Picture a beautiful day on your favorite golf course. You just hit a great approach shot on the first hole and grab your trusty putter with a chance to start your round with a birdie. Even with the best equipment, do you know how to make that read on the green to hit the best putt possible? TGW shares with you some tips on how to read a golf green and make more putts.
Start From a Distance
Begin reading the green as you walk up to where you hit your approach shot. Studying the green from a distance gives you an idea of where the major slopes and contours are. This also makes identifying the lowest point of the green easier. Every green is designed with a lowest point to keep water from pooling on the surface. Most putts will roll toward that low point so identifying it early on will give you an idea of the way the green flows.
Pace Off Your Putt
Walk from your ball to the hole to get a feel for the distance and slope of the green. Your feet will give you a lot of feedback as you make this walk. This can tell if you are putting uphill or downhill, as well as which side is the high side. You will also get a better feel of the speed and pace you will need to hit the ball from that distance.
Look From Behind the Hole
After you pace off your putt, stand behind the ball with a view back toward your ball. This gives you a better view of your putt finishes to the hole. Breaking your putt up into smaller pieces can be an effective strategy. Taking a look from behind the hole can give you a better idea of how the second half of the putt will break, something many golfers tend to ignore with a focus on getting their ball started on the right line. Once you’re done, walk back to your ball on the high side of the green to get a feel for the slope once more.
Take Some Practice Swings
Stand near your ball and take a couple of practice swings. When you take these swings, start to get a feel for the pace and speed you want to hit your putt. This will give you a better feel before you hit the putt. Remember, the less pace you hit your putt with, the more the break will affect the golf ball. There are times you can putt through the break if you hit the putt hard enough and there is little break.
Pick a Spot
Once you have a feel for the green and know your line, pick a spot within the first foot of the putt that you want to roll your ball over. Remember that most putts are missed to the low side of the hole, meaning they are not played with enough break. So pick a spot with a little more break than you might think you need, then hit it with the pace and speed you calculated during your read of the green.
With these tips and the right equipment, you will be sinking more putts in no time. To learn more about picking the right putter, check out TGW’s Putters Buying Guide. If you want to learn more about choosing a putter that’s the proper length for you, see TGW’s guide to choosing the right putter length. Finally, check out the TGW guide to topspin technology in putters that can make you more accurate.
