Putting and pracice

Question
QUESTION: I am a freshman in college and hoping to turn pro after I graduate. I played in high school, and now work at a nationwide tour course 5 days a week from 2-6. I can practice and play from about 12-2 and for a few hours after I get off. I am averaging around a 76 on this course(Fox Den in Knoxville) and my problem is I am averaging close to 32-33 putts. I want to practice more than I currently do, and was wondering a routine I could do. And, also thre likelyhood I should pursue a pro career.

ANSWER: Hi there and thanks for asking.  Luckily, if this were any other sport, I would say pursue a "real" career.  But with golf, you are in pretty good position provided that you have the talent and mental game to succeed.

However, unless you are already shooting under par most of the time, you will need to up your practice time.  I used to go out 6-7 times per week, at about 9 am, chip and putt until about 11, hit some balls, eat, go out and play 36 holes, sometimes hitting 2-4 balls per hole just trying different shots and hitting different types of chips and putts to enhance creativity and feel.

Now of course if you work, you cant do that, but can you do that on the 2 days you are not working, and on those 5 days, practice from 9-2 and then 6-sundown?  Just remember, if you want to be a mini-tour player, you can do whatever you want, you may be in the middle of the pack by the time you graduate.  However, if you want to be on tour, even the Nationwide Tour, you have to look at playing golf as your full time job, ie, minimum 50 hours per week.

Putting, yes, you need to get it down to 30 or less on average, no matter where you are playing.  Let me know if you want to explore that part of your game more.

If you have any followups and further questions in the future,
please ask me in my more commonly used web site,
Answerway.com.  You can go to my direct link at

http://answerway.com/profile.php?expid=Dathaeus

and check out all my public FAQ's as well as ask me a direct
question.  I have some good info there on practicing, basics of the game, etc...  Thank you and good luck.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK I can work on my game all day on the days I am off. I was down to shooting around 70-73 last year and then I only played a few times while I was at school. Now I have started playing again and am starting to shoot lower scores, but yes if you have any tips on putting that would help. I know if I can start making putts I can go low. Also the course I play is a 75.4 rating, and the cut in the nationwide event is usually around even to 2 under. So, if I average around par by the end of this summer do think that would be a good start. I am hoping to monday qualify for the event within the next two years.

Answer
Hi... as far as putting, psychologically, treat it like it is, the easiest part of the game.  If you can hit a drive 300 yds down an alley of 20 yards, sinking a putt in from 7 feet should be cake, right?  Anyways, when I play seriously, I always use spot putting, no exceptions.  Also, practicing, make sure you practice a lot of lag putts from over 30-40 feet... it helps develop feel.

As far as score, in your practice rounds on your home course, you have to be shooting under par every single time out, and even that wont be good enough.  Unless you know for a fact that you will shoot as good or better on tournament day, dont be satisfied shooting par on your course, no matter what the rating.  

If you have any followups and further questions in the future,
please ask me in my more commonly used web site,
Answerway.com.  You can go to my direct link at

http://answerway.com/profile.php?expid=Dathaeus

and ask me a direct question.  Thank you and good luck.