How to achieve lowest number of putts on poor greens?

Question

When greens have been cut short but are uneven and bumpy, what kind of putting style do you think gives you the best scores. Is it firmly hitting the ball at speed into the hole, or aiming to have the ball die as it drops into the hole?

Answer 1

In this situation I try to aim the ball and have it die, into the hole ideally, but in general as close to the hole as I can get it. The reason I use this approach is because I find bumpy/uneven greens much less forgiving than well kept greens.
If I blast a putt past the hole I could potentially have created a worse scenario to sink my next put with bumpy greens (potential 3 putt). I'd rather just take a tap in to 3 foot range putt and get on to the next hole. Where in contrast with smooth greens, if I blast a putt past the hole I at least know the exact line I need to make my next shot and at that point its just all execution (high 1/2 putt potential).

I use this putting approach when greens have also been aerated.

Answer 2

There are two main things to consider:

(1) What's the distance of your putt?
(2) Is it uphill or downhill?

Distance matters because, on bumpy greens, you have to simply be willing to accept a shorter version of a lag putt. For example, on good greens you might (and should if you're a good golfer) trying to drain 20 footers. However, on a poor green you might want to only try to make 15 footers and simply play for a 2-putt at other times. That's one factor that will influence your aggressiveness.

More important, though, is whether the putt is uphill or downhill. If the putt is uphill, generally speaking I will aim for the back of the cup and try to knock it firmly in. The reason for this is that putts uphill tend to break less, so you can be more confident that you have read the putt correctly. Why I'm a bit more ginger with downhill putts is obvious to anyone who has knocked a putt 10 feet past the hole :)

Answer 3

bad greens or good greens the concept is the same. Aim to make it and always get it to the hole. You are better off if the put is missed to only have a 2 ft return put to hole out

Answer 4

imagine the hole to be about 2 feet in diameter. easy right, well if you imagine it calms ur nurves and makes you play smart if you can leave 2 feet on any side of the hole ur lookin at a solid two putt. on crappy greens, two putts is nuthin two complain about

Answer 5

i dunno but my clubs greens are running fast and bumpy and it is killing my game! they are still in winter mode (no grass growing and the crew hasnt rolled them yet) anyone have any tips???