How to Read a Putting Green

Have you ever wondered how you can tell which way the ball is going to roll on the green? Well there is a way to know that a lot of people are unfamiliar with. Today I am going to teach you how to correctly aim your putts to play the break of the green!

Putting Green

Golf Hole

Putter

Golf ball

The most important tool to use while your reading greens is your eyes. While your walking up to your putt take a good look at the whole green. From a large view which way dose it look like the green is breaking (leaning) initially?

When you get up to your putt stand 3 feet behind the ball and look at the break from there. Then make a circle around the hole and your ball and look at the putts from ALL angles.

Your NASCAR lap should go..... 1. Behind the ball

2. Left side of the putt

3. Behind the hole

4. Right side off the putt

Now as silly as this sounds it is a vital tool for reading greens. With every putt go up your line and put one foot on one side of your ball and your other foot on the other side and try to feel the break of the green.

From what you feel with your feet rate how much it is breaking on a scale of 0 to 5.

0- Totally flat

1- I can feel barley any break

2- I can feel a little break

3- I can definitely feel break

4- Its breaking a lot

5- I'm literally on a hill!!

The next thing you will do is a process called aim point. What ever number you gave the break put that number up with your fingers. Put your fingers to whatever side of the hole is breaking the most.

Using your fingers line up your line on your ball to wherever your fingers are pointing.

Then you will match up your putter face line to your ball line and that's the way you should aim your putt.

This is one of the most important steps in reading a green. The up or down hill slope affects the speed of the green and how hard or soft you need to hit it. If it is up hill you will need to hit the ball a little harder and if its down hill you will need to hit it a little softer.

Now you obviously need to know how far the putt is. So walk from your ball to the hole and count your steps. Then times that number by 3. That's how many feet your putt is.

1 step - 3 feet

Now you have done all the steps you need to have a accurate line and a good putt. The biggest mistake you can make at this point is doubt yourself and change your line. No matter how scared you are trust the process and stick with your line and be confident in yourself. You can make this putt!

That's it! If you will follow these 10 steps and do them consistently I guarantee your green game will get better!