Reading Greens 101 - How to Read Golf Putts for Speed and Break on Bent Grass Greens

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

I'm humbled that I'm able to teach you *anything* at all, playa - I'm not a scratch golfer. I think there are good kernels of wisdom in this video. The only thing we didn't have the time to cover that day was the - dare I say - philosophical component to all of this. What state of mind are we in on the greens? The second I take my last full swing, I try to flip a mental switch - "We're done propelling the ball with a golf club. Now we're playing this new game - putting! I *love* putting!" I'm not fearing the upcoming strokes, I'm licking my chops because I *relish* this part of the game - this is where I have an advantage. I don't need to be a musclebound athlete, I can just be me. It's important to love putting. Once I'm in that state, I'm also activating more of my senses in order to perceive what's going on around me. I'm taking in the topography through my feet. I'm feeling how cold/wet the air is (and, in turn, how wet the grass is). Then, I'm going through the routine we covered in this video. Note: I'm doing much of this *while other players are putting* - you can do this entire routine while maintaining pace very easily. In those few minutes between my last swing and my first putting stroke, I've settled into a zen state. By the time I make the stroke, I'm at peace. I know I do 50,000,000 things wrong in the golf swing. Hell, I know even my putting stroke isn't good, but it doesn't matter - I'm in the zone. I'm not doubting myself and making jerky putting strokes. My tempo is smooth. The ball rolls off my putter. It goes in the hole or it doesn't. Afterwards, I evaluate the questions: "was my read correct?" & "did I hit my line?" Hope that's useful!

[@JayHurt]

I love the idea of "I love putting." It changes the entire mindset over the ball. Thinking about that part of the game as something you look forward to makes the entire process better. Thanks for sharing!!!

[@FloridaGuitarMan]

This is an amazing concept: flip the mental switch. Even if I can't get into a zen state, I can absolutely be present on the green - not thinking about the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or whatever strokes that got me on the green; not thinking about the next hole. Just BE ON THE GREEN. Between that concept and the green-reading tips, I'm really excited to play this weekend.

[@GolfSidekick]

I was going to elaborate on this topic we talked about after this video. But i guess Spoiler McSpoilerson Adam had to drop the sexy blinding truths. Hopefully people take the time to read this. The biggest thing that changed when i got back to thailand was too LOVE PUTTING. THE GREEN IS MY KINGDOM. Thanks to adam and Bob Rotella. The two putting gods

[@johnnyhunter]

Wonderfully described, Adam. You're bang on here.

[@fundymentalism]

Man if I played golf at all, I'd prolly have improved from watching this lol

[@pipedown7969]

The tip about using roof lines to gauge what is flat is ABSOLUTELY MONEY! thank you, I will be trying this today

[@GolfSidekick]

Never heard of it before. Amazing

[@wilks1878]

The horizon tip is one I picked up a while ago, and really helps on tricky greens. The way I had it explained to me was, you can't bring out a level and measure the ground, but you know who did have a level? The guy who made that house. Or that snack hut, or installed that bench, or made that fence, etc etc etc.

[@leothebub]

Whatdaplaya! I used the roottop trick and looked at the slope from the side today, and one putted for BIRDIE!

[@Randsurfer]

This video is incredibly cool. You guys just chatting, you are more coherent than 99% of pros on videos.

[@johnmauro9175]

This has been really amazing. My two favorite golfers. I have learned and progressed by watching both of you. Literally every video I pick a helpful nugget from both of you. Thank you both for doing what you do. Please keep posting girlfriends!

[@restey5979]

The whole optical illusion aspect of how our eyes are tricked by various aspects of the terrain surrounding the green was one of those "of course" moments for me. I've been to places like Magnetic Hill where your eye convinces your brain that you're on a down slope ...while your car coasts UP the "hill". Great Video. Thanks.

[@farfromprogolf2065]

Love the tour tip. In interests of pace of play if I have to move quickly I'll just assess the slope profile from a spot perpendicular to the line (on the low side as Adam recommends) and return to the ball vs walking all the way around. Takes 10 seconds and is super helpful.

[@GolfSidekick]

Exactly. Take what works, reject what doesnt. Easy game

[@ohk3214]

I applied these concepts yesterday and sank more 10+ footers than I can remember (and planned the roll-out on my chips more accurately, too). These are the two money concepts: The first is reading your break in the micro in the context of the macro. Where’s the high point in the broader landscape around you? The low point? The second is, when you dial into the micro for your putt, to go physically stand on the low side of the break to (1) confirm your assessment, and (2) gather more information on the *degree* of slope. Multiple times when I did this, I found the break was more severe than it appeared when just squatting behind the ball and looking at it. Thank you playas, both scratch and not-scratch.

