Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, your PGA-certified golf instruction editor. With over 15 years on the lesson tee, working with everyone from aspiring tour pros to dedicated weekend warriors, I truly believe that with the right approach and a clear understanding of the ‘why’ behind the ‘what,’ any golfer can elevate their game. Today, I want to talk about something crucial that resonated with me from Tiger Woods’ recent comments at the Genesis Invitational – the art of putting on fast, soft greens, and how to conquer those tricky putts with confidence.
Tiger Woods has always been a master of the short game, and his insights into putting are golden. During his time in the CBS booth during the Genesis Invitational, he shared some fantastic wisdom about how to approach greens that are soft from rain but still lightning fast. This is a common challenge we face, especially after a fresh watering or a bit of rain, and it can truly mess with your mind.
Understanding the Mental Game of Fast, Soft Greens
Imagine this: your approach shot lands softly, perhaps even backs up a bit, giving you the impression that the greens are slow. But then you step up to an 8-foot birdie putt, and suddenly, it’s zipping past the hole! This mental tug-of-war is exactly what Tiger described as the “pinko board effect” and the difficulty of equating “soft greens to fast greens.”
“You get some interesting putts out here with how fast they are,” Woods said. “But you don’t equate soft greens to fast greens. So that mentality is, ‘Oh, my 5-wood is backing up on the green or my 4-iron is backing up,’ but to then have to drip a putt in is so difficult mentally.”
This insight is so powerful because it highlights a common mistake: letting your perception of the green’s softness influence your putting speed. We tend to think soft means slow, but with Poa annua greens like those at Riviera, or even just well-maintained bentgrass that’s recently seen water, speed can be deceptive. The ball might not bounce much on impact, yet it will roll out quickly once it gets going. The key, as Tiger emphasizes, is commitment to your speed.
The Art of Committed Putting: Uphill vs. Downhill
Tiger’s strategy is simple yet profound: commitment. He explained his approach to uphill and downhill putts, and it’s something every golfer should engrain in their practice:
“The downhill putts, obviously, you’re going to be dripping. But if I’m putting uphill, I’m smoking it,” Woods said. “It’s committing to the fact that if you have an uphill putt or a flat putt, I don’t mind having two or three feet coming back. But I don’t want — the greens have that plinko effect and that can happen if you happen not to be committed to your speed, so anytime I have a chance to rip one into the back of the hole, I would.”
This tells us two crucial things:
- **Downhill Putts:** Be delicate. Focus on barely getting the ball past the hole. The gravity and speed of the green will do the rest.
- **Uphill and Flat Putts:** Be decisive. Hit it firm. Tiger isn’t afraid to roll it a few feet past the hole if it means getting it there with conviction. This eliminates the “plinko effect” – those frustrating wobbly putts that miss because of a slight bump or lack of pace.
In my teaching experience, lack of commitment is a huge putter killer. Many amateurs leave uphill putts short out of fear of going too far past, only to face a trickier second putt. Following Tiger’s advice, a slightly aggressive uphill putt is often better than a timid one.
Actionable Drills to Master Green Speed
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Actionable Drills to Master Green SpeedReady to put these insights into practice? Here are a couple of drills to help you build confidence and master your speed control, especially on those challenging greens:
Drill 1: The “Two-Ball Uphill Challenge”
This drill directly incorporates Tiger’s philosophy for uphill putts. Find a moderately uphill putt (about 10-15 feet) on your practice green. Place a ball at your starting point. Now, here’s the twist: place a second ball about 3 feet past the hole. Your goal is to hit your putt with enough pace to comfortably reach the second ball, without worrying about going too far. Focus on a firm, confident stroke. Repeat this 10 times. You’ll quickly notice how many more putts you get to the hole – and often, in the hole! The relief of taking the “short” miss out of play is immense.
Drill 2: The “Triple Downhill Test”
For downhill putts, precision and feel are paramount. Find a downhill putt, again around 10-15 feet. Place three balls about 6 inches apart, starting from your original position. Hit each ball with the goal of having it just trickle into the hole. The slight change in starting position for each ball means you’ll have to adjust your touch subtly. This forces you to feel the roll and minimize impact force, crucial for those delicate downhillers. If you consistently leave them within a foot of the hole, you’re doing great!
Drill 3: The “Soft-Fast Simulation”
This one you can do on your local practice green. After a rainfall, or even if the greens have just been watered, the conditions will mimick a ‘soft-fast’ scenario. Start with a few full chips or pitches onto the green and note how softly they land and maybe even back up a little. Then, immediately switch to putting. This deliberate contrast will help train your brain to differentiate between approach shot reactions and putting speed. Pay attention to how quickly the ball rolls once it’s on its line, challenging your initial “soft = slow” assumption. Do this just before your round, and you’ll be mentally prepared.
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Whether you’re eyeing a major win or just trying to beat your buddies, mastering your putting speed is non-negotiable. Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion, understands that the mental game often starts with a clear, committed approach to each putt. He hasn’t played competitively since the 2024 Open Championship and is rehabbing from lumbar disc replacement surgery, yet his mind for the game remains as sharp as ever. His physical journey back to competitive play, hitting full shots but not yet at a competitive level, reminds us of the dedication required to excel in golf. His commitment to leading the Player Advisory Council and reshaping the PGA Tour for future generations, like a true legacy builder, also speak volumes about his dedication to the sport beyond his personal play. That same level of commitment should fuel your putting game.
“I know I’ll be there,” Woods said about the upcoming Masters. “We’re going to open up The Patch… I know a lot of people who are playing.”
He’ll be there, whether playing or observing, and his insights remain invaluable. So, next time you’re on the green, facing conditions that challenge your perceptions, remember Tiger’s wisdom. Commit to your speed: drip them downhill, and rip them uphill or flat. You’ll be amazed at the difference a confident stroke makes!
