Uphill and Downhill Putts
Also known as: downhill putt, uphill putt, downhill putts, uphill putts, putting downhill, putting uphill
Uphill putts need a firmer stroke and break less. Downhill putts need a softer stroke, break more and should die at the hole. On a fast downhill putt, picture a hole short of the real one and roll the ball to it.
Slope changes both pace and break. Going uphill, gravity slows the ball sooner. It needs more speed and has less time to curve. Going downhill, the ball keeps rolling and picks up break as it slows. A putt that barely breaks uphill can break a lot coming back down.
On uphill putts, many golfers play less break and roll the ball firmly enough to finish a little past the hole. Do not leave it short. An uphill putt that stops short never had a chance. On downhill putts, play more break and use a shorter, smoother stroke. Picture the ball dying into the front edge of the cup.
On very fast downhill putts, some golfers pick a spot partway to the hole and putt to it. The slope then carries the ball the rest of the way. Others strike the ball slightly toward the toe to deaden it. Whenever you can, leave approach shots below the hole. Uphill putts are easier to hole than downhill ones.
Tips by skill level
On the practice green, putt the same distance uphill and downhill five times each. Notice how different the two stroke lengths feel.
On a downhill breaking putt, aim higher than your first read. The slower pace near the hole gives gravity more time to pull the ball.
Example
Facing a 15-foot downhill putt on a fast green, she imagines a hole five feet short of the real one. She plays a little extra break and rolls the ball to that spot. It trickles the rest of the way and stops beside the cup.
Why it matters
Misjudging slope is a common cause of three-putts. Adjusting pace and break for uphill and downhill putts keeps your second putt short.
Common mistakes
- Playing the same break uphill and downhill
- Leaving uphill putts short
- Hitting downhill putts with a long, quick stroke
- Leaving approach shots above the hole on sloping greens
Frequently asked questions
How do I putt downhill on fast greens?
Use a shorter, smooth stroke, play more break and let the ball die at the hole. On very fast putts, aim at a spot short of the hole and let the slope roll it the rest of the way.
Do uphill putts break less?
Yes. An uphill putt is struck harder and slows quickly near the hole. It has less time to curve. Downhill putts slow gently and break more.
How much break do I play on a downhill putt?
More than on a flat or uphill putt of the same length. The ball slows gently and curves for longer. Many golfers aim higher than their first read on fast downhill putts.
Related terms
- Reading BreakReading break is predicting how much, and which way, a putt will curve based on slope. It is a separate skill from the putting stroke: a well-struck putt on a misread line still misses.
- Speed Control (Putting)Speed control is calibrating stroke length and tempo so a putt rolls the intended distance. It is widely considered the single most important putting skill.
- Putting Green Speed (Stimpmeter)Green speed is measured with a Stimpmeter and expressed in feet, commonly 8 to 13. It is how far a ball released from a standard ramp rolls on a level part of the green. Faster greens amplify break and demand a lighter stroke.
- Three-PuttA three-putt means taking three strokes to hole out after reaching the green. It usually starts with poor distance control on the first putt.
- Lag PuttingLag putting is the deliberate strategy of putting distance control ahead of making a long putt. The aim is a short, stress-free second putt rather than an aggressive attack on the hole.
- Good MissA good miss is the preferred side to miss on a given shot. It is the direction or spot where an error leaves the easiest recovery or does the least damage.
Related guides & benchmarks
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