that Ally and I play to develop feel… my favorite is the “roll the ball game.”

Take Dead Aim – JB