[@FloridaGuitarMan]

This is the putting video I have been searching for! Great work Adam

[@dj-flights7376]

Just have to say wow!! The using the roof lines idea just worked great for me today!! I could really visualize the ball entry path into the cup, I made some great putts and chips as a result of green reading from this tip. GAME CHANGER IS RIGHT! I'm using this from now on!

[@randymarion2466]

The flat line of houses and buildings is a good tip and I will put that in the bag. My home course has very little in the way of such things and I have found it useful to always consider the overall drainage of the land, which works out to be the same thing. Very interesting video as I am coming at it from the other direction... where I live all the greens are cooler weather w/o grain. I did watch your video on dealing w/ greens with grain just prior to a recent golf trip to Myrtle Beach, SC where I played a number of courses that had grainy greens. I did not get very good on those greens, but it was painfully obvious that to me that I MUST consider the grain along with everything else... Your tips on color change and how that affects pace were huge and I thank you for that...

[@ethanlee7642]

Great video. This is actually how I learned to putt when I am reading the greens. You should also do a vlog w judging speed.

[@joeplatko4027]

Picking a good time to play pebble, we’re finally getting some decent weather on the coast

[@jackkinoff6943]

Love to see you do a video on this subject but on Thailand conditions You have a wealth of info to drill down on there

[@duffer0309]

Great Video, I never thought about looking at roof lines to get an idea of slope. I don’t have the patience to walk around the green. I guess I have to learn to be patient. A friend at work once told me I could never be a Dr. I asked why and he looked at me and said: Because you have no patience.

[@jimh5288]

On those "ram it in" putts that you know have a bit of a break, I try to aim at the right or left side of the pin. (I almost always leave the pin in)

[@GolfSidekick]

That’s a good tip

[@Bowmanmf]

Love it! Nice work fellas. Role models ✌️🙏. I find that my eyes are no good for reading the general slope. I’ve started standing over my line, feeling which foot is higher (eyes closed even?). I reckon we have really sensitive “levels” in our brains for balance. I’ve been reading greens much better since. Cheers!

[@GolfSidekick]

I like that. Role models. Roll models. Very clever Playa

[@ssjackson5400]

Thanks, I needed this. I have gotten good at hitting putts on a line and with the proper pace, which is important, but still incomplete without the correct read.

[@garyhovey9305]

Adam is a friggin stud on the greens.

[@brentcloete9304]

Can't wait for the pebble vid

[@GolfSidekick]

Me too

[@fikanuryahati9816]

Finally. This was much needed.

[@GolfSidekick]

For me too

[@josephmeyer2582]

I find looking at the color of the grass helpful. In the beginning of the video, the grass closer to you is darker than the grass closer to the hole. When grass is darker, that means uphill, and when the grass is lighter, downhill.

[@GolfSidekick]

Can vary depending on grass type

[@felipecarrasco5399]

Growing up in Arizona around constant elevation change I use the "water takes the path of least resistance" method.

[@alexisagolfer]

Can't wait for your visit to Pebble mate! Thank's for another great video! 🙏😊

[@ndnd1671]

Bermuda = grain effects it a lot... more so than slope. Downhill down grain watch out cause it's supper fast! Bent grass/ poa annua = slope effects more than grain but still got to pay attention to grain it will add tiny bit more or less break to it poa annua = watch for bumpy greens in the afternoon after everyone walking on them

[@billp3547]

Some of the best advice I’ve ever seen, thanks!

[@GolfSidekick]

It was stirringly eye opening

[@rick20193]

Working on my lag putting because my chipping is feeling like a struggle. So I am out there practicing to find something I can rely on.

[@JB-yf4nh]

Some handy tips, hopefully I can remember these once I'm on the course.

[@Mannchini]

Excellent putting video. I always rush my putts and only look from one angle. Trying this next time out!

[@tonybytheway7543]

Great video, will definitely try this. Thanks guys!

[@drroger98]

Been crap putting recently. Took the ideas from the previous video to the course today. Made 3 1 putts from 6-10 feet. No 3 putts. Adam you are a putting at least demigod

[@GolfSidekick]

Love that girlfriend. Wait till you see what u discovered when i got back to thailand

[@timothymoore6944]

Respecting every shot is the theme for this video.

[@GolfSidekick]

That’s very true Playa

[@ajfatca]

as someone who grew up on bent grass greens that is now on bermuda, this is great content but i really need something like this for bermuda greens hahahaha

[@RSMover]

Check out his Matt's putting playlist. He has a whole 20 minute video about switching to bermuda. Changed my life!

