Green Reading - The Art of Reading and Analyzing Putts
Introduction: Read greens more effectively read greens more effectively
Reading greens is an art that separates good putters from great ones. This drill is designed to sharpen your perception by helping you identify the subtle details that influence how the ball breaks and rolls. With focused attention and thoughtful analysis, you’ll learn to anticipate both line and speed more accurately—two keys to successful putting.
Benefits of This Training
Enhances your green-reading confidence
Builds awareness of subtle visual and tactile cues
Reduces putts missed due to misjudged breaks or speed
Instills a habit of strategic thinking and post-putt reflection
What You Need:
1 tee
1 golf ball
Setup & Instructions:
Place a tee between 3 to 6 meters from the hole and set your ball next to it.
Begin your full pre-putt routine: read the green, feel the slope, and visualize the path.
Before stroking the putt, clearly define where you want the ball to finish.
After the putt, ask yourself:
Did the ball finish where I intended?
Was the speed what I expected?
Did the ball break as I had visualized?
If all answers are YES:
Move on to another putt and repeat the process.
If any answers are NO:
Pause and reflect:
What made the ball miss my intended spot?
What speed factor did I overlook?
What affected the break that I didn’t initially see?
Re-read the green to find missed information—look for grain direction, grass color changes, moisture levels, or firmness. Train your eyes to catch the hidden cues.
What Does This Drill Improve?
This drill improves your green-reading ability by training you to notice critical details that affect your putt's outcome. You’ll develop a sharper eye for slope, grain, moisture, and speed—factors that often go unnoticed but greatly impact whether your ball drops or slides by.
Tips:
Take your time—don’t rush through putts.
Go through your full routine, including timing and breathing.
Enjoy the challenge of predicting line and speed.
Stay mindful and focused on each movement and observation.
Difficulty Levels:
Level 1: Slow greens, flat surface
Level 2: Medium-speed greens, slight break
Pro Level: Fast greens, heavy break
Conclusion
Green reading is more than just looking—it's about noticing. This drill teaches you how to slow down, observe deeply, and think critically about every putt. Over time, you’ll start spotting the hidden influences that make the difference between a tap-in and a frustrating miss. Be a student of the surface, and your putting results will follow.