Preston Combs

GREEN READING - HOW EXACT DO YOU NEED TO BE?

Everyone wants to know how precise does your ability to feel slope need to be to be have a chance to make the putt. It’s a good-news-bad-news scenario. Let’s start with the good.

In testing, playing a 2% slope worked well for putts ranging from 1.5-2.3%. That’s a healthy range of slopes that you can play 2% and the putt still works out. That should be comforting.

Now for the bad news. You need good speed for any of this to matter.

But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! The range of ball speeds at the hole range from 1.1-1.3mph. That window is a very acceptable with putts finishing roughly 6-18 past the cup.

So, for all of you players new to green reading or ESPECIALLY the ones who have said they can’t be exact enough… Relax. Give it another go. And know you have some room.

As for the lip out, the 1.1mph ball speed on the 2.3% slope doesn’t work out. Sometimes good putts just don’t go in. Welcome to golf.

Welcome to strategies to putt better. #PrestonsPutting

@quinticgolf @paulhurrion @zengreenstage