Lee Sanudo

Here’s an easy 4-step drill you can do with your eyes closed to quickly get the feel for green speed before you tee off.

Putting greens at different courses at different times of year all have a different feel to them. The speed varies due to the type of grass, amount of sun and water, type of soil, amount of use, when they were mowed, time of day you’re playing, etc. Greens on the same course can vary from day to day, so don’t spend the first few holes wasting strokes trying to figure out the green speed.

As a successful competitive player, I have to give myself a chance to make putts starting on the first hole – and you should too!
By going to the practice green before your round you will be able to quickly get the feel for the speed of any green.

Here’s an easy 4-step process to apply when arriving at a golf course to practice putt before teeing it up!

1. Drop 3 balls approximately 20 feet from the fringe
2. Make a few practice strokes until you can roll one where the last roll of the ball comes to rest against the cut of grass where the fringe meets the green
3. In the same location as you took your practice strokes, address the ball, aim toward the fringe and close your eyes
4. Stroke the putt with your eyes still closed and try to guess if the putt is hit too hard, too soft or just right.

When you guess three in a row correctly, you have a solid feel for the speed of the greens you are about to play and are sure to putt better.

Staff instructor Lee Sanudo is an PGA Apprentice Professional who teaches private and group classes. Read more about Lee. Call the pro shop to schedule a lesson: 760-720-GOLF.