David Orr: The Science & Art of Putting | Grab your notebooks!
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In this episode of The Golf Sit Down, hosts Ryan Dailey, Seth Thompson, and AJ Reimann welcome world-renowned coach David Orr.
With over 30 years of coaching experience and 16 years of putting research, David has worked with more than 85 Tour players — including Justin Rose, Suzanne Pettersen, Paul Casey, and multiple Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup players.
We dive deep into:
How juniors actually develop golf skills on the course, not the range
The importance of reps, emotional regulation, and “fear loops” in golf
Lessons David learned coaching college players, tour players, and juniors
Why most kids’ putters are too heavy, too long, or just plain wrong
The mental game difference between playing and performing
Genetics, reps, and the hidden factors that shape golf development
This episode is a must-listen for parents, coaches, and golfers who want to understand the real process of long-term player development.
📢 Learn more about David Orr:
🔗 Flatstick Academy – [https://flatstickacademy.com/]
🎙 Follow Operation 36 Golf:
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Hosts: Ryan Dailey, PGA & Seth Thompson, PGA
Executive Producer: A.J. Reimann
Find The Golf Sit Down: https://linktr.ee/TheGolfSitDown
⏱️ CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 – Intro & Welcome David Orr
01:00 – Campbell Days & Mentorship in Golf Coaching
02:30 – Why Juniors Must Learn Golf on the Course, Not the Range
05:00 – No Gimmies in Operation 36: The Importance of Holing Out
06:20 – Four Environments of Learning (Mat, Practice Green, Course, Tournament)
08:30 – David’s Phases: Player → Coach → Putting Specialist
10:30 – Early Playing Career & Transition into Coaching
13:50 – Working with Justin Rose & Coaching on Tour
15:00 – Why Putting is an “Arranged Marriage”
17:00 – Trauma, Fear Loops & Mental Blocks in Putting
20:00 – Mechanics vs Skill: Why Stroke Fixes Aren’t Enough
22:00 – Parents, Pressure & Junior Golf Development
26:00 – Parenting Lessons from Sports & Soccer Coaching
28:30 – Fine Motor Coordination & Putter Fitting for Juniors
32:00 – Why Most Junior Putters Are Too Heavy or Too Long
35:00 – Aim, Roll, Stop → Face, Head, Shaft Fundamentals
38:00 – Why True Skills Must Travel (Different Grasses & Greens)
44:00 – Acclimating Quickly: Stories from Tour Practice Rounds
50:00 – Mental Skills: Emotional Regulation, Visualization & Recall
55:00 – Coaching vs Teaching: David’s Philosophy
1:01:00 – KISS Method: Fitting Junior Golf Putters
1:08:00 – When Kids Should Start Seeing a Putting Specialist
1:12:00 – Building Juniors “Different” from Everyone Else
1:15:00 – Closing Thoughts & Takeaways
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18 episodes