Putting is a big part of playing golf and to putt successfully you’ll need to learn how to read the green. While this art comes with experience, here are a few tips to help you get started. If the color of the grass appears to be a light shade, you know you are putting against the grain. That is, all those blades of grass are pointing towards you. If it’s dark, then you are down grain – the blades are pointing away from you.
Another way to tell is to scrape across it with the blade of your putter. If the blades brush up, you’re scraping against the grain. Only do this on the fringe of the green as it’s against golfing rules to do it on the green.
Yet another way to tell is to look at the cup. Often grass grows up against it and you can actually see which way the blades are growing.
Grain usually grows towards water, even if it’s saltwater like the ocean. If there is no ocean near your golf course, it will be most likely growing towards the setting sun.
When you step onto the green, be aware of any slopes and rises. If you feel a breeze on a high-set green, it will probably be fast.
Be aware of the feel of the ground under your feet. If it is hard, the green will be faster than if it has a soft spongy feel.
The push that each grass blade exerts on your ball is surprisingly strong. If you are putting into the grain, you’ll need a 20% harder hit than otherwise. Bermuda grass is the strongest.
If the ball breaks with the grain, you’ll need extra “borrow” on the putt. Conversely, if the grain is against the ball there will be less break. The same is true for long grass or short.
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