The Spin Axis - Golf Podcast 051: Distance Control and Heads Up Putting with Dr. Sasho MacKenzie
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Feb 24, 2026 Dr. Sasho MacKenzie, golf biomechanist and creator of The Stack System, shares data-driven takes on putting speed control. He explains why speed matters more than face angle, how heads-up putting trains better distance feel, and practical drills like ghost holes and centering dispersion. Short, science-backed tips on choosing speed first and categorizing reads vs execution for smarter practice.
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Impact Spot Errors Have Minimal Rollout Effect
- Impact spot errors produce only ~1% rollout and lateral error per centimeter on modern perimeter-weighted putters.
- That means typical amateur impact variability is too small to explain most missed putts compared with speed variability.
Practice Distance Control Not Just Technique
- Practice distance control deliberately rather than chasing a specific stroke style.
- Sasho advises measuring performance (make rates, variability) across many putts to find what actually correlates with success.
Tour Travel Builds Superior Speed Judgment
- David Orr's idea: top players have experience on many different surfaces which improves speed judgement.
- Jayson recounts tour travel giving players varied green surfaces that build superior distance control.