These excerpts from Henrik Jentsch, Director of Golf Academy 360° and developer of the Puttalyze app, offer insight into his philosophy and training methods for putting. He emphasizes the importance of an individual, "artistic" feel in putting rather than rigid systems—provided the stroke is repeatable. A core aspect of his teaching is consistent, centered contact with the ball, illustrated through his “tee drill.” Jentsch also discusses how his feel for putting developed over time and how solid contact is essential for controlling pace and line. He further describes the "AimPoint" method taught by his mentor and various drills to improve lag putting and creativity. Finally, he shares his strategy for reading greens, starting close to the ball and focusing on the second half of the putt.

The key principles of Henrik Jentsch's putting philosophy, as highlighted in the source, are as follows:

The Importance of Solid Contact:

A central principle in Jentsch's approach is consistently striking the ball from the center of the putter face. He emphasizes that this is the foundation for controlling both speed and line. He frequently uses the “tee drill” to ensure flush contact and a square clubface at impact. According to him, when contact is solid, the rest of the putt takes care of itself.

The Role of Feel and Art in Putting:

Jentsch sees putting as a form of art and values a free, flowing stroke. He believes an overly mechanical approach can hinder repeatability. He talks about feeling the weight of the putter head and letting the club move naturally through the ball. He encourages embracing the creative, “artsy” side of putting.

Individual Preference Over One-Size-Fits-All:

Jentsch makes it clear that there is no universal method for putting. He acknowledges that some players thrive with rigid systems, while others perform better with a more fluid style. His own setup, address, and hand positions have evolved over the years.

Focus on Aim (AimPoint) and Distance Control:

Taught by his mentor, Jentsch puts emphasis on choosing a target point first and then adjusting for distance. He explains that during his routine, he always identifies both a target point and a distance reference when looking up. He practices lag putting deliberately, working on delivering the ball to either the front or back edge of the hole.

Structured Practice Routine:

Jentsch follows a clear practice sequence starting with the tee drill to build solid contact. He then moves on to shorter putts and finally lag putts. He varies his drills to avoid monotony and stimulate creativity, while warning not to overdo the tee drill at the expense of lag putting feel.

Face Rotation and Right-Hand Feel:

He mentions his preference for feeling the rotation of the putter face and sensing his right hand's role during the stroke.

Green Reading in Two Halves:

Jentsch describes his method for reading greens by first gaining a general impression of the line close to the ball, then analyzing the second half of the putt to anticipate its final break. He even steps behind the hole to observe how the ball will behave as it approaches the cup.

Summary:

Henrik Jentsch's putting approach blends the fundamental principle of solid contact with a feel-based, individualized stroke, strategic green reading, distance control, and a thoughtful practice routine.

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