Reading the Green

• Slope of the Green
  In your mind try to analyse all the the curves and bumps that lead from your balls position to the hole. Take the surrounding terrain into consideration as well so you can identify places that would cause your ball to take other directions.
  
  
• Length of the Green Grass
  Analyse the grass on the green. The shorter the grass, the faster the golf ball will role on it.
  
  
• Firmness of the Green
  Analyse the firmness of the Green. The firmer the Green the faster the ball will role. Especially wet Greens can slow down a ball dramaticaly.
  
  
• Direction of the Grass Grain
  Grass blades are generally pressed to one direction. If you Putt against the grain, the Putt will be slower. If your Putt is going to the direction of the grain, the Golf ball will roll faster.
  
  
• Type of Green Grass
  Bentgrass Greens are cut much lower than Bermuda Greens so the Golf ball will be faster in Bentgrass than in Bermuda. Bentgrass doesn't have grains, so you won't need to mind grains when you are Playing Golf in a Bentgrass Green.
  
  
• Wind
  Plays a subtle effect on your Putt. If the wind is blowing in your face at 20 miles per hour or faster, your Putt will be a foot short from the hole so put a bit harder.