Spiranac’s Call to Ban AimPoint Sparks Interest in Alternative Green Reading Techniques
Paige Spiranac, a prominent voice in the world of golf, recently ignited a debate when she fiercely advocated for the banning of AimPoint, the divisive putting technique that has been known to consume an excessive amount of time. She made this assertion following A Lim Kim’s use of AimPoint for a putt that was only a few inches away from the hole. Spiranac is far from being the only critic of the technique, with Lucas Glover joining the choir of dissenters. Glover has gone on record expressing his displeasure with AimPoint, stating that it has statistically failed to improve putting since its introduction on the PGA Tour. He further criticized it for being disrespectful to other players, advocating for its prohibition due to its time-consuming nature.
Despite the objections, AimPoint has found its proponents among professional golfers, including Viktor Hovland, Keegan Bradley, Lydia Ko, Stacey Lewis, and Collin Morikawa, amongst others. However, the rising opposition to the technique may eventually lead to its banishment from the PGA Tour. In light of this potential prohibition, golfers may need to turn to alternative methods for improving their green reading capabilities.
Brad Faxon, an eight-time PGA Tour victor renowned for his putting prowess, offers one such alternative. His method, which diverges from the norm of starting at the green, begins as soon as the approach shot is made. Faxon emphasizes the importance of feeling the putter in your hands while walking towards the green, allowing you to start gauging the green layout and reading the grains. He also advises golfers to try and visualize the slope from beneath the ball, asserting that it provides a clearer understanding of the slope. Faxon insists that this process does not require much time, as the best putters can instinctively feel and see the trajectory of the ball.
Another method that’s gaining popularity is the Coin Drill, recommended by PGA Tour professional Alex Elliott. This technique involves marking your putting line with two coins, which serve as visualization aids. The ball should ideally travel across both marked points. While initial attempts might not be perfect, the goal is to enhance your visual perception with each putt, eventually turning potential 3-putts into a single putt.
PGA Tour pro and coach Ben Emerson advocates for the ‘Advanced’ Ladder Drill, a technique that involves setting up zones on your putting line. The challenge lies in adjusting the shot’s pace so each ball stops at each zone. Initially, you may need to use alignment sticks to chart the slope, but with practice, your green reading pattern should show marked improvement.
While these alternative methods may initially be time-consuming and require diligent practice, they promise to enhance your game once mastered. The key is to choose a method that aligns with your game style and mentality, and practice consistently until perfection is reached. As the saying goes, ‘Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.’ With the prospect of AimPoint’s potential ban looming, exploring these alternatives might just be the game-changer you need.