Reading greens can drive a golfer crazy. There is not a worse
feeling in golf than to strike a putt exactly where you want it
only to have it break in away you didn’t expect.
Reading greens can drive a golfer crazy. There is not a worse feeling in golf than to strike a putt exactly where you want it only to have it break in away you didn’t expect.
There are very few of us who possess the eye of a cement finisher or land planner that can detect minute rises and falls in the terrain. That is why I tell all my students to take in the “big picture” when reading greens. As a result, you will be right more often than not.
Before you do that, there are some simple shortcuts to help you out. Watch your chip shot and those of others. As a chip shot rolls up or past the hole, check out how it reacts as it slows down.
Look at other putts before you hit yours for the same reason.. However, if you are the first person to putt and there were no chip shots, you need to look at the big picture.
Look at the area around the green. Where does it move up or down? Look for water or any low spots near the green. The green will usually slope that way. If you happen to play golf anytime it rains, look where the green tends to collect water.
This will be a low spot and the putts will break toward that area. Remember, always take you time when reading greens and lining up putts. It will pay huge dividends.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