[@GolfSidekick]

I have a good video on it. Its actually amazing

[@ajfatca]

@@RSMover good thank you!

[@ajfatca]

@@GolfSidekick awesome I will need to watch that, thank you

[@RamanKumar-mi6nn]

Before even starting the video a mandatory like for whattaplaya life

[@GolfSidekick]

Wadda liker

[@tonylewis8370]

Really insightful. Think would need to practice on my own or mates might tell me to hook it taking too long over putts but practice will make it quicker. Great video.

[@scallywagturk]

I was due to be in Pebble from Friday for the week for a work conference but had a nightmare with my passport renewal. I'm a Saffa living in the UK and my green mamba screwed me over delaying the process. Enjoy it bra.

[@GolfSidekick]

Be like me. Get your European citizenship

[@hjm33]

Great tips…I’m always rushing and I don’t walk the whole green , that is why i miss so much. Thanks for the video

[@normansmyth2079]

If any of my mates give me grief for taking too long assessing putts I ask them what takes more time, reading and one putting (or two putt tap in) or three putting? This is some great putting content and glad to see you on North American grass baus, because many of your South African tips don't apply to me in terms of grain and 'hole burn' (hehe).

[@GolfSidekick]

Thai tips. South Africa we play bent. That’s why i can’t putt in america! Haven’t played bent regularly for ten years

[@michaelblum3973]

Roof line. worth the cost of admission.

[@GolfSidekick]

My biggest tip I’ve ever heard. Never seen it before this

[@atxrich]

Properly reading greens and commitment is a sure way to lower scores. Good luck at Pebble!

[@cinciclone]

Green reading is probably my biggest weakness. Not sure how the horizon helps but I will be giving this a try.

[@benlaforce2915]

Really solid video! This guy putts

[@troyskiles6030]

Your fine, dude. Just get out on PB and be the playa you are. You will putt like a Baus! Go get 'em and have fun!

[@GolfSidekick]

Of course playa. Need a little narrative :)

[@jakeboes6896]

This was extremely helpful. I don’t think and plan nearly enough on greens and wonder why I’m three putting

[@GolfSidekick]

Yeah you don’t need to be a tour pro. But while everyone is doing their thing, use up the time for your shot. Helps a lot to just GET COMMITTED

[@miguelcastillo306]

Excellent video!

[@lotabigs4458]

Great video, he puts like a BOSS because he has his own methodical borderline scientific method.

[@GolfSidekick]

Yes. Exactly. Do it your way. Harness the good block out the bad

[@NotAScratchGolfer]

@@GolfSidekick Psycho

[@wesmann8055]

Fantastic, super helpful video!

[@MikeSmith-xm5zv]

I am not a member of the usga or the r&a. So I am fine with putting my phone (using the Ridgid level application) on the green for a second when I am confused. If you find a fone on a green, it's probably mine. Also if you find a rangefinder sitting on a par 3 tee box, please send it to me....

[@GolfSidekick]

Wadda man. I love that

[@richarddarrah2014]

I would add... always inspect the cup, the worn edge will indicate where the balls are hitting into the cup, indicating the general turn at the cup. Good advice all around.

[@GolfSidekick]

Depends on if you play grainy greens or not. There were no burn marks on the bent grass i played. There are on Bermuda.

[@TheDailyBTCShort]

Needed this! Waddaplaya Adam is!

[@sirjustis]

Great takeaways from this!!

[@GolfSidekick]

Better than a chicken tikka Masala

[@THEFITNESS411]

Good stuff thanks boys 👏

[@GOBGOLF]

Keep up the great content!!!! GOB!!!

[@shREDhead44]

If you were to pour water on the green, where would it drain out to? That's where the ball is going to go, its a good starting point for me.

[@danyoung365]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@GolfSidekick]

A lot more than i was expecting!

[@hughten]

Me watching this video: Soooo THAT'S why I suck at putting. Thanks for you and Adam for posting this. Now I have even more things to think about on the golf course. :-)

[@GolfSidekick]

You don’t suck. You just haven’t found your self yet

[@wesleylatimer1284]

putting is the great equaliser i love how its the most important thing about golf but takes the least amount of "swing mechanics" literally anybody can putt even if they have never picked up a club in their life. being good at putting is another story though...

[@2hiroshima]

Go Ninja go with the new Zef flow

[@axgibsonprs27]

I dig it!

