Our putting preparation for the Drive Chip and Putt Sub Regional (Navy Course) 8-01-22

This is our typical putting preparation for the putting part of the Drive Chip and Putt competition. If the competition takes place at a course we’re familiar with, then we already know the green speed, breaks and little nuances of the green. But if we’re not familiar with the course, then we try to do as much homework as possible. Whether it be searching social media of past DCP competition at that location and/or going to the course prior to the event and practicing there (depending on accessibility). A private golf course obviously will make it less accessible.
The sub regional took place at the Navy Course in Cypress, CA. The DCP was held there 2 times previously and searching online, the putting completion was held at the bigger practice green. So it was a safe assumption that this year’s competition would also take place on the same practice green. There’s also another practice putting adjacent to the clubhouse but it looked too small and too slopey to have the competition there. Plus it was closed when we were scouting.
We first determine the speed of the green with our stimpmeter. Then start putting a bunch of balls from different spots and directions to see the breaks. We like to bring our hole cut-outs to place on different spots.
Luckily , the speed of the green is an exact match to the speed of the green of our local golf course (Arcadia GC). It’s on the slow side - about a 6-7 on the stimpmeter.
At the day of the completion. We like to arrive at least an hour early and start scouting the hole locations . We then determine the break of the putts by watching the early competitors putt. We then practice those same breaks on the practice end of the putting green. We see so often players practicing to a hole when it totally has a different break and slope from the actual holes on the competition.
Even with all the scouting and preparation, it is still up to the player to execute the plan. You can only do so much. The execution will also depend on your putting technique and steadiness of your nerves.