Learning how to read greens in golf is one of the most important lessons an amateur can learn, but some are oblivious to the key information that can be gathered on and around the putting surface.
When trying to improve their putting, using the best putting tips and drills, they often focus on other key areas like how to grip the putter or controlling speed on the greens – but at the expense of the crucial skill of green reading.
AimPoint helped me to reach my lowest ever handicap, and is therefore my preferred green reading method, but there are certain fundamentals that apply universally irrespective of your chosen process.
In this article, PGA Master Professional and Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Anders Mankert shares four pivotal green reading clues that you need to pay attention to every time you putt… or you could be frittering away unnecessary shots!
Green Reading In Golf: 4 Clues To Find Every Time You Putt
Anders Mankert
Anders is the owner and head professional at Leicester Golf Centre, with a coaching career spanning more than 28 years. In 2024, Anders received the title of Master PGA Professional – becoming only the 65th person in history to be awarded that accolade. His vast coaching experience has transformed the golf swing of many amateurs and professionals.
Clue 1: High Point
Reading a green starts way before you reach the putting surface, as there is so much information you can take in from the walk towards your ball. In the image below, I am looking for a few things – but initially I want to find the high point.
Once I can see the highest point of the green, I should be able to work out the direction that water would run. Here, the water would drain from the top right to the bottom left, so I already have an idea as to which way my putt could break.
Green reading starts before you even reach the putting surface, so be alert!
(Image credit: Tom Miles)
Clue 2: Grain Around The Hole
Analysing grain around the hole can provide key information. In the two images here, you can see one side of the hole has the grain towards it and the opposite side has the grain moving away from it.
A putt will always break more towards the ‘rough’ side of the hole, where the grain moves away…
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