John Graham

The anchors are not just the highest and lowest parts of the green but the highest and lowest relative to the pin location. Sometimes, high anchors can be in the middle of the green. Use your eyes to estimate slope direction and amount for approach shots. Then use midpoint once on the green to refine the read. Estimate then refine.

I scored a 93. Argued with Mark intensely about wording on question 1. Got one wrong so i got 2 others wrong. Yes, I was pissed. :-P

Very interesting thread. Enjoying reading it.

Hey guys, I'll be coming to South Africa in late March to introduce AimPoint Green Reading. Currently looking for hosts and venues to get things started. Contact me if you are interested or someone that is. Thanks, JG

Sean, Thank you for taking the time to reread the post and write that reply. Crow is never needed, in my book, for those that go the extra step and do what you did. It's a tribute to your character. JG BTW-My life has basically been about learning by crow. =)

Honestly, in my discussions with outgoing Apprentices over the last 15 years, they have confirmed to me that this practice has continued. I'm hoping it has changed but i have my doubts. I was also reminded by others that many other National PGA's based their teaching on the information presented by the PGA of America not the PGA Teaching Manual. Around the world, I'm sure I have listed the amount of professionals that have received the wrong information too low. I also agree it is odd. I don't know why it happened. Very odd indeed. Thanks for reading.

Sean, The article clearly states that the manual is mostly correct. Misleading maybe but not 'wrong'. It has 9 shot patterns and 5 Ball Flight Laws. The PGA of America was teaching us, the apprentices, their 9 Ball Flight Laws created by them in direct contradiction to the Manual that were incorrect. It is those 9 Ball Flight Laws taught by the PGA of America that are being called old and incorrect. Not Dr Wiren's 5 Laws in the Manual. No one is throwing the Manual out with the bath water. It is the information taught and tested by the PGA of America that is being thrown out. The article also says that Dr Wiren and the Manual are not the issue. Please tell me I didn't forge to say these things in the article. JG

Here's the worst part in my opinion. I received a FB message from a coach in Philadelphia saying she lost an up and coming junior player because his dad thought she was giving him the wrong information on ball flight cause and effect because of that episode. He told her Brandel said it was this way so we are going to find an instructor that knows the truth. Can you believe that? I would be so pissed. I can't even imagine. JG

Agreed Iacas. I would certainly prefer he take note and maybe research a little and then discuss what he found. His opportunity to help many more golfers than we'll ever see is great. So frustrating trying to convince someone that what they heard Brandel say on TV is incorrect. Makes our job much harder. Rogers shot after the help is just perfect. JG PS Thanks for all the twitter followers out there.

Hey everyone, Just a little update for August that, I know, is a little late. Chicago August 12 and 13 a fundamental and advanced class. Philadelphia August 14 and 15 a fundamental and advanced class. Northern British Columbia August 20 and 21 both fundamental classes. #JG

Look forward to meeting you. You'll have a much better understanding of optical illusions after the first class.

Really looking forward to your review. Thanks for the kind words.

Justifiable concerns to be sure. I carry those things when I go to work not when I go to play. Estimate and measure. That's what I am working on. Need to constantly improve on my ability to accurately determine direction of slope and amount of slope. So when I play, my read is done before I get there or pretty darn close.

Ballstriker, You bring up a concern that I hear over and over again. A justified concern to be sure. Like anything else that we learn and need to apply there will be a change in proficiency and speed as skill and experience are gained. I liken it very similar to learning to drive. At the beginning, I think there is a desire by most to practice the skills in a controlled environment like a parking lot or other similar place. Eventually, a comfort in the skills allows for the challenge of the real road. Surely, one can look back and remember awareness of the surroundings a little lacking as a focus on the acts required to turn the wheel and hit the correct pedals is the main focus. Situations arise that you've never before encountered and choices are made rightly or wrongly. Hopefully, things are learned based on those outcomes. Later on, real proficiency becomes a reality. You start to see potential accidents way before they may happen and your ability to embrace the environment significantly outweighs the focus needed to do the actions. AimPoint is exactly the same thing. Information is learned and must be assimilated. Practice needs to take place in that controlled environment. (the putting green) Learned skills get applied in the real world. Situations are seen and choices are made. Learning and adjustments are made. Skill becomes proficient. Speed becomes very quick. On the other hand, there is no question that the accuracy of the read can increase with a little extra time. Either before from proper and accurate mapping or during the round when dealing with longer putts or trickier shapes. It doesn't require a high level of playing ability to do it well though. I've been doing it coming up on three years, and like Erik said I can get most of the read done before I've ever reached the green even on a course I've never seen before. Granted, I have worked very hard to learn how to do it and to do it quickly. Also, don't think that AimPoint should be used to completely remove all previous feel and experience. There will be times that whatever experiences you've encountered in the past will be relevant to the present. AimPoint enhances feel. It doesn't replace feel. If you want to make putts and read greens fast, than practice it. You can do both.

Additions and updates. The clinic In Webster only has slots in the 4pm class. The clinic in Chicago is full. New clinics added for Cape Cod area on June 12 and 13th. Contact me for more details or signing up.