There are some definite hacks for green reading that help immensely when it comes time to sink that putt. Here are nine of the best.
Understanding greens
Reading greens is both an art and a science, and is something that many golfers struggle with. Often golfers just can’t see the lines on the green, which begs the question: why can’t greens just be flat?
There’s a very good reason for that – drainage. Rainwater pooling on the green is an obvious problem, so greens are built with some degree of tilt and side slope so that the water can easily drain away. Which means golfers have to learn to read the tilt of the green, as this is a crucial part of making accurate putts and ensuring the ball ends up in the hole.
The break of a putt refers to the amount the ball moves (or veers off its intended path) on a green. The ball will typically roll from right to left or left to right, and the amount it rolls will depend on:
- The slope of the green. The incline or decline of the green will cause the ball to roll in one direction or another.
- The grain of the grass. The direction the grass grows will influence the trajectory of the ball. Putts that roll with the grass grain will travel faster than putts that go against it.
- The speed of the putt. How fast you hit the putt will affect how much the ball breaks. Slower putts tend to break more, while faster putts break less.
Understanding the break allows you to adjust your aim to account for the ball’s trajectory – which drastically increases your chances of sinking the putt. Here’s how you do it.
Start with a macro view of the green
Start reading a green like the pros by taking a macro view of the green before you even get there. This is an essential first step, as if you start examining the green too close to your line, you’ll miss the big picture (along with plenty of essential information). As you’re approaching the green, take a moment to observe the green’s layout and contours. Take note of any obvious ridges, valleys or slopes. Greens often tilt towards the fairway, which should be easy to spot as you approach. Ask yourself this question: if water were to run off this green, which direction would it flow? This will start to give you clues about the lie of the green so that you can make more informed decisions when it’s time to putt.
Consider your surroundings
But don’t just limit yourself to looking down. Lift your eyes and take a moment to observe and consider your surroundings, as environmental factors such as the angle of the sun and the position of any shadows can change your perception of the green. For instance, shadows on the green can make breaks appear more significant than they really are, as they tend to exaggerate the slopes. Take note of how these factors may influence your reading of the green, and take them into account so that you have as accurate a picture as possible.
Read the grass grain
While the grass on the green will be short and well-kept, reading the grain gives you excellent insight into the best way to make your putt. The direction of the grain can be indicated by lighter or darker patches of grass. Try looking at the colour of the grass from behind your ball. If it looks quite shiny, that generally means you’re putting down grain. If it looks a bit darker, you’re most likely putting against the grain, which means you’ll need to hit the ball a bit harder to get it where you want it to go.
Identify the high point
All greens have a high point, which is the spot on the green where the ball begins to break towards the hole. You can easily find this point by crouching down behind your ball and looking closely at the green from a low angle. Aiming your putt at the high point will help to start your ball on the correct line.
Visualise
Create a mental picture of your intended putt, and visualise the path the ball needs to take to reach the hole. Pick a spot or line on the green to aim for and stick to it.
Move back
Many golfers try to read their putts from just a few feet behind the ball. And there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s a good way to pick up all the subtleties of the green. But if you want to be able to see the line much more clearly, try stepping back and reading your putts from 20 feet behind the ball as well. The high and low points will instantly become much clearer.
Compare sides
If you only look at the line between ball and cup, you’re missing vital information. Instead, compare the area approximately three feet to the right of the line with the same area on the opposite side. This makes it much easier to see which side is higher – and then aim towards that side.
Break up longer putts
When playing a longer putt, you may have to deal with two or more breaks if the green is sloping in different directions. To get an accurate read of where you want to direct your ball, break the putt into a few sections and examine each one closely and add your observations together to get a more accurate read.
Practice
And this might be the most important tip of all, because you simply can’t do too much practice when it comes to putting and reading greens. Regular practice will see your skills and accuracy improve, help you not to over-read or over-play the break and to hit the ball with the right speed for the conditions.
Learning how to read a green is an essential skill for any golfer, and can improve your putting (and your scorecard) significantly. If you’re interested in other ways to make your game easier, check out our range of high quality golf buggies that will take the strain out of carrying your clubs around the course.
For more tips on taking your putting to the next level, click here.
