"If Only the Equipment Is Good... You Have to Read the Green Well"

Direction and line reading, distance harmony are important
Putting skills can improve through practice
Final 5-minute practice before heading to hole 1

To become a 'putting master,' equipment and grip are not everything. You need to properly understand the green during actual play to increase your success rate. A powerful 300-yard driver shot counts as one stroke, and a putt of just 30cm is also the same one stroke. This is why putting is important. Missing a short putt can shake your confidence and affect your play in the next hole. Successful putting requires harmony between direction, reading the line, and distance control.

Kim Joo-hyung is carefully reading the line on the 2nd hole of the 2nd round at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Naples (USA) = AFP·Yonhap News

Once on the green, focus on the distance and break line up to the previous hole before putting. Carefully read the ball’s position vertically and horizontally. Pay special attention to the slope. On a downhill slope, a birdie chance can turn into a bogey. Identify the inflection points where the ball curves on steep slopes. Walk directly to the hole to understand the ball’s path and the green’s condition, then set a virtual target.

The green is sensitive. Various variables affect the ball’s roll. It is important to understand the condition and grain of the green. Speed varies depending on the grain. Check whether it is with the grain or against it. With the grain means the grass lies in the direction the ball rolls, offering less resistance and faster speed. Be careful not to hit too hard when putting with the grain. When the grass lies against the grain, the ball rolls slower. Hit stronger than usual. Paying attention to grain reading helps prevent '3-putts.'

Before the putting stroke, follow a pre-shot routine. Let both arms hang naturally, set up the putter toward the target with your right hand, then place your left hand on top in that order. There is no need to grip tightly. A tight grip causes tension and stiffens both hands, negatively affecting control. Focus on pulling the putter straight back and then bringing it straight forward. During impact, there is a slight pushing sensation. Release naturally.

Stroke with a smooth tempo. Both hands, arms, and shoulders move at the same speed. Distance control is vital in putting. Practice hitting the ball to land within a 1-meter diameter circle centered on the hole from different distances such as 5m, 10m, and 15m.

Even if you understand the green well, practice is essential. Unlike drivers or irons, which take time to show training effects, putting is different. You can immediately reduce your strokes proportional to the time invested. Lay down a mat at home and invest just 5 minutes daily. If you don’t have equipment, practice by stacking two 500-won coins and removing one. On the course, spend 5 minutes before your round. After getting used to the speed on the practice green, move to the first hole.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.