Reading The Green
October 2nd, 2008It is rare to come across a completely flat green because it is necessary for water to drain off; this is why they are nearly always sloped. Allowing rain or water to roll off is necessary, but it also causes balls to curve off line when you are putting. Dealing with this sloping even as you are putting will take time and practice.
Uphill and downhill putts are a result of sloping turf but side to side sloping means the ball wants to move sideways on its way to the hole. Your ability to read the “break” or slope is a key to how well you putt. It is obvious that a sharper slope causes more break than a smaller one.
This is called reading the green and should be done as you move towards the next shot. As you walk towards the green begin to notice the overall slope of the land and any features such as hills, bodies of water and valleys. These are items that will come into play as you plan your next shot. When you reach the ball, make a quick decision of what you think the ball will do.
Now take a little time (a few seconds) checking from the ball to the hole, and maybe from the hole to the ball, this is how you will finalize the quick decision you made earlier. This can be done while other players are setting up for their shots; this allows you to be ready when your shot comes up.
After deciding how a putt will break think about how much it is going to break, will it make a right to left move, and how many inches you think it will move. You will learn how to do this effectively as you play, as in all other situations, experience is the best teacher.
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