I played a round yesterday on some greens that have been top-dressed, it seemed like nothing from 3 feet and in was even hitting the hole, so my assitant pro told me to play it straight at the hole and ram it in there. He and a senior in high school who is going to play college golf next year always (all green conditions) from 3 feet and in just kill it through the break. I haven't tried this but I guess it works for them. But my question is does anyone else do this and if so how sucessful is it?

It has worked from me, yet I continue to evaulate the slope because I do run it 6 feet past if I miss the 3 footer. I quickly determine after the first two holes what I need to do, has a lot to do with confidence and the shape of the greens (as always the problem / ability is between the ears).




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Not for me--I've tried this on the practice green, and while you can take the break out, if you miss it's easily a 3 putt...

So for me, I like to die the ball into the hole...maybe less important from 3 feet, but I don't try and power the ball lin...just a nice stroke, being sure you don't leave it short.

But if it works for you....

I don't make a full swing to hit it in but I don't try to die it in the hole either.

If you hit it firm to kill the break you have a bigger risk of a horseshoe/lip out and if you miss the hole you risk a long put back. Plus, you need to have the big ball$

If you try to die it in the hole you take the full break and you need a golden touch.

That's why I hit it a little firmer for less break and I like to aim somewhere inside the hole. That way, if there's less break then you thought it is in, if there's more break you have a good chance to lip it in anyway. If you miss you've got a foot (or two) to get back, that's easy.

In the end just go with the strategy that works for you and your nature!

I'll run with what Hervey Penick said - something along the lines of hit it the same pace and with the same amount of break you play for your normal putts of any distance.

No point changing your routine - I can't putt at the best of times let alone if I was chopping and changing my stroke on every green.