The 22-Second Putt: Why Speed of Play Matters on the Greens

You see it all the time. Some guys take forever over a putt. Others just step up and knock it. Like that Ryan Fox dude at the Open. Birdied four of his last six. Drained the 18th for the win. And get this – he barely took any time over that last putt. Like, 22 seconds from when his buddy tapped in. Twenty-two seconds! To win the damn Open. Makes you wonder, right? What’s going on there? Is he some kind of golf savant? Or is there something to this whole speed thing?

Look, we all know golf can be slow. Painfully slow. Especially on the greens. Guys pacing back and forth, lining it up from every angle, fiddling with their putter like it’s some delicate scientific instrument. It’s enough to make you want to chuck your clubs in the nearest water hazard. But then you see a guy like Fox, under the ultimate pressure, just stepping up and doing it. It’s not just about getting it in the hole; it’s about how you do it. And how fast.

The Pressure Cooker: Why Quick Putts Can Work

This isn’t about rushing. It’s about being prepared. Fox said he’d done all his work before his playing partner, Sam Burns, even putted. He’d read the line, stepped away, and was ready to go. That’s smart. That’s efficient. When you’re standing over a putt that could win you a major, your mind can go to some dark places. Doubts creep in. You start thinking about all the ways you could screw it up. Miss it high, lip it out, leave yourself a four-footer for the playoff. That’s the stuff that messes with your head. That’s the stuff that makes you freeze.

Fox knew that. He went behind the green for a bit, took a couple of deep breaths. He wasn’t thinking, “Oh god, I’m about to putt to win the Open.” He was thinking, “It’s just a putt.” That’s the mindset you need. You gotta simplify it. You gotta take the emotion out of it. And sometimes, the quickest way to do that is to just get on with it. Don’t give your brain too much time to overthink. Don’t let the nerves take over.

Think about it. If you stand there for five minutes, you’re going to replay every bad putt you’ve ever hit. You’re going to imagine the crowd’s reaction. You’re going to feel the sweat dripping down your back. It’s a recipe for disaster. But if you’ve done your homework, if you’re ready, and you just go, you bypass all that. You trust your preparation. You trust your stroke. It’s a gamble, sure, but it’s a calculated one.

The “Don’t Be an Idiot” Strategy

Fox was pretty clear on what he didn’t want to do. He didn’t want to “gun it.” He didn’t want to blast it past the hole and leave himself a nasty comeback putt. That’s a crucial point. It’s not about hitting it hard; it’s about hitting it with the right speed. The speed that ensures it finishes in the hole. Even if it’s a gentle tap-in. He knew he just needed it to drop. He wasn’t trying to be a hero and ram it in the back of the cup. He just needed it to go in. That’s a subtle but important distinction. It’s about accepting the outcome, whatever it is, as long as you’ve committed to the stroke.

His caddie summed it up perfectly, didn’t he? “You might only ever have one putt in your career, in your life, to win a major championship, and you just effin’ holed it.” That’s the kind of moment you dream about. And Fox, despite his shaky hands, delivered. He didn’t let the magnitude of the situation paralyze him. He didn’t let the fear of failure dictate his actions. He just went and did it. That’s the kind of mental toughness that separates the good from the great. It’s about playing the shot, not the occasion.

Is This for Everyone? Probably Not.

Now, I’m not saying you should start sprinting to every putt you face. That’s just asking for trouble. Some players thrive on a more deliberate routine. They need that time to settle their nerves, to visualize the putt. And that’s fine. Golf is an individual game, and what works for one person might not work for another. But there’s definitely something to be learned from Fox’s approach. It highlights the importance of preparation and the dangers of overthinking.

If you’re someone who tends to take forever on the greens, who gets caught up in the mental battle, maybe try this. Do your prep work earlier. Read the putt while your playing partner is setting up. Get a feel for the speed and break. Then, when it’s your turn, step up, take a breath, and go. Don’t give yourself too much time to second-guess. Trust your instincts. Trust your stroke.

It’s about finding a balance. You don’t want to be the guy holding up play for ten minutes. But you also don’t want to be so rushed that you’re making careless mistakes. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. It’s about having a routine that’s efficient but also effective. A routine that allows you to perform under pressure.

The Psychology of the Quick Putt

There’s a whole school of thought in sports psychology that advocates for quick decision-making and execution, especially under pressure. It’s called the “automatic pilot” mode. When you’ve practiced something thousands of times, your body knows what to do. Your subconscious takes over. Overthinking, on the other hand, can lead to “analysis paralysis,” where you get so caught up in the details that you can’t execute the action.

For Fox, his quick putt was a manifestation of his confidence and his ability to stay present. He wasn’t dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future consequences. He was focused on the task at hand. That’s a lesson every golfer can take to heart. Whether you’re playing for a major championship or just a friendly match with your mates, learning to stay present and trust your abilities is key.

It’s also about managing your energy. Constantly deliberating over every single putt can be mentally draining. If you can speed up your routine without sacrificing quality, you’re conserving mental energy for the shots that truly matter. Think about the mental fatigue that builds up over a long round, especially in a major. Being able to get through the putting process efficiently can free up mental bandwidth for other aspects of your game.

Putting it into Practice: Your Own Quick Routine

So, how do you develop a quicker, more effective putting routine? It’s not about ditching your entire process. It’s about optimizing it.

• Pre-round practice: Spend time on the practice green before your round. Get a feel for the speed and break of the greens. This will give you a better baseline for your on-course putts.
• Partner’s putt prep: While your playing partner is reading and hitting their putt, use that time to do your own prep. Read your putt from behind, get your feel for the speed.
• Visual cue: Have a clear visual cue for when you’re ready to putt. This could be a specific waggle of the putter, a deep breath, or simply stepping into your stance.
• Trust your first read: Unless something dramatically changes, trust your initial read on the putt. Don’t second-guess yourself endlessly.
• Commit to the stroke: Once you’ve decided on your line and speed, commit to the stroke. Don’t let your body hesitate or waver.
• Focus on tempo, not outcome: Concentrate on maintaining a consistent tempo throughout your stroke, rather than fixating on whether the ball will go in.

It takes practice, of course. You won’t transform overnight. But by consciously trying to be a little more efficient with your putting routine, you might find that you’re not only playing faster, but you’re also playing better. Especially when the pressure is on. It’s about making golf less of a chore and more of a fluid, enjoyable experience. And who knows, maybe you’ll even hole a few more crucial putts along the way.

Ultimately, Ryan Fox’s 22-second putt is a brilliant example of how mental preparation and decisive action can lead to incredible results. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to conquer pressure is to simply get on with it. For more on the mental side of golf and how to improve your game, consider checking out resources on sports psychology or finding a qualified golf instructor who can help you refine your mental approach. Learning to manage your thoughts on the course is just as important as mastering your swing. You can find excellent resources on golf psychology and performance at places like the Psychology Today website, which often features articles by sports psychologists on these very topics.