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What is the apex of a putt?

• fitzroy1965 337 Posts

  Wed, Oct 30 2013 11:32 AM

  I have seen this term mentioned a few times in the forums, talking about reading the break on putts. I also know the definition of apex means the "highest point", so I guess the point is to try to find the highest point  of the break of a particular putt. This doesn't seem any different than just the usual moving the aim marker for compensation, based on one's experience reading the breaks. Just don't see how one can find the highest point , or is it something you just try to vizualize,but doesn't really exsist?

• andwhy67 2,816 Posts

  Wed, Oct 30 2013 1:10 PM

  Look over there on the forum-------------------------------->>

  Look up Golds putting formula, one of his diagrams, mentions something like counting the grid lines before ball and after hole. Find his thread and have a good read, or Nivlac and Stonecold killers putting guides.

  

• WGTicon 12,511 Posts

  Wed, Oct 30 2013 1:12 PM

  fitzroy1965:

  I have seen this term mentioned a few times in the forums, talking about reading the break on putts. I also know the definition of apex means the "highest point", so I guess the point is to try to find the highest point  of the break of a particular putt. This doesn't seem any different than just the usual moving the aim marker for compensation, based on one's experience reading the breaks. Just don't see how one can find the highest point , or is it something you just try to vizualize,but doesn't really exsist?

  I would say it exists but there is no set apex for putt because it'll depend on the line you take and speed you hit it as... to me I read apex statement as different.

  Apex is something I want to reach when reading complex putts because of the change in break or slope... for example:

  Say you have a 30ft putt thats 3-4inches up first 15up and then 5-6 inches down last 15ft... well apex is the point where putt starts to go down and break, so your goal is to get to that point with a specific speed.

  That 30ft putt may show you from ball to hole as being 1 down, but you have to treat it as different, since it has 2 parts that are vastly different... you just want to reach the apex with bare speed and let it go downhill on it's own... by reaching with bare speed, it will break much more.

  So, your goal is this: if your overall break is 1 box when you read putt from ball to hole, then by reaching apex with minimal speed required to reach the hole, your break in last 15ft now could be 2 boxes.

  If you hit that putt with speed you think from ball to hole, without looking at slope and apex, you will likely be 6-8by the hole. 

   

  30ft example is a simple one... you can easily use this on 100ft putts and such :)

• fitzroy1965 337 Posts

  Wed, Oct 30 2013 2:42 PM

  Now that I think about it maybe the apex is the same as just choosing the right line,all just based on feel and experience really.

• oneeyedjohn 9,589 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 4:41 AM

  First thing , the apex is not necessarily the halfway point along the putt, it is the point at which the breaking putt begins to break, and to judge this u have to look at the dots and see whether they are all moving the same speed..

  U also have to judge the change in elevation based on blue, red or black putt lines.

  Finding the apex is the essence of putting well.

  It couldn't be more simple.

  Icons' description is good, he knows what he's talking about.

  TIP: what I do in real life and on here is imagine the roll of the last 3 feet of the putt, by that I mean, u have to envisage where those last 3 feet are to drop.

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 6:50 AM

  fitzroy1965:

  ust don't see how one can find the highest point , or is it something you just try to vizualize,but doesn't really exsist?

  It exists in your mind's eye. Yes, you visualize what a successful putting line would be. Take everything Icon and John explained and before you even move the aimer, visualize how the line would look like you see on a replay.

  Something I learned from Icon many moons ago was to pay more attention to the first and last 1/3s of a putt. I see so many players start their putts off on the wrong line because they miss the break at their feet.

• fitzroy1965 337 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 11:10 AM

  Thxs jim and john, that clears things up a bit. I also have to ease up on myself and realize any putt over say 10 ft. with moderate to severe break in it,is VERY difficult to make,even for the best putters on here I would imagine.

• oneeyedjohn 9,589 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 5:43 PM

  Try this - when u play an approach, view the replay and it will show u the vapour trail on the green of how the ball finishes, this not only gives u a good feel for how the roll to the hole will be, but also is a good demonstration how the ball breaks.

  After a while of doing this exercise, this visualisation will always be in ur memory

• mantis0014 8,946 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 9:26 PM

  fitzroy1965:

  based on feel and experience

  I won't add to what has been said....  but you made a good point yourself  

  Keep it simple and don't overthink any putts.

  -Roger

• oneeyedjohn 9,589 Posts

  Fri, Nov 1 2013 11:42 PM

  Final piece of advice, and this from a Tour Pro, he said if ever in doubt about the line, then just hit it straight.

  I used this when I played St Andrews for real years ago, as I was getting on greens but like over 70 feet away with humps and hollows everywhere, impossible to read, so hit straight and more often than not it wasn't far away.