Golf’s voice of reason, Jim Nantz, ‘can’t stand’ this controversial putting approach

Known for his Augusta National whisper and genteel broadcasting approach, it’s jarring when Jim Nantz lets his opinions fly for everyone to hear. The golf legend is almost always cool and collected, but he made an exception regarding his hatred for AimPoint.

The green-reading method by feeling the slope with one’s feet has become a staple of the PGA Tour over the last few years—we even once called it a "clever loophole"—and it’s safe to say that Nantz is not a fan. The 65-year-old broadcasting icon went off on the system while on John Huggan’s “The Thing About Golf” podcast.

"It really drives me crazy when you see their backs to the hole, and they’re trying to feel the break, and they walk another five feet and they do it again,” Nantz said. "They go through this process [but] where’s the feel in it?

“I know they’re trying to win and trying to find a shot over the course of four days that can make the difference but, to me, if you’re playing a lot of golf and you’re standing over a 20-footer, it’s a cup outside the left, it’s the left edge, play it a cup and a half. I mean, all this, is it really making a difference? Maybe it is. But I can’t stand looking at it."

Those are strong words, but can you blame him when PGA Tour events slow down to a standstill for … this?

This interpretive dance-esque look may not be the most athletic of acts, but if it works it works. We’re all trying to find small ways to better our games. Can you really blame these top-tier tour pros trying to find an edge? Well, if you’re Jim Nantz you most definitely can. Keep the hot takes coming, Jim.