As we saw at the PGA Championship, unpredictable course conditions can be some of the most challenging aspects of golf. The subtle shifts throughout the day are enough to throw even the most seasoned players off their games.
For many amateurs, varying green speeds present the greatest test. But with a few handy tips from instructor Bill Schmedes III, you can learn how to adjust to the speeds as you go.
Learn to self-analyze
Tell us if you’ve been here before: Before your round, you get a feel for the conditions on the practice green and everything is dialed. But, when you’re out on the course, your putts start rolling way past the hole or break differently than you thought. Suddenly, everything feels off.
Whether due to a slow practice green or the course drying out, unexpected changes in green speed can disrupt your rhythm and shake your confidence. Knowing how to adapt quickly is key and the first step is understanding if the issue is your stroke or distance control.
According to Schmedes, the best way to do that is to watch your putt’s start line.
“If you don’t like where the putt started, it’s probably the putterface,” Schmedes says. “If you don’t like the pace, it’s your distance control.”
Not every missed putt is the result of poor mechanics, so it’s important to recognize the difference.
Adjust for speed and break
Adapting to fast or slow greens doesn’t just require you to account for speed, Schmedes says — you also need to adjust for break.
“As the conditions change, players need to adjust their lines, too,” he says.
“If they’re faster or slower, that has a major influence on the start line,” he continues, “If they [the greens] are faster, you’re going to have to play more break.”
For slow greens, the inverse is true.
Once you figure out if you’re playing more or less break, Schmedes explains that when you’re still calibrating to the speed of the greens a conservative approach is your best option.
Sure, if the greens are slower you’re obviously going to have to give it a bit more gas, or be more confident with your stroke. But, at the same time, Schmedes says, you still want to give yourself an opportunity where if the ball doesn’t go in, you have a chance of making the putt coming back.
“When picking a line, try to make sure you’re gonna leave yourself underneath the hole,” Schmedes says. “If you’re above the hole, or on the high side, as a comeback putt, that’s hard for a lot of players to make.”
Best drill for developing distance control
To better adapt to new conditions or changing greens, there are a few drills you can use to improve your feel faster. One drill Schmedes recommends is a ladder drill, which will boost your tempo and help you develop your distance control.
“The ladder drill makes players think about stroke dynamics, their tempo and rhythm the putter needs to move,” Schmedes says.
Here’s how it works:
Find a flat section of the green, about 20 to 30 feet from the fringe. The closer you place yourself to the fringe, the more challenging this drill will be. Set down 10 balls at the spot you selected.
The goal of the ladder drill is to stop each putt progressively closer to you, without leaving your next putt beyond your previous one.
Start by hitting your first putt as close to the fringe as possible without touching it. Land your next putt slightly shorter. Continue this pattern, leaving just enough space between each ball for the remaining putts. With each successive putt, the available space will shrink, making each stroke more demanding.
“This drill will also encourage you to start using your eyes more in practice,” Schmedes says, “which more golfers need to do when putting.”
