One of the true learned skills of playing golf is the ability to read greens. Even for experienced players, this skill varies from course to course because there are many different types of grasses used on various green surfaces, and many outside factors that have an effect on the roll of the ball.

The player's ability to make putts is determined by three factors: 1. the speed control of the putt; 2. the starting line of the putt; and 3. the line chosen for the putt, which is why greens must be so carefully read. If all putts were perfectly flat and straight, reading greens would not be a necessity, as one would simply aim for the hole and hit it there.

The skill of reading greens is in matching the roll speed of the putt to the amount of curve that the grain of the grass and the slope of the green will have on the putt. This combination of speed and break (curvature of the putt) is what the player is trying to determine with the read.

All putts are rolled straight by the player. The slope of the green and the influence of the grain (direction of growth of the blades of grass) is what make the ball curve as it rolls along the green's surface.

As you size up the position of your ball and the hole location on the putting green, getting an over-all sense of how water would run off the surface of the green will help determine the slope part of the read. Then go behind the ball and sight a line from the ball to the cup. The line will have a high and a low side. The more the slope, the more the ball will curve downward. This is the first part of the read.

The second part is to read the effect of the grain. Look at the grass that grows between the ball and the hole and look at the edge of the cup. The edge of the cup will have a sharp side and a dull side. The ball breaks toward the dull side.

Next, add up all this information and determine the starting line and the speed of the putt, the latter of which is affected by the texture and the firmness of the surface. Remember, the ball will break more as it loses the energy of your stroke and slows down, so choose a line that will start the ball to the high side of the hole, and put only enough speed on it so it will slow significantly as it approaches the hole, and hopefully drops in!

For expert instruction on putting, along with all your short- and long-game needs, look no further than your local PGA Golf Professional, who will advise you on the drills and the latest technology and practice aids that can help you become a "money" putter. Visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and use the zip code search tool to find PGA-staffed facilities offering lessons, clinics and leagues near you.

Also, speaking of putting surfaces, the Dye Course at The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has had all its greens resurfaced with Champion Ultra Dwarf grass, which was chosen because it holds color and texture during dormant winter months better than other breeds. If you're in the area of The PGA Golf Club on or after the Oct. 1 re-opening, plan on stopping by and giving Pete Dye's latest renovation a try.

Until next time, here's to better golf!

Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.