Putting tips: reading greens

Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach and Callaway/Odyssey ambassador John Jacobs takes you through some of the keys to reading greens

Britain's Best Putter 2013

Without the ability to read greens, you won't be a good putter. It's as simple as that.

Many people understandably struggle in this area, but Golf Monthly Top 25 Coach and Calaway/Odyssey Ambassador John Jacobs is on hand to give his green-reading keys.

In the below video, John explains how reading greens is one of the three pivotal elements to good putting and gives some advice on how to start the ball off on the right line.

John talks about trusting your initial instincts, how to understand the topography of the green and how to ensure you don't 'over-read' putts.

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x