Caddy Shack

[nuke99]

99

I,m not sure where you would like me to start, so lets start at the beginning.

I like the idea of the green being on a grid; the grid can be whatever size you like but I like 5x5; walk off your green, fit it within your grid, then walk of the ridges and fit those in your grid; the top of ridges could be indicated by a single line with cross strokes indicating slopes, long or short, depending on the severity of the slope. You could also mark areas with H or L to indicate high and low points.

Next, I use the level to show the 'fall lines' in various sections of the green; this is where a put would roll in a straight line and I draw an arrow to indicate this. The longer the arrow the steeper the slope. As I indicated earlier, the level I use is a circle; the steeper the slope, the farther the bubble moves from the centre; a straight line extended through the bubble and the centre is the fall line.

Now, before I bore you to death, let me explain something. This work I do is for my comfort level; these guys can read and putt greens or they would not be out here. I may only be required to utilize my 'charting' once or twice a round. However, where it is invaluable, is when a pin is placed in what looks like a flat area, or on top of a ridge, or at the bottom of a valley.

There is a new green at 'Congressional' this year and I was out charting it early this morning when a player came through. He had a short putt for par and missed it right; he tried it again and missed it again. I put the level down and guess what , the green sloped to the right, but you could not see the slope by just looking at the green.

In a valley, I find the bottom with the level and then I note how many paces that is from the edge of the green. Now, when a pin is placed in that area, depending on which side of the 'bottom' it is, I will know which way the putt will break, even if I can not see it.

What I'm trying to say is that charting is of the most value when the slope cannot be seen. Then, of course you have to get the 'putter' to believe you////

By the way, when you are 'charting' you greens, don't forget about the GRAIN//// just thought I would throw that in///

With regards to your chipping question, I have never noted that type of situation, I believe the player's comfort level will dictate the best course of action.

Thank you ! Man, thats alot of hard work!