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How the heck do you read a green?

Posted on 4/11/21 at 12:48 pm
Posted by FeeshTacos
BR
Member since Jul 2019
97 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 12:48 pm
I've watched too many 20+ minute long videos on youtube of people who can explain it in a million words that go over my head. Who has the best, simplest explanation of how to know what the green does?
Posted by deaux
Member since Oct 2018
20267 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 12:52 pm to
Google “Monte voodoo putting”
Posted by BabyTac
Austin, TX
Member since Jun 2008
12272 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 1:02 pm to
Plum bob it from every side. Esp if you’re playing partners are waiting on you. Keep plum bobbing until the group behind starts screaming at you to putt. Then miss the putt. Blame everyone else.
Posted by dpd901
South Louisiana
Member since Apr 2011
7524 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 1:19 pm to
“If I were water, where would I go”
Posted by htcthc321
Member since Oct 2010
1661 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 2:07 pm to
Figuring out the speed is step one. I spend more time on the putting green before a round than I do the range.

In the round, get down as eye level as you can without looking like Villegas, and have a basic look at which way it's gonna move. Lots of greens will usually break towards a water hazard, but not always.

If you're 15+ feet out, the goal should be to make your two putt and move on. Put your first putt inside of a 3 foot ring around the hole. If you happen to make it, that's a bonus.
Posted by alpinetiger
Salt Lake City
Member since Apr 2017
5864 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

I've watched too many 20+ minute long videos on youtube of people who can explain it in a million words that go over my head. Who has the best, simplest explanation of how to know what the green does?
My Dad and Papaw were in construction, so I've always had an eye for angles and measurements, similar to being annoyed that a picture frame is crooked. Combine that with other knowns about putting, like understanding water, and out here in Utah understanding slopes and elevation, I've always been an above average putter. The only part of my game that's better is high irons. My tee box game is for shite.
Posted by NC17
Member since Feb 2010
2772 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 3:43 pm to
Practice. Some people see it. Some don't.
Posted by hehateme2285
Katy, TX
Member since Dec 2007
5143 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 3:44 pm to
Aimpoint Express
Posted by Michael Scotch
Member since Oct 2020
64 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 4:21 pm to
Some solid tips so far. I like to imagine rolling/putting a ball straight at the hole and using that as a starting point for which way it would break.

Also, if I’m totally lost on the read I hit it straight at the hole and try to get the speed right and take my two putt. Practice as others mentioned, especially before actually playing that day.
Posted by makersmark1
earth
Member since Oct 2011
15971 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 4:46 pm to
1. While walking up look at terrain.

2. Identify the low side of hole.

3. Try to identify grain at cup.

After this putt twice, then pick up.
Posted by Hamma1122
Member since Sep 2016
19853 posts
Posted on 4/11/21 at 6:27 pm to
Where would water go
Posted by BeaverPRO
Tampa
Member since Aug 2009
16251 posts
Posted on 4/12/21 at 7:58 am to
quote:

How the heck do you read a green


Historical Data
Posted by HDAU
Member since Nov 2014
1576 posts
Posted on 4/12/21 at 10:10 am to
There is some good info here so far. 1) know the speed of the greens from hitting the practice green before the round (or making a couple practice putts on 1); 2) if running water was going to push a piece of sediment over both your ball and the cup, what path would it take; and 3) know your grass. Bent grass putts pretty true, but the grain of a Bermuda green can significantly affect the break of a putt.
Posted by sms151t
Polos, Porsches, Ponies..PROBATION
Member since Aug 2009
139866 posts
Posted on 4/12/21 at 10:29 am to
I don't read putts I just whack at it and hope I did it somewhat correctly. I can not putt, drive, or chip; so it does not really matter what I do.
Posted by JGTiger
Member since Aug 2007
2941 posts
Posted on 4/12/21 at 10:52 am to
Buy the old Tiger Woods golf video games and check out the grids on the green. That is what i see every time i read puts.
Posted by GRTiger
On a roof eating alligator pie
Member since Dec 2008
63214 posts
Posted on 4/12/21 at 11:16 am to
I'll preface this by saying I am a below average putter. But the way I think of it, it's very rare that you won't notice a putt that has 5+ feet of break one way or the other. 95% of putts that miss by 5 feet are more are either that much short or that much long. If it's too hard to see a break, I just go right at it and focus mostly on speed. Even when I can see a break, speed is what I focus on the most after I pick a spot in front of me to roll over.

I still 3 putt, but I do it less now that my main goal is to roll it at a pace that leaves it 1 foot short to 2 feet long, with an emphasis on the latter if I can help it.
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