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Putting Out Of Your Mind
'You drive for dough, you putt for show'. This old saying is familiar to all golfers and Bob Rotella, one of the foremost authorities on golf today, is a firm believer in its truth. In his new book he reveals the unique mental approach that great putting requires and helps golfers of all levels master this essential skill.
Much like GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT and GOLF IS A GAME OF CONFIDENCE, PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND is a resonant and informative guide to achieving a better golf game. While most golfers spend their time trying to perfect their swing so they can hit the ball farther, Rotella encourages them to concentrate on their putting, the most crucial yet overlooked aspect of the game. Great players are not only aware of the importance of putting, they go out of their way to master it. And of course mastery begins with an understanding of the attitude needed to be a better putter. Rotella's mental rules, which have helped some of the greatest golfers in the world to become champion putters can now work for golfers everywhere.
With everything from true-life stories from some of the greats to dozens of game-changing practice drills, PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND is the new bible of putting, and is sure to bring about immediate results for anyone who plays the game.
Much like GOLF IS NOT A GAME OF PERFECT and GOLF IS A GAME OF CONFIDENCE, PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND is a resonant and informative guide to achieving a better golf game. While most golfers spend their time trying to perfect their swing so they can hit the ball farther, Rotella encourages them to concentrate on their putting, the most crucial yet overlooked aspect of the game. Great players are not only aware of the importance of putting, they go out of their way to master it. And of course mastery begins with an understanding of the attitude needed to be a better putter. Rotella's mental rules, which have helped some of the greatest golfers in the world to become champion putters can now work for golfers everywhere.
With everything from true-life stories from some of the greats to dozens of game-changing practice drills, PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND is the new bible of putting, and is sure to bring about immediate results for anyone who plays the game.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1996
409 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 20, 2024
3 Stars!!! Not Bad but nothing special....
I have read books by Bob Rotella before, he is mental side golf instructor.
His book The Unstoppable Golfer was fabulous but unfortunately this book did not keep up or add anything new.
The only highlights I had were to love YOUR putting stroke it is more than good enough to get the ball in the hole.
People tend to become what they think about themselves...You need to think you are a good putter to be a good putter.
Those are two good points but not enough to carry an entire book to above an average read.
Fore right!!!!
I have read books by Bob Rotella before, he is mental side golf instructor.
His book The Unstoppable Golfer was fabulous but unfortunately this book did not keep up or add anything new.
The only highlights I had were to love YOUR putting stroke it is more than good enough to get the ball in the hole.
People tend to become what they think about themselves...You need to think you are a good putter to be a good putter.
Those are two good points but not enough to carry an entire book to above an average read.
Fore right!!!!
January 19, 2024
Book seemed pretty dated, but took 1 or 2 things away that I'll try to work into my game.
March 29, 2019
I have read so many of Bob Rotella’s books and they have really helped me throughout life and also the game of golf. Putting out of your mind might be one of the best books I have read by him. I am pretty sure I say that about all of his books because they are all my favorite. In this book he really talks about the unique mental approach that great putting requires. There are a lot of people that always want to focus on their swing. If you know anything about the game of golf you know that driving the ball far isn’t what wins you tournaments. What wins you tournaments most of the time is having a great short game, putting, and be able to keep your mind together. In my opinion, I would say that putting is 90% feel and you can’t have a coach for putting. Putting is one of the things in golf that you have to feel yourself. A coach can help you set up to the ball and make sure your head is over the ball but he can’t be the one their telling you exactly how hard to hit it. When you’re on the course every green is different and has different slopes, break, grass, and speed. You have to be able to control this yourself by just practicing. If you feel like your stroke it off then you should start doing drills. In this book he talks about plenty of drills. I personally have used them and they work very well. If you want to be good at putting you have to practice it just as much as you hit balls. You honestly should practice if way more than that in my opinion. My dad showed me this book and it definitely has made a difference in my golf game. We go out on the course and use so much of what Rotella talks about in his books. I highly suggest this book to anyone who plays golf. If you are really good or not so good at putting I still suggest you read this book.
