Reading Greens

One area of the game that is essential to great putting is the ability to read greens correctly. I often have students ask me to teach them to read greens properly and my response is that it is experience. Although green reading is experience related there are a few key elements that are essential to reading greens.

Always Look Uphill.

Some players like to look at the putt from behind the ball or from behind the hole or both and sometimes even the side of the putt. Although more information is better when it comes to reading greens make sure it does not promote paralysis by analysis. I sometimes like to read my putts from different directions but I sometimes see different breaks than what I did from the other side of the putt. When this happens I know that from vision research that the best read of a green is looking uphill. In other words when you are faced with a downhill putt, your best and most accurate read will be from behind the hole and looking uphill towards your ball. An uphill putt will be most accurately read from behind the ball looking towards the hole. Remember, to always read your putt uphill and that may simplify your green reading experience and give you your best opportunity to make the putt.

Play More Break

There is a reason why the high side of the hole is called the pro side and the low side of a hole on a breaking putt is called the amateur side. Amateur golfers tend to under read the amount of break on a putt. When a ball is breaking, lets say from right to left a ball that is on the high side of the hole will have a tendency or a chance to fall in the hole where a putt on the low side will have no chance. Next time you putt try to play a little more break on your putts and your putting will improve.

Grain

The grain on the greens does not mean much if you play on bent grass, which is typically found in cooler climates like the north. If you play in the south you will encounter Bermuda greens, which has a predominant grain effect on putting. In other words the blades of grass are so thick that they affect the ball while it is rolling on the ground. The key to reading grain is to look for the shiny and dull side of the grass. To learn how to read grain go to the middle of your green and look in both directions. One way will look shiny and the other will look darker. The shinier the grass the more down grain the putt will be. If you are putting down grain the speed will be faster and thus you will have to hit the putt softer, which will cause the ball to curve more. The slower the putt, the more aggressive you can be and thus hit the ball harder and the ball won’t break as much. Learn to recognize what the grain of the grass is doing and that will help with speed as well as left to right and right to left putts.

The key to reading greens relies a lot on experience and practice. In order to learn that experience make sure you recognize how to effectively read a putt, the grain of the grass, and learn to play more break than normal. Keep me informed on your progress and make sure you send your questions to our blog.

Keep em Long and Straight,

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9 Comments

tom Says:

Cj,

the power secrets system has turned my game @ I am hitting it long and straight…:)

tom
March 4th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
vic Says:

Hi CJ

I am a right handed person that swings left in golf. My right arm is powerfull…and tends to come over…or lunge at the top. I try t copy my man Phil…but I dont know where to combat this fault. Im 6ft2 210 .with long arms. My left leg tends to straiten out at the top of my swing,,,is that ok? thanks
March 5th, 2010 at 5:17 am
Theo Says:

Thanks for the great training info it help me a lot I have dropped 5 shots in a month 4 games Can you tell me I read that pro golfers hit 146 yards with 7 icon I hit 155 yards with 8 icon straight and close to the pin Iam I doning something they dont know or is it just my ages that doing these good shots 64 years old 15 handicap
Keep up the great info it helps me alot and reading you book every day
March 5th, 2010 at 6:35 am
RANJIT JACOB Says:

I OFTEN HAVE A NAGGING PROBLEM OF PUSHING THE BALL TO THE RIGHT. WHAT IS THE MAJOR ONE REASON? CHANGING THE PLANE RESULTS IN A SLICE!
March 5th, 2010 at 6:38 am
Mark Says:

Thanks for all the info. It has certainly knocked strokes of my game
One issue though: I hit all my irons with a natural draw but when it comes to my driver I always seem to block it to the right. What could be the possible issues and how can I counter this?
March 5th, 2010 at 10:02 am
CJ Says:

Tom,
Great to hear. Nothing makes me happier than to hear success stories. Please keep me informed.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
CJ Says:

Vic,
By being right handed and powerful this is not a reason for the club to come over the top. What interests me is the left leg straightening during the backswing. This would surely cause a reverse hip tilt and would cause the lunge over the top. I would recommend the sun drill that I describe in my DVD. If you do not know what this drill is then please write back and I would be happy to help you out.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
CJ Says:

Ranjit,
A push means the club is coming too much from the inside. This is a good players fault so I want to be careful in trying to completely revamp your swing. I would suggest one of two fixes that would be simple and would turn that push into a nice draw. First, check your grip and make sure it is strong enough. If you are unsure try turning your hands slightly to the right and this should produce that draw. Second you might want to try to slow your hips down a bit so that your hands can catch up. Slowing your body down will also help you turn that push into a draw. Please let me know if this helps.
keep em long and straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
CJ Says:

Mark,
I am glad to hear that I have been able to help your game. Two tips to definitely help. First, i am curious if you were properly fit for the driver. If you were not put on a launch monitor and were able to try several drivers with different shafts that may be the true reason. Second, and this will help promote a draw, make sure you are tilted to the right slightly with the driver and that 60% of your weight is on your right side. I am sure this will help and keep me informed.
Keep em Long and Straight,
cj
March 6th, 2010 at 11:42 pm