Are you a good green reader? This is a question that I have asked myself throughout my career. Beginning with junior golf, then college golf, and eventually playing in PGA Section events as a professional, I never really knew if I was a good green reader or not.

I knew I was a good putter. This was obvious when every scramble team I’ve ever played on usually wanted me to putt last. I’m not trying to brag… but let’s just say I didn’t miss very often. What is unique about this is that I get to watch the other players in my group hit the exact same putt three times! Therefore I didn't need to be a good green reader in that situation.

Fast forward to the present where I have completed AimPoint certification and can now, with more confidence than ever before, say that I am a good reader of the greens.

So what are some of the basics to reading a green? Yes… if you click here and sign up for one of my AimPoint Express clinics, you too can obtain a level of confidence that I have found in green reading. However, below I will explain some of the basics in green reading that can get your brain thinking correctly the next time you are playing golf.

Green Reading 101

The ball will roll downhill. Groundbreaking stuff I know. But seriously, the ball will roll downhill. Not toward the water, the setting sun, the mountains or the river… it rolls downhill.
Grain rarely affects the break. For those of you enjoying sunshine and warmth right now, you’re probably playing on greens that have a noticeable grain. Grain affects speed, which in turn could affect read, but that is all.
Learn to identify the slope with your feet. This is where an AimPoint Express clinic with me can help you tremendously. Your eyes will lie to you. Once you learn to detect slope with your feet, you will have a foolproof way to detect slope every time.

There’s a lot more to learn about reading a green, and as you’ve heard by now there is no better way to learn than by joining one of my AimPoint Express classes!