As my 10 year old daughter told me... "Dad, I know... I know. It is about the PROCESS!"
Great putting is about the process. About following a routine that allows for a great, repeatable result. Many players believe that great putting starts and ends with a great stroke. Granted a great stroke helps but it is by far not the only factor. Here is how I focus on total putting to make great putting!
GETTING READY TO PLAY - SPEED CONTROL!
First, great putting cannot happen on the course until the player understands and can control the speed of their golf ball. Every golf course and indeed every green is a different speed. The Superintendent attempts to do everything they can to ensure consistent green speeds but realistically it is the players responsibility to figure out the conditions.
Factors of controlling speed in putting can start with the type of golf course you are playing (private versus public versus resort), the event (normal play versus Club Championship), type of grass (poa, fescue or bent) and weather (wet versus dry). Once at the course the player must build into their warm up routine a drill to determine speed. Is the speed quicker or slower than what you are used to?
Here is a list of questions I use to formulate my speed control.
1) What facility am I playing? Is it a private, public, or resort course?
- private tends to be the quickest due to the lack of play and higher resources available.
- public can be the slowest due to over use and high level of play coupled with a lower amount to spend on maintenance.
2) What event am I playing in?
- the higher in prestige the event generally the faster the green speeds... On a normal day green speeds may be slower.
3) Grass conditions
- bent greens (such as at Augusta National) can be the fastest greens!
- fescue greens look fast (and can be) but aren't as fast as they seem.
- poa greens can be quick but late in the day they can be come bumpy from growth and foot prints.
Keep these general factors in mind.
1) The golf course superintendent seeks to keep all the greens the same speed. But this isn't as easy as it sounds.
2) Generally a player cannot tell the difference in 1/2 of foot change in speed.
3) Make sure to use your home golf course as your base line speed. Take the knowledge from your home course and apply it to a new course.
4) Factor in slope when looking at speed.
5) On fast greens uphill putts are actually quite slow!
ON THE GOLF COURSE - BE AWARE!
Many times on the golf course players are not mindful of the many factors in play. Where is the green located? Is it higher on the course, more exposed to sun/wind or large green (all factors that might indicate a faster surface)? Or is the green lower, in the shade or smaller and surrounded by bunkers (all factors that might indicate a slower surface) Changes in the weather, temperature and time of day can all effect putting.
While walking onto a green players should be mindful of any big "pulls" on the course. The Pacific Ocean at Bandon Dunes or Pebble Beach are classic examples. Other small water features around the green are factors to consider.
Here is a list of factors I am aware of on the course:
1) Where does the green lie? A lower green, protected from the wind and in the shade are all factors that mean slower conditions. Higher green and exposed to wind and sun may be quicker.
2) As I walk toward the green I am aware of the large and general land fall. What direction will water run off the green?
3) Once on the green I will feel with my feet for any softer (and maybe wetter) areas on the green.
4) I look at the color and condition of the grass. Are there any discoloration for the grass that might indicated unhealthy plant?
5) I will look for any minor low points or high points. A minor point is a swale or a bunker located next to the green. This will act as a secondary pull that will influence (but not override) the primary influence. For instance a ball will break TOWARD the ocean or stream but break less if a bunker is on that same side. Play from this bunker has deposited sand onto the green and will mute the pull of the ocean.
As you will notice as you read this article terms such as "generally" and "often" and "most times" are used. This is because while these topics work most of the time they do not work all of the time. The player must be mindful of all conditions and sometimes, even when you consider all the factors and strike the putt perfectly.... Your ball hits a spike mark and the putt (and all your investigation) is LOST!
If you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.
Your friend in golf....
John Grothe, PGA
john.grothe@gmail.com
