critical putts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical putts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of golf to refer to important or decisive putts that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. Example: "He made several critical putts during the final round, securing his victory in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He's missed critical putts.

The New York Times - Sports

Moore is ranked 42nd but showed his mettle this week, displaying a knack for holing critical putts on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Playing steady golf today in a steady rain, Love made critical putts, avoided major mistakes and moved in position to win for the second time this year.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a bit rich coming from a golfer who has a proven inability to hole critical putts when it matters most, but it was also true.

The Guardian - Sport

By the twelfth, he had drawn level, and at the seventeenth and eighteenth he holed out two critical putts to win the match.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

No Presidents Cup golfers have yet donned camouflage or charged across a green before a critical putt.

The New York Times - Sports

Woodland rallied on the inward half, but missed a critical short putt to win the 13th and cut the gap to one hole.

BBC

United States Open golf is also about converting critical par-saving putts down the stretch, which is precisely what Fleisher was able to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's always nice to play well the first round, because then it's easier to keep the momentum going, rather than playing poorly, and somehow having to go find it on the range," Woods said after a round that included five birdies, two bogeys and three critical par-saving putts.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, after an aggressive chip on the par-5 15th, he converted a critical 8-foot putt to match birdies with Woods.

The New York Times - Sports

LOS ANGELES — Phil Mickelson holed a critical 7-foot putt for par on the final hole Saturday to cling to a one-stroke lead over Jeff Quinney at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club, moving a step closer to winning the West Coast tournament that has eluded him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critical putts", ensure the context clearly indicates the high stakes and importance of the putts in question. It is most appropriate in scenarios where the outcome hinges on these specific shots.

Common error

Avoid using "critical putts" in situations where the putts have minimal impact on the overall outcome. Reserving the phrase for high-pressure, game-deciding moments adds to its impact and prevents dilution of its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical putts" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where the adjective "critical" modifies the noun "putts". This indicates that the putts are of utmost importance or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critical putts" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively conveys the high stakes associated with specific putts in golf. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. It functions as an adjective-noun combination to emphasize the importance of these shots. While most commonly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register allows for versatile application. Although "critical putts" is a relatively rare phrase, alternatives like "key putts" and "decisive putts" can be used to express similar meanings. Remember to reserve the phrase for truly significant moments to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial putts

Replaces "critical" with "crucial", emphasizing the importance of the putts.

key putts

Substitutes "critical" with "key", highlighting that the putts are essential for success.

decisive putts

Replaces "critical" with "decisive", stressing the impact of the putts on the outcome.

important putts

Substitutes "critical" with "important", generally emphasizing the significance of the putts.

game-changing putts

Highlights the ability of these putts to alter the course of the game.

pressure putts

Focuses on the high-pressure situations in which these putts are made.

must-make putts

Emphasizes the necessity of sinking the putts.

vital putts

Replaces "critical" with "vital", indicating the putts are indispensable.

essential putts

Substitutes "critical" with "essential", pointing out that the putts are absolutely necessary.

tournament-winning putts

Specifically refers to putts that directly lead to winning a tournament.

FAQs

How can I use "critical putts" in a sentence?

You can say something like, "The golfer sank several "critical putts" in the final round to secure the victory" or "His ability to make "critical putts" under pressure is what sets him apart."

What are some alternatives to "critical putts"?

Alternatives include "key putts", "decisive putts", or "game-changing putts", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "critical putts" or "important putts"?

"Critical putts" emphasizes the importance of the putts in relation to a specific, high-stakes outcome. "Important putts" is more general. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context. Consider also the alternatives "essential putts" or "crucial putts".

What makes a putt "critical" in golf?

A putt is considered "critical" when its outcome significantly impacts the game's result. This could be a putt to win a tournament, save par, or maintain a lead under pressure. The phrase highlights the high-stakes nature of the shot.