Reading greens can present a challenge to all golfers. We have an added variable to consider when reading greens here in Florida on Bermuda grass. This extra variable to consider is the ‘grain’ on our Bermuda grass greens. This type of grass lays down in one direction unlike the bent grass on Northern courses which is virtually grain free. The direction that the Bermuda grass lays causes a pronounced effect on the way the ball will roll on the greens. Grain can be very tricky to read and I hope the following tip, which I call ‘the 2 C’s to reading grain’ will help you.

The 2 C’s are the cup and the color. The first ‘C’ is the cup. If you look closely at the cup on the green you will notice an edge of the cup that appears a little rough and one edge that is a little cleaner. This indicates that the grain of the grass is moving from the clean edge to the rough edge. The second ‘C’ is the color of the grass. If you stand in an area in the middle of the green and look around in all directions you will notice two distinct shades of green. The direction that appears light green and shiny indicates ‘down grain’ and the direction that appears darker green and dull indicates ‘into the grain’.

Upon evaluating these 2 ‘C’s’ you will be able to establish the direction of the grain. Putts that are down grain will be slightly faster than usual and putts into the grain will be slightly slower, while putts that have right to left grain will break more to the left and the opposite is true for left to right grain. This may seem a bit difficult to absorb through words only and no pictures, however, I am confident that your own observations on the greens with these 2 C’s in mind will help you read the greens and the grain successfully. Do not hesitate to see your local PGA Professional to assist you with reading the grain on the greens!!