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**barsikjal** · 06-07-2011, 07:42 PM

Don't be a whimp with your putts. Be firm, and have confidence.

Reading the grain is tough for a first timer, so just remember that putts tend to break towards water. Do this and you will be okay.

But don't be over firm on down-grain putts. On some Bermuda greens a down-grain putt might roll out 50% more than you expect, leaving you a 8-10 footer coming back instead of what would be a 2-3 footer into the grain.

One way to check is watch your approach shot - if it stops quickly it is probably going into the grain and you can putt a little firmer. If the approach rolls out what seems like a crazy amount - you hit it well and expected it to stop - then you know the grain is running away from you and can putt coming back accordingly.

Putts and chips into the grain will break more and sooner. Putts and chips down grain will break less and later and can keep running out.

Chipping from Bermuda rough can be tricky if the grass is "clumpy" - it can grab the club/hosel. You also may find a chip you think will have a lot of spin on it just keep rolling because of the grain, or play one to roll out just stop because of the grain. So try to read the grain when chipping, too, not just when putting.

As for hitting full shots from the rough, as mentioned above, it can be a mixed bag. Easy to get a little fluffy flier lie but also likely to drop dead any be almost burried, especially in longer bermuda, and when that happens just expect to lose a lot of carry because it will grab your club and suck all the power out of your swing. Sometimes laying up is the better part of valor from heavy bermuda rough, especially over water.

We make it all sound terrible don't we? But well maintained, healthy bermuda can be fantastic to play on, it just has quirks like any other grass. Once you get a feel for it you don't even think about it, like reading the wind, you just get a sense for how it will react and go with it.

06-07-2011, 07:42 PM	#7
barsikjal Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 484 Senior Member	Don't be a whimp with your putts. Be firm, and have confidence. Reading the grain is tough for a first timer, so just remember that putts tend to break towards water. Do this and you will be okay. But don't be over firm on down-grain putts. On some Bermuda greens a down-grain putt might roll out 50% more than you expect, leaving you a 8-10 footer coming back instead of what would be a 2-3 footer into the grain. One way to check is watch your approach shot - if it stops quickly it is probably going into the grain and you can putt a little firmer. If the approach rolls out what seems like a crazy amount - you hit it well and expected it to stop - then you know the grain is running away from you and can putt coming back accordingly. Putts and chips into the grain will break more and sooner. Putts and chips down grain will break less and later and can keep running out. Chipping from Bermuda rough can be tricky if the grass is "clumpy" - it can grab the club/hosel. You also may find a chip you think will have a lot of spin on it just keep rolling because of the grain, or play one to roll out just stop because of the grain. So try to read the grain when chipping, too, not just when putting. As for hitting full shots from the rough, as mentioned above, it can be a mixed bag. Easy to get a little fluffy flier lie but also likely to drop dead any be almost burried, especially in longer bermuda, and when that happens just expect to lose a lot of carry because it will grab your club and suck all the power out of your swing. Sometimes laying up is the better part of valor from heavy bermuda rough, especially over water. We make it all sound terrible don't we? But well maintained, healthy bermuda can be fantastic to play on, it just has quirks like any other grass. Once you get a feel for it you don't even think about it, like reading the wind, you just get a sense for how it will react and go with it.
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