Understanding the Green
from Good Golf Swing Aids

Reading the green can be crucial to your game

One of the most difficult aspects about the game of golf is reading the green.

It is not as simple as taking a quick look and dropping the ball in the cup. It is unfortunately much more complicated than that.

Knowing what your ball is going to do when it leaves your putter is basically anyone’s guess. While it may seem like the pros do not struggle, the simple truth is they do too.

Green Speed

Funny enough it is not so much breaks in the green that gives golfers a hard time it is usually the green speed. It can be a very tricky thing figuring out the right putt strength in order to reach the cup. Just when you think you have hit it the right speed, you have either come to a screeching halt or have overshot the cup entirely.

While the correct speed is something that must be practiced under several different scenarios, practice is something that will get you to a comfort level. This is something that you can actually practice in the comfort of your own home. You will need nothing more than a putter, a ball, and a plastic cup.

Breaks Change Your Luck

Obviously the best way for you to insure that you are going to get a clear shot to the cup, is by having an excellent approach shot. This unfortunately does not always happen, so this is where knowing how to read a green comes into the picture. Breaks can be something of a burden to those that are not familiar with shaping a shot around an obstacle. Usually when you see a pro crouch down with their putter dangling in front of them, they are trying to read the break.

This motion is called plum and this will allow the golfer to see the subtle or not so subtle changes in the green surface. This is something that you can practice as well and you may actually find that this is very useful.

Above The Cup

When it comes to putting down hill, there are some very tricky aspects. Putting down hill or above the cup is something that will actually move your ball much quicker than originally intended. This is because your ball is rolling down hill. When you are going to putt from above the cup, you will want to utilize an air of caution. Once you have made your calculations and mental measurements, you can basically determine that you should decrease the power level of your putt.

Below The Cup

The same can be said about putter below the cup or uphill. You will need to make the mental note on any break or valley in the green surface and then the estimated power level of your stroke will need to be increased. This is because along the journey to the cup, the ball is going to slow down considerably. By making the adjustment to increase your power, you are more likely to reach the cup on your first putt.

Read more golf swing and other golf related articles here