Green Reading To Save That Third Putt If Not The Second.

Green Reading To Save That Third Putt If Not The Second.

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Since putts count for two strokes a hole at par they are too important to be taken lightly. Zeroing in on distance is the best way I know to eliminate those three putt greens. Too short or too long can be seriously affected by our knowledge and feel for the grain.

Chart the grain on your home course greens. It may save you several strokes a round later. The noticeable sheen you see means that you are looking directly down or with the grain. Putts hit with the grain roll more smoothly than against the grain but, more importantly, they roll further.

The quicker the ball is rolling, the less the ball will break.

The optimum pace to hit a putt is one that would take the ball 15 inches to 17 inches past the hole. This speed ensures that the ball holds its line. The momentum of the stroke makes the ball roll along a straight line initially. However, as the ball gets closer to the hole the ball begins to lose its speed. As it loses its speed the ball will start to look for and go down the down slope of the green as gravity starts to take over.

PLUMB-BOBBING TECHNIQUE

To plumb-bob correctly, you need to use your master eye. To find which one, with both eyes open, hold your forefinger at arms length and line it up with a point in the background. Then look with each eye separately, closing the other as you do so. The eye which shows your finger nearest the point in the background is your master eye.

Stand a few paces behind your ball, on a direct line with the hole. Hold your putter with one hand... between the thumb and tips of the fingers near the bottom of the grip. Hold it loosely at arms length opposite your master eye with the toe or heel facing directly away from you.

Line up the centre of your ball with the lower part of the shaft. Let your master eye come up the shaft until it is level with the hole. If there is a slope, the hole will be to the right or left of the shaft. Adjust your borrow accordingly. If the slope is obvious, plumb-bob to confirm exactly how much.


CHECK OUT THE HOLE

Sometimes the last few rolls before the ball reaches the hole can have a marked effect on your putt. After plumb-bobbing, check how the hole is cut.
Greens keepers often pull up the hole cutter at an angle. This means that one side of the hole is higher than the other.

For instance, if plumb-bobbing has shown you have a left-to-right putt, and the hole is cut higher to the right you must adjust the line... the putt is now almost straight.

Once you have an idea of the line of your put you need to see how firm the green is. If you can not tell by standing on it take out a tee and insert it into the edge of the green. If it goes in easily the green will be slower. The harder it is to put in the faster the green will be. Now that you have everything in order take a couple practice swings then sink your putt.

About the Author:
Gregg Montgomery is an avid golfer, some might say nut.
When he is not on the course or at the range he is working on his blog or putting together ebooks for his readers. You can find his blog at http://www.besttipsforgolf.com/blog or you can get his free ebook at http://www.besttipsforgolf.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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