02 Aug Be careful on the slopes

Working out how much a green slopes and, therefore, where exactly to aim the ball to bring it back to the hole is not the easiest of tasks on the golf course. Those of us with a good eye and that uncanny knack of judgment may be able to get it right most of the time. But there is no doubt that this skill is somewhat of a gift not granted to every golfer. Fortunately, however, there is a method by which to calculate fairly accurately the degree of slope relatively easily and therefore where roughly to aim your ball. Sometimes called a ‘plumb-bob’ method, it works on a similar principle to that of a piece of equipment used to establish a true vertical. In the case of golf, the equipment used is a putter.

The exercise is best carried out from a crouching position a yard or two from the ball. If this is a problem then move further back and try it from the upright position. You must take up your position behind the ball so that it is in the line of sight between you and the hole. Then make sure you suspend your putter by holding it lightly near the top of the putter grip, so that the shaft appears to be directly over the centre of the ball. Make sure you hold the putter so that that its head is pointing either towards you or the hole. If not, the shaft will hang at an angle. Take your eyes up the shaft to the point where they are level with the hole. In the case of a perfectly straight putt, where the ground is not sloping, the shaft will run right through the hole. But if the ground does slope, then this point will be either to the right or to the left of the hole and it is toward this point that you should aim your putt.

REMARK: This article was originally published by the Bangkok Post on the 2nd of August 2014