“Read the Greens, Lower Your Score: Why Green Reading Is a Game Changer”

There’s a reason seasoned golfers say, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” No matter how well you hit it off the tee, if you can’t convert on the green, your scorecard won’t show it.

Green reading is one of the most underrated aspects of golf—and yet, it’s the quickest way to start shaving strokes off your game. In this edition of Par Perspective, we’re breaking down three popular green reading techniques, my personal experience with AimPoint, and why a putting clinic might be the smartest investment in your golf game.

1. Traditional Green Reading (The “Feel” Method)

This is the old-school approach: crouch behind the ball, look at the slope, trust your eyes, and make a judgment call. It relies heavily on experience, intuition, and trial-and-error. For many players, this is the go-to method—but it’s also the most inconsistent.

2. The Plumb-Bob

Often seen on Tour, this method involves holding your putter vertically to judge the slope. The idea is that gravity will help you identify which direction the green is sloping. While not 100% foolproof, it can provide helpful visual cues—especially for putts inside 10 feet.

3. AimPoint Express

Years ago, I had the chance to take an AimPoint clinic with LPGA teaching professional Erika Larkin out at Stonewall Golf Club in Virginia. Let me tell you—it changed the way I putt. AimPoint uses your feet to feel the slope and a simple finger system to visualize the break. It removes guesswork and builds confidence.

Not only does AimPoint give you a repeatable system, but it’s also rooted in physics and tour-proven. If you’ve ever seen pros holding fingers up behind their ball on TV, that’s AimPoint in action.

Why It Matters

According to PGA Tour stats, putting accounts for roughly 40% of all strokes taken in a round. Let that sink in. Your putter is used more than any other club in your bag. A three-putt here or there adds up fast—and learning how to properly read greens can be the difference between playing bogey golf and breaking 80.

Final Thought: Take the Next Step

If your putting feels off or your scores have plateaued, it may be time to step away from the driving range and focus on the greens. I highly recommend reaching out to your local teaching pro for a putting evaluation or clinic. Or try AimPoint—you might just find the clarity and confidence you didn’t know you were missing.

Because on your Road2Par, it’s not just about hitting it far. It’s about finishing strong.