Putting Out of Your Mind by Bob Rotella Summary

Putting Out of Your Mind by Dr. Bob Rotella focuses on the mental approach to mastering putting in golf rather than technical mechanics. The book reveals that great putters are made through mindset, confidence, and focus, not through grip changes or swing adjustments. Rotella emphasizes building trust in your stroke, overcoming fear, developing consistent routines, and staying calm under pressure. The book includes stories from professional golfers like Davis Love III and Brad Faxon, along with game-changing practice drills.

Putting Out of Your Mind is valuable for golfers of all skill levels, from weekend players to touring professionals. The book is especially beneficial for golfers struggling with putting confidence, those who overthink their stroke mechanics, or players experiencing the yips. According to reviewers, the principles are actionable for anyone looking to improve their mental game on the greens. Golfers who understand that putting success comes from attitude and mindset rather than perfect technique will gain the most from Dr. Bob Rotella's approach.

Putting Out of Your Mind is widely regarded as one of the best books on putting's mental aspects. Reviewers report immediate improvements after applying Rotella's lessons, particularly regarding confidence and focus. The book challenges golfers to think differently about putting by focusing on process over outcome. While it doesn't address technical mechanics, its mental strategies have helped both amateur and professional golfers become champion putters. For golfers seeking to improve their short game through mindset shifts rather than swing changes, this book delivers substantial value.

Dr. Bob Rotella is a renowned sports psychologist and bestselling author of golf books including Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect and Golf Is a Game of Confidence. He's recognized as one of the foremost golf authorities, specializing in the mental side of the game. Rotella began his career working with special-needs children and coaching lacrosse before transitioning to sports psychology. He works with exceptionally talented golfers to help them perform at their peak by changing attitudes and mindsets. His coaching philosophy emphasizes getting athletes' minds "in a great place on every shot."

Putting Out of Your Mind centers on several core principles: focusing on the target rather than stroke mechanics, developing a consistent mental and physical routine, and embracing pressure situations. Rotella teaches that great putters welcome nervous symptoms as opportunities to excel. The book emphasizes there is no perfect putting stroke—golfers should "fall in love" with their current stroke. Other key concepts include "putt to make it" on every attempt, treating every putt as a "green-light putt," and trusting natural touch for speed rather than overthinking. The mental approach prioritizes seeing the ball go in the hole over perfect technique.

"Putt to make it" is Bob Rotella's philosophy that golfers should always putt with the intention of making every putt, rather than just getting close or avoiding three-putts. This mindset shift emphasizes confidence and commitment over caution. Rotella advises practicing this mentality especially when using a ball and hole, always focusing on seeing the putt go in. The concept challenges golfers to approach each putt—whether a three-footer or twenty-footer—with the belief that it can and should be made. This aggressive, positive mindset helps build confidence and eliminates tentative, fear-based putting.

According to Putting Out of Your Mind, the yips originate in the mind, making prevention and cure mental challenges rather than physical ones. Rotella recommends changing your attitude by rediscovering a carefree, confident approach to putting that focuses on process rather than results. He advises abandoning the quest for a perfect stroke and instead committing to a routine emphasizing visualization of the ball going to the target. Rebuilding confidence gradually by remembering successful putts and developing a short memory for misses is essential. The mental approach helps golfers overcome the tension and fear underlying the yips.

The "gain control by giving up control" concept involves relaxing and releasing the need to control every aspect of the putting stroke, allowing the subconscious to take over. By focusing solely on the target, golfers can make free, natural strokes without overthinking mechanics. Rotella explains that trying too hard to control the stroke leads to tension and poor performance—instead, golfers should trust instincts and let the putt happen. This nonchalant attitude, approaching putting as if the outcome is already determined, reduces pressure and improves results. The paradox is that releasing conscious control actually improves performance.

Key quotes from Putting Out of Your Mind include:

• "Putt to make it," emphasizing the importance of putting with intention to make every putt rather than just getting close
• "The last thing you want to do if you're trying to make putts is worry about speed" highlights trusting natural touch over obsessing about pace
• "Every putt is a green-light putt" means approaching every putt believing it can be made rather than categorizing some as too difficult
• "Fall in love with the stroke you have" encourages accepting and trusting your current putting stroke rather than constantly seeking perfect technique

Rotella recommends always practicing with the intention of making putts, especially when using a ball and hole. He emphasizes practicing short putts to build confidence and ensure frequent success seeing the ball drop. The chalk line drill helps with alignment and confidence, allowing golfers to see the ball roll straight to the hole. For developing touch and pace without hole pressure, Rotella suggests putting to the fringe or a tee. He stresses that practice should reinforce positive mental habits—seeing putts go in and trusting your stroke—rather than focusing on mechanics or perfect technique.

Putting Out of Your Mind dismantles the myth that perfect putting mechanics exist, explaining that different strokes and styles can all work depending on the player's mindset. Rotella argues that instead of obsessing over mechanics, golfers should focus on the target and let their natural stroke take over. Overthinking mechanics leads to tension and poor performance—golfers should trust their instincts and let the stroke happen naturally. The book encourages golfers to "fall in love with the stroke you have" and focus on making putts rather than constantly seeking perfect technique. Attitude and confidence matter more than mechanical perfection.

Both Putting Out of Your Mind and Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect are written by Dr. Bob Rotella and share similar mental game philosophies. While Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect addresses the overall mental approach to golf including expectations, mistakes, and course management, Putting Out of Your Mind specifically focuses on the mental aspects of putting. Both books emphasize trusting your abilities, staying present, and avoiding perfectionism. Putting Out of Your Mind is described as a companion guide that applies Rotella's broader mental principles specifically to putting situations, including detailed practice drills and putting-specific routines.