Struggling to Determine Between Slightly Uphill or Slightly Downhill Putts, 60 Years Old.

[TapOut64]

As the title says, I struggle on the green at times discerning between a slightly uphill putt vs a slightly downhill putt.  I will look at it from one angle and it might look downhill but from the opposite view it might look uphill.  Obviously my 60 year old eyes are the issue but was wondering if anyone has any tips for old guys like me.  I take my time and walk all around the hole, it's just frustrating when for example, from behind the hole it looks downhill and then when I address the ball it looks uphill.  Sitting at a 9.3 index and would like to get it lower by holing more putts, thanks for any tips.

[iacas]

Have you tried using your feet instead of your eyes?

[saevel25]

35 minutes ago, iacas said:

Have you tried using your feet instead of your eyes?

This^

Even if people do not use Aimpoint step by step, just go stand near the mid point and see what you feel with your feet. You will be surprised what it will tell you. 

 

[Moxley]

On 9/6/2024 at 11:36 PM, iacas said:

Have you tried using your feet instead of your eyes?

 

I do this frequently, it works, even though people joke about it and see it as odd when it's an 18 capper doing it.

[RayG]

As mentioned, feet can be a good tell... BUT- also look around the landscape, not just the green surface. The green can appear to be downhill, but that can be an optical illusion. Similar to those "Magic Roads" type of situation. Without taking too much time, you can do what Johnny Miller used to describe how putts will react. Taking in the general landscape, imagine where the water would flow if you poured water on the green. If there are hills to the right, or if there is a valley somewhere water will flow to the lowest point. There are, of course, exceptions- especially at some of the newer 'designer' types of course where they plop artificial mounding or swales around. 

The overall hole should give a good clue as well- an uphill hole, the green would normally slope from back to front, downhill would be front to back. But if you're playing Augusta, forget everything and just take the three putt and run.

[p1n9183]

For me the best way is to go sideways an see if the perpendicular putt break right or left.

It also works for multiple slope putts, you just need to divide the putt in sections and measure each one. 

 

[Maroon88]

Agree.  Look at it from the side to determine if it's uphill or downhill.

Also, look at the hole and determine the highest point of the hole.  That's the direction of uphill, at least near the hole.

[Ty_Webb]

Seconding the aimpoint thing. I had a tournament a couple of weeks ago. Had a putt from the fringe about 25 feet. I looked at it and I thought it looked flat, then went to do my aimpoint and I was trying to figure out the left right break, but realized I was on quite a downslope. Turned sideways to do it the other way and estimated about a 3% slope downhill. Basically straight. It was on a green with two tiers and I was all on the top tier. It's a hole that's benched into a slope and I think relative to the slope around me it just looked flat. My feet told me otherwise and I hit that putt like it was six inches and got it to tap in distance. If I had only relied on my eyes I'd have been chipping from off the green (literally - greens were very fast and the hole was only 6-8 feet from the tier. That ball would have gone off the green. When I got in the clubhouse afterwards people were talking about how many putts they had on that green. Combine that with my having four-putted 4 holes earlier (another tier was involved in that one except I had to go down it). I was thanking my lucky stars I did the aimpoint check. Use your feet. It might take you a little while to get used to it, but once you do, it's golden.

[WillieT]

Good read (pun intended) as I have been using my feet more to feel the break and trusting these 65yr eyes less.  The only caveat to my case is that most rounds I wear a carbon graphite brace that runs the length of my left foot (replicates the toe "lift" sensation while walking by putting pressure on the rear of the left calf muscle and makes a great conversation piece to the guys I play with), and I tend to find the weight sensation somewhat muted on that foot when I wear it.  I do occasionally play without it and the left foot read gives a better transmission of info.  However not matter which way I'm playing that day (brace/no brace), pacing off the distance and coming back about 1/2 way and getting a foot read has really helped me determine the break, the startline and oveall pace.  Using my feet has definitely improved my confidence in terms of putting. 

[wacker]

On 9/6/2024 at 11:17 PM, TapOut64 said:

  I take my time and walk all around the hole, 

I'm glad I don't get stuck behind you. Some greens are very deceptive. When I play my mates course I have to ask him on every green if it's going left to right or right to left, or if I am putting uphill or down

[TourSpoon]

My home course has some confounding greens, so much so, I bought a green reading book to make note of these subtle differences. But I just played an away match and here is what I did to read the greens. 

1. Observe the putting structure as you approach. This allows you to see the overall green with perspective against a horizon, land features, etc.  You can do that imagine where the water runs off if that helps you visualize. As you get closer look at the pin and then around the pin to see if there is any obvious elevation changes. You should be able to see any obvious mounds and humps without taking any time away from the game. 

2. Use your feet. You can do this as you approach the green, pull the pins, put down your wedges if you were chipping, wiping you ball, and waiting your turn to play (as opposed to starting a process when its your turn to play which is really too late for everyone's sake). 

3. Pay attention to others chipping and putting and try to determine the low point from the ball movement. You need to be engaged and learn from others. Remember that uphill putts break less, downhill putts break more. 

4. Read putts from the low side. If the putt is R to L stand read from the left side (low side) and look at the slope for which side is higher. Many times I will look at playing partners to see whose feet appear higher. Again, it gives you perspective.  I avoid looking from the high side and only look from the low side because the optics are better looking up then looking at something running away from you. If you can figure out the low side, you can figure out downhills. 

5. Work on 3 footers and 6 footers along with speed control. Making these little ones takes the pressure of trying to be perfect.