How do we know what the condition of the green is and does it matter? A lot of serious golfers do very little to evaluate what Mother Nature is doing with her grass on the ‘Dance Floor’. That would be a mistake!
You ‘555 Golf Brethren’ know our ‘8 Step Putting & Chipping Pre Shot Routines’ will help us discover truth while building ‘Confidence, Comfort and Consistency’. There is a very bright question very few golfers ask! You may not have thought of this? Have you asked the Head or Assistant Pro shop personnel what strain of grass is resident on their teeing and putting grounds. An alternative is to ask the Greens-Keepers. Different grasses have variable characteristics. How many different types of grass can you name? They all have variable grains!
Different grains accomplish different rolling characteristics especially due to variable ‘Grains’. Really curious and determined to be successful with your Short Game? ‘Step 5 Paces Behind The Ball … looking ‘Down The Line’. Rub the palm of your hand both directions along the ‘Target or Ball Rolling Line’ … Down & Back. You will feel the grain or texture at the ball and cup ends. There may be degrees of slope and break as well.
Additionally, if there is pronounced grain the underside of the blades will be silver while the top side will be darker green. Look for the shine! (see Chlorophyl and Photosynthesis)
Another little factoid? What determines the ‘Direction Of The Grass Grain’? Some people will tell you the creek or pond … water source. One might be advised to think more about how and where the sun travels across the sky. The heat of the day (the Sun’s Apex Duration) draws the grain of the grass. That means there is more grain resistance or factor during this period.
Do you believe this conversation? Prove it by rubbing the palm of your hand ‘Up and Down The Line’ as well as ‘Across The Line’ in both directions. Inspect the blades of grass. Be curious!
‘SHE’ will willingly tell you her little truths!