In Putting, Speed And Break Are Inseparable
As I frequently say, in putting speed is king. In reality, you cannot properly judge the line of the putt unless the speed you intend to hit it has already been determined.
How may times have you watched a guy putting downhill under play the break on a shorter putt, miss the hole, and then over play the break on the putt coming back uphill? I would bet this has happened to you.
Uphill putts, being of slower speed, will break less than a downhill putt of the identical side hill slope. By the same token, putts will always break more on faster greens than on slower ones.
You will also notice that when faced with longer putts, the tour pros will always pay special attention to what happens in the last five feet or so of the putt. They know that as the ball slows down near the hole the slope will have maximum effect.
When it comes to putting, speed is king to be sure. But it must always be married to Queen Break if you want your putt to have a chance of going in. It is imperative you understand that if you have a level putt, an uphill putt, and a downhill putt, all of identical side slope, you will have three different breaks.
As a general rule, it seems to help a lot of people if they putt with the idea of doubling the break they see on downhill putts, and cutting it in half on the uphillers. On level putts, play what you see.
As important as speed is to a putt if you want it to stop by the hole (if it doesn't go it), it is even more important for determining the proper amount of break to play. If you are having difficulty playing the right amount of break, remember the general rule and adjust accordingly.
