When putting rhythm goes beyond just your stroke

By: Birk Nelson, PGA

It’s commonly known that good putting requires being in rhythm. However, what is not commonly know is that a good cadence is also required.  What is a cadence and how does that relate to putting? A cadence is a sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase.  Like a musical phrase, a putting stroke is just the end of a sequence of events that includes reading the putt, your pre-putt routine, practice stroke and eventually the stroke itself.  It’s not as complicated as it sounds, essentially putting is just a series of dance steps and if you want to putt better, your goal should be to stay on beat throughout that dance.

Great putters are consistently on tempo and that tempo is approximately 75 BPM throughout the entire cadence.  And if you wanted to know, 75 BPM is equivalent to the Aerosmith song Dream On.  Here’s a link to a list of songs with that tempo.  https://jog.fm/workout-songs/at/75/bpm

If you want to put this into practice, go to the course with some earphones and have a playlist of songs that are approx 75 BPM or better yet, use a metronome. There are plenty of free metronome apps available for any smartphone.  While practicing, be cognizant of being on tempo through the entire process of the stoke.  

Will it make you a better putter?  Not sure, but I know it won’t hurt.