How to start reading greens like a pro

Mastering the ability to read greens is one of the most effective ways to lower your scores and in this PGA Play article, we reveal the secrets.

Reading a green involves looking down at the line on which the ball will travel to the hole. This also means looking at the slope (the direction the green tilts) to work out what direction your ball is likely to roll.

Putting is a part of the game golfers can find tricky. But you can quickly improve your accuracy and confidence on the green.

We spoke to PGA Professional and coach Ellie Brown, who gave us three top tips to help you sink more putts and read the greens like a pro.

Tip 1: Read the putt from multiple angles 

Most golfers only look at their putt from behind the ball, but that is just one part of reading greens. To get the best read, you need to take a look from several angles, especially from the low side of the hole. You will find the low side (the side of the hole that slopes downwards, where the ball will most likely roll to) gives you the clearest view of the slope, helping you better understand which way the ball will break (break meaning the direction the ball will role in based on the slope). 

The more perspectives you get, the more accurate your read will be.

Tip 2: Feel the Slope with Your Feet 

This is one of my favourite techniques. No doubt you will have seen pros using it at big events. All golfers will tell you that your eyes can sometimes play tricks on you, but your feet won’t. To feel the slope with your feet, walk along the line of your putt and look out for how your weight shifts. If you feel more pressure on one foot, then that’s the low side and where your ball will most likely break. The greater the difference you feel in weight distribution, the more severe the break will be.

Tip 3: Imagine the hole filled with water 

A simple visual that can make a big difference is picturing the hole filled with water. What you need to think about is where would the water pour out? That is the direction the green slopes and the direction your putt is going to break.

During your next round of golf, try these three, simple techniques and I promise you the results will be night and day. They will speak for themselves. With a bit of practice, you’ll start to trust your reads more. In time you will ultimately roll in more putts and with more confidence. 

Looking to improve your golf game? Find a golf lesson in your local area.