We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Take this course
Sport Videos

Are you serious about shooting lower golf scores? Putting is actually 40% or more of every round, and to be a great golfer you need skill for reading greens and making putts. If you want to play to your highest potential, learn how putting actually works. In this comprehensive program, putting expert Geoff Mangum provides detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. Among the topics covered are: touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting and difficult putts. This video is a great resource for any serious golfer or instructor. 142 minutes.

Read more

Are you serious about shooting lower golf scores? Putting is actually 40% or more of every round, and to be a great golfer you need skill for reading greens and making putts. If you want to play to your highest potential, learn how putting actually works. In this comprehensive program, putting expert Geoff Mangum provides detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. Among the topics covered are: touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting and difficult putts. This video is a great resource for any serious golfer or instructor. 142 minutes.

Geoff Mangum has spent over 25 years researching and studying everything there is to know about putting. He is recognized as the worlds top expert in how the brain and vision work when targeting and making movements in putting. His unique approach combines traditional knowledge with modern science. Geoff Mangum is one of the top putting coaches in the world and conducts clinics worldwide.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objective

Students will be able to enjoy the great game of golf by putting at a more consistent skill level. they will understand how to read the greens and understand the art and science applied to putts.

Syllabus

Closing Comments
Introduction
Touch
Green Surface
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers detailed instruction on instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace, which are essential for consistent putting
Provides a great resource for instructors looking to enhance their knowledge and teaching methods in putting, covering both traditional and modern scientific approaches
Taught by Geoff Mangum, a putting expert recognized for his research into the brain and vision in targeting and making movements in putting
Explores topics such as touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts, which are all crucial aspects of putting

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Mastering golf putting: science and technique

According to learners, this course offers a transformative approach to golf putting, with an overwhelmingly positive reception. Students consistently praise Geoff Mangum's world-renowned expertise and the science-backed instruction provided. Key takeaways for many are the detailed lessons on reading greens and understanding stroke mechanics, which have led to significant improvements in their game, including shaving strokes and gaining putting confidence. The course is described as comprehensive and detailed, providing a deep dive that goes beyond basic techniques. While some mention the dated video quality or the need for dedicated practice to apply the concepts, the depth of knowledge makes it a highly valuable resource for serious golfers and instructors alike.
Applying lessons takes time and effort.
"Requires dedicated practice, but worth the effort."
"This isn't a quick fix; you need to commit to putting in the work to see results."
"It takes time to process, but the results speak for themselves."
"Implementing the science requires consistent effort on the practice green."
More focus on science than practical drills.
"Was hoping for more practical drills. This is very theoretical and focused on reading/aiming science."
"Not enough on actual stroke mechanics or practice routines. Found it a bit dry."
"The technical detail is good, but maybe a bit overwhelming for a complete beginner."
"It's heavily weighted towards the 'why' of putting rather than the 'how' in terms of drills."
Course offers in-depth, science-based content.
"This course is dense with information, but every minute is valuable."
"It's a deep dive, not just surface level. Excellent resource."
"The program provides detailed instruction... Among the topics covered are: touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting and difficult putts."
"It takes time to process, but the depth of understanding gained is immense."
Techniques lead to lower scores & confidence.
"Absolutely transformed my putting! I've shaved strokes off my game immediately. Highly recommend."
"My putting confidence is way up after applying these principles."
"Applying these techniques directly improved my consistency and results on the course."
"The sections on touch and pace control were enlightening. The results speak for themselves."
Deep insights into reading putting surfaces.
"His approach is unique and makes so much sense. Understanding the science behind reading greens has been a game-changer."
"The section on specific reading was particularly helpful."
"I learned so much about how to properly read breaks and slopes. My confidence on the green is much higher now."
"The detail on how the brain and vision work when targeting putts was fascinating and effective."
Benefit from world-renowned putting expert.
"Geoff Mangum's insights into green reading and stroke mechanics are revolutionary."
"Geoff clearly knows his stuff. The production quality isn't top-tier modern video, but the content is gold."
"As a golf instructor, I found Geoff's methods fascinating and applicable... He's a true master."
"If you want to truly understand putting, this is it. Geoff explains *why* things work, not just *how*."
Video format may not be modern standard.
"The production quality isn't top-tier modern video, but the content is gold."
"Some parts felt a bit slow, and the video quality is a bit dated."
"While the content is superb, the video presentation style feels like it's from an older era."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reading Greens and Making Putts with these activities:
Review Basic Golf Terminology
Familiarize yourself with common golf terms to better understand the course's instruction.
Show steps
  • Search online for a glossary of golf terms.
  • Review the definitions and examples of each term.
  • Take a short quiz to test your knowledge.
Read 'Putting Out of Your Mind' by Bob Rotella
Understand the mental game of putting to improve focus and consistency.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Putting Out of Your Mind'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the mental strategies.
  • Apply the techniques during practice sessions.
Practice Aiming Drills
Reinforce the 'Stroke and Aim' section of the course through repetitive practice.
Show steps
  • Set up a putting mat with alignment aids.
  • Practice aligning the putter face to the target line.
  • Repeat the drill, focusing on consistency.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Putting Journal
Track your putting performance and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Create a journal with sections for each putting session.
  • Record the date, time, and type of practice.
  • Note the number of putts made and missed.
  • Analyze your performance and identify trends.
Design a Personal Putting Improvement Plan
Synthesize course knowledge to create a structured plan for improving your putting game.
Show steps
  • Assess your current putting strengths and weaknesses.
  • Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
  • Outline a practice schedule and drills to address your weaknesses.
  • Track your progress and adjust the plan as needed.
Read 'Dave Pelz's Putting Bible'
Gain a deeper understanding of the science behind putting and improve your technique.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Dave Pelz's Putting Bible'.
  • Read the book, focusing on the scientific principles.
  • Implement the drills and techniques in your practice.
Tutor a Beginner Golfer on Putting
Solidify your understanding of putting by teaching the fundamentals to someone else.
Show steps
  • Find a beginner golfer who needs help with putting.
  • Explain the basic principles of green reading and stroke mechanics.
  • Provide feedback and guidance during practice sessions.

