March 23, 2025
Updated July 15, 2025
12 minute read
An Introduction to Putting
Putting is the art of propelling a ball with precision, most famously recognized as the final, delicate act on a golf green. It is a game within a game, a moment where power gives way to finesse, and a calm mind is as crucial as a steady hand. While inextricably linked with golf, the core principles of putting—fine motor control, strategic assessment of surfaces, and intense mental focus—resonate across various disciplines, from the minute adjustments in advanced manufacturing to the calculated maneuvers in robotics. For many, the allure lies in the quiet satisfaction of a successful putt, where a gentle tap achieves a monumental objective.
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Reading list
We've selected 28 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Putting.
Is considered a comprehensive guide to putting, offering a scientific approach based on extensive research. It covers various aspects, including green reading, stroke mechanics, and practice routines. It's a valuable reference tool for golfers of all levels seeking a deep understanding of the technical side of putting.
Focusing on the mental game of putting, this book by renowned sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella is crucial for understanding the psychological aspects of performing under pressure on the greens. It emphasizes mindset, confidence, and routine over pure mechanics. is highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their mental approach to putting and complements technical guides well.
While covering the entire mental game of golf, this highly popular book by Bob Rotella has significant relevance to putting. It emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude, managing expectations, and staying focused, all critical elements for putting success. It's a must-read for understanding the mental side of golf and its impact on putting.
Focusing on the mental aspects of putting, this book is essential for understanding the psychology behind successful putting. It helps golfers build confidence, focus, and a positive mindset on the greens. While not a technical guide, it is highly recommended as supplementary reading to complement technical instruction and is popular among players and instructors.
Dave Stockton, a master putter, shares his philosophy on putting, emphasizing an unconscious, natural stroke rather than rigid mechanics. helps golfers trust their intuition and develop a repeatable putting motion. It provides a different perspective compared to purely technical books and is valuable for solidifying a feel-based approach.
Stan Utley's approach focuses on feel and simplicity in the putting stroke. breaks down the fundamentals into a natural motion, offering step-by-step lessons and drills. It's a great resource for golfers looking to develop a more intuitive and less mechanical putting stroke.
Michael Breed, a well-known golf instructor, presents a guide to finding a putting stroke that is best suited for an individual golfer. It combines technical advice with the idea of developing a consistent and reliable stroke. offers practical guidance for golfers looking to refine their technique.
A specialized application of the principles from "Zen Golf," this book hones in on the mental aspects specifically related to putting. It helps golfers quiet the mind, focus on the process, and build confidence on the greens. It's a valuable resource for those who have a handle on the mechanics but struggle with the mental side.
Considered a very comprehensive book on putting, it delves into the technical aspects of aiming, speed control, and stroke mechanics based on Mangum's extensive research and teaching. It's a detailed resource for those seeking an in-depth understanding of the science of putting.
Provides a straightforward and systematic approach to the fundamentals of putting. It covers mechanics, green reading, pre-shot routine, and practice methods with illustrations. It's a solid resource for beginners and those looking to build a strong foundation in their putting technique.
Insights from arguably the greatest putter of all time, Jack Nicklaus, make this book a valuable historical and instructional resource. It delves into his philosophy, technique, and approach to putting under pressure. It's particularly useful for understanding the mindset of a champion putter.
While covering the mental game of golf broadly, this highly influential book by Dr. Bob Rotella has significant relevance to putting. It lays the foundation for his mental coaching philosophy, which is essential for performing well under pressure on the greens. A foundational text for the mental side of golf.
Introduces the strokes gained statistic, which has revolutionized how golf performance is analyzed. While not solely focused on putting, it provides data-driven insights into the importance of putting and how it impacts scoring. It's valuable for understanding the contemporary analytical approach to the game and putting's role within it.
While not solely focused on putting, this book by Dave Pelz dedicates a significant portion to the topic as part of the crucial 'scoring game.' It provides valuable insights into the relationship between putting and other short game shots, making it a useful reference for a holistic understanding of scoring.
Encourages a return to a more natural and less technical approach to putting, focusing on feel and instinct. It aims to help golfers overcome 'putting yips' and overthinking by reconnecting with a more intuitive stroke. A good complement to highly technical guides.
Aims to distill the key principles and techniques used by top professional golfers for putting success. It likely offers actionable tips and strategies based on observing and analyzing elite putters. It can serve as a practical guide for adopting best practices.
While covering the entire game of golf, this book's principles on the mental game are highly applicable to putting. It teaches mindfulness, focus, and emotional control, which are crucial for putting under pressure. provides valuable background knowledge on the mental side of golf that directly impacts putting performance.
Likely covers the essential elements of putting, including the physical stroke, developing touch, and the feel for distance and line. Gary Wiren respected golf educator, making thpotentially solid resource for fundamental understanding and skill development.
Presents a system for putting that emphasizes instinct and feel, backed by the authors' experience coaching successful players. It provides drills and techniques to develop a more natural and reliable putting stroke under pressure.
This beloved classic offers simple, timeless wisdom on all aspects of golf, including putting. Penick's anecdotal style provides practical and easy-to-understand tips that have helped generations of golfers. While not solely focused on putting, its fundamental principles are highly applicable.
Written by a well-known putting instructor, this book provides a structured program for improving the putting stroke. It likely includes assessments, drills, and techniques based on the author's coaching experience. A practical guide for golfers looking for a step-by-step improvement plan.
Focuses on the mental and psychological aspects of putting, aiming to help golfers get into an optimal state of mind for performance on the greens. It explores concepts related to focus, visualization, and managing pressure. Useful for complementing technical instruction with mental strategies.
Applies the concept of tempo, popularized by the authors' work on the full swing, specifically to putting. It explores the importance of rhythm and timing in the putting stroke and provides drills to help golfers find their optimal putting tempo. A more specialized technical read.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/stwcrp/puttin
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