Putting · Tip
Putting on Different Grasses
Part of our putting programs for reading greens. Build a program with it
Greens aren't all the same. Know what you're putting on. Bermuda is common in warm areas. It's very grainy. Look at the color. Putting into the grain looks darker and duller. Down-grain looks lighter and shinier. The ragged side of the cup shows which way the grain runs. Bent grass grows in cooler areas. It has fine blades and little grain, so it rolls smooth and quick. You'll often play more break on bent. Poa greens can be good too, but tend to get bumpy.
Step by step
- Find out the grass type before you play.
- On Bermuda, read the shading.
- Check the ragged edge of the cup.
- On bent, expect smooth roll and more break.
- Adjust your speed to the surface.
Why it works
Grass type changes how the ball rolls and how much it curves. Grain pushes the ball sideways and changes speed: down-grain rolls faster, into-grain rolls slower. Bent has fine blades and little grain, so the ball holds its line and the slope shows more, which is why you often play more break.
Common mistakes
- You assume every green rolls the same as your home course.Ask the pro shop or check the course website for the grass type before you play, then hit a few practice putts to learn the speed.
- You ignore grain on Bermuda and read only the slope.Check the color of the green and the ragged edge of the cup, then add or subtract break and speed for the grain direction.
- You hit bent greens with the same amount of break you play on Bermuda.Expect a smoother, quicker roll and play a little more break, with a softer stroke so the ball does not run past.
How you'll know it's working
- Your first putts on the practice green finish near the distance you intended, not clearly short or long.
- You can say which way the grain runs before you putt, and the ball behaves as you predicted.
- Your putts hold the line you picked instead of drifting off it more than you expected.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Start on a flat practice green and putt the same straight putt from both directions to feel how grain changes speed.
Harder: Pick a sloping putt on a grainy green and combine the slope and grain reads, then judge your speed and line before you hit it.
Common questions
How can you tell which way the grain runs on a Bermuda green?
Look at the color. Into the grain the green looks darker and duller, and down-grain it looks lighter and shinier. The ragged side of the cup also shows the direction the grain runs.
Do bent grass greens break more than Bermuda greens?
Often, yes. Bent has fine blades and little grain, so the ball rolls smooth and quick, and the slope has more effect on it. Hit a few practice putts to confirm.
