Five Techniques to Use on Sloping Greens

Reading slopes correctly is vital to putting well. Allbetween the ball and the hole takes long range
putts start out straight, but the green's contourputting to another level of difficulty. The best way to
curves the ball. If you're going to improve yourlearn how to putt in this situation is to practice it. Try
putting and lower your golf handicap, then you mustthis drill to improve your long-range putting. Stand on
learn how to read a green's slope.one side of the green and putt the ball all the way
Reading a green's slope comes with experience, like aover to the other side. Try to get the ball as close to
lot of things in golf. The more you play, the betterthe green's fringe as possible, without going off the
you'll become at it, as I stress in my golf lessons.green Make a game of it with your friends.
Nevertheless, there are some proven techniques I'veTechnique #4: Play every putt as if it were straight
used that will make learning how to deal with slopingOne way to deal with slopes is to play every putt as
greens faster.if it were straight. This approach seems
Technique #1: Get used to the differences betweencontradictory, but Greg Norman relies on it when
fast and slow greensdealing with a sloping green. Norman, one of the
The green's slope determines the degree of breaktour's top money winners, uses this method when
on a putt. How much the putt breaks depends onconfronted with a sloping green. And he's not the
two factors: the ball's speed and the green's speedtour that does. When dealing with a sharply sloping
(In other words, whether the green is fast or slow).green, identify the putt's breaking point-the exact
In the summer, the ball tends to break more becausespot wide of the hole indicating the amount of break
the grass is shorter than in the winter, making thethe ball will take. Then putt the ball straight to it.
green faster. In the winter, the ball tends to breakTechnique #5: Deaden the impact on downhill putts
less because the grass is longer than in the summer,Most golfers would rather putt a ball uphill than
making the green slower. Take note of how fast ordownhill, especially on a fast green. But if you play a
slow the greens are the next time you play. Getlot of golf, you'll face a downhill putt on a fast green
used to the difference between them.sooner or later. One way to do this is to hit the ball
Technique#2: Assess the green's slope as youoff the putter's toe or off the putter's heel, close to
approach itthe hosel. Either way deadens the ball enough so you
Studying a green as you approach it from thecan take a somewhat normal putting stroke without
fairway yields a wealth of information, which canhitting the ball well past the hole. Which approach you
prove vital to sinking the shot. In general, a greenadopt is a matter of personal choice.
tends to slope more one way than another does.These five strategies on dealing with sloping greens
Take an overview of the green as you approach itwill help you learn to read the slopes on greens
to determine its slope. Note which way it slopes.faster. But no golf instruction, whether golf lesson or
Also, check to see if the grass is cut with the putt, ingolf tip, can teach you how to putt well. Only
which case the grass will appear lighter, or against thepractice can do that. Remember improving your
putt, in which case the grass will appear darker.putting is the fastest way to lower your scores and
Technique #3: Practice putting long-rangeyour golf handicap.
Learning to make long-range putts is difficult enoughLearn about bowling technique and bowling
without adding slopes or borrows. Adding slopesterminology at the Bowling Lessons site.