World’s Best Putter Shares His Biggest Putting Secrets

Jacob Bridgeman’s Putting Lesson

Setup and Grip

Bridgeman places the ball about half an inch ahead of center so he can strike it slightly on the upswing. He keeps his weight balanced over his feet, his hips and shoulders centered, and his arms relaxed.

He uses his thumbs to guide the putter rather than relying on a line on the club. Keeping the rest of his grip simple, he says, helps limit tension and unnecessary movement.

Warm-Up Routine

Bridgeman begins with a straight, uphill putt, using a small plate to create a narrow gate for the ball. Making about ten putts through the gate helps him check his starting line.

He then practices around the hole, starting from roughly four to six feet before moving back to longer distances, including about 7½ and nine feet. He varies the pace to build a feel for different speeds.

Reading Greens and Practicing

Bridgeman says that watching many putts roll—both his own and other players’—helps him develop a feel for how greens break. For a longer putt, he circles the ball, checks the slope from several angles, and settles on a visual line before taking practice strokes.

He distinguishes between putts he intends to hole and those where the priority is leaving the ball close. On a straight, uphill putt of about 35 feet, he says he would be aggressive. On a longer or more dangerous downhill putt, he gives more attention to pace to avoid leaving a difficult second putt.

Putting Focus and Statistics

Bridgeman says he knows his total putts but not all his detailed statistics. The interviewer identifies his rankings as:

• First in strokes gained putting and average distance of putts made per round
• Fourth in one-putt percentage
• Fifth in putts per round
• Third in avoiding three-putts
• Best from four and five feet

Bridgeman connects his strong three-putt avoidance to his confidence from short range, even though he likes to attack makeable putts.

Why He Changed Putters

During a travel disruption in his rookie season, Bridgeman tried a TaylorMade Spider mallet putter. After it performed well in practice and early rounds, he switched from a blade.

He says the mallet was more forgiving on off-center strikes, and its shape helped him aim without a prominent alignment line. He recalls that his putting performance improved after the change.

Main Advice

Rather than obsessing over stroke mechanics, Bridgeman concentrates on the read, pace, and intended path of the ball. He watches how the ball rolls after impact and says simplifying his focus helps him make putts.

Presenters and sources: Jacob Bridgeman, interviewer identified as Gary, and TaylorMade Golf.