I recall a story about a famous Billiards player nearly a century ago, having his first game of golf (of the era of Walter Lindrum, can't recall if it was he - I'll assume it was Walter for the purpose of the story). He got on the green, about 35 feet awayTh conversation went something like this:
"Now, try and get the ball near the hole"
Walter putts up to about 18 inches away. 'What now'
"Now, putt it in the hole"
'Why didn't you tell me to do that with my last shot?'
That is one of the secrets of golf!