Stop Guessing About Your Putting
Putting improvement begins with understanding what the putter, ball, and player are actually doing.
At Players Elite Golf Academy, putting evaluations combine coaching, SAM PuttLab analysis, speed-control training, green-reading development, and measurable practice to identify the areas that can make the biggest difference on the greens.
What Is SAM PuttLab?
SAM PuttLab is a putting-analysis system used to measure aspects of the putting stroke and help the coach identify patterns that may be difficult to see with the eye alone. It provides information about face control, path, tempo, and impact so coaching decisions are based on what is actually happening — not on guesswork.
The system is a tool, not a solution on its own. Measured information only becomes useful when a coach interprets it and turns it into the right practice for the player in front of them.
Technology measures. Coaching interprets. Practice develops the skill.
A Complete Picture of the Putting Stroke
The evaluation goes beyond stroke mechanics to assess the full putting performance — the same areas that decide whether a player rolls the ball well when it counts.
Putter Face Control
Evaluate the player's ability to return the putter face consistently through impact.
Stroke Path
Examine the movement pattern of the putter through the stroke.
Impact & Contact
Evaluate consistency of strike and how contact affects ball roll and starting direction.
Tempo & Timing
Identify the player's rhythm and consistency throughout the stroke.
Start-Line Control
Train the ability to start the golf ball on the intended line.
Speed Control
Develop distance control, lag putting, and the ability to match speed to the intended line.
Green Reading
Develop better understanding of slope, break, pace, and how speed affects the amount of break.
Putting Routine & Performance
Build a repeatable pre-putt routine, commitment, confidence, and competitive putting habits.
Putting Is More Than Stroke Mechanics
Good putting performance requires more than simply creating a technically attractive stroke. It depends on a complete process — reading the green, starting the ball on line, controlling speed, and committing to the putt under pressure.
READ IT. START IT. ROLL IT.
The goal is to develop a repeatable putting process that performs on the golf course — not just a stroke that looks good indoors.
The Players Elite Putting Evaluation Process
A clear, repeatable progression — from the first conversation to a measurable practice plan.
Player Discussion
Discuss current putting challenges, tendencies, confidence, practice habits, and goals.
Baseline Assessment
Evaluate putting technique, start line, speed control, contact, and green-reading ability.
SAM PuttLab Analysis
Use measured stroke information to identify patterns and support coaching decisions.
Training Priorities
Select the specific areas that can make the biggest difference instead of trying to change everything.
Practice Plan & Retest
Build purposeful drills and measurable practice so progress can be reviewed over time.
Great Putting Starts With Controlling Distance
Many unnecessary three-putts come from poor distance control rather than simply poor stroke mechanics. Speed decides how much break a putt takes and whether a missed first putt leaves a manageable second.
Structured Speed & Green-Reading Practice
We use the WellPutt training platform for structured speed-control and green-reading practice. WellPutt drills give players repeatable, measurable reps that build distance perception and the ability to match speed to the intended line — so speed control becomes a trained skill, not a guess.
Learn to See the Putt Before You Hit It
Improved green reading comes from learning to recognize slope and understand how pace changes the amount of break. A putt that is hit firm takes less break; a putt that is hit soft takes more. Reading the green means reading both the slope and the speed together.
We develop a player's green-reading skill without promoting any single system as the only correct method. The goal is a repeatable read the player can trust on the course.
Measure. Train. Retest.
Putting development should be measurable rather than based only on whether a player feels like they are putting better. The Players Elite approach follows a clear loop:
MEASURE. TRAIN. IMPROVE.
Technology & Training Environment
Putting development happens inside a purpose-built performance environment — technology, coaching, and structured drills working together to produce measurable results on the greens.
Technology supports coaching decisions and measures improvement, but it does not replace coaching. Every measurement connects to a choice the player can make on the course.
Who Should Schedule a Putting Evaluation?
A putting evaluation is the right first step for any player who wants to stop guessing and start measuring.
Michael Camastro, PGA
Michael uses putting analysis, performance measurement, and individualized coaching to determine what each player actually needs to improve. With more than 35 years of coaching experience, he turns measured information into the right practice — so putting development is built on evidence, not guesswork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SAM PuttLab?
SAM PuttLab is a putting-analysis system that measures aspects of the putting stroke — such as face control, path, tempo, and impact — to help the coach identify patterns that can be difficult to see with the eye alone.
Is a putting evaluation the same as a putting lesson?
No. A putting evaluation is an assessment designed to measure what the putter, ball, and player are actually doing and to identify the areas that matter most. Coaching and drills come after the evaluation.
Do you work on speed control as well as stroke technique?
Yes. Speed control is one of the biggest factors in putting performance. We train short-putt speed, mid-range pace, and long-distance lag putting, including pressure-based drills.
Can you help with green reading?
Yes. We develop a player's ability to recognize slope, understand how pace changes the amount of break, and read the putt before hitting it — without promoting a single system as the only correct method.
Is SAM PuttLab only for advanced golfers?
No. SAM PuttLab is useful for golfers at many levels. The information is interpreted by the coach and applied to what each player actually needs to improve.
Can junior golfers use SAM PuttLab?
Yes. Junior golfers benefit from understanding their putting stroke early. The analysis is kept practical and age-appropriate so it supports development rather than overwhelming the player.
How do you measure improvement in putting?
We measure a baseline, train with purpose, then retest. Improvement is tracked through measurable putting benchmarks rather than only whether a player feels they are putting better.
What should I bring to a putting evaluation?
Your putter, golf shoes or athletic shoes, and any recent putting or scoring information that may be helpful. The evaluation takes place at the Willowbrook–Burr Ridge Sports Performance Center.
Know What Your Putting Stroke Is Actually Doing
Stop guessing at what needs to change. Begin with a measurable evaluation, identify the areas that matter most, and build a putting-development plan around your game.