Scott finds peace with the flatstick in Texas

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Adam Scott found the groove with his putter - and victory - at the Valero Texas Open.

After 30 minutes with short game guru, Dave Stockton -- Adam Scott finally finds some peace with the flat stick. It really is amazing that at the end of the day on the PGA TOUR just how much of a difference making some putts can mean from winning tournaments to missing cuts. After a lengthy stretch of some tough times on the greens, Adam Scott found his groove in Texas and won the Valero Texas Open.

Listen to Travis Fulton

PGA TOUR Golf Academy's Travis Fulton breaks down the keys to Adam Scott's win in Texas on the PGA TOUR Network (XM 146, SIRIUS 209). Click to listen

Two of the things that Scott and Stockton worked on were keeping the left wrist more solid through impact and becoming more focused on the hole rather than the overall putting stroke. Two great tips that when done properly can really help anyone with the putter.

Let's begin with the importance of the left hand. The left hand in the putting stroke and the golf swing is responsible for the alignment of the face. The alignment of the putter face is critical as it has major influence to the starting direction of the putt. Therefore, when the left hand begins to break down during the putting stroke, the alignment of the putter face begins to struggle at impact in relationship to the intended target line. As a result, a player begins to struggle with starting the ball on line.

When this begins to happen, often times a player begins to become mentally bogged down with the putting stroke. We have all been there where we really start to pay attention to what the putter head is doing both going back and coming through. In fact, a lot of us will even take it to the point where we follow the putter head with our eyes and begin to steer it. Although you can make this manufactured approach work, it is not where you want to be when you are trying to become the best putter you can be or win tournaments on the PGA TOUR.

With a simple thought of keeping the left hand more solid through impact, this gave Scott the control he needed with the club face leading to better starting direction. With the control of the starting direction back on line, Scott was able to now take his focus to the hole and making putts, rather than be so consumed on the stroke itself. With Scott focused on making putts and not worried about what the stroke is doing and its influence to the outcome of the putt, he has become much more instinctive on the greens. Learning to become more instinctive on the greens is something that a lot of us should be working toward. Great putters are instinctive putters.

At the TOUR Academies, we try to create an environment at address that will lead to players becoming more instinctive on the green. This set-up position can be defined as the five lines at address and Adam Scott is a great example of these five fundamentals.

1.) The putter shaft in line with the forearms: It is important that the putter shaft is on the same plane of the forearms. This will allow the arms and putter shaft to move together and consistently within the stroke. To achieve this alignment you must grip the putter more through the palms and not the fingers.

2.) The hands positioned directly under the shoulder line: To do this you must bow forward from the hips allowing the upper body to face the ground. This will allow the hands to sit under the shoulder line and clear of the body. It is recommended that you have a slight amount of elbow bend and no tension in the arms or hands.

3.) The eyes should come to rest over the golf ball: Once you have bowed forward from the hips, secure the positioning of the eyes over the golf ball. It will be easier to see the line with your eyes on that line or just to the inside of the target line.

4.) The weight should be balanced on the middle of the feet: Once your eyes are over the golf ball you then want to position your feet the correct distance from the golf ball so your weight is felt in the middle of the feet. If you stand too close to the ball then your weight will be on the heels, conversely too far from the golf ball your weight will be on your toes.

5.) The putter shaft should be 90 degrees to the ground: At 90 degrees to the ground, your putter face will have roughly 4 degrees of loft which is needed for the proper roll. If you like to lean the putter shaft forward at address then you will need to add loft to your putter face in the same amount you lean the putter shaft forward.

These five lines at address create an environment for a player to keep the left wrist solid at impact and be more instinctive on the greens just like Adam Scott. I find it really amazing when a player learns to set-up with the five lines in place just how much better the starting direction gets, distance control and overall mental approach. Once again, some good stuff from Dave Stockton.

Just Because
I must admit, I really liked the look of the new TPC San Antonio. Great golf course and it really looked good on TV with the tan background surrounding the stands and hospitality tents. I think this is going to be a great home for the Valero Texas Open as well as our new TOUR Academy.

As I mentioned last week, I got to spend some time at our academies at TPC Scottsdale and TPC Las Vegas. When did slot machines become some complicated? Whatever happened to just one line across the machine where you simply try to line up the bars? It's not about just one line anymore; it's about three, four and even five lines with multiple figures and characters. Does anyone really understand what they're cheering or hoping for anymore after they push the button or pull the handle? Perhaps I just need a lesson on the new rules of the slot machine.

Anyway, see you from Dallas next week as we celebrate one of the games greats - Byron Nelson.

Travis Fulton is PGA TOUR Academy's Director of Instruction. His views do not necessarily reflect the views of the PGA TOUR. To learn more about the TOUR Academy, click here.