Multi-tier greens, with two or three distinct levels separated by steep slopes, can turn a routine two-putt into a nervy three or four. Putts up a tier come back if hit too softly; putts down a tier race away. The key is getting your speed right and, before that, putting your approach shot on the correct level. Here's how to deal with tiered greens.
Why tiers are difficult
- Speed changes dramatically on the slope between tiers.
- The ball breaks as it climbs or descends the slope at an angle.
- Small errors grow: a putt slightly too soft rolls back; slightly too firm races past.
Approach strategy
- Know the pin's tier before your approach. Read pin positions and flags.
- Take enough club for a back-tier pin; landing on the front tier leaves a difficult uphill putt.
- Be cautious with front-tier pins on fast greens; landing on the back tier leaves a fast downhill putt.
- Use a yardage book or pin sheet to see the tier layout. Read yardage books explained.
Putting up a tier
- Pick a target beyond the hole, perhaps two or three feet past.
- Hit firmly enough to climb the slope; a putt that dies on the slope rolls back.
- Watch the break on the slope, especially if you climb it at an angle.
- Accept a longer return putt rather than leaving it short.
Read uphill and downhill putts.
Putting down a tier
- Choose a spot near the top of the slope where you want the ball to start descending.
- Roll the ball softly to that spot, and let gravity carry it down.
- Allow extra break, as a slow ball takes more slope.
- Don't be afraid to finish a little short on very steep tiers.
Putts across a tier
Putts running along a tier slope behave like big sidehill putts. Aim well above the hole and focus on speed. Read how to read greens.
Chipping onto tiered greens
- Land the ball on the correct tier if possible.
- Use a bank: chip into the slope below an upper tier to slow the ball.
- Use the slope to feed the ball down to a lower tier pin.
Read how to get up and down.
Practice ideas
- Tier ladder: on a two-tier practice green, putt up and down the tier from different distances.
- Return-putt challenge: after every tier putt, hole the return.
- One-ball course: play nine holes on the practice green with every hole on a different tier from your ball.
Read lag putting and putting drills to stop three-putting.
Frequently asked questions
How much harder should I hit a putt up a tier?
Enough to finish a couple of feet past the hole. Practise to learn the feel.
Why do putts break more on tier slopes?
Slopes between tiers are steeper than the rest of the green, so the ball reacts more.
Is it better to be above or below the hole on a tiered green?
Usually below, so you putt uphill.
The bottom line
On tiered greens, approach to the right level, pick aim points beyond the hole uphill and short of it downhill, and respect the break on tier slopes. Practise tier putts until the speeds feel familiar. For more on reading greens, read how to read greens.