Reading Greens – Putting Golf Lesson

A sound putting technique is only half the way to being a great putter.

You also need to be able to read the green properly. Reading greens comes mostly through experience.

If you hit a lot of putts on different terrain, grass and greens, you develop a sense for the roll of the ball.

Unfortunately most people are always in a hurry on the greens, because the next group of people is already behind them or your friends want to move on.

First of all it is always a good idea to calm down once you are on the green.

There is no need to rush. If you stick to your routine and do not get sloppy because of other people, you can already save a couple of strokes.

The best thing you can do is the following. Pick a time when your local course is not too crowded, maybe early in the morning.

Then walk straight to each green and take your time to take a closer look.

You want to try a couple of different chip shots and approaches that you are likely to face more often.

Then roll a couple of balls on the green and do some long and short putts. Do not rush it! You want to study the environment, terrain, greenside bunkers and the green itself.

Take notes in your birdie book for each hole. Things like the slope, important spots and distances.

If there are other people approaching, be polite and let them play through.

If you do this for each hole, you will feel really prepared for your next round. In fact you will not have to rush any more, because you know exactly what is expecting you.

With your new knowledge you will in fact speed up your time on the green naturally, play more effectively and ultimately make better scores.

• Pick a time when your local course is not too crowded.
• Walk to each of the 18 greens and study them for some time.
• Take notes in your birdie book.