Green
The green is the area with the hole — this is where you putt.
The green is the target of every hole: mown very short, smooth and prepared for the rolling ball. Here you play exclusively with the putter; the putt makes the ball roll instead of fly. Greens are rarely flat. They have waves, terraces and slopes that make the ball break. The green speed is measured in Stimp and is significantly higher on tournament courses than on everyday facilities. Around the green lies the apron as a transition.
On the green special rules of conduct apply. You repair your pitch mark, that is the impression of your ball on impact. You do not step on the putting line of your fellow players. And you may leave the flag in the hole when putting, that has been rule-compliant since 2019. An example: your ball lies eight metres from the flag. You read the slope from right to left and aim beside the hole accordingly. Good green reading saves more strokes than any change of technique.
A common mistake is the underestimated speed. On fast greens a short swing is enough for long distances. Practise ten minutes on the practice green before the round, that calibrates your feel. Treat the green like the most sensitive piece of the course, because that is exactly what it is.
FAQ
May I leave the flag in the hole when putting?
Yes, that has been rule-compliant since 2019. You may leave the flag in, take it out or have it held, entirely as you wish. Many golfers leave it in for the long putt because the hole is better visible that way.
How do I read the slope on the green correctly?
Look at the putt from behind the ball and from behind the hole, because from the low side you recognise the slope best. The way to the green also often shows where the water drains to and thus where the ball breaks. Practise green reading deliberately, it saves more strokes than any change of technique on the putt.
What must I absolutely observe on the green?
Repair your pitch mark, that is the impression your ball has left on impact. Do not step into the putting line of your fellow players and do not pull the trolley across the green. The green is the most sensitive surface of the whole course and is maintained accordingly.