AimPoint - Mid Read System

[cwdlaw223]

How long does it normally take to get all of the various mid reads down for putts over 20 feet? Putts less than 20 feet are relatively easy for me to read (execution is a different story). Over 20 (and really 30-40) foot putts I starting having trouble reading through the mid read system. For example, there might be 4-5 mid reads on some putts I have over 30-40 feet. I feel like I don't have time to make all of the calculations. Anyone else feel this way? On some greens there could easily be more than 6 reads to calculate because of all of the undulation. Rarely do I encounter a course with just planar greens.

[rok78]

I haven't had a chance to practice over 20' yet, but it was explained to me that you can break it into 10' increments and the overall will be close enough. That is unless you are going across an inflection point, then break it up at that point and calculate.

[Richie3Jack]

It doesn't take me long at all. The more you practice, the more accurate and quicker you can make these reads.

If I'm playing a casual round where people putt very quickly, I just make sure to get into the process of using AimPoint as soon as I get to the green. While others are hitting chips or pitches to the green, I've already calculated the distance to the cup and start figuring out the % of slope and where the ball is with relation to the 0 line. And by the time it's my turn to putt, I've usually got the calculation or I'm almost done figuring it out.

In tournament rounds when it's customary to take more time on the greens, I don't have to get everything in as quickly, but I generally read my putts and putt the ball more quickly than most of the golfers in the tournament.

For practice, I recommend getting a 4-foot yard stick. Get on the practice green and do some calculations. Mark the aimpoint with a tee and putt to it. If you miss the putt, figure out 'why?'

Did you mis-aim?

Did you have poor speed?

Did you mis-hit the putt?

If it's none of those and it appears your calculation was off, comb over the area of the putt as you may have missed a slope in the green that affected how your putt went.

Once you practice that, I think the next step is to make the calculations and then, without the yard stick, mark down the aimpoint with a tee. Then check to see if your perception of the AimPoint was accurate with reality. Meaning, if I think the aimpoint is 8-inches right of the cup and I mark it down, measure it. It may come up somethin like 5 inches right of the cup.

After doing that from different distances, you should be able to see a trend in how you visualize the AimPoint. I tend to 'over-aim' from shorter distances and aim fairly accurately from 15-feet. Unless the aimpoint is from over 2-feet, then I tend to over-aim those as well.

As far as double break go, they are generally not overly difficult. It's the triple breaks. I tend to like the idea of working in 10-foot intervals and dissecting the break from there. The only problem is that sometimes the first 3-feet or so and the last 2-feet or so can slope in a different direction to affect the putt just enough. Particularly if the ball is near the fringe, the first 2-3 feet tend to have a pronounced slope to them and it must be accounted for.










3JACK

[cwdlaw223]

Richie -

Thanks. The best way I cut down on three putting is making a better read from 30+ feet. I'm getting killed with guessing. I might take another lesson. What I want is a caddie with the Aimpoint reads for me!!!!

[Richie3Jack]

You can always still use the high or low anchor reads. The mid-read technique has made reading the green easier and quicker, but the low vs. high anchor reads are still valid, so if you get a longer putt, you can use them and not even have to bother too much with the mid-read. I used it on #5 at Legacy @ Alaqua Lakes. I knew I was about 5-feet from the low anchor point. So I read that instead of doing a mid-read. My calculation had the aimpoint at 7-inches right of the cup and I knew it would double break. But instead of bothering with the mid-read, I just calculated the bal's proximity to the 0 line which came out at 7-inches. I missed left, but only because I pulled it and hit it off the toe a little. The read was dead on though.






3JACK

[johngrahamgolf]

Here are a couple tips that may help with the longer multi planars.

Most important to get the steepest sections and the sections where the ball is going slowest. It will also require you to start estimating slope angle, steepness and length by sight during these types of putts.

Start practicing do more and more by sight to help with speed. Eyes define. feet refine.

JG

[cwdlaw223]

Thanks John. If you're ever in the Philly area giving a second level clinic please send me a private message. I travel, but two hours is tops.

[cwdlaw223]

John -

How does the R&A ruling on the mid read aimpoint charts affect how you teach, if at all? I wouldn't be surprised if the USGA follows the R&A.

[MattF]

cwdlaw223, can you elaborate on "R&A ruling on the mid read aimpoint charts"?

Is Aimpoint Mid Read System illegal?

[cwdlaw223]

Check out the Aimpoint forum. It isn't illegal per se.

Here is what Mark Sweeney posted at Aimpoint:

The R&A has issued a decision on AimCharts which states that using them during a stipulated round does NOT violate Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment) provided that the AimChart is not used as a physical reference for gauging angle. This means that in R&A governed rounds you cannot use the AimChart at the MidPoint to pick the angle, you will have to visually pick the angle based on how it intersects your body, then move away from the MidPoint before looking up the break on the AimChart. The USGA has not commented on this decision, but to be safe we recommend that anyone playing USGA-governed rounds follow the same process. Other corollary rules are Rule 6-7 (you must play without undue delay); and 16-1a (player cannot stand on or touch the line of the putt).

[Richie3Jack]

I don't see the big deal. I think you can still use your putter shaft or your hand.






3JACK

[MattF]

Thank you

[johngrahamgolf]

The ruling doesn't surprise me and just requires that we teach it the way we used to teach it. No big deal.

JG