Putting is probably the most important area in the game of golf. I really wished I would have spent more time practicing putting when I was a kid. This year I played in my very first Yamaha Atlanta Open against the best PGA Professionals and Amateurs in the state of Georgia. We played at St. Ives in Atlanta which is an extremely well-manicured private club in the Johns Creek area. They had the greens rolling around 13 or 14 on the STIMP meter which is EXTREMELY FAST! I had a rough time getting a feel for that speed. I would have birdie putts and hit what I thought were good putts that would barely miss and roll 5 and 6 feet past the hole. It is no fun having 5 and 6 footers for par all day. It makes your score add up to a high number in a hurry. I am guilty of neglecting my putting practice. The best players in the state and the guys that kick my rear end are really great putters! They make the 5 and 6 footers for par. I want you all to learn from my mistakes. Get out here and practice your putting. To be a good putter you don’t have to have the best stoke or be technically perfect. You have to put in the time and the reps to be a great putter. The best putter I know here at Stone Creek is Rick Bellinger. Rick has won numerous Club Championships here and continues to be a force to be reckoned with each week. Rick is here almost every night after work practicing his putting with his best friend Dr. Greg Beale. Both Dr. Beale and Rick are really good putters because the put in the reps. If you only have an hour to practice each day spend the majority of that hour putting and the rest hitting balls. I promise you will see a big difference in your scores if you put more time into your putting practice.
Justin Sigmon, PGA