Introduction: (5-10 minutes)
In most sports, players benefit from kinesthetic imagery and kinesthetic sensory or the power of visualizing and feeling the performed skill. Putting may be learned at an advanced level when the students are taught to feel a successful putt.
Kinesthetic Imagery is derived from the word kinetic, which means movement or motion. Dynamic kinesthetic imagery is the cognitive creation of the feeling of movements while physically moving. For example, a figure skater may imagine the feeling of routine elements while walking through the pattern, or a skier may imagine the feel of the course while standing, shifting weight, and moving the shoulders. Kinesthetic Sensory then is the actual feeling of movement such as walking without looking at your feet or typing, but not looking at one’s hands.

Free throws are a great example practicing a movement while concentrating on the visualization and feeling involved with successful makes. This practice creates movements that happen naturally and without forcing thoughts onto the mechanics of that movement.

Michael Jordan used kinesthetic imagery and sensory when practicing free throws while blindfolded, which helped his regular free throws and shots in general. Jordon had a 70% accuracy rate when shooting ten free throws while blindfolded.

See Putting Lesson Plan “Line Your Putt” for the set up and sequencing of this lesson; with “See It. Feel It. Be It” some twists are added.

Lesson: (10-30 minutes)

• At each target, players partner up and line up behind spot #1. The first time through, one partner should feed the other 3-5 discs to putt at 15 feet from the target. The partners will switch roles the next time through the line. The primary kinesthetic focus is on the feel of the disc, with the weight transfer of the legs, body, and arms being a secondary point of focus. With a larger group, the line can be split and have two sets of partners going on either side of the marking spot. Just be considerate to wait until both sides are complete before retrieving the discs.
• The next time up, partners take turns and attempt two regular putts and then three blindfolded putts at 15 feet. Prompt players to visualize their body’s actions and visualize the disc flying into the chains before attempting each putt. The partner is encouraged to give verbal feedback on the putt’s flight and finish.
• On the third time through, players throw all five putts blindfolded from 15 feet still visualizing their shot beforehand. Once students accept losing their visual cues, they should find success in “feeling” a successful putt. This activity works well with all age levels to a varying degree of understanding. It should be used after proper putting technique is developed and understood.