6 Reasons Why Mini-Golf May Improve Your Putting
By Bradley Turner Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA
As a golf coach with almost 40 years of teaching experience, I would love to have every student learn the game of golf by first understanding the concept of putting. Many coaches have been advocates of this teaching strategy, and having new students practice their putting at their local mini-golf facility makes good sense to me. Before you start spending some time at the mini-golf course, get help from your local golf professional. A competent golf coach can provide the fundamentals and concepts of putting and getting you started in the right direction on your golf improvement journey. Here are six legitimate reasons why mini-golf can help improve your putting on the golf course.
#1 Opportunity to Work on Putting Posture and Setup
Understanding the fundamental starting point or setup is essential to your putting improvement. Working on your posture, ball position, and putter face alignment is critical for good putting, whether on the golf course, practice putting green, or at your local mini-golf facility. If you don’t know how to set up in putting, refer to your local golf professional for some help.
#2 Enhance Visualization and Imagination Ability
Virtually all short game shots require the golfer to imagine the flight or roll of the ball. You can only become a consistent putter with the ability to visualize what you want the ball to do before striking the putt. The ability to visualize what the ball will do takes time and experience to become proficient at this essential skill. Most mini-golf courses require a lot of imagination, as there will likely be bank shots, massive slopes, and even a clown’s mouth to contend with. Good putters on the golf course are also really good putters in mini-golf.
#3 Improve Distance Control Skills
The only shot in golf that does not require distance control is the tee shot. Any approach shot to the green requires controlling the distance the ball travels. I have always believed that the most critical skill in golf is not directional control but distance control. Mini-golf courses may have obstacles and banking to keep your ball from flying off the course; new golfers will quickly understand the importance of getting the ball to stop right by the hole.
#4 Learn to Analyze the Slope of Putting Green Surfaces
Analyzing the slope and contour of the putting surface is another benefit of playing mini-golf. Matching the break of a putt with the ideal speed is one of the highest-level skills in putting. Most mini-golf facilities have carpeting that can create very fast putting surfaces. A new concept in getting new golfers to play is a project funded by Tiger Woods. Popstroke facilities challenge golfers with plenty of contoured putting surfaces enabling golfers to experience and practice at a realistic facility. There are no bank shots or windmills at Popstroke facilities, but there are plenty of adult beverages to add to the fun with your family and friends.
#5 Improve Hand-Eye Coordination
At the end of the day, golf requires a high degree of hand-eye coordination. The skill of hitting a putt in the center of the club head, combined with controlling the face angle and putter path direction at impact, requires tremendous hand-eye coordination. The ability to return the putter face to the desired position at impact is a challenging skill. Putting practice can help players fine-tune their skills in club face awareness, even at the local mini-golf course.
#6 Practice the Mental Putting Routine
A mental routine is simply the process that your mind uses to execute a golf shot. This is an essential aspect of putting for professional golfers. It is also important for any golfer who wants to perform well. The mental routine is a blend of the above elements before the actual execution of the putting stroke. The first step is to assess the slope (#4) and the necessary speed (#3) to stop the ball by the hole. This requires your imagination and visualization ability (#2). This is the commitment aspect of the mental routine. The execution phase of the routine is to let the training happen (#1 and #5). A great mental routine will allow the player to perform to their potential in any competitive environment and is something you can practice in mini-golf.
Mini-golf is an opportunity for all family members to get together and enjoy a fun outdoor activity. The next time you find yourself standing on the first tee at a mini-golf facility with family or friends, the fun round you are about to participate in might help you improve your putting.
The College of Golf at Keiser University can help. With PGA professionals on staff and state-of-the-practice technology available to our students, we can prepare you for the golf career of your dreams. Contact us today for more information.
