Okay, so today I’m gonna spill the beans on my little adventure trying to mimic Patrick Cantlay’s putting stroke. I’m no pro, just a regular guy who loves golf and gets way too into trying to copy what the pros do.
It all started, like most of my dumb ideas, with me watching golf on TV. Cantlay was just draining putts from everywhere, and I thought, “Hey, I can do that!” (Spoiler alert: I couldn’t).
Step 1: Research. I jumped on YouTube and started watching every video I could find of Cantlay putting. Slow-motion analysis, swing breakdowns, the whole shebang. I noticed a few things: his super-stable lower body, his pendulum stroke, and how he seemed to keep his wrists locked. Looked simple enough, right?
Step 2: The Practice Green. I grabbed my putter (an old Odyssey I’ve had for years) and headed to the local muni. First thing I tried was locking my wrists. Felt weird. Really weird. Like I was trying to putt with a broomstick. But I kept at it. I focused on keeping my lower body still, like a statue. That part wasn’t too bad, actually.
Step 3: The Pendulum. Cantlay’s stroke is so smooth, like a grandfather clock. Mine? Not so much. I was all jerky and inconsistent. I tried slowing everything down, focusing on a smooth backswing and follow-through. This took a while, and honestly, I’m still not where I want to be, but I saw some improvement.
Step 4: The Results (or Lack Thereof). So, after a few weeks of dedicated practice (and a lot of frustration), did I become a putting wizard like Cantlay? Absolutely not. But, I did notice some improvements. My distance control got a little better, and I was leaving myself shorter putts on average. I think the biggest thing I learned was the importance of stability and consistency. Those are things I can work on regardless of whether I perfectly copy Cantlay’s stroke.
Step 5: The Takeaway. Trying to copy a pro’s swing is probably a fool’s errand. But, it can be a useful exercise in understanding the fundamentals. I learned a lot about my own putting stroke by trying to emulate Cantlay. And hey, even if I don’t putt like him, at least I can say I tried!
- What I learned: Stability is key, consistency takes practice, and I’m definitely not Patrick Cantlay.
- What I’d do differently: Maybe focus on one aspect of his stroke at a time, instead of trying to change everything at once.
- Would I recommend it? Sure, give it a shot! Just don’t expect miracles. And be prepared for some frustration.
Final Thoughts
This whole experiment was a good reminder that golf is hard. Really hard. But it’s also a lot of fun. And even if I’m not sinking every putt, I’m still enjoying the process of trying to get better. Plus, I can always blame my bad putting on the fact that I’m not Patrick Cantlay. Works every time!
