Keys Talked about In video above
Mastering Straight Putts – Become proficient at straight 5-foot putts. It helps build the ability to control the start line. Recognizing Slope Percentages – Understand how to identify and estimate slopes (1%, 2%, 3%, etc.). Reading Green Speed – Knowing the speed of the greens and how it impacts the break is key. Faster greens break more. Visualizing the Full Putt – Visualizing the entire putt path, including where the ball will enter the hole. Adapting to Multiple Slopes – On longer putts with multiple slopes, it’s important to focus on the second half of the putt, as the ball slows and is more affected by slope. Using Simple Math for Green Reading – Applying a straightforward formula (paces, slope, etc.) to determine how much a putt will break is a practical skill for consistent green reading. Blending Line and Speed – Combining the correct line with the right speed is vital to making more putts. Part 1: The Math for Pacing Off Putts
Start by walking from your ball to the hole, counting the number of paces. Each pace is roughly 3 feet, so a 5-pace walk is about a 15-foot putt. Identify the Slope Percentage Assess the slope of the green by standing halfway between your ball and the hole, looking uphill. Decide if the slope is around 1%, 2%, or 3%. (Number of paces) x 2 – 1 = inches of break for a 1% slope.
For example, a 6-pace putt (about 18 feet) on a 1% slope would break 11 inches (6 x 2 – 1 = 11 inches). Multiply the result by the slope percentage to adjust. So for a 2% slope, multiply by 2; for a 3% slope, multiply by 3. Adjust for Uphill or Downhill Uphill putts break less, so you can reduce the expected break slightly. Downhill putts break more, so increase the expected break based on your experience and green speed. Part 2: Dialing in Speed with the Clock System
Understand the Clock System Visualize the hole as the center of a clock, with 12:00 being straight behind the hole and 6:00 being straight in front. Your goal is to match the line and speed, imagining the ball entering the hole at the appropriate "hour" based on the break. Based on the break, decide where the ball should enter the hole. For example, if the break moves left to right, the ball might enter the hole around 7:00 or 8:00 on the clock face. Adjust the entry point based on the slope—larger breaks mean the ball enters closer to 9:00 or 3:00. Visualize the Full Putt Path Picture the ball’s path from the starting point all the way to the hole. This will help you adjust your stroke for both speed and direction. Practice Your Speed Control Take practice strokes while focusing on the feel of the putt’s speed. Aim for the ball to roll just past the hole, typically a foot past is ideal. Ensure your speed matches the line. A putt that’s too fast won’t have enough break, and a slow putt will break too much. Faster greens (higher stimps) require lighter strokes, while slower greens need more force. Practice adjusting your speed to match the green's speed, keeping in mind that faster greens also result in more break. By following these steps, you’ll systematically handle both the line and speed of your putts, leading to better accuracy and confidence on the greens
Putting
