Reading greens successfully, is probably one of the most difficult things to do during a round of golf. Not only do you need to have the ability to read a green well, you need to be able to do it in different circumstances, such as when you are feeling tired or under pressure. Although green reading can be tough, it’s also a very fascinating aspect of golf and should not be ignored.
Seeing the severe breaks on a green is something we can all do, at any level of golf. Actually judging the line and pace of the putt is a different matter but at least with an obvious break on the green, it’s clear where and how the ball is going to move, after contact with the putter. However, it’s the greens where the breaks are slight and not easily recognisable, where the problems can set in.
Thankfully, there are ways to help you improve your reading of greens, which might otherwise prove tricky. When on the practice green, find a gentle slope and place a ball marker about nine feet from the hole. Stand behind the marker and attempt to read the line of the putt. Firstly, try and make a sound judgement as to whether the ball will break to the right or left. Having done that and let’s say it’s breaking right, it’s time to judge exactly how far the ball is going to break.
To do this, address the ball marker, aim the putter straight at the hole and take a swing over it. Having completed the stroke, imagine a ball starting on the line in which you took your swing and think about just how far it would break.
Take some more strokes and each time, repeat the process, imagining exactly where the ball is going to roll and the line it is going to take. Having done this, replace the marker with a ball and putt the ball in a straight line. You will miss the hole but in doing this, you will see exactly how much the putt breaks.
Place another ball down in the same spot but this time, aim as much to the left as the ball broke to the right. This will give you a great basis on which to base the line of your putt. When making the putt, imagine it is to win a big competition and this will get you in the right frame of mind, even when practicing.
Essentially, by participating in this drill, you are comparing the amount of break you see in your mind, to the actual break when the ball is in motion. It’s a great way to train your mind to read a green, where the break may only be slight but enough to make you miss the putt. Try making five successful putts from one place on the practice green and then move to another. By using this drill regularly, you will make more putts and hole the ones which other golfers are missing.