June 16, 2024
According to this book, becoming a good putter has little to do with mechanics and more to do with approaching putting with the right mentality. Be positive, focus on a routine, and expect yourself to make every putt are a few of the statements made by the author (each one backed up with a story/anecdote of his) that will help your putting game the most.
I am still pretty poor at putting, but I am now a “confident” poor putter thanks to this book.
I am still pretty poor at putting, but I am now a “confident” poor putter thanks to this book.
October 16, 2024
Incredible mental framework. Must read. Instant improvement.
May 19, 2025
Putting felt better right after listening to this, so automatic 4 stars.
July 6, 2025
This was a fun and light read for lunchtimes at work or on the train etc.
I felt like I understood the focus of each chapter after a couple of pages and so I did feel like the books itself dragged.
I felt like I understood the focus of each chapter after a couple of pages and so I did feel like the books itself dragged.
June 10, 2013
This book is okay. I'm pretty new to the golf self-help literature, but even I can tell that there are no startlingly different ideas here. This audio edition is an abridgement of the text version, and I feel no need to go read the real book to find out what was left out. Rotella reads the text himself, and he is not a dynamic speaker (as most authors are not!). I can sort of see the necessity here, though, since he's saying how "I told semi-famous golfer 1 this," "I made semi-famous golfer 2 do that," etc.
Some major and/or interesting points Rotella makes:
-Putting is fun, you guys, be happy, not stressed.
-Think only about the target while you're putting.
-Create a physical/mental routine that you follow before every putt to help yourself focus.
-The hole is too big to be a good target; pick a certain blade of grass by the hole or a discolored spot on the rim or something so you can visualize an exact line.
-If the green breaks, make your target the straight-line spot to the left or right of the hole that you need to aim for in order for the ball to go in.
-Practice short putts a lot for a confidence and accuracy that will spill over into long putts.
-Don't be stupid and listen to people who say you should always try to putt slightly past the hole: you should be trying to MAKE each putt!
-But don't try too hard...gotta be zen.
-Don't get too torqued up or down by either good or bad putts; accept what happens.
There are more, to be sure...I'll add if I think of them. Anyway, this is a resource you might pick up if you find it for a couple of bucks.
Some major and/or interesting points Rotella makes:
-Putting is fun, you guys, be happy, not stressed.
-Think only about the target while you're putting.
-Create a physical/mental routine that you follow before every putt to help yourself focus.
-The hole is too big to be a good target; pick a certain blade of grass by the hole or a discolored spot on the rim or something so you can visualize an exact line.
-If the green breaks, make your target the straight-line spot to the left or right of the hole that you need to aim for in order for the ball to go in.
-Practice short putts a lot for a confidence and accuracy that will spill over into long putts.
-Don't be stupid and listen to people who say you should always try to putt slightly past the hole: you should be trying to MAKE each putt!
-But don't try too hard...gotta be zen.
-Don't get too torqued up or down by either good or bad putts; accept what happens.
There are more, to be sure...I'll add if I think of them. Anyway, this is a resource you might pick up if you find it for a couple of bucks.
Read
March 24, 2025This book is a sequel to "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect."
The most terrifying distance in golf isn't the 300-yard drive or the 200-yard approach—it's the three-foot putt with everything on the line. In 2001, sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella changed how golfers approach this mental battleground with Putting Out of Your Mind, a revolutionary book that revealed why the shortest strokes cause the longest headaches.
Rotella's idea was radical yet simple: putting is 90% mental and only 10% mechanics. While most golfers obsess over their putting stroke, grip, or equipment, Rotella showed that the real difference-makers were confidence, routine, and freedom from fear. He taught that once a player develops a functional stroke, constant tinkering does more harm than good. Great putters like Brad Faxon proved this—Faxon, one of the best in history, never took practice strokes, relying instead on pure instinct.
The book shattered common myths about putting. Rotella explained that fear of missing was the true enemy, not a flawed stroke. Even Tiger Woods, he noted, missed putts—but what separated Woods was his unshakable belief in critical moments, like his legendary putt to force a playoff at the 2000 PGA Championship. Woods didn't make it because of perfect mechanics; he made it because he knew he would.
