How Bowditch Won The Texas Open With Poor Putting

Overcoming Poor Putting

Steven Bowditch, ranked 339th in the world of golf, had never won on the PGA Tour, until recently. He shot a final round 76 to win the Valero Texas Open. It wasn’t a pretty final round, but he’ll take it.

What’s interesting is how he slammed his putting performance for the entire week.

How do you shoot 8-under par with poor putting?

“My putter has been not very good at all this week in general, so it’s always tough. You gotta chip it really close,” Bowditch said after the round. He said that the putter is harder to control under pressure. “The putter is probably the worst one with the nerves to try and deal with, I guess.”

“That’s really the first time I’ve really been putting average or bad, especially when leading in a golf tournament, so that was something new to me,” said Bowditch.

What happens to the rest of your game when you struggle to make putts on the green?

Most golfers compensate by trying to hit or chip the ball closer to the hole.

“I just felt like I had to get it as close to the green as I could and then rely on my chipping.”

When you start missing routine 3-footers, that’s when the negative thoughts can come flooding in-especially over the next short putt.

“Will I miss another short putt,” you say to yourself over the ball…”

“After I missed another putt on 13, that up and down, a 3-footer straight up the hill, I was deep inside my own head with bad thoughts. And to get through that was probably the turning point, I thought.”

In golf, and especially with putting, making too many changes is the enemy.

Related Article: Why Putting Confidence Disappears With The Yips

Many players I work with will rotate between changing grips, putters, stroke, and their routine. They blame poor putting on equipment or a faulty stroke, but never look at how their mind gets in the way.

Golfers will do anything to find something that’s more comfortable.

“I tried changing my routine, and I change a lot of things each week with my putter, and it still didn’t feel very comfortable.”

Bowditch even changed his putter after the Thursday’s round. He was hitting the ball so well he wanted to go back to a comfortable putter.

“I wanted to go back to a putter that I was completely comfortable with. At least with that one I knew what its tendencies were and was comfortable with,” he said after the win.

Good thing his ball striking and chipping was on that week. It’s rare on the PGA Tour that a golfer shoots 76 the final round and wins. I guess he did receive help from the players who were chasing him.

If you struggle with your putting, contact Dr. Cohn today about his mental game programs for golfers.


Overcome The Yips and Enjoy Golf Again!

Golf Yips

Golfers, do you suffer from:

  • Anxiety, tension and over control of the stroke or swing?
  • Performance anxiety about what others will think?
  • Inability to wing the club freely on the course, despite the fact that you can in practice?

Check out: Breaking the Yips Cycle

Golfers: Learn how to overcome the fear that keeps you stuck in a vicious cycle

Instructors: Learn how to give your students the mental game edge.

Coaches: Help your team members play with freedom instead of fear or tension.

Breaking The Yips Cycle: How to Putt, Chip, And Pitch Freely and Enjoy Playing Golf Again

What are Golf Psychology Students Saying?

“I was pleased to find your website and tips to address the mental issues with the yips. Your drills made sense to me. Other people only tackled technique. That isn’t the problem with me as I can stroke them all nicely on the practice putting green. I can even hit the long ones on the course. I will keep working at it and thank you for your interest.”
~Pat Collins


putting-yips-report-web2

Download Our FREE Anti-Yips Putting Drills

Do you spend most of your practice time trapped by stroke or mechanics on the practice green?

Are you unsure how to practice to hep you overcome the putting yips?

Golfers: Learn how to putt with freedom using proven putting drills!

Download our FREE putting report and drills to help you unlock your putting potential today!

What are golfers saying about our putting yips drills?

“Yes Patrick, I’m a five handicap and also mentally handicapped by the yips. What worked for me was the aim, set and go drill. You don’t have time to think about yipping. I played today and not one yip. I owe you big time. Thanks again.”

~Mike Helms


Overcome The Yips With Expert Mental Game Coaching!

Master mental game coach Dr. Patrick Cohn can help you overcome your mental game issues with personal coaching.

You can work with Dr. Patrick Cohn himself in Orlando, Florida or via Skype, FaceTime, or telephone. Call us toll free at 888-742-7225 or contact us for more information about the different coaching programs we offer!

What are our mental coaching students saying?

“I’ve had the yips for 30 years. With the anchor ban, I thought I needed to quit golf. It was frustrating hearing golf experts and commentators state that no amateur was going to quit golf because of the anchoring ban. Obviously, these experts don’t know anything about the yips. I’m so glad I found you. Your drills really helped. It might sound silly, but the biggest thing that helped me is knowing that the yips is mental. It might sound crazy, for someone to have the yips for 30 years, and not know it’s mental. I also believe I know my reason for having the yips, and I see how my insecurities in every day life contributed to the yips. Thank you for your help.”
~Kevin Stankewicz

Leave a Comment