2015-07-22
Electronic Arts
Drive farther, chip better, putt closer. Be the ball.
We asked the Rory McIlroy PGA Tour development team to share their best gameplay tips.
Developer: Brent Nielson, Executive Producer
The Perfect Putt Putting is the cornerstone of golf, and of Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR. A long drive on a Par 4 is all the sweeter if you’re in striking distance of a birdie, and nothing feels better than sinking a 25-foot putt.
“Pay close attention to the putt read line,” says Nielson. “That is going to show you the exact break and line that the putt will take to the hole. From that, it will be on you to adjust your aim, to account for break in the putt (either right or left) as well as elevation (uphill or downhill) and give yourself the best chance at making the putt.”
Secondly, Nielson recommends paying attention to the weight of your putt. “You will want to adjust your aim distance in or out -- depending on whether the putt is uphill or downhill -- one foot for every one inch of elevation change on your putt.” If you have a 20 foot putt that is 5 inches uphill, then you would roughly move your aimer out to 25 feet to account for that elevation change in the putt.
Don’t be discouraged if you miss your birdie attempt. “Just like in real life,” says Nielson, “it will take a lot of practice to really get a handle of the feel of putting – and that is exactly what the key to putting success is – it’s all about getting the right feel for putting. And that comes with repetition of playing several rounds, and attempting many putts.”