Just like reading books, reading greens is a great way of improving your putting. But instead of flicking through "How I Play Golf" by Tiger Woods, you're studying the putting surface out on the golf course.
Reading putts effectively is a skill that distinguishes good golfers from the rest.
This guide aims to equip golfers with the knowledge and techniques to help them read greens which will ultimately lead to fewer three-putts and more enjoyable golf.
Understanding Green Contours
The first step in reading putts is to understand the green's contours.
Greens are rarely flat; they have slopes, undulations, and sometimes subtle breaks that can significantly influence the ball's path.
Recognising these features and how they'll affect your putt is crucial to reading greens.
Tips for Reading Green Contours
Good green reading is all about seeing what's in front of you and making a judgment based on what you see and feel in front of you.
There's a few different methods of green reading which can help you understand break:
Walk the Line
Before putting, walk along your ball's line to the hole to help you gain a feel for how the putt will react.
Feel the slope with your feet to gauge the uphill, downhill, and sidehill breaks to help you pick a line.
You'll often see PGA Tour players and other top professionals looking at a putt from all different angles and not just from behind the ball.
View from Low Points
Viewing the line from the low side can provide valuable insights into the green slopes, helping you see the overall break direction.
It's also better to look from the lower side rather than the higher side as it gives you a better picture of the putting surface.
Use the Environment
Surrounding landscape and water flow can hint at the green's general slope direction, as most greens are designed for drainage.
You'll often find that putts will break towards the body of water, so bear that in mind when reading a green.
Watch Other Golfers
Always make sure to watch your playing partner's putts if they're in a similar position to your ball.
This will give you a better understanding of the slope of the green and help with your initial read.
Of course, don't go standing right behind them when they're putting, but be sure to keep an eye on their putt and see how it reacts.
Judging the Speed
The green's speed is another critical factor in reading putts, as it can affect how much a putt will break.
Faster greens will tend to break more than slower greens, so understanding speed will help with how you see the break.
Speed can vary significantly based on grass types, recent weather, and maintenance practices.
Before your round, use the practice green to get a feel for the day's green speed. Greens can always vary in speed depending on when they were last cut or if they've been rolled or ironed.
Notice how the ball reacts to different stroke powers and get a feel for what the speed will be like out on the course.
You can also observe the putts of your playing partners for clues about the green's speed and how aggressively you need to hit your putts.
Adjusting for Break and Speed
Once you've assessed the green's slopes and speed, the next step is to adjust your aim and stroke to accommodate what you've read and seen.
Target Point Selection
Choose a target point based on your read of the break. For uphill putts, they'll be slower and require more power and less break.
For downhill putts, expect to play for more breaks and a softer touch is required.
Most amateurs will under-read putts and end up missing it low, so a good target selection is usually higher than you think.
Visualise the Path
Visualising the ball's path to the hole, including where it will start to break, can help align your body and putter face for a more accurate putt.
Add visualisation to your putting routine, with practice strokes picturing the golf ball rolling along your intended line and into the hole.
Final Thoughts
We all want to hole more putts. It makes scoring a lot easier and golf a whole lot more enjoyable.
But if you want to become a better putter you have to learn the art of green reading.
A golfer's green reading abilities are a blend of art and science, requiring practice, patience, and a keen observation of the green's nuances.
You still have to hit the putt on the right line, but with good green reading fundamentals, you'll have a much better chance.
