The 'gnome's Secrets

[Yoda]

. . . go to google earth and print out pictures of the course and each green. You would be surprised what kind of detail you can get from this. Google earth will also give you an exact "true north" position for each hole. This is important for "grain" and wind direction.

Wow, golfgnome. I have never heard of this. Thanks!

Question: what is the relationship between 'true north' and grain / wind direction?

[golfgnome]

Wow, golfgnome. I have never heard of this. Thanks!

Question: what is the relationship between 'true north' and grain / wind direction?

I use true north as a reference only. When the wind is coming from the West/Northwest I can mark it on each hole so the "swirls" do not confuse me. Also if you are playing in an area where everything breaks toward the ocean, or Indio, or whatever, I can always have that reference.

For those who play on bermuda, grain is always an issue. The grain will typically grow toward the west (setting sun). Once again having a reference helps to eliminate doubt and is by no means an absolute.

[alex_chung]

Interesting stuff Jeff. Keep it coming.
Do you think this is OTT for a normal weekend player? Or is it a case of having as much information as possible (good input good output etc)
Alex

[golfgnome]

Interesting stuff Jeff. Keep it coming.
Do you think this is OTT for a normal weekend player? Or is it a case of having as much information as possible (good input good output etc)
Alex

I do not believe you can have too much information, especially on the golf course. I try to make every course a "home course" and use this to my advantage. If I play a hole poorly during a practice round or am not comfortable with it, I will play it over until it is and only recall the positive way to play it.

As far as a weekend player is concerned I think it is wise to know the "safe spot" on every approach, even if it is not on the green. Laying up or even knocking it over may not be a bad play, especially if that is the safe spot.

[dkerby]

I understand that looking at the hole, you will see one
side somewhat ragged and the other side clean cut.
Bermuda Grass. Do to the way the hole cutter works,
the cutter will tear, more than cut, on the rough side
which is the way that the grain is growing.

Do you have any experience with this.

Donn

[YodasLuke]

I understand that looking at the hole, you will see one
side somewhat ragged and the other side clean cut.
Bermuda Grass. Do to the way the hole cutter works,
the cutter will tear, more than cut, on the rough side
which is the way that the grain is growing.

Do you have any experience with this.

Donn

Caution: The following advice is from someone that wants Bent rolling a 15.

I've seen people that putt really well using that technique. But, I (personally) have not had as much success with that. The only way that I can putt on Bermuda is to do a 360 degree walk-around.

[golfgnome]

I understand that looking at the hole, you will see one
side somewhat ragged and the other side clean cut.
Bermuda Grass. Do to the way the hole cutter works,
the cutter will tear, more than cut, on the rough side
which is the way that the grain is growing.

Do you have any experience with this.

Donn

This is good for the last couple of feet to the hole. The best way to see grain is "shiny"=fast, "dull or dark" = slow. If you get both then pray!

[dkerby]

This is good for the last couple of feet to the hole. The best way to see grain is "shiny"=fast, "dull or dark" = slow. If you get both then pray!

Seems to me, that when the sun is behind me the grass looks shiny.
When the sun is in front of me, the grass looks dull. Should I be looking
at the grass from the side?

[Hennybogan]

I understand that looking at the hole, you will see one
side somewhat ragged and the other side clean cut.
Bermuda Grass. Do to the way the hole cutter works,
the cutter will tear, more than cut, on the rough side
which is the way that the grain is growing.

Do you have any experience with this.

Donn

The grass is growing across the hole. The cutter cuts the roots on one side. The burnt edge is the result.

[Yoda]

The grass is growing across the hole. The cutter cuts the roots one one side. The burnt edge is the result.

. . . Common terminology among those who make their living at such things. For the rest of us . . .

Cool!

Thanks, Henny!