[@johnmarle6037]

What would you say is the best method for someone with one eye

[@alcw625]

I imagine water running out of a hose..which way would gravity take it…then I look for any water body…lake, stream, etc…or obvious low point. Pick you break point and aim for that…short putts I aim for back of cup, not a dribble into front lip.

[@vonteflon]

“Cart golf is the single worst creation in golf.” Could not agree more mate.

[@ToddPlaysGolf]

If only I had this type of time to check all this, my play partners already have a fast pace lol.

[@mrkipling3841]

Excellent!

[@garrettrose3072]

This is like a Marvel movie where two of my favorite golf KZbinrs come together for the greatest mash up of all time.

[@3offthetee362]

Will Adam be playing Pebble with you? He was there recently...maybe hire him to caddy for the round

[@hinjon]

I'm really curious to know what airline you and Adam were discussing!

[@fatlittleparasite]

I would guess spirit with those dorky yellow planes.

[@hinjon]

@@fatlittleparasite 100% my guess too, but still never know. There are so many low level airlines out there.

[@Criscross292]

Interesting how the road itself is lower and how it gradually arcs downward creates this illusion that the left side is lower.

[@AP-rc7cx]

man you are da best! great vid Can we get that waddaplaya fleece someday? however you need to grow into that one ;-) little bit tooo big for you ;-)

[@GolfSidekick]

Yes in September boyfriend

[@mattguyer]

All good info. One thing though, riding in a cart drinking beers and just enjoying a round with your buddies can’t compare to walking 18 holes for a decent score

[@GolfSidekick]

True

[@marksimpson2321]

Jakke Nickleass would be mighty proud of 'Not a Scratch Golfer's use of all the environmental information about reading putts.

[@GolfSidekick]

*djack niccleaus

[@marksimpson2321]

@@GolfSidekick I don't know but his name is very difficult to spell.

[@Hashpipe36]

How did you afford to hire Sam Harris for a golf lesson?! Great information here. I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing this, sir.

[@GolfSidekick]

San and i go way back

[@haamaanaa]

"Take more time to GET COMMITTED! I'm too rushed." same thing I keep telling myself every time I go to any course, and then somehow I always forget it from the 1st tee onwards and only remember at 18th green again......

[@GolfSidekick]

Agreed. It’s hard to get out of it. I’ll rush putting by not using my time. And then think I’m not rushing but I’m just rushing Little bit less

[@duffer0309]

@@GolfSidekick I wish I knew how not rush. Today I had a put the I miss read. When I walked up to the ball, there’s this big slope. All I had to do is walk up to the damn pin.

[@walkwithmetravel3596]

Why put all that pressure on Pebble? There's no way to overcome it, just have fun.

[@GolfSidekick]

‘Drama’

[@grousgrek6560]

Had to be spirit airline hahaha

[@tlbig10]

Note to self: watch this before every round of golf.

[@geralddinkleson4201]

This video will be the sole purpose I shave 10 shots off my handicap

[@andrewleventis8341]

aah from SA, I was right just after 10m

[@garylivingston144]

would it ever be acceptable to say this putt breaks right instead of left to right???

[@BigfootsWeeNuk]

Read it ! Roll it ! Hole it !⛳

[@ChristianRealEstateMatching]

Dude don’t those damn pilots know you’re trying to shoot a video??

[@jsiravo07]

One other main tip. Don’t overthink, don’t take too much time, we are not pros

[@GolfSidekick]

Yes but taking 10 seconds of conscious time while others are hitting is far better than rushing for a three putt.

[@ThePwig]

I'll keep saying it, Not a Scratch Golfer nails the line so well, he just needs to work on his stroke. He inadvertently puts side spin on lots of putts. I wonder if his putter is the kind that he would actually benefit from the most. It's almost like it's too heavy.

[@GolfSidekick]

I don’t think he should listen to that advice

[@forbsy2116]

How to play a 6hr round

[@GolfSidekick]

Only if your brain is switched off…

[@dalewolver8739]

I would break out the Ouija board and use that

[@dereklakeland]

First!

[@scottcrouch4476]

All of us in the States are too rushed cause of the pace of play nazis.

[@GolfSidekick]

I’ve noticed that playa

[@NoahJGriego]

Boyfriend...it makes me sad to see you so focused on score at Pebble when you've done such an amazing job teaching me how to shoot low....by not caring about the score.

[@GolfSidekick]

You’ll see the pebble video. It’s not like that

[@NoahJGriego]

@@GolfSidekick As always, excited to check it out!

[@hoondogg61]

Take off your sunglasses.

[@GolfSidekick]

Shut up dad

[@hoondogg61]

@@GolfSidekick 🤣😉