One of the most important things to know how to do in golf is how to read greens. A good putting stroke won’t help you if you aim wrong. If you can read greens well, you can guess how fast the ball will roll, how far it will go, and how much it will break before it gets to the hole.

Observing the Green

As you walk up, take a look at the green from a distance. Greens are not usually flat, and the slope of the whole green usually shows you which way the ball wants to roll. You can tell where the green is lowest by looking at the way the water drains, the land around it, and the bunkers nearby. This first look is the first step in learning how to read putting breaks before you even hit the ball.

Assessing Green Speed

Once you’re on the green, pay attention to how fast it is. When the greens are faster, you need to hit them softer and make the breaks bigger. When the greens are slower, you need to hit them harder and make the movement smaller. Watch how the ball rolls on previous putts and how quickly it slows down when it gets close to the hole. The speed of the green is often more important than the slope itself. A slow putt breaks less than a fast putt on the same line.

Viewing from Different Angles

Next, crouch down behind your ball and look at the putt from different angles. Look from behind the hole and from the low side of the putt if possible. If you stand up, it can be hard to see slopes, but shadows, grain, and small color changes can help. Keep your reading simple, but trust what you see. Too much thinking can make you miss putts.

Sticking to Your Line

Lastly, stick to your line. After you choose the read, pick a small spot on that line and try to roll the ball over it. You need to be sure of yourself to putt well. Doubt makes you hesitate, and hesitation makes you miss out on chances.

Questions That Are Often Asked

Why is it important to learn how to read greens?
It helps you aim right and makes it easier to putt consistently.

What has the biggest effect on green speed?
Speed is affected by the weather, the height of the grass, and the amount of moisture in the air.

How do breaks in putting change with speed?
When you putt faster, the ball breaks less. When you putt slower, the ball breaks more.

Should I look at greens from different angles?
Yes, looking at the putt from different angles makes it more accurate.

Does the grain on the greens really matter?
Yes, grain can change how the ball rolls, especially on faster surfaces.

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