Reading Greens

Baffled by the way the putt breaks and the amount of break?
Master and memorize the following, and your confidence will rise: (So use this acronym to memorize the tips that are below = "Don't let Breaks BaFFLe you, instead read them FaBuLOuSly")...

B. Back of the green: From the back of the green, look at the entire green in your periphial and the last 6" to 2 feet of break. You get a different perspective.
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B. Back off of your read and reassess only if others like your partner, coach, or caddie are in disagreement, then use the read of Last defense tip below
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F. First instinct: Trust your first read and instinct. Think about when taking tests in school and the rule of them is the first answer is usually the right answer... so in this same theme apply it to your first read is probably correct most of the time.
F. Feet as plumb bob: Instead of using your putter as a plumb bob try using your feet and feel the break. I have discovered due to my Hilly Lie Formula that your feet can tell your brain alot. Also the Hilly Lie Formula has taught me over the years that my eyes lie to me regarding which way the hills are actually sloping about 50% of the time. So I have learned to plumb bob with my feet EVERYWHERE especially on the green.
L. Last defense read: when in doubt or others are confusing you get behind the putt and imagine how much the putt would break if you hit the putt straight at the hole with the right speed.
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F. Firm: When your putting is in the SUPERZONE hit your short putts firmer and straighter. When I am putting in this state, I like to think about the way Tom Watson hit his short putts when he was in his prime on the PGA Tour. Firm into the back of the cup!!!
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B. Bermuda or plugged greens: Tom Watson firm putting picture again = Hit it firm and straighter, less room for error on these slower grainy greens.
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L. Local breaks: Ask the local pros, advanced players, and the best putters for that golf course where the putts tend to break to.
O. Other putts and chips: Pay attention to how others putts and chips are breaking to aid you in making a decision on your putt
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S. Spike marks: Sometimes you may not want to hit the ball with speed to go 19" past (optimal Robot speed to make most putts, according to Pelz) because there are spike marks or other issues that may make that putt tough.
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I would love to hear your comments about what works for you. Sources that have helped me write this include: over the years different short game books, magazine articles, mentors, peers, competitors, students, tv commentators, and research & discovery J33:3 I look forward to continuing this journey with you!