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 USGolfer.net Golf Tip for April, 2002.
Reading Greens.
My favorite professional golf tournament to watch is The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. The reason I like it so much is because Augusta has some of the most interesting and difficult greens to put that the players see all year. The old adage of drive for show, putt for dough is very evident at Augusta.
As you watch this years Masters this month, take notice of how important it is that the players not only hit the greens, but also place the ball in the proper location on the green thus avoiding the possibility of a three putt. You see there are some places on Augusta’s greens that even the best players in the world fear.
Putts at Augusta get analyzed from every direction. Although I don’t advocate that you look at every putt in this manner, nor do I think that it is necessary, I do want to suggest some procedures for reading greens that will help you make more putts and avoid three and sometimes even four putting.
1st Survey the entire green and the area around the green before you ever step foot on it. This will teach you the general lay of the land and overall slope of the green, which will have an effect on putts that may even look flat. It will also help you with judging the speed. Using this procedure is especially critical when playing near mountains or hills or when a green is built into the side of a hill.
2nd Once on the green, walk the line. I don’t mean step in your own line of putt, but along side you line from the ball to the hole. Feel the slope and undulations with your feet. Even though you may not see a slope, you will sense it if you are paying attention. I learned this trick from the caddies at Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, which is consistently rated the best and most difficult golf course in the world. Trust me, it really works.
3rd Squat down approximately 10’ behind your ball and look at the contours of the green. Look for high and low spots that will affect the speed of the putt and how the ball will break. Celebrated teacher, Dr. Gary Wiren teaches his players to visualize how water would drain on the green to help them see the line. What a great idea.
4th Visualize your putt rolling to the hole. Picture the ball rolling the proper speed toward the hole and following your line into the cup. Whether the putt is a 3’ downhill slider with 12" of break that must die into the hole or a 10’ putt up a 2’ incline that must be struck firmly to the back of the hole, how well you visualize it will determine your feel and how well you stroke the putt. The best putters see their line before they hit the putt.
5th Once you have determined the proper line, aim your putter at a spot on that line and focus completely on the speed. If you have a breaking putt align your putter at the pinnacle of the break.
6th You have done your homework, now trust your research and feel and make a confident stroke toward your target.
Although the above procedures may seem cumbersome, all of them can be done in a matter of minutes and while someone else is putting. Reading greens properly doesn’t have to slow down your round of golf. In fact it should actually speed it up. Hitting one putt takes less time than three. Good luck and enjoy watching The Masters.
Good Luck!
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If you would like instruction from Bill Mory, you can learn more about him and his course by visiting meridiansun.usgolfer.net |
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