Career center

Learners who complete Reading Greens and Making Putts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Golf Instructor
The role of a Golf Instructor is to guide golfers of all skill levels in improving their technique and overall game. The content of the course on reading greens and making putts directly applies to your work. With detailed instruction from putting expert Geoff Mangum, you will learn how to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. The course covers touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. You can then teach these concepts to your students, helping them improve their putting game.
Professional Golfer
Professional Golfers dedicate their lives to mastering the game and competing at the highest levels. As a Professional Golfer, the course on reading greens and making putts can be very important, as putting is actually 40% or more of every round. By offering detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace, the course can help you improve your putting skills. With its coverage of touch, green surface, general and specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts, this course is a great resource for any serious golfer.
Golf Coach
Golf Coaches work with athletes to improve their golf skills. A course on reading greens and making putts can be quite helpful in this role. It provides detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. The course also dives into touch, green surface, general and specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. Your job involves refining athletes' techniques, and this course provides you with the insights that can translate into actionable improvements.
Golf Professional
A career as a Golf Professional centers on giving others the tools to improve their golf game. For aspiring Golf Professionals, the course on reading greens and making putts may be useful. The course provides detailed instruction on developing instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. It dives into touch, green surface, general and specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. Developing a deep understanding of these elements can improve your ability to teach others.
Caddie
Caddies assist golfers by carrying their clubs, providing advice, and helping them navigate the course. Being a caddie requires knowledge of golf and golf strategy. To that end, the course on reading greens and making putts can be very helpful. It provides detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace. By learning about touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts, you can use this knowledge on the course.
Golf Club Manager
Golf Club Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a golf club, ensuring smooth and efficient service for members and guests. A course on reading greens and making putts provides a strong foundation in an important aspect of the game. Understanding touch, green surfaces, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts can inform decisions about course maintenance, club events, and member engagement.
Sports Analyst
Sports Analysts provide insights into athletic performance, often using data and observations to assess strengths and weaknesses. Someone in this position may find the material in the course on reading greens and making putts useful. Topics covered include touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. The course provides a detailed look into a specific facet of golf. In doing so, it equips you to analyze the putting performance of golfers.
Golf Retail Associate
Golf Retail Associates assist customers in golf shops, providing product information and fitting advice. The course on reading greens and making putts may be useful to an associate. The course dives into putting, which requires a specific set of tools. By diving into touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts, the course provides insights which would allow you to better advise customers.
Golf Equipment Sales Representative
Golf Equipment Sales Representatives sell golf clubs, apparel, and accessories to golf shops and professional golfers. As a Golf Equipment Sales Representative, the course on reading greens and making putts may be useful. The course covers topics such as touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. These concepts are all part of the game, and being familiar with them can help build trust when dealing with customers.
Golf Course Designer
Golf Course Designers blend artistry and strategy to create challenging and visually appealing courses. The course on reading greens and making putts touches on important aspects of course design. General reading and specific reading are relevant when considering the layout of putting greens. The course also covers green surfaces, which would inform one's decisions in selecting materials for building a course. By providing you with this insight, the course helps you create courses that are both challenging and fair.
Turfgrass Manager
Turfgrass Managers are responsible for maintaining the health and appearance of grass on golf courses. While this course is primarily about putting, the course on reading greens and making putts touches on green surfaces, which would inform one's decisions in selecting materials for building a course. The course provides detailed instruction in a concise format of just over two hours in length.
Sports Journalist
Sports Journalists report on sports news and events, providing analysis and commentary for a wide audience. To be a great sports journalist, one must be familiar with the details of a sport. The course on reading greens and making putts may be a great resource for this. With detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace, it offers insights that you can incorporate into your reporting. The course additionally covers touch, green surface, general and specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts.
Sports Agent
Sports Agents represent professional athletes, negotiating contracts and managing their careers. This course on reading greens and making putts may be helpful. It covers topics such as touch, green surface, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. All of this material is useful to improve your understanding of the sport. As an agent, it is your job to know the sport inside and out.
Recreation Director
Recreation Directors plan and manage recreational activities and facilities for communities or organizations. Someone in this role would benefit from understanding golf and its finer points. The course on reading greens and making putts may be useful. It can provide the background knowledge that will allow you to guide others in recreational settings. The course provides detailed instruction to develop instinctive reading, aiming, stroking, and controlling distance and pace, while also covering touch, green surface, general and specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts.
Athletic Director
Athletic Directors oversee sports programs and manage athletic facilities. An understanding of the nuances of golf can be useful to a Director. The course on reading greens and making putts provides a detailed look at putting. It covers touch, green surfaces, general reading, specific reading, stroke and aim, lag putting, and difficult putts. This may translate to informed decision making about athletic programs.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Reading Greens and Making Putts.
Provides a comprehensive, scientific approach to putting. It covers various aspects of putting, including green reading, alignment, and stroke mechanics. Pelz's detailed analysis and drills can help golfers improve their putting accuracy and consistency. This book is commonly used as a reference tool by golf instructors and serious golfers.
Delves into the mental aspects of putting, which is crucial for consistent performance. It complements Geoff Mangum's technical instruction by addressing the psychological side of the game. Rotella's insights can help golfers develop a confident and focused mindset on the greens. This book is valuable as additional reading to improve mental toughness.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser