Putting- Sticking with your first read

[ScienceBoy]

Currently the greens are very bobbly and not turning as much as usual for the most part.

This has resulted in me standing over putts and second guessing myself. Usually I have the rule that my first read is right and most of the time when I stand over it I agree with the read.

Today I stood over a 15 foot birdie putt and though... This is really not going to take the break I read as the greens are not turning!

I adjusted and rolled the smegger in!

I still belive I have to stick with my first read and belive in the line. I have also been told that if your read from behind and over do not match your eyes may not be over the ball. I think this is true for some putts but others are deceptive from that angle and are better read from behind.

Does anyone else second guess themselves at their cost frequently? No matter how hard I try I still sometimes do it and miss.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Padraig told us..have I told you that I met Padraig Harrington??

PH said that amateurs mis-read greens by a factor of 3. He reckons it's a scientific fact.

So, next time you're stood over a snaking 15 footer - allow yourself more break.

 

[Iaing]

Colin Montgomerie has also said that amateurs would hole more putts if they hit everything straight at the hole.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I have done been caught out by this many times.

I think you have to trust what you see when you look at the putt from behind with your eyes level. When you are standing over the ball you do not get the same persprective. If I adjust to what I see at that point I find it is nearly always wrong.

 

[thecraw]

Colin Montgomerie has also said that amateurs would hole more putts if they hit everything straight at the hole.

Ian, I believe he was talking about shorter putts when he said that.

I'm also a believer that first read is usually the best read.

 

[Iaing]

Colin Montgomerie has also said that amateurs would hole more putts if they hit everything straight at the hole.

Ian, I believe he was talking about shorter putts when he said that.

I'm also a believer that first read is usually the best read.

Fair point Crawford !!

 

[Karl102]

Am sure it's psychological but i always get a different read from behind the ball than when I am stood over it. The one from behind the ball is always the correct one though! Doesn't help matters, but go with the read from behind the ball!

 

[ScienceBoy]

Only once today did I change my mind over a ball and it was the most off line putt of the day! I think I just need to discipline myself to stick with the first read and not "guide" the ball to the hole.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm guilty of seeing the borrow at the moment and then allowing way too much break. Can't decide if its me reading too much into it, the greens being slower and so not breaking as much or the fact that I'm a numpty