Tip From the Archives

Soft Greens

Problem

The greens are really soft.

Cure

When the greens are unusually soft, footprints will make them extra bumpy. So, play a little more break than usual.

Therapy

Footprints will be the worst around the cup. This will make it important to die the ball to the cup. Avoid hitting past the cup or you will end up with a short, uphill putt out of the footprints.

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9 votes

 
Ben | 3 months ago

Actually, Dave Pelz has proven that when footprints are around the cup it is actually best to hit the putt with enough speed for it to go 17" past the cup. This is because of the "lumpy donut" effect. The more people that step next to the hole to reach their ball out, the more there becomes a depression around 2 feet outside of the cup. This depression makes the hole act as if it were on top of a mound. Thus, a putt that dies at the cup is likely to roll more sideways down the mound and miss the cup.

dingo ate the baby | 3 months ago

I avoid this problem by just dunking it. I'll open up a lob wedge from 4' and swing hard, taking a sizable divot. The ball goes up and lands like a dead cat in the hole - most of the time. I use a pick axe to repair my ball mark/divots on the green and will punch a bear in the face if he looks at me funny.



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