“Pace it” to control your pace

We have heard over and over how distance control is KEY when it comes to putting. Some even argue that pace the most important aspect of putting. In light of this, one little tool we can put into our pre-putt routine is to “pace for pace”.

What this means is to literally pace your way out to your target. Make an effort to feel the changes in the elevation while counting out the steps. What this does is it gathers up more information for your mind to use, which in turn will contribute to the “intent” your mind and body account for when putting.

So how do we practice this? Pick a target on the putting green, maybe its the fringe, a tee or a hole. Then walk the entire line to your target, using your eyes as well as your feet to get a feel for the slopes and the distances.

Once you arrive at your target don’t just stop paying attention. Your walk back to your ball is yet another opportunity to feed even more information into your mind. Pace your way back to your ball. Obviously we have to use some discernment and etiquette here, we don’t take forever to do this, we don’t walk over other peoples lines or distract them etc.

Once back at the ball go through the other aspects of your routine. Imagine the putt in your mind with your clear intention and then let your body and mind execute. Adding this quick sequence to your routine in your putting during practice and in play will help you gain a greater advantage when it comes to judging your distances and pace.

Next time you are our on the green try to “pace for pace” and before long you will see able squeeze more advantage out of your distance control.