Aim Small Miss Small

Aim Small, Miss Small – The SAVE Strokes – Help Aid Visualization.

Big targets invite big misses. When you aim at something tiny and precise—and picture the ball’s full journey—you tighten dispersion, commit fully, and swing with purpose. This page shows you how to visualize clearly, fast, and consistently so your ball reacts the way you intend.

Why It Works

• Sharpened focus: A small, specific spot reduces noise and indecision.

• Clear intention = cleaner motion: The body organizes around a vivid picture.

• Better misses: Narrow aim shrinks the scatter; even a miss is closer.

SAVE Tie-In (with emphasis on V)

• S – Speed: See the pace the ball needs (carry, rollout, putt speed).

• A – Alignment: Lock eyes on a tiny intermediate target 1–3 feet ahead.

• V – Visualization: Picture start line, apex/“window,” landing spot, and rollout.

• E – Execution: Breathe, commit, and swing to the picture.

The 10-Second Visualization Routine

1. Pick the tiniest target: flagstick left edge, a bunker lip dot, a tree knot, or a blade of grass.

2. Draw the shot in your mind: start line → apex → land spot → bounce → rollout/curve.

3. Set an intermediate spot a few feet ahead on that start line (leaf, discoloration).

4. One breath + one swing: soft exhale, feel the shot, go. (If you can’t see it in 10 seconds, step off and choose a simpler shot.)

“Aim Small, Miss Small” by Shot Type

Tee Shots: Tiny target like a window in the sky over a tree branch; visualize a gentle fade. Cue: “Start at the camera tower; peel to center.”

Approach Shots: Tiny target like front-right quadrant of the flag. Cue: “Land on the dime, hop-stop-drip.”

Wedges: Tiny target two feet short of the hole. Cue: “Landing spot wins. Fly–skip–stop.”

Trouble Shots (Rough, Sand, Trees): Tiny target like a trunk notch or bunker grain. Cue: “See the escape, not the hazard.”

Putting: Tiny target like a dimple on the back edge of the cup. Cue: “Dot → Drop.”

Fast Visual Tools

• Intermediate Target: spot 1–3 ft ahead on your start line.

• Apex/Window: cloud seam or branch height for full shots.

• Landing Spot: exact blade of grass or texture for wedges/chips.

• Speed Picture: visualize stopping 12 inches past the hole.

• Wind & Lie Overlay: adjust image based on conditions.

Drills to Train the Picture

• Sharpie Dot Drill: Place a tiny dot as the only aim. Hit 5 balls, verbalize start line → apex → land.

• Gate & Dot (Putting): Tee gate 12–18″ ahead. Putt must pass gate and micro-dot.

• Window Ladders (Full Swings): Three sky windows; hit 3 balls each.

• Three-Spot Chips: Identify landing dot, second bounce, stop dot; call before chipping.

• Cover The Target Commit: While Putting Or Chipping, Partner covers the hole; call ball reaction; hit; check result. Trains trust in visualization.

Common Mistakes (and Fixes)

• Vague aiming (“at the green”): shrink to a blade of grass.

• Rushing: if image isn’t crisp, step off and reset.

• Staring at hazard: focus on escape route + intermediate spot.

• No rollout plan: include first bounce and finish.

• Changing picture mid-swing: lock it once chosen.

Save: One-Glance Checklist (Pocket Card)

Aim Small, Miss Small – Visualization Card

🎯 Tiny target picked?
➡️ Start line + intermediate spot?
🌌 Apex/window chosen?
🟩 Landing spot + first bounce clear?
⛳ Finish/rollout pictured?
💨 Breathe → Commit → Swing to picture, Execute.

SAVE Finish

• Speed: see exact stopping point.

• Alignment: eyes on intermediate dot.

• Visualization: full movie, crisp and small.

• Execution: exhale, commit, one swing.