Rotella's lessons extended beyond the pros. He told of an amateur who had completely lost his ability to putt under pressure—until he stopped thinking about technique altogether and just focused on the hole. The transformation was immediate. This underscored Rotella's ultimate message: Putting should be fun, not stressful. When golfers stop judging every miss and start enjoying the challenge, the putts start falling, INTO THE HOLE.
More than two decades later, Putting Out of Your Mind remains the bible of mental putting. It's not about finding the "perfect" stroke—it's about finding trust, commitment, and joy on the greens. As Rotella would say, the hole looks biggest when you're free from doubt.
The most terrifying distance in golf isn't the 300-yard drive or the 200-yard approach—it's the three-foot putt with everything on the line. In 2001, sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella changed how golfers approach this mental battleground with Putting Out of Your Mind, a revolutionary book that revealed why the shortest strokes cause the longest headaches.
Rotella's idea was radical yet simple: putting is 90% mental and only 10% mechanics. While most golfers obsess over their putting stroke, grip, or equipment, Rotella showed that the real difference-makers were confidence, routine, and freedom from fear. He taught that once a player develops a functional stroke, constant tinkering does more harm than good. Great putters like Brad Faxon proved this—Faxon, one of the best in history, never took practice strokes, relying instead on pure instinct.
The book shattered common myths about putting. Rotella explained that fear of missing was the true enemy, not a flawed stroke. Even Tiger Woods, he noted, missed putts—but what separated Woods was his unshakable belief in critical moments, like his legendary putt to force a playoff at the 2000 PGA Championship. Woods didn't make it because of perfect mechanics; he made it because he knew he would.
Rotella's lessons extended beyond the pros. He told of an amateur who had completely lost his ability to putt under pressure—until he stopped thinking about technique altogether and just focused on the hole. The transformation was immediate. This underscored Rotella's ultimate message: Putting should be fun, not stressful. When golfers stop judging every miss and start enjoying the challenge, the putts start falling, INTO THE HOLE.
More than two decades later, Putting Out of Your Mind remains the bible of mental putting. It's not about finding the "perfect" stroke—it's about finding trust, commitment, and joy on the greens. As Rotella would say, the hole looks biggest when you're free from doubt.
October 24, 2023
My friend lent me a book one time, and told me to give this book a read. He kind of played it off as a joke, because he knew that putting was not the strength of my golf game at the time. So, I took the book and gave it a shot. I didn't think it was going to improve my golf game for that point in time. But, it gave me a few pointers that I still remember and use on the golf course. This book was all about being mentally tough and not focusing on a lot of things at once. It told me to stay in the present moment and focus solely on what the main objective was. It helped a lot, when I started to use the tips it give in the book out on the course with my own game. And, it still does help me and I thank my friend for lending me the book. It has also taught me to not worry so much on things that should be worried about. Minimizing the worries on the golf course and in regular day life has improved by mental focus. In the book, it has given examples of other golfers like myself, even the professionals, struggling to putt because they were to tied up in their mind. That had inspired me to think differently about everything that I do and have a better mentality about everything.
September 18, 2019
“Putting Out Of Your Mind” (POOYM) is effectively a golf self-help book by renowned sports psychologist Dr Bob Rotella.
As you would expect this book is all about putting - what to do and what not to do mentally. In a nutshell the key points are; trust yourself, go with your first instinct, that generally poor putting is not a result of a poor stroke, and you will improve as a putter if you commit to improving.
It’s been said that golf is 10% physical and 90% mental. This is something that most club golfers inherently know...but aren’t good at executing. Better golf comes from a better (positive) mindset.
Much of what Rotella says isn’t rocket science however how he presents his arguments are easy to understand. He provides some practical tips that can easily be followed and implemented but need commitment to push out bad habits and thoughts.
I’m looking forward to getting back on the practice green and on the course with a renewed mindset after this refresher.
POOYM gets 4 one putt greens out of 5.
As you would expect this book is all about putting - what to do and what not to do mentally. In a nutshell the key points are; trust yourself, go with your first instinct, that generally poor putting is not a result of a poor stroke, and you will improve as a putter if you commit to improving.
