Green Reading: See the Line, Trust the Break
Introduction: Improve green reading by using visual aids to map
Reading greens is one of the most overlooked yet vital skills in putting. This drill not only sharpens your green-reading instincts but also adds visual assistance to train your eyes in recognizing the ideal path. By laying down tees along your intended line, you gain instant feedback on your read—and learn to adjust based on how the ball actually rolls. It’s like having a roadmap while learning how to navigate.
Benefits of This Training
Sharpens visual perception of putting lines
Builds confidence in reading and adjusting break
Reinforces speed awareness and consistency
Encourages thoughtful reflection and learning after each putt
Trains your eyes to pick up subtle details that influence the roll
What You Need:
10 tees
1 golf ball
Setup & Instructions:
Place a tee at your starting point between 3 to 6 meters from the hole.
Go through your pre-putt routine, carefully reading the green and imagining your line.
Along your intended line, place a row of tees just below where the ball will travel—this becomes your visual guide.
Be sure to factor in where the putt will start to break.
Roll the putt and then ask yourself:
Did the ball finish where I wanted?
Was the speed correct?
Did the ball break as I visualized?
If all answers are YES:
Move to a new putt and repeat the process.
If any answers are NO:
Reflect and ask:
What caused the ball to miss my target?
What speed factor did I overlook?
What changed the ball’s break that I didn’t see?
Then re-read the green looking for missed details (grain, grass color, moisture, slope sharpness), adjust your tee-line, and try again.
What Does This Drill Improve?
This drill improves your green-reading accuracy and visual mapping of the putt’s intended line. It trains your ability to see the fall line and understand how subtle contours, slopes, and surfaces affect the ball's path. It also teaches post-putt analysis, helping you learn from each roll and refine your green-reading intuition.
Tips:
Take your time—this is about quality, not quantity.
Go through your full pre-putt routine and keep a calm rhythm.
Enjoy the process of predicting break and speed—it’s like solving a puzzle.
Focus on your breathing to stay mentally clear and composed.
Difficulty Levels:
Level 1: Slow green, flat slope
Level 2: Medium green, light break
Pro Level: Fast green, sharp break
Conclusion
“Guided Green Reading” gives you a visual advantage as you train your green-reading skills. With each putt, you become more aware, more precise, and more confident in your ability to see and trust the line. This drill turns every roll into a learning moment—and every detail into an opportunity for improvement.