Reading Greens Part Two - Chapter 4
Determining Spot to Aim for and Target Line:
In our last how to putt chapter you analyzed and surveyed the green and now is the decision time to pick out your target line and the spot you will aim for. The way to simplify is visualize your putt as a straight line and a spot for where you want the ball to stop. Although in most cases the ball is not going to stop at the point you picked out because the slope of the green will curve the ball towards the hole.
Basically, you are taking into account all the factors of how the green is going react when you strike the ball and deciding on where you will aim for and how much speed you will apply to the ball.
Let's demonstrate with example below:
This example is a down hill putt that slopes to the right. By determining the total distance, say twelve feet, and a moderate down hill slope you are going to aim two feet to your left. The reason is once the ball starts to roll and losses speed it will start to curve to the right because of the left to right slope of the green.
Next, you are going to plan on striking the ball with the same force as if you were making a seven foot on a flat green. Because the green is sloping down hill, gravity well take over and keep the ball rolling.
In short, when you line up to putt your planning on making a straight seven foot putt that is roughly two feet left of the hole. The example diagram above illustrates your target line and spot to aim for.
The final step is to approach the ball and go through your set up routine using the imaginary yellow line as your target line. That is, your feet, shoulders and hips should all be parallel to the target line and your eyes directly over the ball. Your back stroke to use would be the same length as you would use for a seven foot putt on a flat green. This will compensate for the downward slope of the green so as not to hit ball too hard.
Remember that your body alignment will be to the imaginary target line.
The example to left is a downhill putt that breaks left with a much steeper slope.
As you can see from the illustration the golfer is planning on a very short putt to the right because the slope is so steep.
Determining your target line and the spot you are going to aim for is a judgement call but after practice and experience you well become proficient at this skill.
Once you make a decision on how you are going to play the putt do not second guess yourself while you are actually putting the ball.
Stay committed to your decision because any second guessing will most likely result in loosing your feel and rhythm. If you find yourself doing this then it is best to stop and step away and clear your mind then come back to the putt.
Below are three more illustrations covering target line and choosing your spot.
Straight Flat Putt with No Slope or Break
The example to the right is a simple straight putt with no breaks and ten feet to the hole.
The spot to aim for is about 4-5 inches behind the hole so we do not come up short.
Our goal is to line up parallel to the target line execute a putting stroke length for a ten foot putt.
Straight Uphill Putt with No Break
The next example will still be a 10 foot putt but this time the green is sloping directly up hill and there is no break to adjust for.
In this case we well plan on aiming past the hole roughly two feet to compensate for the uphill lie.
In other words, the amount of speed to apply to the ball would be the same as if we were making a 12 foot putt on a flat green.
Straight Uphill Putt that Breaks Right
The last illustration is same as previous except the hill rises from left to right.
With a uphill lie and the green sloping from left to right our putt well break to the right.
Our goal now is to choose a spot to the left of the green. The amount of speed to plan for would still be for a 12 foot putt to compensate for the uphill lie.
We are ready now to make a simple 12 foot straight putt in which we are aiming for the blue circle. By aiming left and applying extra force to the ball the tilt and slope of the green well guide the ball to the hole
The objective of this thought procedure is to simplify our putt when confronted with a green that has several factors to take into account.
By simplifying a difficult putt you are much more relaxed and increase your chances of a positive result. Keep in mind that it is the slope and tilt of the green that makes the curve and not your putting stroke.
In the next How to Putt Chapter we will be covering the importance of a pre-shot routine in order to become consistent in your putting game.
Continue to Next Lesson PrePutt Routine
List of all Articles & VideoTips
In our last how to putt chapter you analyzed and surveyed the green and now is the decision time to pick out your target line and the spot you will aim for. The way to simplify is visualize your putt as a straight line and a spot for where you want the ball to stop. Although in most cases the ball is not going to stop at the point you picked out because the slope of the green will curve the ball towards the hole.
Basically, you are taking into account all the factors of how the green is going react when you strike the ball and deciding on where you will aim for and how much speed you will apply to the ball.
Let's demonstrate with example below:
Next, you are going to plan on striking the ball with the same force as if you were making a seven foot on a flat green. Because the green is sloping down hill, gravity well take over and keep the ball rolling.
In short, when you line up to putt your planning on making a straight seven foot putt that is roughly two feet left of the hole. The example diagram above illustrates your target line and spot to aim for.
The final step is to approach the ball and go through your set up routine using the imaginary yellow line as your target line. That is, your feet, shoulders and hips should all be parallel to the target line and your eyes directly over the ball. Your back stroke to use would be the same length as you would use for a seven foot putt on a flat green. This will compensate for the downward slope of the green so as not to hit ball too hard.
Remember that your body alignment will be to the imaginary target line.
The example to left is a downhill putt that breaks left with a much steeper slope.
As you can see from the illustration the golfer is planning on a very short putt to the right because the slope is so steep.
Determining your target line and the spot you are going to aim for is a judgement call but after practice and experience you well become proficient at this skill.
Once you make a decision on how you are going to play the putt do not second guess yourself while you are actually putting the ball.
Stay committed to your decision because any second guessing will most likely result in loosing your feel and rhythm. If you find yourself doing this then it is best to stop and step away and clear your mind then come back to the putt.
Below are three more illustrations covering target line and choosing your spot.
Straight Flat Putt with No Slope or Break
The example to the right is a simple straight putt with no breaks and ten feet to the hole.
The spot to aim for is about 4-5 inches behind the hole so we do not come up short.
Our goal is to line up parallel to the target line execute a putting stroke length for a ten foot putt.
Straight Uphill Putt with No Break
The next example will still be a 10 foot putt but this time the green is sloping directly up hill and there is no break to adjust for.
In this case we well plan on aiming past the hole roughly two feet to compensate for the uphill lie.
In other words, the amount of speed to apply to the ball would be the same as if we were making a 12 foot putt on a flat green.
Straight Uphill Putt that Breaks Right
The last illustration is same as previous except the hill rises from left to right.
With a uphill lie and the green sloping from left to right our putt well break to the right.
Our goal now is to choose a spot to the left of the green. The amount of speed to plan for would still be for a 12 foot putt to compensate for the uphill lie.
We are ready now to make a simple 12 foot straight putt in which we are aiming for the blue circle. By aiming left and applying extra force to the ball the tilt and slope of the green well guide the ball to the hole
The objective of this thought procedure is to simplify our putt when confronted with a green that has several factors to take into account.
By simplifying a difficult putt you are much more relaxed and increase your chances of a positive result. Keep in mind that it is the slope and tilt of the green that makes the curve and not your putting stroke.
In the next How to Putt Chapter we will be covering the importance of a pre-shot routine in order to become consistent in your putting game.
Continue to Next Lesson PrePutt Routine
List of all Articles & VideoTips
