Line
When greens are that fast, there can be much more break in them as well. Another reason putting in the Masters is so important, especially with the very large undulations the greens have. If you manage to stroke the putt with the proper pace mentioned in the previous paragraph, that's half the battle. But if you choose the wrong line your putt could go considerably off line and even off the green. It is not uncommon to play too little break on super fast greens, missing putts on the low side, but it is hard to overcome your instincts and aim the putt on a higher line above the hole.
In An Augusta Pine Nut Shel
You can't have lapses in speed control or line when putting Augusta style greens. If you have any control over your approach shots at all, try at all costs to leave the shot below the hole with the straightest possible uphill putt. 2-putting on greens like this is great. If you make the occasional 1-putt for a par saver or a birdie then you've done very well.
Golf Tips: Masters Style Putting
For Masters week I wanted to craft up a fun Tuesday Tip post in the flavor of the Masters and Augusta National. This tip is all about putting, and the Masters champion is almost always the one who putts best, especially in the final round.
Speed
If we look at the conditions of the course at Augusta, I think the most important factor is the greens. The greens at the Masters are so smooth it is like they are "bikini waxed," to paraphrase Gary McCord. How do you deal with fast, Augusta-like greens? Very carefully! Lag putting is very important on Masters fast greens. Speed control is extremely important if you want to avoid three putting or worse. A lot of concentration on the speed of the putt is necessary to get it close or simply keep the ball on the green. Back in 2005 Tiger Woods putted off the 13th green and right into Rae's creek!
In the photo below of the 6th green at Augusta (courtesy Hooked On Golf Blog), you can see the slant from left to right and the green falls off in the front. Very tough putting on this hole.
Line
When greens are that fast, there can be much more break in them as well. Another reason putting in the Masters is so important, especially with the very large undulations the greens have. If you manage to stroke the putt with the proper pace mentioned in the previous paragraph, that's half the battle. But if you choose the wrong line your putt could go considerably off line and even off the green. It is not uncommon to play too little break on super fast greens, missing putts on the low side, but it is hard to overcome your instincts and aim the putt on a higher line above the hole.
In An Augusta Pine Nut Shel
You can't have lapses in speed control or line when putting Augusta style greens. If you have any control over your approach shots at all, try at all costs to leave the shot below the hole with the straightest possible uphill putt. 2-putting on greens like this is great. If you make the occasional 1-putt for a par saver or a birdie then you've done very well.
Line
When greens are that fast, there can be much more break in them as well. Another reason putting in the Masters is so important, especially with the very large undulations the greens have. If you manage to stroke the putt with the proper pace mentioned in the previous paragraph, that's half the battle. But if you choose the wrong line your putt could go considerably off line and even off the green. It is not uncommon to play too little break on super fast greens, missing putts on the low side, but it is hard to overcome your instincts and aim the putt on a higher line above the hole.
In An Augusta Pine Nut Shel
You can't have lapses in speed control or line when putting Augusta style greens. If you have any control over your approach shots at all, try at all costs to leave the shot below the hole with the straightest possible uphill putt. 2-putting on greens like this is great. If you make the occasional 1-putt for a par saver or a birdie then you've done very well.
