The Art of Putting: Brad Faxon's Philosophy for a Fearless Game

Brad Faxon, a native of Oceanport, New Jersey, is an American professional golfer renowned for his putting prowess. He graduated from Furman University, where he was a two-time All-American in 1982 and 1983. In 1983, he won the prestigious Haskins Award, given to the best collegiate golfer in the United States, and was a member of the Walker Cup team that same year.

Faxon turned professional in 1983 and achieved eight victories on the PGA Tour during his career. He stood out for his skill on the green, leading the Tour's putting average statistic three times. He participated in the American Ryder Cup teams in 1995 and 1997, and achieved four top-10 finishes in major tournaments.

After his time as a player, Faxon has worked as a golf commentator and analyst for various networks, including NBC Sports and Sky Sports. In addition, he has contributed to the development of golf through clinics and advising players, sharing his experience and knowledge about the short game and putting.

Brad Faxon describes his putting philosophy as an instinctive and athletic approach, avoiding excessive analysis and allowing confidence and feel to guide his stroke. For him, each putt is a unique opportunity that should be approached naturally and without judging its difficulty. Faxon emphasizes that a consistent and continuous movement routine is key to avoiding rigidity and maintaining the fluidity of the stroke.

Fundamental principles of Brad Faxon's putting philosophy:

• Avoid judging putts: Faxon does not categorize putts as easy or difficult, as this only generates unnecessary pressure. Instead, he focuses on three essential elements: the line, the speed, and the starting point of the ball. If these factors are correct, the putt has a high probability of going in. This approach reduces anxiety and allows for a more natural execution.
• Maintain continuous movement: Rhythm and tempo are fundamental aspects of his putting. Faxon compares his approach to other sports such as basketball (free throw), baseball (pitching), and tennis (serve), where a fluid movement is crucial for performance. Remaining static over the ball can lead to excessive analysis and loss of feel. For this reason, he maintains a routine with natural transitions that facilitate the fluidity of the stroke.
• Trust in instinct: Faxon firmly believes in the importance of the first instinct. Instead of doubting or overanalyzing, he trusts his feelings and the mental image he has built of the putt. The ability to make quick and confident decisions improves consistency on the greens and avoids mental blocks.
• Effective visualization: Before executing a putt, Faxon visualizes the entire trajectory of the ball, including the breaks and the speed it will need. Some players prefer to visualize an intermediate point or the ball entering the hole, but Faxon emphasizes the importance of seeing the entire path to improve accuracy.
• Consistent routine: Consistency in the pre-putt routine is key to generating confidence and reducing pressure in decisive moments. His process includes observing the line from behind the ball, performing some practice strokes to feel the movement, placing the putter behind the ball, looking at the hole once, and then executing the stroke. Repeating this sequence helps maintain a stable mentality under pressure.
• Use of the line on the ball: Faxon uses the line printed on the ball to facilitate alignment, although he recognizes that the perception of the line may vary depending on the player's position. He learned to trust his vision from behind the ball, even if when approaching he notices a slight difference in perception.
• Grip and pressure: Regarding the grip, Faxon prefers a feel that is concentrated between the pad of his right thumb and his index finger. He maintains a grip in which the fingers touch the shaft of the putter, preventing the nails from being visible. The grip pressure is moderate, around a three or four on a scale of one to ten, which allows you to feel the weight of the putter head and generate a free and controlled movement. He also emphasizes relaxation in the arms to maximize sensitivity and stroke control.
• Putter loading: Faxon applies the concept of "putter loading," similar to "lag" in the golf swing. This means that the putter head is slightly delayed with respect to the hands in the backswing, allowing for a more fluid movement and better control at impact. This aspect is crucial to achieve a consistent and precise touch.
• Rejection of excessive evaluation: Faxon insists that overanalyzing a putt only adds unnecessary difficulty. Instead of focusing on multiple variables that can generate doubts, he prefers to focus on the basic principles: line, speed, and feel. His pragmatic and confident approach allows him to stay relaxed and execute each putt with the same mentality, regardless of the game situation.

Brad Faxon's putting philosophy is based on confidence, instinct, and fluidity of movement. His success lies in avoiding over-analysis, maintaining a consistent routine, and trusting his natural perception of the putt. By adopting this approach, golfers can improve their performance on the greens and develop a more resilient mentality under pressure.

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