As we head towards winter in the United Kingdom, Northern Europe and North America, playing conditions are starting to change. With colder conditions, the fairway and greens will become more solid and, with frost and dew in the mornings, moisture can become a problem, especially on the greens.
When putting in winter, the additional moisture on the surface of the green, will cause the ball to break less than it would when dry. So, when playing on a local course, you have may have got your eye in on the greens throughout the summer but when playing through the winter, the putts are going to be a little different and we must be prepared for that.
The first thing to do, when approaching your ball on the green, is to mark it, pick it up and clean it. There could be also sorts of grass or bits of dirt attached the ball, which could have a negative impact on your connection with the putter and the way the ball rolls towards the hole. Furthermore, always ensure you wipe your putter face clean, before every putt you make as again, there could be some grass or dirt stuck to it, which will lead to a poor contact with the ball. These are very basic things and should be completed before each putt is made.
When putting on winter greens, especially short putts, you must be firmer in your stroke. For one, the greens are going to be playing slower than in the summer, due to the moisture as discussed above. Also, by putting a little firmer, the ball will hold its line for much longer and this means you can eliminate the need to judge a small break. Hit the putt firm and straight and it will give you a better chance of making the putt than trying to roll it in slowly, using the break.
Putting firm and straight can be a little daunting, so why spend some time on the practice green? Focus on the back of the hole and pick a spot to aim for, as this will give you greater margin for error when making the putt. You can place a tee at the back of the hole and aim for the tee, making sure you hit a nice and firm putt. This will allow you to play your winter putts with confidence, when on the golf course.
