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Reading Greens- getting into the zone


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I had an epiphany moment on a course in Las Vegas. I had played there a year ago but forgotten everything about the course other than the island green. But on one hole in particular I had a 12 footer. I don't know what happened, by I immediately saw the line stepping up to the putt. On another hole later on, there was a 8 footer and I sunk it with a dead perfect 2-3 ball right read. Mind you my partner couldn't sink a 3 footer and I all of the sudden was a green whisperer every few holes. Yet during the same round, there were times I struggled with even straight putts. I had no idea where the ball would break, even if the putt was closer to the hole and I watched the first putt go by the hole to it's current spot. What was interesting was on about 1 hole every 9 I had that moment of exactly knowing where to put the ball. On most of them I drained it. But why did it suddenly turn on and off? Why does some days the same putts look so different even if they're the same read?

 

So it got me thinking: Have you ever been in the zone when reading putts where everything you read is perfect and it's just a matter of a good stroke? How do you get there? Does it ever happen on days you can't find your stroke? I just want to know if I'm alone or whether there's something I can do to become a more consistent in the zone putt reader.

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It happens to me all the time.  It seems that I read and putt better on days when I can't hit my driver or approach shots very well.  Maybe it's because I am so focused on trying to save the round with my putting.  I usually putt pretty well... But there will be days when I putt and can't believe that it broke one way or the other; speed is off; I just have to laugh.  I love the zone feel.  There is nothing quite like it when you can read a putt, put a good stroke on it, and watch hit the middle of the cup.  However just like the pros, it comes and goes.  Why?  Don't have a clue.  

We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.”

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I read a book and wrote about it here called Instinct Putting.  You can click the link and read that thread here.

 

But it is simple. I stand behind the ball, and simply see the line, then get over the ball and focus on speed and starting it on the line I saw. I admit that I have a lot of trouble if the greens are slow and not breaking like normal, but still, I very rarely 3 putt compared to others. I did last weekend, but conditions were not good. Anyone who watched the Valero where Martin Kaymer and others were shooting 84's and worse can forgive me for three putting.

 

My problem is when someone asks me to help reading a putt. Until very recently I could not tell you it will break 4 1/2". It was strictly by feel.

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And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet.

 

I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution.

:ping-small:G430LST 10.5° on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Driver 

:ping-small:G430MAX 3w  on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Fairway 

:ping-small:G425 3H on     T P T    POWER 18 Hi Hybrid 

:taylormade-small:P790 Black 4-A 
on :kbs: TGI 80S
 

:mizuno-small: ES21 54-8° & 58-12° on :kbs: Hi Rev

:L.A.B.:DF2.1 on :accra: White

:titelist-small: ProV1  

:918457628_PrecisionPro: Precision Pro  NX7 Pro

All Iron grips are BestGrips Micro-Perforated Mid

Driver, 3w, 3H are JumboMax JMX UltraLite XS 

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And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet.

 

I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution.

Great advice!

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And focus on the distance. You three putt because you are 5-6 feet short or long, not because you missed the line by 5-6 feet.

 

I look at the hole when I putt, and on long putts I want to stop the ball just past the hole. On putts less than 4' I want to hit the ball firm to the back of the hole no break. That is where the short ones are missed. People are timid and afraid to go past the hole, so the try to finesse a 3'er in with a little break. Most often, if they were to hit it firm to the center of the cup, there would make it. But playing the edge inside 3-4' relies on perfect execution.

Speed is what was killing me. I played in Las Vegas which were quick greens, but here in Yuma, they run slow as molasses. I played 36 holes i the last two days at different courses, and you can really screw yourself up if they are totally different speeds. By the time I got used to the green speeds, my round was almost over. 

 Driver:   :callaway-small:  Epic Flash 12 Degree

Wood: :callaway-small:  GBB 3 Wood
Hybrid: :callaway-small: Razr 4 hybriid stiff stock shaft.
Irons: :callaway-small: X2 Hot 4 iron (pro version) 5 iron - Gap Wedge (non pro version).  KBS 120g Shaft stiff cut 1/2  inch bent 1°upright
Wedges: :vokey-small: 52° 56° and 60°.
All grips are Golf pride grips midsized
Putter (lefty):  Odyssey Metal-X #8 34", stock shaft bent 2° Superstroke grip
Golf Balls:   :titelist-small: 2018-9 Pro-V1x and Prov1s
Shoes:  :footjoy-small:  Dryjoy tours

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Can't do that here, we get 3'ers that break 6-8 inches, and If you miss you are going to have 4-5 feet coming back, with these fast Bermuda greens you have to be careful, bangin a 4 footer straight at the hole will get you more 3 Putts than you can imagine. I think more often than not it comes down to making a good stroke and not giving up on the putt with the follow through.

Lefties are always in their Right Mind

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