Reading grain on greens

[NBGC]

How do you guys read the grain on putts?

Water, wind, sun all affect the grain but short of getting down on the green and looking at the grass, what are your preferred methods? And which overrides which? Grain follows water, including saltwater and that takes precedent, right? How far away does the body of water have to be before the sun dictates? Then wind, etc?

I get sick when I read a 20ft putt break right and leave it 2 ft short or 5 ft past because of the grain. Thanks all

[chingali]

How do you guys read the grain on putts?

Ummm, I think you are reading just a tad too much in to it. Your putt goes 5 feet past the hole because you hit it too hard. Seriously if you are thinking about "Grain follows water, including saltwater and that takes precedent" when reading a putt, I reckon you're in a bit of trouble.

Grain does have an influence on break, but not very much. Have a bit of a putt on the practice green before you play and acclimatise yourself to the speed of the greens and how the "grain" is influencing things and then forget about it for the rest of the day and go on feel and instinct.

[NBGC]

uhg, okay. Thanks, it's just that when on the practice green I know the direction of the grain on the long stright flat ones (30ft+) and I really do have to hit it harder, same with going with the grain, seems I have to hit it 1/2 as hard for the same distance comming back the opposite direction.

[JackieTreehorn]

Yes I agree that grain can affect a 20' putt by 5'...maybe it's the grass in CA. Or the slow public course greens I have to play on...
Two ways I use:
1. Shinyness: if it looks shiny you are downgrain
2. Just look at the grass blades...the direction they grow is downgrain.

[CurtisBen]

One easy way to read grain (well on bermuda in Mississippi at least) is to look at the cup on the opposite side of the cup as the grain grows will be a little brown. I was told that is because the roots were cut with the hole.

[TinCupTampa]

I walk my line and pay attention to which way the grass is growing. An uphill or downhill grain isnt going to affect my putts near as much as a l-r or r-l putt but, at least here in florida, the grain is going to get you by a couple inches even on a flat straight putt.

Other than that I just pay attention to the change of elevation from ball to hole and the sheen of the green.

If you dont pay attention to the grain... I would suspect you would be in for a much longer day.

[Big Padrigo]

I know how to read the grain but I never take it into account. You basically look for the lighter and darker patches of grass, lighter means grain is with, darker against. If I see a lot of grain when I'm on a practice green on a new course then I may take some time to get the feel and speed of that green. Once I hit the course I never think about it, it's just another factor that gets in the way of you making putts.