Class Notes

Thank you for taking the AimPoint Express 1 Class with a Certified Instructor. This class is the beginning of your green-reading education and these concepts require supervised practice and follow-up instruction in order to be mastered. As an AimPoint Student you can also request to join the private AimPoint Golf Students Facebook page for more information:

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Lesson 1: Tilt

The ball breaks on its way to the hole because it is tilted to the side. The more it’s tilted, the more it breaks. In order to apply the Express process correctly we have to put a value on the amount of side tilt that we feel.

We are only putting a value on the amount of tilt side-to-side, not front-to-back.
Under practical circumstances the slope value will rarely exceed 7.
Most putts will have between 0% and 3% tilt.

Lesson 2: Reading Short Putts

The process for an AimPoint Express Read on short putts (3-6 feet) should be to feel your slope value in the middle area of the putt while facing the hole.

Stand directly facing the hole and choose a slope value.
On “1” slope values play just inside the hole on the high side.
For slopes greater than 1, hold up the same number of fingers as the slope value with the edge of your fingers on the lower edge of the hole. Aim on the outside of the furthest finger above the hole.

Lesson 3: Single Breaks

On single breaking putts longer than 6 feet, we always get the biggest slope value in the middle third of the putt. This is because the slope can begin to change on longer putts and the middle section has the biggest influence on the overall break. We also move our hand so that it is aligned with the center of the hole.

Walk either on the low side of the putt or straddle your line and check the slope 1/3 and 2/3 of the way to the hole. Use the biggest value.
Align your hand to the center of the hole.

Speed Lesson 1: Stroke Length

To begin controlling speed and putt distance, we must learn to have a backstroke length that is appropriate for the length of the putt. These are called Baseline Putts and we practice them on a flat area of the green that is neither uphill nor downhill.

For a 10 foot putt the backstroke length should be roughly 10 inches.
For each additional 4-5 inches that the backstroke lengthens, the putt will roll roughly an additional 10 feet further.
Stroke length can change depending on green speed

Speed Lesson 2: Stroke Timing

The next step in speed control is learning to control the effect of stroke timing. Slowing or speeding up your stroke timing can be effectively used as green speeds change or for uphill and downhill putts.

As green speeds increase or for downhill putts, slower stroke timing is very effective.
For slow greens or uphill putts faster strokes can be effective.

Speed Lesson 3: Downhill Putts

To adjust for downhill putts, slow your stroke down, or/and estimate the grade change between the ball and the hole, usually between 1 and 6. Stack your fingers vertically under the hole to see the effective distance that the putt plays.

Match your stroke length to the effective distance.
Looking from the hole to the ball can result in a better visual estimate of elevation change.

Speed Lesson 4: Uphill Putts

Estimate the grade change between the ball and the hole, usually between 1 and 6.

The stroke should be longer and slightly faster than your baseline putts.
Use a guideline that the putt will play 10% longer for every value of grade change.

Appendix: Tools

AimPoint Express Putting Line Gate: Click Here To Buy