Green Reading
Green Reading
Dave Pelz wrote that while putting accounts for about 43 percent
of the game’s strokes, it produces 80 percent of its anguish.
Reading greens is a little more like science, where playing golf
is more like art. If you want to become a better,
”
reader
”
you need to do a little studying.
What I mean is: Study the conditions of the greens before you
putt. I am going to cover some of the basics and I am sure most of
you have heard them, but everyone has to hear something for the
first time.
Basics: a golf ball will roll towards water and away from
mountains. If the grass appears shiny when you look from your ball
towards the hole, it means the grain of the grass runs in that
direction and the ball will roll faster and take the break more. If
the grass appears dull it will be the opposite. Find the lowest
spot on the green and use gravity to help determine the break. You
can start to determine that as you walk up to the green.
Green Reading
Dave Pelz wrote that while putting accounts for about 43 percent of the game’s strokes, it produces 80 percent of its anguish.
Reading greens is a little more like science, where playing golf is more like art. If you want to become a better, “reader” you need to do a little studying.
What I mean is: Study the conditions of the greens before you putt. I am going to cover some of the basics and I am sure most of you have heard them, but everyone has to hear something for the first time.
Basics: a golf ball will roll towards water and away from mountains. If the grass appears shiny when you look from your ball towards the hole, it means the grain of the grass runs in that direction and the ball will roll faster and take the break more. If the grass appears dull it will be the opposite. Find the lowest spot on the green and use gravity to help determine the break. You can start to determine that as you walk up to the green.
We have all seen Tour players walk to the opposite side of the hole to sight their line. Unless you have a single digit index, I recommend you don’t do this. Here’s why – two opposite views and impressions can create confusion and destroy confidence. As far as I am concerned, the less confusion I feel on the course the better. Amen.
Lastly, when you are sighting down your line, try not to squint, it compresses the surface of your eye and can affect your perception of distance.
Just a reminder: Any police officer, firefighter or active military personnel can play Eagle Ridge GC Monday through Thursday for half price, so please come see us. Eagle Ridge’s Kids Course is open every Sunday at 2 p.m. for kids 12 and under. Cost is $5 for all the holes you want to play. We provide clubs, balls and tees. Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at
sk*****@ea**********.com
. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
