Easier to Putt Uphill or Downhill?
By Jamie Faidley under Putting
There is a lot of “common knowledge” when it comes to the game of golf, but just because it’s popular in belief doesn’t make it accurate. Something that I want to bring your attention to when putting is whether you would rather putt uphill or downhill. The answer to this is that it depends on your circumstances. If you are leaving yourself a short, easily makeable putt or a long putt that you would probably be happy just to get down in two.
Short Putts
For short putts you want to putt downhill. Some golfers might doubt this and if you get the shakes panicking that you are going to blow a 3-footer by the hole and end up not making the one coming back, then you might be right. However, downhill putts hold their line better because gravity is forcing the ball end over end. If you are putting uphill, gravity exaggerates the break. Thus, if you have a short chip shot that you are confident you can leave within three feet, don’t worry about leaving yourself a downhill putt.
Longer Putts
If you are hitting an approach shot of 100 yards or more, then unless you are an extremely accurate iron player or you just happen to get luck you are going to leave yourself a putt outside of ten feet. For these longer putts you want to putt uphill. The same rules apply to the break as with the short putts. Downhill putts will break less than ones traveling uphill, but the distance control is so much better with uphill putts. A ball rolling uphill has it’s speed killed, so any mistake in how hard to hit a putt gets minimized by gravity. Reversely, if a putt is traveling down the hill any mistake gets magnified by gravity. Thus, if a two-putt is your main concern, an uphill putt is preferable.
A popular form of tournament play for recreational golfers is the four man best shot, or scramble. When four people are putting from the same spot, you probably won’t be worrying too much about leaving yourself a short second putt. If the putt is rather straight, then choose the one heading down the hill.
If you are having trouble on the greens, then read more of the putting tips we have available on our site.
