AimPoint Green Reading

[Stretch]

You hit 5 foot putts on the practice green from 90 degrees across the slope and watch how much they break. As long as you've estimated the slope percentage correctly, you can work backwards to the stimp -- i.e. at 2% slope, Stimp 8 breaks 1 inch, Stimp 9 breaks 2 inches, Stimp 10 breaks 3 inches etc.

[boogielicious]

AimPoint has a method by using a simple 5 foot putt on a measured slope.  You try the putt and use the amount it broke to compare to the chart.  That gives you the stimp to work with.  However, I have noticed that the practice greens can be totally different than the real greens.  I will adjust which Stimp I am using after the first few putts.  If it breaks more than expected, you go up on the Charts.  The greens I play most often are 8 or 9 at most.

Funny Story: I played a course last week that was running about 8 or even slower for the first 4 - 5 holes (had just rained).  Then the greens crew started mowing the greens just in front of me.  Totally changed the stimp.  They went to ~10 after that.

[boogielicious]

Erik,

Dennis Sales instructed us to do exactly that.  I practiced 3 - 4 times before I took it to the course.  I really wanted to get the green read down to <15 seconds.  I do a check up every couple of weeks on estimating the zero line and slope just to keep fresh.

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

I have noticed that the practice greens can be totally different than the real greens.

Practice greens (if they aren't the same) are normally slower than the real greens by as much as a foot of stimp (or less). They tend to water the practice green more to keep it lush looking so they can keep appearances up around the club house. When I get to the first green, I tend to check my ball mark to see how deep it is. If it's deep, the greens are soft and thus slower. If the ball mark is small or non-existent, the greens are firm, and probably faster than I think.

This is of course, if the people at the front desk can't tell me the stimp before hand. So far I've been told the correct stimp before walking out on a course I haven't played. And I tend to judge speed based on slope % more than anything else. 4% downhill I'm tapping the ball. 1% downhill I'm hitting it fairly firm (at least, feel wise for me). Vice versa uphill. Very firm for uphill 4%.

[Hollister]

The practice greens are way slower at my place, too. Found it hard to estimate the Stimp speed on the course so far.

Still got no AimCharts, used the App the first time yesterday. Wrong pace on the first two holes (thanks to slow practice greens at 8, course at 10 - and a little lack of trust/commitment). Three one-putts on the next three holes - twice from 20 feet, once from 15 feet. Hmm, I think I like AimPoint even more after yesterday. The App is a little fiddly, though, but should have a higher accuracy (self-assurance).

Equipped with a laser, iApp AimCharts and a method swing (ooops) - I now feel like a cyborg. Take away the technology, then what? Gotta try that out. Next year...

Anyone got the Clinometer App (for iWhatever) working?

[boogielicious]

Fun story.  I was playing at a course in RI with two very nice college students.  I was putting well all day and they commented on it.  I was finding balls in the rough/woods etc and giving the balls to them all round (they lost a few!). We had this nasty green on a drive-able par 4.  Green is very steep and shaped like a bowl inverted.  It is fast and down hill putts can run right off the green.

One of the guys had a 15 foot birdie putt.  I asked him if he ever heard of AimPoint.  He replied, "That green line on TV"?  I said, "yes" and asked if he wanted me to give him the line.  He said, "Sure!".  15 footer, 3%, 60 down, stimp 10.  I gave him the line (can't remember, maybe 13" to the left).  He gently taps the ball  and it goes right in the middle of the cup with perfect speed.

It was very fun to help him out.  Nice Kid too.

[JetFan1983]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

15 footer, 3%, 60 down, stimp 10.

That would be 31 inches from the left edge

[boogielicious]

Guess I'm dyslexic!

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

Guess I'm dyslexic!

One of my all time favorite bumper stickers:

Dyslexics of the World:

UNTIE!!

[mvmac]

Hey guys,

Dave Wedzik and Erik (iacas) will be conducting an AimPoint class in San Diego next weekend.  Great opportunity to learn from some of the best AimPoint instructors in the world.  Message me for pricing info and if you want to attend.

Details

Date: Saturday Sep 15

Time: 3pm-6pm

Location: Encinitas Ranch Gold Course

[kevin.chan]

Played yesterday and putting result was bad , although the green reading were pretty close . This is my 3rd round with AP. The bad putts were those long putt like 40ish putt uphill which I really struggle with distance control .I had like 4x 3 putts. Anyway 3 birdies for the day and I know that i have some more work to do with my speed , and better slope reading . Have order the AP Bubble last week and it will take 10 working days to arrive ..can't wait ..

[MbolicGolf]

[boogielicious]

Quote:

Hey guys,

Dave Wedzik and Erik (iacas) will be conducting an AimPoint class in San Diego next weekend.  Great opportunity to learn from some of the best AimPoint instructors in the world.  Message me for pricing info and if you want to attend.

Details

Date: Saturday Sep 15

Time: 3pm-6pm

Location: Encinitas Ranch Gold Course

2582 miles from Boston.

[gwlee7]

Originally Posted by boogielicious

2582 miles from Boston.

You better start out walking then.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by gwlee7

You better start out walking then.

Nah, for long courses, it's okay to take a cart.

[boogielicious]

I'll be there by June 2014

[inthecup]

I have been using AP for several rounds and it really works.  On putts that I do not use AP my experience with AP has increased my ability to read the putt.

Finding the line slope and distance is awesome.  I suggest to anyone considering it that they take a class.  There is no club you can buy that would help you as much.

[jamo]

I have been using AP for several rounds and it really works. On putts that I do not use AP my experience with AP has increased my ability to read the putt. Finding the line slope and distance is awesome.  I suggest to anyone considering it that they take a class.  There is no club you can buy that would help you as much.

I think that's a big point. You don't have to be using the AimCharts on every single putt to see the benefits.