Justin Rose's putting session with Phil Kenyon
With the microphone on, Justin Rose is preparing for a tournament with his putting coach, Phil Kenyon. No long speeches: just precise checks and a keen eye for reading the slopes—things you can practice during training.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The session begins with the’address. Justin Rose explains that he tends to put a lot of weight on the outside of his left foot; he is now trying to feel the entire foot on the ground, with his left leg turned less outward. Phil Kenyon sees this as a positive, since Rose tends to open his pelvis and finds his posture less “twisted.” Next comes the’Alignment: Rose lines up the line drawn on her ball with the top line of his putter, rather than the general shape of the head. They use a laser to check where the ball actually goes relative to the aim.
They then move on to a starting gate, two markers on the ground that the ball must clear on a downhill putt, to see if the work on the line holds up when aiming away from the hole. They estimate the percentage grade (about 2%, then 3 to 4% higher), look for where the straight putt lies, and take the grain into account. Their observation: if the ball starts off a little high, it curves less, which explains why some putts miss high.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- At the address, distribute your weight across your entire left foot.
- Draw a line on the ball and align it with the top line of your putter.
- Take a few straight putts and see where the ball goes relative to your aim.
- Place two markers on the ground just in front of the ball to form a starting gate.
- On a downhill putt, estimate the slope and figure out where the straight line of the putt lies.
- Roll the ball through the goal along your line of sight and watch the curve.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Weight on the outside of the left foot, which opens the pelvis.
- Align the ball with the shape of the putter head rather than with a clear line.
- Relying on the feeling of alignment without checking it.
- If you hit the ball too high, it will spin less than expected.
- Ignore the grain when reading.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Straight putts with the line of roll aligned with the top of the putter
- Starting point for a putt on a slope
- Estimate the slope before each putt, then check the result
- Regular address verification by a partner or via video
Your Questions
What does Justin Rose use to line up his shot?
Along the top edge of his putter. During the session, he noticed that he was slightly more aware of the rear contour of the head and that this changed how he felt about his alignment.
What is the purpose of the starting point on a downhill putt?
Check to make sure the ball actually follows the intended line when aiming away from the hole. Phil Kenyon uses this to see if his alignment work on straight putts holds up in real-life situations.
Why talk about slope in terms of percentage?
Rose and Kenyon estimate the green’s slope—for example, 2% or 3 to 4%—to determine the curve and the point where the putt becomes straight. This provides a more accurate basis for reading the green than simply relying on a hunch.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Justin Rose). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.