Putting: Where the Game Is Won…One Stroke at a Time
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Putting: Where the Game Is Won…One Stroke at a Time
You can hit a beautiful drive down the middle and a perfect approach onto the green, but the hole isn’t finished until the ball finds the bottom of the cup.
That’s why putting is such an important part of the game—and why becoming a better putter can make golf more enjoyable.
Nancy Lopez was known throughout her Hall of Fame career as a tremendous putter. One of the most interesting parts of her putting story was her loyalty to her Ray Cook M1 mallet putter, which she used for approximately 20 years.
Why stick with one putter for so long?
Because it worked for her.
Nancy trusted the way it looked, the way it felt and, most importantly, the way it matched her putting stroke. That confidence allowed her to focus less on mechanics and more on what really mattered—seeing the line, feeling the speed and rolling the ball toward the hole.
That’s an important lesson for every golfer.
Find the Putter That Fits YOU
Walk into a golf shop today and you’ll find dozens of putters—blades, mallets, different lengths, weights, grips and alignment systems. But the newest or most expensive putter isn’t necessarily the best one for you.
The right putter should complement your natural stroke.
Some golfers have more arc in their putting stroke, while others move the putter more straight back and through. Your setup, posture, eye position and preferred feel can all influence which putter gives you the most confidence.
Instead of trying to change your stroke to fit a putter, consider finding a putter that fits the way you naturally putt.
Confidence Is Part of the Equipment
Nancy has always understood that great putting involves more than technique. Confidence matters.
Once you find a putter you trust, give it a chance to become familiar. Learn how the ball comes off the face. Learn how it performs on short putts and long putts. Develop a consistent routine and practice controlling your speed.
Nancy has often emphasized being positive over putts and getting the ball to the hole. A favorite technique of hers is to imagine another hole about a foot beyond the actual cup—a simple way to encourage a confident stroke instead of leaving the putt short.
The goal isn’t to create a “perfect” putting stroke. It’s to develop your stroke, find the putter that complements it and build enough trust to let that stroke happen naturally.
So the next time you’re tempted by the latest putter, remember Nancy and that trusted Ray Cook.
Sometimes the secret isn’t finding a new putter.
It’s finding the right putter—and believing in it.
Find your stroke. Find your putter. Trust them both. And, as always…Play Happy!
