By Tom Tobey

One of the most influential books I’ve read on the mental side of golf is “Putting Out of Your Mind” by renowned sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella.

Born in Rutland, Vermont, Dr. Rotella has written more than a dozen bestselling books, including Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect, How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life, and The Unstoppable Golfer. While each offers valuable insights, Putting Out of Your Mind, published in 2001, had the biggest impact on my own approach to the game.

The book focuses on mastering the mental side of putting by emphasizing trust, confidence, and commitment over mechanics.

Dr. Rotella’s Core Mental Rules for Putting

Trust Your First Instinct

Stop overanalyzing every putt. Read the green, make your decision, and trust your athletic ability. Great putters react instead of trying to manufacture the perfect stroke.

Focus on Your Intended Target

Your attention should be on the target—not on your putting stroke. Pick your line, roll the ball, and even listen for it to drop into the cup. The less you think about your mechanics, the freer your stroke becomes.

Commit Completely

Develop a consistent routine. Read the putt, visualize your line, and commit to it without hesitation. Doubt creates tension, while commitment creates confidence.

Visualize Success

Before you stroke the putt, see the ball rolling along your intended line and falling into the hole. Positive visualization helps quiet the conscious mind and builds confidence.

Lessons from Other Sports

This concept isn’t unique to golf.

Imagine a basketball player standing wide open in the corner. If he catches the ball and immediately shoots, he relies on years of practice and athletic instinct. But if he pauses for a second or two trying to make the “perfect” shot, he gives the defender time to close out. Overthinking often gets in the way of natural ability.

Another example is former Minnesota Twins Gold Glove second baseman Chuck Knoblauch. After being traded to the New York Yankees, he developed the “yips.” Instead of simply reacting and making routine throws to first base, he began consciously thinking about the motion and even watched the ball leave his hand. Routine throws became difficult, errors mounted, and the mental burden became overwhelming. Eventually, the Yankees moved him to the outfield.

These examples show what can happen when athletes stop trusting their instincts and allow conscious thought to interfere with skills they’ve performed thousands of times.

The Bottom Line

Sound technique is essential for good putting, but technique alone isn’t enough. Once you’ve developed solid fundamentals, it’s time to trust them.

Trust. Focus. Commit. Visualize.

Those four words can transform not only your putting but your overall confidence on the golf course.

Practice Drill: The Soda Can Challenge

Place an empty soda can on the practice green about 10 feet away. Instead of worrying about your stroke, simply pick your target and react. Trust your instincts and your athletic ability.

Your only goal is to hit the can.

You’ll be surprised how often you do.

Sometimes the best putting happens when you stop trying to make the perfect stroke and simply let your mind get out of the way.