It’s been said that golf is 10% physical and 90% mental. This is something that most club golfers inherently know...but aren’t good at executing. Better golf comes from a better (positive) mindset.
Much of what Rotella says isn’t rocket science however how he presents his arguments are easy to understand. He provides some practical tips that can easily be followed and implemented but need commitment to push out bad habits and thoughts.
I’m looking forward to getting back on the practice green and on the course with a renewed mindset after this refresher.
POOYM gets 4 one putt greens out of 5.
February 14, 2021
I was playing in a golf tournament a couple weeks ago. An opponent in my foursome was putting better than anyone I've played with lately, never missing from inside 15 feet. I commended him more than once. Eventually he volunteered that he was reading this book called Putting Out Of Your Mind. It sounded like something Bob Rotella would have written. Sure enough, it was. I immediately purchased a copy for myself.
Bob Rotella is a sports psychologist,, well-known for his work with professional golfers. In this book, he goes over the MENTAL APPROACH to putting. His belief is that the right mental approach combined with a consistent mechanical approach optimized by frequent practice is the secret to becoming a better putter.
This is a short book (169 pages), first published in 2001, and it is loaded with great common sense advice stated in an easy-to-understand manner. I can't wait to put what I learned from this book into practice!
Bob Rotella is a sports psychologist,, well-known for his work with professional golfers. In this book, he goes over the MENTAL APPROACH to putting. His belief is that the right mental approach combined with a consistent mechanical approach optimized by frequent practice is the secret to becoming a better putter.
This is a short book (169 pages), first published in 2001, and it is loaded with great common sense advice stated in an easy-to-understand manner. I can't wait to put what I learned from this book into practice!
January 16, 2026
My reading experience was great; I was interested throughout the whole book, and I am intrigued by the principles introduced.
Dr. Bob Rotella is a sports psychologist, and in this book, he covers the mental side of putting in golf. If you have never played a decent amount of golf or any sport, this book is not for you. However, if you are an avid golfer and/or athlete like me, this book will invigorate you and your mind like no other.
I aspire to be better every day, and I enjoy the process of getting there, so this read was exceptional as I learned new things about golf, myself, and the human mind. Rotella's principles can be applied to any other sport, as well, which is additionally amazing.
The best thing about this book is that you do not need to read the whole thing. I did, but each chapter is designed for a certain aspect of putting and the mind, which includes stories that may be more appealing to you. This is one of my favorite books.
Dr. Bob Rotella is a sports psychologist, and in this book, he covers the mental side of putting in golf. If you have never played a decent amount of golf or any sport, this book is not for you. However, if you are an avid golfer and/or athlete like me, this book will invigorate you and your mind like no other.
I aspire to be better every day, and I enjoy the process of getting there, so this read was exceptional as I learned new things about golf, myself, and the human mind. Rotella's principles can be applied to any other sport, as well, which is additionally amazing.
The best thing about this book is that you do not need to read the whole thing. I did, but each chapter is designed for a certain aspect of putting and the mind, which includes stories that may be more appealing to you. This is one of my favorite books.
March 24, 2023
I picked up this book in the middle of a putting slump. After having my scores go way up, I needed all the help I could get to fix my stroke. I found the answer in this book. I had an open mind coming into this book, not knowing what to expect. After reading, my putting was cured. Learning how to fix my mental state was all I needed, shooting my lowest scores. Golf is the game of life and should be played mentally. Focusing on your good shots or good parts of life, rather than getting stuck on the bad shots or bad parts of life. Dr. Rotella teaches all of the things in the book. Those who are looking to make the next jump in their golf career should pick this book up and give it a shot. Having an open mind while reading will help tremendously.
March 15, 2023
“Look at the ball, look at the target, roll it” golf is very much like life and this book advocates for gaining control by letting go. All though I don’t agree with some aspects of the book one main point which serves as a key takeway for life, golf and adversities which is: It is not crucial to focus on results but rather having the right mindset when doing a complex task. Accepting not everything is in our control, being mentally prepared and letting go.
Just look at the target and react
TM
Just look at the target and react
TM
April 28, 2018
This is the best book on putting in my opinion.
