Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. — I’ve been on-site at two professional golf events over the course of the last five days. First, I got out to the Cadillac Championship at Doral, and today, I’m taking in the practice rounds at Mountain Ridge Country Club ahead of the LPGA’s Mizuho Americas Open. It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.

When I’m at these sorts of high-level events, I like to spend my time studying the pros. Specifically, how they practice. These are the best of the best in their field, so watching how they hone their craft is invaluable.

Although during my latest foray at these events, I noticed something that just about every pro does the same when they practice putting — and it’s all focused on the simplest fundamentals.

All pros do this on the practice green

Every golfer has their own unique approach to how they practice, but if you pay attention you’ll notice some trends. One is how much attention they pay to aim and alignment.

At both the Cadillac and Mizuho, I spent a considerable amount of time around the practice putting green. And at both locations, almost every pro started their putting practice the same way: by setting up some sort of station to practice their aim and alignment.

Some pros use training aids (putting mirrors or gates) to work on these fundamentals, while others use tees or alignment sticks. In the end, the goal remains constant: controlling variables. If you can set up the same way before every putt, you’ll be able to put a much more predictable roll on the ball — and hopefully make more putts.

“When I have to make an important putt I try to keep it so simple. I really focus on aiming correctly,” Rory McIlroy said earlier this year. “I think half the battle is just making sure you’re aiming in the right spot with the putter.”

If it works for McIlroy (and a host of other pros), it should work for you. So, next time you go to the putting green to practice putting, take some time to work on your aim and alignment. If you do, you’re sure to make more putts when it counts.

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