Putt For Dough!

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By AJAR

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  • 11 Replies
  1. AJAR

    AJAR
    Portland, OR

    I have always struggled with getting a 'feel' for the greens. Rolling a few prior to a round just doesn't cut it. I used to spend hours on the practice green rolling ProV1x after ProV1x at tees, through tees, and playing games to improve my putting. This worked, except it only improved on the green I was practicing on. So here's the question to my TT brothers and sisters: How do you all get your feel for a green that you have not played before?

  2. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    AJAR,

    First, I think the practice you put in pays off in trusting your stroke.  If you don't trust your stroke, you will probably always struggle with your putting.  Another part of trusting your stroke is your golf ball, using the same ball all the time helps to build that trust.  Getting comfortable on greens you have not played before is always a challenge.  I like to spend 20 - 30 minutes on the course's practice green to get the speed down (assuming the practice green runs the same as those on the course) and see how putts break.  Once on the first green I just trust my stroke and hit my putt based on what I felt and saw on the practice green.  After that first putt, I adjust as required.

    What drives me bonkers though is when the greens on a course are inconsistent - some fast and some slow.  In that situation I always tend to struggle searching for the correct speed.

  3. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    I think its just a matter of experience. After playing different courses for so long in a variety of conditions, you get to a point where you will know how a ball will react on the green based on how the grass looks and how soft the soil is underneath it.

  4. Dr. Kovatchian

    Dr. Kovatchian
    Carlsbad

    Develop yourself a putting routine that gives you confidence in your stroke no matter the green type or speed.

    I like to practice my routine using two different putters "both Gamers of Course" this allows me to see and feel different ways to get the ball into the hole.

    If your routine is solid you will start making those putts.

    Cheers!

    Dr. K

  5. Chris Hatem

    Chris Hatem
    Boston

    I agree with Dr. K and Barry. One thing I will add to their discussion is to watch your playing partners chips and putts and how they behave (bounce, break, speed) and that may be able to give you some valuable info!
  6. andy r

    andy r
    Cheshire, CT

    One rule of thumb I use especially on courses I am not familiar with is to try and picture the direction water would run off the green, that should give some insight on the break of the green. Also if there is a parts of the green where the grass is darker than other spots, normally the darker spots will be slower or more grainier. And as Chris H and others have mentioned, get a routine and stick to it no matter what. Cheers.
  7. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    All good advice. One more thing is to play like you practice. On the practice green if you have two or three balls and you are putting them without taking a practice stroke or two, then don't take any practice strokes when you play. I usually just use one ball when I practice just before tee time and do not take any practice strokes between putts. I putt from long, medium and short and try to get a feel for speed and not worry to much if the ball does not go into the hole. When I am playing I do the same thing. I try to see the break, judge the speed and go. No practice strokes because I do not do practice strokes on the practice green. In other words as all ready said, get a routine and stick with it.
  8. Gabriel G

    Gabriel G
    Cedar Park, TX

    Military

    I use several factors.  First the putting green, on the course I watch others putt, I feel the green with my feet.  Does it feel hard or soft?  All through these indicators I pay attention and focus.  Then trust your stroke.  If I do not have the speed correct I remember.

  9. Joseph P

    Joseph P
    chicago, IL

    I rock my shoulders to putt like most, and keep completely tension free with a slow consistent stroke. I hold my finish with the putter face facing the hole  I also take two practice strokes while looking at the hole.

  10. Chris B

    Chris B
    Monroe, LA

    Get a putting mat and ensure you can make 90+% on 7 foot putts per 100.  

    Make sure the motion is pure and repeatable.  Once this is nailed down the adjustments for different greens will come naturally.

  11. Todd M

    Todd M
    Saint Charles, MO

    This is where I believe walking the course has a huge advantage over driving a cart. When I walk the course I am able to see the entire green as I walk up on it. It allows me to judge the putt from every angle. I am able to see high and low spots, runoff points, and it gives me a better "feel" for the green. I am already more confident when I step up to the ball. Then it's just a matter of trusting your read and hitting it solid.

    The putting green before the round for me is all bout getting in the zone. Sure I want them to go in, but I'm working on making solid contact and keeping my putter face square. And I always end on a make. Have to get the confidence high heading to the first tee box!

  12. Joe D

    Joe D
    Minooka, IL

    When I get to the course I like to practice rolling some putts for  about 15-20 mins before I play this helps me loosen up and helps me get a feel for the speed of the greens,but also how my putting stroke feels on that day.Making sure that I stick with my pre-shot routine,I Find a fairly level spot on the practice green stick a tee in the ground and roll some putts to the tee to get a feel for the speed of the greens that day without putting any added pressure of having to drain any in to the cup.This keeps me focused on finding the proper speed and feel for the greens.Once I am satisfied with the speed I will work on some 2 to 4 footers,once again I will stick a tee into the ground  but this time I place the tee about a foot on the backside of the cup and roll some putts it's not about draining the putts it's all about the feel and if they go in great,if not I want them to end up inside the 1 foot mark on the backside of the cup.This I find has helped me with my feel for the speed of the greens.After that  I work on some 1 foot putts just to hear the sound of the ball draining into the cup.This is just my warm up before I play.

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