Every course has different greens, and the same greens change with the weather and the time of day. A putt that rolls perfectly on your home course can race six feet past on slick tournament greens or die short on slow, wet ones. Most three-putts come from poor pace rather than poor line, so learning to adapt to green speed is one of the quickest ways to save shots.
What makes greens fast or slow?
| Factor | Faster | Slower |
|---|---|---|
| Mowing height | Shorter | Longer |
| Moisture | Dry | Wet, dew, after rain |
| Rolling | Recently rolled | Not rolled |
| Grain | Down-grain | Into the grain |
| Slope | Downhill | Uphill |
| Time of day | Later as greens dry | Early with dew, late as grass grows |
| Wind | Downwind on exposed greens | Into the wind |
| Season | Summer, firm conditions | Winter, soft conditions |
Green speed is measured with a stimpmeter. Read golf course maintenance explained.
Before the round: calibrate your pace
- Start with long putts of 30 to 40 feet, to a fringe or a tee rather than a hole. Focus purely on distance.
- Putt uphill and downhill to feel the difference.
- Then medium putts of 10 to 20 feet.
- Finish with short putts to build confidence.
- Watch other golfers' putts on the course for more information.
Read the pre-round warm-up routine.
Putting on fast greens
- Shorten the stroke: keep the same tempo but make a shorter backswing.
- Play more break: a slower-rolling ball takes more break.
- Aim to die the ball into the hole, with the last roll just reaching the front edge.
- Take extra care downhill: sometimes just touching the ball is enough. Some golfers putt off the toe of the putter for a softer strike.
- Leave putts below the hole: uphill putts are easier to control.
- Avoid long practice strokes that build too much speed.
Putting on slow greens
- Lengthen the stroke: same tempo, longer backswing and follow-through.
- Play less break: a firmer putt holds its line.
- Be positive: aim to roll the ball 12 to 18 inches past the hole.
- Uphill putts need significantly more pace than you expect.
- Consider wet conditions: water on the surface slows the ball dramatically.
Grainy greens
On warm-season grasses, the direction the grass grows (the grain) affects speed and break.
- Shiny grass usually means you are putting down-grain: faster.
- Dull, darker grass usually means into the grain: slower.
- Grain often grows towards the setting sun or towards water, and can make putts break even on flat ground.
- Look at the edge of the hole: the ragged side often shows the direction of growth.
Read how to read greens.
Bumpy or recently aerated greens
After hollow-tining or on bumpy greens, the ball bounces and wobbles.
- Putt more firmly on short putts to reduce the effect of bumps.
- Strike the ball cleanly in the centre of the face.
- Accept that some putts will jump off line.
Adjusting during the round
- Greens often speed up through the day as they dry, and slow down in the evening.
- Different greens on the same course may vary, especially if some are more exposed to sun or wind.
- Watch your misses: if you are consistently short or long, adjust.
Stroke length, not speed
The most reliable way to control pace is to keep a consistent tempo and vary the length of the stroke. Changing the speed of the stroke leads to jabs and decelerations. Read golf tempo and rhythm.
Practice drills for pace
- Ladder drill: putt to targets at 20, 30 and 40 feet, stopping each beyond the last but short of the next. Read golf practice games.
- Fringe drill: putt to stop the ball as close as possible to the fringe without touching it.
- Eyes-closed drill: putt with your eyes closed, then guess where the ball finished before looking.
- Three-tee drill: put tees at 10, 20 and 30 feet and alternate between them.
Read putting drills to stop three-putting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I adjust to faster greens?
Spend time on the practice green with long putts, shorten your stroke, keep the same tempo and play more break.
Why do I leave putts short on slow greens?
Your stroke is calibrated to faster greens. Lengthen it and aim to roll the ball past the hole.
Do greens get faster during the day?
Usually, as dew dries and the surface firms up, although grass growth can slow them later.
Should I change my putter for fast greens?
Usually not, but some golfers prefer a softer-feeling putter on very fast greens. Read how to choose a putter.
The bottom line
Pace is the key to good putting, and pace depends on the greens. Calibrate before every round, shorten your stroke and play more break on fast greens, be firmer on slow and wet greens, and keep your tempo constant. Do that, and three-putts will become rare. For more on the short game, read the putting yips.