An SI.com and CNN Network Site
An SI.com and CNN Network Site. Visit SI.com An SI.com and CNN Network Site. Visit CNN.com Subscribe to Sports Illustrated Golf Plus Subscribe to Golf Magazine
Skip to main content
SI GOLFNation

Join the Nation!

Keep up with your scores, stats and golf buddies with our new game-tracking and social-networking tool.

How to Make Tricky Reads Easy

How to Make Tricky Reads Easy

Imagine pouring water on the green to see subtle breaks


Published: August 01, 2008

  • Share
  • E-mail
  • Print
  • Sign up for free newsletter

This story is for you if...

• You'd like a steadfast rule for reading greens.
• You're never sure which way your putts are going to break.
• You average more than 36 putts in a round.

Try This!

IF you consistently have a tough time determining which way putts will break, simply imagine pouring water onto the green near your ball and visualize the direction that the water will run. This will help you with even subtle breaks in the green, because 95 percent of the time, the ball tends to roll in the same direction that the water drains off the green.