Reading a green?

[Kor.A.Door]

With bent grass you don't have to worry about grain so much. What you see is generally what you get. If you can see which way it breaks, you should be able to find a line, and just try to match the speed with that line, with any breaking putt it's about matching your speed with your chosen line, do you want the bull to go in with pace, play less break, if you want the ball to fall into the hole you adjust the line and play more break. For me it's about figuring out the speed of the greens, and then picking my line based on what I think the speed will be for that putt. Since you are only missing by a small amount, it could be a speed versus line issue.

[alfriday101]

Green reading is a skill that can be developed.  Aim point, plumb-bobing, finding the fall line, etc. are techniques golfers use to read greens.  Regardless of the technique used, the skill has to be worked on to improve.

 

Unfortunately, many golfers don't really practice reading greens in a meaningful, constructive way.  They hit a putt which breaks two inches left when they thought it would break two inches right.  They shrug, know they misread it, but they don't examine it again to see why they misread it.  On the practice green, they will hit multiple putts to the hole, adjusting to a misread by changing speed or line, but not take the time reread the putt.  

 

A first step to improving is to re-read a putt that was misread.  Step back, look at the green and ask what didn't I see there?  Trace the line of the putt with your eyes to see the break.   If alone, one can go through their entire pre-shot routine and green read and then hit another putt on the correct line.  In a group, tap in and go back and reread the putt while the others finish out or walk off the green.  (Subject to proper etiquette on the course, of course).   

 

When practicing, go through your routine, hit the putt and watch the line carefully.  Then re-read, again with full routine, making the necessary adjustment.  Examine the green carefully to see the line and why the putt acted differently than you though.  Rinse and repeat on different slopes, different lengths and speeds.  

 

On the practice green, hit three putts from the same spot.  Full routine and green read with each putt.  Hit one to die at the hole, one to go just past the hole if missed and jam one in hard.  If you misread any of the three, re-read and do again.    

 

I guess the point here is to understand a misread and correct the read and learn so you don't misread next time.   

[robertson153]

Don't know if it was the advice or just my day but I had 27 putts!! Main reason IMO I'm starting to trust my line. Sunk some good putts, a few from over 10'. Which is good in my book. Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Kanoito]

Biggest thing that helped me was the old EA Sports PGA tour. How the greens would show little white dots on a grid. I just picture that grid and what would the dots do. Or imagine dumping a box of marbles and where they would roll out

Believe it or not, video games help tremendously! Worked for me, too! As well as other FPS where you calculate bullet trajectory.

[RoverRick]

On days like today, I had just 22 putts with 2 chip in, it is like I see a 3” wide line or brighter stripe on the green curving to the hole. It is just my imagination but I know all I have to do is hit it the right speed on that line and it will go in.

 

Now my wedges were very good today so most of my 1 putts were 3-8 feet. So that sorta pads the stats.

 

I have tried the Aim Point system and plumb bobbing and various other things, but for me, I line up straight behind the ball and imagine where the ball will roll if I hit it straight at the hole. Then move the imaginary line until the imaginary ball goes into the hole. Then, as you stated “trust your read”.

 

Sure you will misread some. But if your speed is good then it's just a tap in. And if you are not sure if it will go left or right then hit it straight.

 

Oh yeah, I worked on my wedges three days this week and that drastically improved your putting. Especially if you can roll it right by the hole and give yourself a free read. I did that a bunch today.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[GolfSpy_APH]

I will clarify this by saying it does depend on the course and greens, but what I've learned from my home course is to not overread the greens. As soon as I started that I my putts started dropping. When I walk up to the out I take one good look at it and decide what I believe it's going to do. Setup and make the putt.

If I'm really unsure of what I'm seeing I'll stand around the line and see what my feet tell me. They haven't let me down so far, but from what I have found is if I stare at the putt and think about it too long nothing good happens. Too many thoughts and decisions get made and I loose focus on that initial thought of what I saw.

 

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[cnosil]

I have tried the Aim Point system and plumb bobbing and various other things, but for me, I line up straight behind the ball and imagine where the ball will roll if I hit it straight at the hole. Then move the imaginary line until the imaginary ball goes into the hole. Then, as you stated “trust your read”.

