2 min
Great Putting Starts with a Great Routine
2 min
Before Jason Baile hits a putt he already has a crystal clear picture of where it needs to go. The green reading routine that creates that picture is what this session is about.
It starts the moment he approaches the green. Not on the green - before he even gets there. The surroundings tell you things before you crouch down and start reading from behind the hole. The drain on this green is to the right. Architects build greens to move water off them, not to trick you. Follow where the water would go and you already have your first clue about how the putt breaks.
The next decision is speed before direction. Uphill or downhill determines how much the break actually matters. An uphill putt is hit with more speed and is less influenced by the slope. A ball rolling slower on a downhill putt is more susceptible to every inch of break on the green. Get the speed picture locked in first and the line becomes easier to commit to.
Direction comes last. Not two balls out or one cup - a real picture. Jason uses the alignment aid on his Titleist Pro V1x to set the starting line and places a tee where he wants the ball to enter the hole. Two reference points. A start and an end. Then all that is left is matching the speed to connect them. Start line, entry point, speed to match.
It starts the moment he approaches the green. Not on the green - before he even gets there. The surroundings tell you things before you crouch down and start reading from behind the hole. The drain on this green is to the right. Architects build greens to move water off them, not to trick you. Follow where the water would go and you already have your first clue about how the putt breaks.
The next decision is speed before direction. Uphill or downhill determines how much the break actually matters. An uphill putt is hit with more speed and is less influenced by the slope. A ball rolling slower on a downhill putt is more susceptible to every inch of break on the green. Get the speed picture locked in first and the line becomes easier to commit to.
Direction comes last. Not two balls out or one cup - a real picture. Jason uses the alignment aid on his Titleist Pro V1x to set the starting line and places a tee where he wants the ball to enter the hole. Two reference points. A start and an end. Then all that is left is matching the speed to connect them. Start line, entry point, speed to match.
