How do you use data to simplify putting for your students?
Welcome to the third edition of Voices of Putting – our ongoing series featuring insights from top SAM Ambassadorsaround the world. This month, we asked: How do you use data to simplify putting for your students? Our ambassadors share how they turn complex performance metrics into clear, meaningful coaching strategies – helping players better understand their tendencies and focus their practice for real improvement.
Expert Insights from the Field
Rolf Kinkel – German putting expert
“SAM PuttLab provides detailed data and visual feedback for every aspect of the putting stroke. This structured analysis helps students better understand their performance and builds trust in personalized training plans – leading to more focused and effective practice.”
Nick Iacono – Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, PA
“I use SAM data to simplify putting instruction by sharing only the information that’s relevant to our focus. Too much data can overwhelm a student, so I keep it concise and tailored. One of the most effective strategies is comparing data from their best and worst putting sessions. That contrast gives players real clarity on what changes when things go well – and helps guide targeted, lasting improvements.”
SAM PuttLab Compare Report example (before – after):
Mark Officer – Inventor of the Perfectstroke Putting Aid
“After measuring and interpreting a student’s stroke with SAM PuttLab, the first issue I often uncover is difficulty starting the ball on line. Sometimes, it’s due to inconsistent aim – in those cases, I might introduce a ball with a line and work through setup using in SAM PuttLab training mode to show improvement. Other times, it’s a matter of stroke mechanics or alignment habits. Then I’ll use feedback tools like a mirror, laser, or plane aid, again within PuttLab’s training mode, to help players understand and feel the change. The key is showing that improvement is possible with the right feedback and focused practice.”
Tyrus York – Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, KY
“Getting players to associate SAM data with the core skills of start line and speed is key for me. Whatever we focus on, I use data that’s specific to give them something measurable to improve. For example, when working on speed control, I love using the dynamics page in the Professional Report – it helps players visually see where their stroke is accelerating or decelerating inappropriately.”
SAM PuttLab Professional Report Dynamics page:
Dylan Ross – Founder of Golfusion
“SAM PuttLab provides detailed reports that distill complex motion into clear, meaningful feedback. Once a player shows strong results in areas like Tendency and Timing, we shift our focus to building consistency. Some of the best putters in history didn’t score ‘perfectly’ from a technical standpoint – but they were incredibly repeatable. For me, that’s the holy grail: efficient, repeatable strokes. Without this level of insight, many students unknowingly reinforce habits that hold them back. With the right data, practice becomes precision.”
Leon Marks – Director of GolfSchool Luxembourg
“One of the simplest ways to simplify putting for students is through the SAM 3D-Putt add-on visuals. Many golfers focus too much on the ball’s outcome rather than understanding what the putter is doing. With 3D, players can see their own putter movement from multiple angles – which reinforces understanding and accelerates improvement.”
SAM 3D-Putt screen:
James Jankowski – Golf Monthly UK Top 50 Coach
“I use SAM PuttLab primarily as a coaching tool to better understand each player. Together, we go through the data to identify where we can make the biggest gains. I help them connect what they feel – or what the data shows – to the technical causes behind it. For example, I might use the rotation page from the Professional Report when working on face rotation and release, or the dynamics page when focusing on speed control or timing.”
SAM PuttLab Professional Report Rotation page:
Rob Mouwen – European Putting Specialist
“The key to simplifying putting lies in effective data interpretation. I start with the SAM PuttLab Competence Profile to provide a clear, immediate snapshot of a player’s performance and progress. This lets me see whether we need to improve consistency – like setup or tempo – or a specific technical factor such as face angle at impact. From there, I avoid overwhelming the student with raw data and drill down strategically into visual reports. Isolating just one or two metrics helps me build a focused, personalized roadmap that turns complex data into real improvement.”
SAM PuttLab Competence Profile:
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.
Missed the Last Episodes?
Catch up on Voices of Putting Episode 1 (What’s the one putting skill you focus on most with elite players?) and Episode 2 (What SAM technology feature do you rely on most?), now available on GolfWire:
https://thegolfwire.com/science-and-motion-teaching-ambassadors/
https://thegolfwire.com/science-and-motion-voices-of-putting/
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
