When it comes to being an effective putter, speed control is king! While reading greens and starting the ball online are critical, consistent speed is the foundation that brings those elements together. As both a DECADE Golf and AimPoint certified instructor, I help players develop a comprehensive strategy that merges data-driven decision-making with precise feel and feedback. Here’s how we can blend the strengths of both systems to dramatically improve your speed control on the greens.
Why Speed Control is the #1 Skill in Putting
Let’s start with a simple truth: a putt struck at the wrong speed can never go in. Whether it’s blowing by the hole or dying off before it even has a chance, poor speed undermines everything else you do, including leading to the dreaded three-putt.
I’ve learned from DECADE Golf Founder Scott Fawcett that lag putting and three-putt avoidance are among the biggest performance separators at every level of golf. Meanwhile, AimPoint Founder Mark Sweeney has taught me that your read is only as good as your speed—the AimPoint line is a prediction based on a specific terminal velocity, in other words, the ball traveling on the chosen line and falling in the cup is reliant on rolling the ball at a proper speed.
That’s why we treat speed not as an afterthought, but as a skill that deserves targeted practice and smart strategy.
The DECADE Philosophy: Manage Expectations, Measure Results
One of DECADE’s greatest gifts is clarity—especially around how to approach lag putting. Through strokes-gained data, we know:
That tells us two things:
So what does that mean for your speed control? It means the “make” mindset often creates aggressive speeds that bring 3-putts into play. Instead, smart golfers focus on a predictable capture speed—typically 6–12 inches past the hole.
In practice, this means using drills and targets that help you develop that speed window consistently—not just when you’re rolling it well, but every time.
The AimPoint Edge: Feel the Slope, Match the Speed
Now let’s bring AimPoint into the picture. One of the most misunderstood elements of green reading is that every read is speed-dependent. When you use AimPoint to determine your line, you’re essentially getting a map—but your speed determines the route.
Here’s how you can use AimPoint to refine your speed control:
Too often, players pick a line but roll the putt with a different speed, which guarantees a miss even if the read was perfect.
Key takeaway: You cannot separate speed and line—they are partners. And AimPoint gives you a system to control both.
Blending DECADE and AimPoint in Practice
Here’s a practical framework you can use on the practice green (or with your students if you’re a coach):
Use tees or ball markers to create a “capture zone” 6–12 inches past the hole. Practice rolling putts to finish within this zone. This builds a consistent feel and reduces variability in decision-making.
Practice from 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet. Track how many putts finish in your capture zone. DECADE reminds us to manage expectations—so keep data over time to measure improvement, not just results.
Even in practice. Don’t guess the break. Feel the slope, get the number, and roll the putt with the speed that matches the read. This trains your brain to correlate slope feels with speed execution. Learn the correct and specific processes of AimPoint only with a certified instructor – there are only 300 of us worldwide for a reason!
To mimic pressure, use only one ball. Read, commit, and execute. Then assess: Did the speed match your intended plan?
Final Thoughts
Putting isn’t about perfection—it’s about predictability. DECADE gives you the data to understand what good looks like. AimPoint gives you the tools to execute it with precision. Together, they help you stop guessing and start rolling putts with purpose.
Whether you’re looking to save strokes, reduce three-putts, or gain confidence on the greens, mastering speed control is the gateway. Blend strategy with feel, and you’ll unlock a level of consistency you didn’t know was possible.
Let’s make every putt a high-quality attempt—not by trying harder, but by training smarter.
Want to work on your putting with a customized DECADE + AimPoint strategy? Contact me and start mastering the art of speed control today at davidkuhngolf.com
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