What’s the one putting skill you focus on most with elite players?
Welcome to the first edition of Voices of Putting – a new series where we share insights from top SAM Ambassadors around the world. In this issue, we asked our elite coaches to reveal the one skill they emphasize most with top-level players. The answers show just how nuanced the art (and science) of putting truly is.
Expert Insights from the Field
James Jankowski – Golf Monthly UK Top 50 Coach
“It’s difficult to pinpoint a single skill, but perhaps the most critical is the blend of read, line, and speed. The key lies in a player’s feel and visualization—being able to picture what the ball is going to do across a slope, and having the touch to execute.”
David Orr – Flatstick Academy Founder
“Direction is the skill elite players seem to focus on most. It demands consistency, precision, and fine motor control.”
Tyrus York – Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, KY
“Even elite players can struggle with getting the putter face square at impact, often leaving it open on fast greens. This becomes a problem on breaking putts and/or with start-line issues in general. SAM PuttLab helps me identify and train this.”
Nick Iacono – Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, PA
“Speed control is the skill I work on most with elite players. There’s no stock distance for a putter like with irons, so golfers must master speed on all types of greens.”
Rob Mouwen – European Putting Specialist
“With top players, I focus on what they feel just before they hit the ball. The goal is to find an effective mental cue that delivers the best launch direction, speed, and consistency—especially under pressure. I rely on ball tracker reports in the SAM PuttStudio and practical green work to test and refine this.”
Dylan Ross – Founder of Golfusion
“Elite players often have great technique, but stroke dynamics—specifically the timing between backswing and forward swing—can still vary. Even if they miss their intended start line by just an inch or two, inconsistent timing can result in speed control errors of four feet or more. That’s why I emphasize tempo, rhythm, and timing as key levers for improving distance control and overall performance.”
SAM Tip of the Month:
Putting in elite players is like the artistry of musicians playing in front of an audience. It demands precision, but there also needs to be synergy. Everything needs to fit together perfectly. Ultimately, it’s more about the small screws and the consistency of play to allow a player to create magic on the green and to shoot lower scores. By using the SAM PuttLab competence profile, you can easily identify the aspects that haven’t yet reached highest consistency.
Want to Learn More?
Discover how SAM PuttLab and SAM PuttStudio can elevate your putting instruction to the highest level. Contact our sales team at sales@scienceandmotion.com or visit www.scienceandmotion.com to get started.
About Science&Motion:
Science&Motion is renowned for its cutting-edge technology in the golf industry, especially in putting. For over 20 years, SAM PuttLab has been the industry standard for professional putt analysis, training, and putter fitting. SAM PuttStudio is a comprehensive ball tracking and projection system for sensor-free putt training, performance drills, and games, including integration with tilting platforms. SAM PuttStudio+ adds SAM PuttLab into the ultimate solution for teaching and coaching putting, with options of adding high-speed video, balance analysis, and more.
Media Contact: Jef Carr, jef.carr@scienceandmotion.com
