| Let's consider for a moment some basic putting | | | | and before you make the stroke. Watch the touring |
| instruction that might just enable us to conquer the | | | | pros on TV. For any putt that's not a tap-in, they |
| 3-putts. Sure, everybody 3-putts greens, but we can | | | | always go through their routine. And, if they're |
| certainly take some steps to to reduce the frequency | | | | distracted or have any uncertainty, they'll step back |
| of that dreaded occurrence. To me, there is nothing | | | | and start the routine all over again. |
| more disheartening than playing a hole well from tee to | | | | Your putting routine should be based on solid |
| green only to take three strokes on the putting | | | | fundamentals that produce positive results. And, since |
| surface. | | | | you have this assurance that your routine gives you a |
| Let's begin by properly reading the green. Have you | | | | great chance of success, your confidence is bolstered. |
| ever hit what you thought was a pretty good putt that | | | | That element of confidence is absolutely critical. Good |
| broke to the right when you played it to break to the | | | | putters always think they'll make the next one. So, |
| left? Now you're looking at a pretty long second putt | | | | after you read your putt, you might try a routine like |
| and a pretty good chance of a 3-putt. Your putting | | | | this: |
| mechanics were sound, but your read was horrible. | | | | Take a few relaxed practice strokes, visualizing the |
| Here are some fundamental green reading guidelines: | | | | ball rolling down the target line and into the hole |
| Greens normally slope from back to front | | | | Place your eyes directly over the ball |
| A putt from the left side of the green will generally | | | | Set the putter face square to the target line |
| break to your right | | | | Align your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders parallel to |
| A putt from the right side of the green will generally | | | | the target line |
| break to your left | | | | Look at the hole one time, look back at the ball, and |
| Greens normally slope with the overall slant of the | | | | immediately putt |
| terrain | | | | In summary, make a proper read of your putt and go |
| Greens normally slope toward water hazards | | | | right into your putting routine. Trust your read and putt |
| Most of a putt's break will occur near the hole when | | | | with confidence. Take this putting instruction, mix in |
| the ball is slowing down | | | | some practice, and watch those 3-putts start |
| The next step in our putting instruction is the putting | | | | disappearing from your round. |
| routine. That's what you do after you read the putt | | | | |