Tips For Putting off From the Green

We all want to save strokes whenever possible. However, there are moments of self-doubt that make us waste unnecessary shots. This often happens when we are around the vicinity of the green area. 

Should you putt it away? Should you chip it? Usually, your worst putt still tends to be better than your best chip. Therefore, there is a natural tendency to putting instead of chipping for practical reasons, as you have fewer checkpoints to be concerned about when putting.

Here we are going to teach you when and how to putt off from the green, as well as display some unwritten rules that can help you with this feat.

Situations When You Want to Putt off from the Green

As a rule of thumb, in any given situation where your ball can roll smoothly, you’ll prefer your putter to your wedge. Here are some moments where you’d rather putt instead of chip:

Ball lying on the fringe. Balls that lie on the fringe—or even extra-tight fairway patches—are great moments to employ the putter. When the ball lies on the fringe— that is the side of the green with mildly higher grass—all you have to do is send it home.

Ball lying on firm grass. You can even utilize your putter from yards away and still make a good shot with your putter.

Obstacle-free lines. If you identify you are able to choose a line that isn’t obstructed by obstacles such as sand bunkers, rough patches, sprinkler heads, or divots, you may opt for your putter. As long as there are no elements that can alter the route of your ball, you can use it.

Playing on down-grain terrain. Down-grain terrain is when the grass grows in the direction of your intended shot. This will give your ball a decent roll.

Situations When You Don’t Want to Putt off from the Green

Even when your putter seems to be the most reliable of clubs, there are also times when you want to avoid wielding one altogether. Here are some case scenarios:

There are divots. Deep divots, shallow divots, irregular divots, regular divots, and many others. When putting, divots are not your friends, because they are the ones that can derail your putt shot.

Your ball fell into a sand bunker. Perhaps you got a little too effusive with your power output, and your putt shot landed in the sand bunker. Should you use your putter again? No! Get it out of there with another type of club.

Your shot faces ostensible grain in the grass. This happens when the growth pattern of the grass simply grows against the trajectory of your shot. If you putt your ball, it will bounce all over the place, or simply lose speed.

The grass is too long. Long grass calls for short shots. Longer grass offers the ball greater resistance. Thus, it is likely to travel less.

Other objects can still ruin your shot. Any other items that might be on the ground can hinder your chances of successfully putting. This situation is a no-go for the putter.

Tips and Considerations for Putting off from the Green

Always Think Before You Putt

If you believe you can make it, chances are you will. If you feel that you are better off not putting, don’t do it.

Don’t Overthink Your Shots

Overthinking and putting are long-known acquaintances. Yet, overthinking tends to ruin your shots. Try to avoid it. Practice a couple of times, and once you get your shot locked in, then take it.

When You Must Stroke the Ball From Longer Distances, Don’t Alter Your Technique

Keep your hands right ahead of the ball to avoid any sort of thrusting and excessive loft to the ball. This extra unintentional loft will make the ball go airborne, severely modifying the course of it.

When Playing a Ball Situated on Longer Grass, You’ll Have to Putt Harder

Feel it out a couple of times before actually making your shot. Then go for it.

The Break Is Important, But So Is Speed

Read them and use them in your favor with a stronger focus on speed.

If Your Ball Must Go Through the Fringe and the Green, Read the Green First

This is your base parameter for speed, as it can be easier to gauge. After this, calculate the remaining part.

Choose Putters with Bigger Clubheads

They offer more stability and have a higher threshold of tolerance for off-center shots.

Contact is Everything

Focus on contacting the ball in the right place. Generally speaking, you are better off hitting it with the center of the clubhead if you are starting out.

Focus on Your Backswing

Thrusting through your swing is likely to damage the outcome of your shot. Get your timing right for your backswing in order to increase its quality.

Slopes Don’t Determine Your Shots

Contrary to what your core set of beliefs can tell you, downhill or uphill slopes don’t really determine the quality of the shot, but your speed of execution does. Putt with even strokes, as this molds the length of your shots.

Concentrate on Results

In golf, it is generally conceived that there are no pictures on scorecards. This means that you must always prioritize functionality over the form you make use of to play your ball. This type of shot might not be the fanciest, but it works. Use it.

Final Thoughts

While style matters in golf, always go for what feels the most comfortable to you when playing your balls. This is what actually gets to lower your scores in practice.

Some of the situations that mostly demand putt shots from the green are those when the ball is placed on short, smooth, even grass that goes with the ball’s trajectory. Distance isn’t much of a determining factor as this is. Other aspects involve the timing of your shots and your swing, as well as the type of club you use.

Also, remember that you might want to avoid putting when there are obtrusive elements that can jeopardize your ball’s path. In those cases, it’s better to be safe than sorry and go for the chipping wedge.

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