Keegan Bradley's Controversial Putting Method Divides Golf World
Professional golfer Keegan Bradley finds himself at the center of yet another storm in the golfing community. The 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup captain's unconventional putting approach has drawn intense scrutiny and calls for prohibition from fans and fellow players alike. This latest controversy marks another chapter in what has become a recurring theme for Bradley throughout the year.
The Sony Open Incident and Social Media Backlash
During the PGA Tour's season opener at the Sony Open from January 15 to 18, Bradley and his caddie were captured on camera employing the controversial AimPoint technique on the greens. The method involves squatting and using one's feet to measure slopes and breaks, even for seemingly straightforward putts. A video shared by NUCLR on X platform showed the 39-year-old golfer in this distinctive posture while reading a short putt, accompanied by the provocative question: "#OPINION, do you think AimPoint should be banned?"
This visual sparked immediate criticism across social media platforms, with golf enthusiasts questioning why a professional of Bradley's caliber would require such an elaborate process for simple putts. The backlash was swift and widespread, creating a significant divide within the golf community about the technique's place in professional play.
Professional Golf's Most Divisive Issue
The AimPoint green-reading technique has emerged as perhaps the most polarizing subject in contemporary golf, creating clear divisions among tour professionals, analysts, and tournament attendees. While some players appreciate the method's potential for precision and accuracy in reading greens, others have become vocal opponents demanding its elimination from professional competition.
Notable critics include professional golfer Lucas Glover and social media influencer Paige Spiranac, both of whom have publicly called for banning the technique. Spiranac initially took a strong stance after viewing a viral video showing a player using AimPoint on a putt from approximately one foot away, simply stating: "Ban AimPoint."
Nuanced Perspectives and Clarifications
Spiranac later provided more context to her position, clarifying that her objection wasn't to the technique itself but rather to its implementation. "In all seriousness, there's nothing wrong with AimPoint," she explained. "The problem is when it's not taught correctly, which will slow down the pace. Also, a slow player will always be slow with or without it. My issue is when they are so conditioned to use AimPoint that it's a habit they have to use even on tap-ins. Trampling around the golf hole is not it."
Lucas Glover offered a more direct critique during an appearance on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, stating unequivocally: "AimPoint, statistically, hasn't helped anybody make more putts since its inception on the PGA Tour. It's also kind of rude to be up near the hole, stomping around where the break is in your feet. It needs to be banned. It takes forever."
A Pattern of Controversy for Bradley
For Keegan Bradley, 2025 has been marked by repeated controversies surrounding his use of the AimPoint technique. Barely fifteen days after the Sony Open incident, Bradley found himself back in the spotlight for the same reason, demonstrating how this issue continues to follow him throughout the season. Fans have been quick to attribute his struggles, including those at the Hero World Challenge, to what they perceive as an over-reliance on this controversial method.
The ongoing debate raises fundamental questions about tradition versus innovation in golf, the balance between technological assistance and skill, and what constitutes appropriate conduct on the greens. As the discussion continues to unfold, the golf world remains sharply divided on whether techniques like AimPoint represent legitimate advancements in the sport or unnecessary complications that detract from its traditional values.
