Beginner Golf Instruction around putting generally focuses on the mechanics of the putting stroke. This is dead wrong. Almost every golfer is worried about their putting stroke. What does it look like? Did I pull that? I pushed that one. Before looking at the mechanics of the stroke the target has to be considered first. Everything in golf is relative to target.The great thing about putting for new golfers is that is the easiest skill in the game of golf to get started on. Despite the complexities involved in putting a new golfer can confidently roll the ball on almost any green – If they are shown what the surface does to the ball first. Most golfers have enough hand eye coordination and artistic talent that when they are shown how a ball moves on the green they can instinctively roll the ball towards the target.
On the putting green, putting the ball into the hole is the objective but the hole is not the real target in most cases. In our sport the green is never flat. It is extremely rare to find a putt on any green without some kind of break or movement in any given direction. Therefore before the mechanics of the putting stroke are examined the green and the putt has to be studied to determine a strategy. You need to ask yourself where and how am I going to roll this ball to get the ball into the hole.
To study and read a green takes a keen eye and great imagination. You have to be able to see the overall profile or shape of a green and work out the overall effect that they have on the micro breaks that you see on the green. Most greens only have gentle contouring with light mounds and shapes on them. Some greens, like the ones major championships are played on have fierce slopes and tiers. You need to examine “if my ball is going to roll on this slope, will it effect the roll of the ball in a particular direction?” Also “At what speed is my putt going to roll over this particular slope and again will that have an effect on the ball? The golfer needs to remember that if a ball is travelling at great speed than the slope of the ground will have only minimal impact on the golf ball. If the ball is travelling quite slowly than the slope will have a greater impact on the golf ball.
Using these questions then one can assume that the closer the ball gets to the hole the more the slope will influence the ball. This is due to the slowing down or losing speed as it approaches the hole. To properly read a putt the golfer must walk the putt from 360 degrees to fully appreciate what faces them. The questions above are asked and the visualization process has already begun. You need to visualize your ball rolling on those slopes and how the ball will react. To finish the process once a decision has been made the golfer must than visualize the ball rolling on the exact line intended at the selected speed and see the ball disappearing into the hole. In my opinion this should be the 1st level of beginner golf instruction around putting.