Caddy Tools - Green Readers

[cometgolfer]

Would love to hear a little about how the tour caddies chart the greens? In the past I've charted the greens at a few of the courses I play at using a "Green Level" device that Harold Swash had developed (it looks like a 7 inch circular bubble level). It's a time consuming and tedious process and usually required a day of vacation so I could chart all 18 greens on a course when it wasn't full of golfers. It certainly helped me with my green-reading especially on those greens with subtle deceiving breaks. I've since purchased an electronic green reading level made by Exelys (about $80) that I plan to use on a couple of other courses that I play a bit at and in tournaments during practice rounds. Hopefully it will speed the process up a bit.

How heavily are "green readers" used on tour? Do you focus primarily on the areas near the known pin locations for the week? I know these guys are good putters but I've always been amazed at the green reading ability of the pro's (and the caddies for that matter). Is this how they get a bit of an edge over the average player?

Thanks,

CG

[Hennybogan]

Overkill has both of the tools you mentioned. He can tell you about that. I tried some of that, but I found it difficult to trust my notes (not SURE that this was the exact line I rolled balls on before).

But... I am a very intuitive putter....and a good one. The main thing I want to know is whether the greens act like I read them. Before I roll, I read the putt. If it does what I think it should, then I am happy. Then I try to find some that don't and make a note. Usually it would be more break than I see rather than breaking the other way.

I think that great putters see more detail than the rest of us.

[Overkill]

Would love to hear a little about how the tour caddies chart the greens? In the past I've charted the greens at a few of the courses I play at using a "Green Level" device that Harold Swash had developed (it looks like a 7 inch circular bubble level). It's a time consuming and tedious process and usually required a day of vacation so I could chart all 18 greens on a course when it wasn't full of golfers. It certainly helped me with my green-reading especially on those greens with subtle deceiving breaks. I've since purchased an electronic green reading level made by Exelys (about $80) that I plan to use on a couple of other courses that I play a bit at and in tournaments during practice rounds. Hopefully it will speed the process up a bit.

How heavily are "green readers" used on tour? Do you focus primarily on the areas near the known pin locations for the week? I know these guys are good putters but I've always been amazed at the green reading ability of the pro's (and the caddies for that matter). Is this how they get a bit of an edge over the average player?

Thanks,

CG

CG

Further to Henny's note, I have both and I have used both. However, I like the 'Green reader' developed by HS. It is larger, much heavier and I believe gives a very true read. The Ex is much quicker and is used by a great many caddies. However, it is small, very light and can easily be affected by ball or spike marks. If I do not have a lot of time I use the Ex but I place in on top of a putting disc which gives it some stability.

My basic chart is taking a reading every 5 paces front to back about 4 paces from the edges and one every 5 paces down the middle. I then role the slopes and roll areas where pins have been in the past looking for anomolies

As you have indicated, the pros can putt////where I have found my work comes in handy is where the green looks to be flat, they are never flat//

If I can help my player with one putt a round, I feel the work has been all worth while

[cometgolfer]

Great insight and information as usual gentlemen! Interesting input regarding the EX ..... I hadn't considered it's weight and potential effect on readings. I'll have to make some similar compensations when I use it.

Thanks,

CG