In past Ryder Cups, putting has always been a key factor for winning matches. A clutch putt — like the one Justin Leonard drained on the par-4 17th hole at Brookline in the 1999 Ryder Cup — has the ability to shift momentum, pump up teammates, ignite the crowd and fuel a comeback… or even a win.
With so much riding on the flatstick, it’s no surprise that players are dialing in their putters ahead of Friday’s opening round. And one player’s putting routine caught my eye.
You may have seen footage of Justin Rose fine-tuning his stroke during Monday’s practice round. To the average golfer, it may have seemed like Rose had a lot going on, as he was utilizing a few training aids at once. However, Paxton O’Connor, a GOLF Teacher to Watch, explained Rose’s set up was much simpler than it seemed, and that amateurs could stand to learn a lot from the major champion.
Let’s break down a few keys from Rose’s putting practice and learn how they can help you dial in your own putting stroke.
Visualization is key
This might look like your standard gate drill, but O’Connor says that Rose is likely working on more than his start line.
“The first observation I made was that his eyes are smoothly moving along the line and then trace back,” he says, “Then, he holds that picture and makes a committed stroke.”
By visualizing the path his ball will take, Rose is able to “see” his putt before he hits it which allows him to step up and hit it knowing he’s selected the proper line and speed. Honing this skill ahead of the Ryder Cup will help Rose stay cool over pressure putts and strike when the iron is hot.
While visualization is not a new technique — elite players like Nick Faldo and Ben Crenshaw have been using it for years — it is still somewhat unknown to amateurs and newer golfers. However, everyone, regardless of skill level, can benefit from incorporating this powerful tool into their pre-shot routine. Not only will visualization boost your confidence, but it will help combat nerves and keep you committed — even when the pressure is on.
Focus on start line
The gate drill is a simple but incredibly effective way to ensure your putts start on line — and that’s key, because a putt that starts on line has the best chance of going in.
In the clip above, you can see Rose using the gate drill to check his start line.
“[The gate] is serving as a reference for start line control. Basically, he’s looking to see if it’s starting on the intended start line and if his face angle at impact is within a certain parameter to get it through the gate,” O’Connor says.
What makes this drill so useful is the immediate feedback it provides. You’ll quickly see whether your putts are starting on line, where your misses are, and what your typical miss might be.
To set it up, O’Connor says to place two tees — or a device like the one below — about 10–12 inches in front of your ball, directly on your intended start line. Then, hit a few putts. If you’re dialed in, each ball will start on line and roll right through the gate.
Short Game Gains Tour Toolkit
The Tour Toolkit was designed with feedback from professional golfers and world class instructors. Many of the individuals that we spoke to prioritized two things in their technique: A consistent stroke path and start line. Previously, these things weren’t all that easy to practice at the same time- so we developed the idea for the Tour Toolkit.
This bundle includes the Path Perfectors, All Terrain Gate, and a marking pen. With various ways to combine them, you can create a station on the green that gives you instant feedback on your stroke, aim, and start line. Who said putting practice had to be boring?
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Create reference points
One of the key takeaways from Rose’s putting routine is his use of reference points. What does that mean? As O’Connor explains, Rose has essentially built a “calibration station” that helps him adjust to new greens more quickly.
If you look closely, you’ll see he’s using a TempoStik — a digital training aid that provides visual and auditory feedback for rhythm and tempo. He’s also placed two tees in the ground to mark the limits of his backswing and through-swing. Together, these tools help Rose calibrate his stroke and dial in his speed control.
“Essentially, he’s calibrating his setup and stroke for that day,” O’Connor says, “It’s nice to have something to reference back to and calibrate from.”
It’s a great example of how structure and routine can make your practice more purposeful. Whether you’re using a training aid or just a couple of tees, creating your own reference points is one of the quickest ways to adjust to green speeds and boost distance control — which will be especially crucial this week at the Ryder Cup.
