Golf Tips & Quips

I have been having a reoccurring nightmare for the past couple of weeks. I'm on the 18th green standing over a putt from about 35 feet for par at the U.S. Open. I have a one shot lead. Make the putt and I win. Two putt and I go to a playoff. Three putt and I go home with my head hung low.

I take my stroke and immediately I know I have left it short. I choked. Now I have a testy left to righter down hill just to make it into the playoff. My hands are shaking as I stand over the putt. I back off. I stand over the putt again, make the stroke, and disaster. Miss on the low side. The "dream" is over.

Nothing kills a round faster than having too many three putts on the scorecard. I shot my best score the other day an 83, but still had four three putts. If I had two putted each of those holes I would have posted a 79.

When I get outside of 20 feet, I have trouble judging the pace of my putts, especially if there is any kind of break to it. And forget about it if the green looks anything like the one below. Teaching pros always say that pace is the most important aspects of putting. When you have good pace, you always give yourself a chance to make the putt.

I always catch The Golf Fix with Michael Breed on Monday nights and tonight he gave us five tips to reading greens. I'll be sure to pay attention more when I am on the green and to the landscape surrounding it.

Michael Breed's 5 Hints To Reading Greens

1.Find The Clubhouse

The ball will roll away from the clubhouse. The clubhouse is usually situated on the highest part of the course. This is for scenic effect. When your in the clubhouse, it's always nice to look out over the course. The other reason is so that when it rains, the water drains away from the clubhouse.

2.Know Where The Bunkers Are Located Around The Greens

Bunkers usually have a lip on them and the ball tends to roll away from these points on the green.

3.Take Notice Of The Water Surrounding The Green

The terrain on a green tends to slope down towards the water. When it rains the water has to go somewhere and it naturally goes to where the rest of the water is. This is a great hint because we know that where there is water, the break will tend to be that way.

4.Walk Around The Green/Weight Distribution

Take a stroll around the green. Feel the lay of the land beneath your feet. If you are tilted in one direction then that's a hint to which way a putt will break.

5.Take Notice Of Your Playing Partner's Putt

Everyone loves when you are just inside of your buddies ball, on the same line. Mark your ball and then take out your note book. Take notice of the pace and the break of their putt. This will be a good indicator of what your putt will do.

My goal is to break 80 by the end of 2010 and if I am to do that, I can't have any three putts. Hopefully, after practicing these tips, I will be free of my nightmare and be able to start dreaming about making lots of birdies. Have a good one and always hit your target.



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