A Lesson

A young man approaches the practice green quietly. His weight shifts from foot to foot as he awaits recognition.

The master's eye brow lifts a fraction.

“Excuse me, master, but how does one putt well?” he asks.

The Master continues to pitch soft lob shots to a sloped green.

“Do you seek enlightenment or a bandage?” said the master.

“I'm not sure, I want to be known as a good putter. My golf buddies make fun of me. They claim I can't putt,” said the young man.

“So you seek some enlightenment. But fear your friends?”

“Err,” said the man. He may have blushed.

“Fortunately the path to good putting is short and narrow. There is only direction and speed. That is all. Was there anything else?” said Jack.

“That's it?”

“Yes.”

“But how do I know what speed is correct?”

“Do you have eyes? Can you see slope? Slope is Gravity. Gravity is earth. Can you see the grass? Grass is part of earth. When you walk do you not feel the ground? That is earth too.”

“Is it just earth?”

“No, you must understand all the basic elements. We have fire, earth, wind, and water. They are all part of what lays before you.”

“ I don't understand master.”

“Of course. What the youth is blind to, is the understood book of the master.”

“What is this fire, master?”

“It is part of earth and of air. You might call it heat. It makes the greens hard and aprons receptive. In the Summer the balls go further and in Winter the ball drops too softly from the sky.”

“And wind master?”

“Ah, that must be somewhat known to even you?”

“Well, I add and subtract clubs based on how the wind is blowing.”

“But we are discussion putting today...”

“I've never thought about wind on the putting green.”

“It is not a major item, but on a fast green...”

“I get it, it has to be factored in, even if small.”

The master came close to winking.

“And how does a master deal with water?”

“We do not deal with anything, we seek to understand and adjust. It must be clear that a dry green must roll differently than a wet one?”

“Yes, the wet is slower.”

“Usually slower. A little wet and the ball can run very well. And also a fully dry green is truly rare. Even here the humidity is close to 50%. Think of Las Vegas where it is 7%. Which leads us back to earth, as which grass that will grow is dependent on moisture and heat.

And when we play in the winter with 100% humidity and rainy days, then the greens will truly be slower.

Tell me young man, do all greens on the course have the same speed?”

“No. The 5^th green is fast and so is 12 and 13.”

“That is correct. Do you feel the difference when you walk on those greens?”

“I've never noticed.”

The master sighs. “Will you remember on your next round?”

“I, I, I'll write it down.”

“You are correct those greens are faster. Why is that?”

“Well, they are elevated and, oh, they have a lot of sun exposure.”

“Yes. We return again to earth and fire. And they have no trees around them, which would block the sun and block the wind. The wind will speed up the greens by drying it faster than others.”

“Is that all?”

“No, but you are ready to decide on speed based on all these elements.”

“So it is kind of a guess, I guess.”

“No. A Calculation. You know the practice greens. The course is not too different. You walk on the green to putt. You feel the firmness under your feet. You see the trees and feel the wind on your face. You know the fire – as what are you wearing? Are your feet cold? Did you walk up a rise to get to the green? You must add these up. Become one with the green. Then there is your fear”

“My fear?”

“Yes, all golfers have it. You are afraid of what your friends will say. You are afraid of too strong a putt. The fear of three putting. Your chip was probably short too. Is this common for you?”

“Yes, I'm only at the back of the green if I blade the ball.”

“Fear can cause the bladed ball – fear to complete the swing. Fear of taking too much club.”

“So I must be fearless.”

The master chuckles, “Well, try to be. It will be a good start.”

“Then how do I know the line?”

“The things that govern speed also govern line. We look to gravity and water and grass. Gravity is most important, then grass and then water. Again, use your feet. Feel the slope. Close your eyes if you have to.”

“I wish to walk the greens again with open eyes. Is that all?”

“No. You have to generate putter head speed. Arms or hands or shoulders. No good player uses their hips! I have seen you from afar and you should not worry about speed for the current time. And you have to roll the ball on your line...“

“Is there a way to hit your lines, master?”

“There are many ways and you must find yours. It builds from the grip. The hands need to work together and along the grip path. What part of your hands are you aware of as you putt?”

“I don't now, I never noticed.”

“Yes – a new chance for self-realization. First your feet and now your hands. You will have a busy afternoon.”

“Master, what are you aware of when you putt?”

“It may not help you, but you might find it to be enlightening. I put with my thumbs. They sit flat on the grip and I simply move them both along the line of the putt. The grip drives the shaft and then onto the head and the ball. It is quite simple. But the thumbs have to trust each other and work well together.

Enough of this talk. Take these lessons and go forth. Train your eyes and hands and feet. And erase you fears – they will not help you with golf.”

“How can I thank you master?”

“By being diligent. Now, be off, I must become one with my wedge.”