Decoding the Green: How to Read Putts Like a Pro (with Video Examples!)
Even the most skilled golfers can struggle with reading greens. How to read putts is a crucial skill that separates amateurs from professionals. Unfortunately, greens can be deceiving, with subtle slopes and undulations that can wreak havoc on your putting stroke. But fear not! With a few simple techniques and some practice, you can learn to read putts like a pro and sink more birdie putts.
In this blog post, we'll be going over two effective strategies for reading greens demonstrated by my students Shepard and Tommy. We'll also be incorporating video examples to help you visualize these techniques in action.
How to Read Putts: Standing Behind the Ball
The first strategy we'll explore involves standing behind the ball. This simple yet effective technique allows you to visualize the putt's natural path.
In the video above, you'll see my student Shepard lining up a putt. The first thing he does is stand directly behind the ball. From this position, he pretends to roll the putt towards the hole, imagining the line it would take. This initial visualization helps him get a sense of the overall slope and any potential breaks the putt might have.
How to Read Putts: Reading from the Hole Back
The second strategy involves reading from the hole back. This technique offers a unique perspective on the green's topography.
Here, we see my student Tommy on the 16th hole. As you'll notice, he's not standing behind his ball this time. Instead, he's positioned behind the hole. While maintaining proper etiquette (avoiding touching the actual hole!), Tommy pretends to putt the ball back to his original position. This “reverse visualization” helps him see the green's slope in a new light, making it easier to identify the correct line of the putt.
Practice Makes Perfect: Hone Your Green Reading Skills
Remember, reading greens is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. The key is to consistently use these techniques during your practice sessions. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you'll train your eye to recognize subtle breaks and slopes on the green, ultimately leading to more confident putting and lower scores.
Bonus Tip: In addition to the techniques mentioned above, here are some other helpful tips for reading greens:
- Pay attention to the overall layout of the hole. Is it uphill, downhill, or relatively flat?
- Look for visual cues. Are there any sanded areas, burn marks, or other visual indicators of slope?
- Ask your playing partners for their reads (in casual play, not competition). Sometimes, a second opinion can be invaluable.
By combining these strategies with consistent practice, you'll be well on your way to decoding the green and becoming a putting pro!
Want to take your putting practice to the next level? Check out my blog post on 4 Drills to Improve Your Putting Practice! This post dives deep into drills that target your mechanics, speed control, putting under pressure, and incorporating fun putting games into your routine.
Remember, consistent practice is key to mastering any skill in golf, and putting is no exception. By incorporating these tips and drills, you'll be sinking more putts and lowering your scores in no time!
