When you are putting, the black squares means its up-hill so you to hit it harder. If there are blue squares, it means its level so you dont want to hit it to hard or to soft. If there are red squares, it means its down hill so you dont want to hit as hard. Also, a main key to putting is good aiming and good timing on the hitting meter. If you get both of those down really good, you will be a really good putter.