 

 

This is why systems like aimpoint don't work for you.  You need to see the imaginary line the ball is rolling on.  Aimpoint has you aim left or right of the hole.  

[rekrab]

Simple ways to start reading puts better. If you want to make it simple just start from behind the ball. Get a good distance behind maybe like 4-10 feet so your not just sitting right over top of the ball. From behind the ball now look for the high point or the highest point of slope in the middleish point of the putt. That will give you an idea where to aim. That would be a basic start, my next step then is to use your eyes and imagine the ball over that line. Like keep going through it like you see tigerwoods tracer from the video game (this takes time a focus to learn to imagine the break) next what I find the best help in finding where to hit a putt is looking and imagining how the ball would roll in like 3 feet from the hole. Basically look and the break and slope and try to roll it to where it would hit that 3 foot spot to go in. A consistent stroke though really is important to making any Putts.

 

Hope this helps even though its very long winded

 

Sent from my SM-G950W using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[RookieBlue7]

Aimpoint. It's ridiculously easy, it's the fastest way to read the green so people behind you aren't waiting on you to pretend you're on tour and read it from all 4 sides, and the reads will be correct unless you don't do them correctly.

[MaxEntropy]

On days like today, I had just 22 putts with 2 chip in, it is like I see a 3” wide line or brighter stripe on the green curving to the hole. It is just my imagination but I know all I have to do is hit it the right speed on that line and it will go in.

 

Now my wedges were very good today so most of my 1 putts were 3-8 feet. So that sorta pads the stats.

 

I have tried the Aim Point system and plumb bobbing and various other things, but for me, I line up straight behind the ball and imagine where the ball will roll if I hit it straight at the hole. Then move the imaginary line until the imaginary ball goes into the hole. Then, as you stated “trust your read”.

 

Sure you will misread some. But if your speed is good then it's just a tap in. And if you are not sure if it will go left or right then hit it straight.

 

Oh yeah, I worked on my wedges three days this week and that drastically improved your putting. Especially if you can roll it right by the hole and give yourself a free read. I did that a bunch today.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

Last summer I was having a really good putting day and I commented to my friend that it was like I was seeing a video game tracer showing me where to hit the ball. I made a lot (for me) of longish putts that day. It was great, but hasn't happened since.

 

One thing I hate is when my eyes tell me one thing, then I stand over the ball and feel conflicting info with my feet.

 

Sent from my BLN-L24 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[RoverRick]

This is why systems like aimpoint don't work for you.  You need to see the imaginary line the ball is rolling on.  Aimpoint has you aim left or right of the hole.  

 

Yes, this is what I eventually figured out. I can use it to confirm what I feel, but I promise you if I aim 2 fingers left of the cup, the ball will stop two fingers left of the cup.

[Kenny B]

Yes, this is what I eventually figured out. I can use it to confirm what I feel, but I promise you if I aim 2 fingers left of the cup, the ball will stop two fingers left of the cup.

Yes, you and Adam Scott.

[romeopapazulu]

One thing I hate is when my eyes tell me one thing, then I stand over the ball and feel conflicting info with my feet.

 

Sent from my BLN-L24 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

In “putting out of your mind” the author says to stick with your first instinct. I find that way too often I see one thing, stand over the ball, and think, “how the heck did you see that?!? There is no way that could break that way”. Then I get caught in this fort vs. second instinct conundrum and either pick the wrong one or split the middle (which never works either”. I almost feel like I would be better off just standing over the ball, going straight to my second instinct and giving it a whack. If it feels a bit above my feet aim a little right or vice versa.

[PMookie]

I took Aimpoint Express two summers ago and it's the best money I've spent in golf! My speed is always an issue, but using the method they teach, I've never not been able to get the line!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[BenjaminButtonz]

.

No, that's not clear enough. It's not clear at all.

Because if you hit a putt exactly where you intended at the exact speed you intended and it doesn't go in IT'S BECAUSE YOU MIS-READ THE GREEN. #duh

 

Holy crap. you need to calm down.