Whenever I start to putt poorly I go back to this book and relearn all the things I forgot.
Golf is a very personal game, but I really believe that the ideas Rotella espouses here are a major key to putting well. You know how to putt. You know what gravity does to a ball. Get out of your way and roll it. Target. Ball. Putt.
Whenever I start to putt poorly I go back to this book and relearn all the things I forgot.
Golf is a very personal game, but I really believe that the ideas Rotella espouses here are a major key to putting well. You know how to putt. You know what gravity does to a ball. Get out of your way and roll it. Target. Ball. Putt.
June 22, 2020
Time will tell if this book was valuable to my golf game. However, this was a fun, easy read with lots of golf-related tales about the way great golfers think about their putting struggles and successes. This isn't a book that's going to tell you anything about the physical way to putt. The author is convinced that putting is a mental challenge.
October 6, 2020
Great way to change your attitude to putting!
For anyone who is genuinely wanting to get better at golf this book is a must read! It has changed the way I think and approach putting! The concepts it gives you have really helped me and I can only see my putting going from strength to strength! Never again will I three putt.....or at least I will never remember I did!!!
For anyone who is genuinely wanting to get better at golf this book is a must read! It has changed the way I think and approach putting! The concepts it gives you have really helped me and I can only see my putting going from strength to strength! Never again will I three putt.....or at least I will never remember I did!!!
April 25, 2023
We all know that you hit the putter much more than any other club, perhaps twice as much as the driver. But there is any number of training aids for the driver and the full swing, and almost nothing for the putter. This is a short and simple little book that says don't worry and let your putts flow.
January 18, 2024
A book for the competition golfer. Not a read for someone who isn’t looking to be deeply invested in the game of golf but a very good expansion on Rotellas past works. Really is a great mindset to look at putting through and I can’t wait to try out the principles of this book in competition this spring.
June 22, 2024
Very simple advice emphasised with many real stories of professional golfers experiences coached by the author. Anyone looking for a step by step recipe to master putting might be disappointed but if can absorb the principles espoused by Bob Rotella, principles that alos apply more broadly in life, things will improve!
Definitely recommended.
Definitely recommended.
December 6, 2024
Fantastic book. Read an eBook version but I'm definitely going to buy a paper copy to highlight and dog ear because there's a lot of great info in there. I have low confidence in my putting but this book has helped get my mental game a little back on track - it's winter now so no open greens in my area to practice, but we'll see how things improve next year.
February 19, 2025
Nice little book on the mental aspect of putting. There is something in this that any golfer could take away and improve their putting. One con would be that the points Dr. Rotella makes here are repetitive from his other titles. If you liked this and want to see it expanded to the entire golf game, check out "Golf is not a game of perfect."
December 28, 2017
Spot on advice. Rotella has a was of synthesizing the best mental approaches and building them into a neat process to follow. This continues his mental approach philosophy and does a good job of making it accessible to the average golfer.
January 25, 2019
I read this for disc golf, but some of the concepts are not as applicable as one of Rotella's other books (Golf is Not a Game of Perfect). Still a good read though, and a great tool for improving the mental side of the game.
November 10, 2019
This book probably deserves 3.5 stars not 3. Its good book, no ground breaking material here but Rotella is good at the simply concepts which is probably a good idea when talking about putting. I will be using his putting routine in the near future.
September 28, 2020
I raced through this book. Rotella offers a plethora of good advice. While most of it mentioned in Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, the book expands on it quite a lot. Sort of takes a magnifying glass to the specific issue of putting. Definitely recommend.
April 2, 2021
If someone expects to find a book that tells you how to sink every putt, keep looking. But what this book gives you is a mental and self-awareness toolkit that will make you understand the art of putting and make sure you’re in the right mental position to sink all you can! Buy, read, apply!
July 8, 2022
Great book if you want to putt better. It has helped me a lot to develop a good mental routine for my putts and not overthink things. I definitely recommend to anyone. This was my first Bob Rogelia book and I plan on reading more of his work.
July 12, 2024
Another great audiobook listen by this author. Very quick and to the point, almost like a podcast. Great tips for mental and physical approach to putting. Will likely revisit this one in the future as needed.
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