golf tips: the easy guide to reading the grain of a green
TRANSCRIPT
ST SSING YOP MI OUR
PUTTS! The easy guide to reading the grain of a green
the Grainis the texture made by blades of grass
pointing in a specific direction.
combine with the grain to create ‘breaks’ which can pull your ball off course.
ELEVATION CHANGES
But if you could go But if you could go ahead and pretend ahead and pretend grain is the grain is the only factor only factor right now,right now,
But if you could go ahead and pretend grain is the only factor right now,
That’d be great.That’d be great.That’d be great.
imagineYou’re putting on a perfectly flat surface.
Your ball
the hole
This is
and this is
In a perfect world you could hit it straight...
and the ball would go in.
In a perfect world you could hit it straight...
But if the grain is pulling the ball right...
But if the grain is pulling the ball right...
your putt will break right.
So, how do you figure out which way
THE GRAIN IS POINTING?
Walk in a circle around your balluntil the grasslooks lighter.
You’re looking in the direction of the grain.
When it’s darkeryou’re looking
against the grain.
Your ball moves
25% fasterputting with the grain,
25% slowerputting against the grain,
and it’s more likely to
swervewhen you’re putting across the grain.
from the blades of grass pushing against your ball.
frictionThis happens because of the
At first your ball moves too fast for the grain to catch it.
Which means the grain effects the last 1/3 of your putt the most
because your ball slows down.
At first your ball moves too fast for the grain to catch it.
This is why you should always view your putt from
both sides of the holeso you can get a clear view
of the last few feet of your putt.
other factorsto consider when looking at the grain.
Most courses mow their greens in a different direction every time
to minimize the grain.
Most courses mow their greens in a different direction every time
to minimize the grain.
A strong grain might bepurposefully laid to change the
difficulty of the hole.
Because the blades of grass move to point towards the sun.
the grain changesthroughout the day
The grain also tends to point to
like ponds and creeks.
water sources
improve your short gameWe hope this information helps you
next time you play!