People like you, and your unreasonable expectations and poor attitudes, are why more experienced posters and instructors stay off forums like this. ... And don't worry, I won't respond to another one of your threads because I don't have time for nonsense.

But here's a parting tip - if you're having trouble with your game, pay for lessons!

Money doesn't grow on trees, not everyone wants to fix their golf misses by paying money. He wasn't asking how his missed putts compare too others, he was simply asking others thoughts and ideas to consistently read a green effectively.

 

A good practice drill I keep in rotation on a practice green is reading a putt, then putting a tee in the green where I “think” my aim-spot should be based on the read. Then it's a matter of executing that putt, and seeing how far off the ball was when it comes to a stop. This will give you a gauge to compare you're “Read” with the greens true-break. This will show you if you tend to OVER-read or UNDER-read a break. If your ball is going over that tee you stick in, and finishing in the cup. You know your read-game is fine, and it's more a mater of tightening up your putting stroke to become more consistent. Hope this helps!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[cnosil]

A good practice drill I keep in rotation on a practice green is reading a putt, then putting a tee in the green where I “think” my aim-spot should be based on the read. Then it's a matter of executing that putt, and seeing how far off the ball was when it comes to a stop. This will give you a gauge to compare you're “Read” with the greens true-break. This will show you if you tend to OVER-read or UNDER-read a break. If your ball is going over that tee you stick in, and finishing in the cup. You know your read-game is fine, and it's more a mater of tightening up your putting stroke to become more consistent. Hope this helps!!

 

 

 

 

I am assuming that the tee you are referring to is by the hole.  I prefer to see the line the ball will roll on so I put a dime down to roll the ball over.  

[BenjaminButtonz]

I am assuming that the tee you are referring to is by the hole. I prefer to see the line the ball will roll on so I put a dime down to roll the ball over.

Yes the tee would be inserted into the putting surface and pressed down until flush with surface so the ball could roll over it, same concept

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[alfriday101]

Yes, this is what I eventually figured out. I can use it to confirm what I feel, but I promise you if I aim 2 fingers left of the cup, the ball will stop two fingers left of the cup.

Your statement reminded me of a passage from Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game.  

 

“When you establish an image of what you intend to do, the body will fulfill it.  That becomes the ‘target.'  The clearer the image, the more likely that your body will produce it. Therefore, any conceptual interference or unintended image will negatively affect the chances of a good result. The best  results come from actions that are responses to an image of the actual target, so the best swing thought is actually an image, not a conceptual thought.

            For the same reason, I don't like talking about how much a putt will break by saying, ‘It's a right-edge putt.'  What the golfer means is that she expects the putt to move two inches from right to left in order to enter the hole in the middle. However, the right edge of the hole is the last image in her mind before she putts.  It becomes her target and she pushes the ball out to the right just enough for it to hit that right edge and lip out.  

            [Example about a player he counsels].

            We focus on seeing the ball track into the cup, just a tiny bit right or left of the center.  He's lipped out far fewer putts since then, and most of the ones he holes pour into the heart of the cup. “ 

[gaussman1]

Another vote for AimPoint. I don't necessarily hole a ton of putts with it but I rarely 3 putt even on unfamiliar courses. I do agree that as the break lessens it's harder to figure out whether a putt is right center, right edge, or just outside. But for putts that don't look like much you can really tell which way it goes by trusting your feet. If I can't feel anything I'll close my eyes briefly to see if it changes. And it's fast!

[tony@CIC]

Money doesn't grow on trees, not everyone wants to fix their golf misses by paying money. He wasn't asking how his missed putts compare too others, he was simply asking others thoughts and ideas to consistently read a green effectively.

 

A good practice drill I keep in rotation on a practice green is reading a putt, then putting a tee in the green where I “think” my aim-spot should be based on the read. Then it's a matter of executing that putt, and seeing how far off the ball was when it comes to a stop. This will give you a gauge to compare you're “Read” with the greens true-break. This will show you if you tend to OVER-read or UNDER-read a break. If your ball is going over that tee you stick in, and finishing in the cup. You know your read-game is fine, and it's more a mater of tightening up your putting stroke to become more consistent. Hope this helps!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Interesting technique. I'm going to have to try try on our practice greens.