What's Tommy Fleetwood's Secret Device on the Practice Green?

The Secret Behind Tommy Fleetwood’s Putting Success

Tommy Fleetwood has been on fire this week at The Tour Championship, and his putting performance has been nothing short of exceptional. Through 54 holes, he ranks first in strokes gained putting and putts per green in regulation. His impressive stats include gaining a staggering 7.462 strokes over the field, with an average of just 1.49 putts per green in regulation. These numbers have contributed to his overall strokes gained total of 10.134, which places him at the top of the highly competitive 30-player field at East Lake.

Fleetwood’s dominance on the greens is not just a result of natural talent—it’s the product of meticulous preparation. Before the final round of the tournament, he was spotted using an unusual tool on the practice green that offers a glimpse into his methodical approach to reading greens.

Calibration Is Key

The device Fleetwood uses on the practice green is a digital level, a simple yet effective tool that measures the slope of the green. While it might seem more at home on a construction site than a golf course, it plays a crucial role in his green-reading process.

According to a video shared on his YouTube channel, Fleetwood starts by using his feet to gauge the slope by feel. He then cross-checks this intuition with the actual slope measurement from the digital level. This combination of tactile feedback and technological precision helps him fine-tune his green readings.

Once he has the slope data, Fleetwood applies it to AimPoint, a green reading system designed to help players determine where to aim based on the degree of slope and the length of the putt. "I do like AimPoint," Fleetwood explains. "With everything, it's a tool. I try and use everything I can to read greens. But if I'm going to use AimPoint, we have to make sure that we are calibrated towards that and feeling the slopes well."

The Importance of Calibration

Calibration, in this context, means accurately identifying the slope of the green through feel and confirming that perception with the digital level. This process ensures that Fleetwood’s reads are as precise as possible. It’s a technique that highlights the importance of combining physical intuition with technology.

Even for players who don’t use AimPoint, being able to sense the slope of a green and validate that feeling with a digital level can significantly improve accuracy. The good news is that a basic digital level is an affordable and accessible tool. It can be purchased online or at most hardware stores, making it a valuable addition to any golfer’s practice routine.

In fact, even a smartphone app that functions as a level can offer quick validation during practice sessions. This kind of preparation can make a big difference when it comes to reading greens under pressure.

Practical Tips for Golfers

For amateur and professional golfers alike, incorporating tools like a digital level into their practice can enhance their ability to read greens effectively. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Use your feet to get a feel for the slope before relying on technology.
• Validate your gut feelings with a digital level or a smartphone app.
• Apply these insights to your green-reading strategy, whether you use AimPoint or another system.
• Practice consistently to build confidence and accuracy in your reads.

By focusing on calibration and using the right tools, golfers can improve their putting performance and gain a competitive edge on the course. Fleetwood’s success serves as a reminder that even the smallest details can have a significant impact on performance.