Reading the Green
The process of studying a putt's slope, grain, and speed before hitting it, to figure out the line.
See the full breakdown: Misreading Greens
Every common cause and fix for this exact issue.
See the related guide: Aimpoint green reading, explained
A full explanation, in plain language.
More short game & putting terms
Flop Shot
A very high, soft-landing short shot played with an open, lofted clubface, usually over an obstacle with little green to work with.
Bump and Run
A low, running chip shot that carries a short distance in the air and rolls the rest of the way to the hole, like a putt.
Chili Dip
Slang for an extreme chunked chip that barely moves the ball at all, essentially just a bad case of the fat chip.
Lag Putt
A long putt played primarily for distance control, aiming to leave a short, easy second putt rather than trying to make it.
Breaking Putt
A putt that travels on a curved line due to slope, rather than straight at the hole.
Grain
The direction grass blades lean on a green, which subtly affects a putt's speed and break.