Perfectstroke Ball Markers and Green Reading System

The Perfectstroke Ball Markers and Green Reading system is a comprehensive method to improve green reading and putting outcomes. It is comprised of a set of three markers that can be used in social play or practice and training, a set of three reference charts and an additional ball marker that can be used in all competitions.
Each of the standard ball markers has indications on either side relating to the amount of slope for any given putt. The indicator dots can either define the exact line of play for a straight putt or for planar breaking putts OR the dots indicate how the putt PLAY’S LIKE relating to a slope combination. For example a putt with a combination of 2% sideslope and 2% downslope on a fast green will play as though it is a 3% sideslope putt as a downslope will make the putt break more. One side has dots indicating the suggested aim’s for putts with slight slopes, with the other side relating to putts with higher slopes and a need to aim at angles further away from the hole. One side of the Perfectstroke marker has four dots and the reverse side has four or five dots depending on the green speed. The reason there is additional dots on the reverse side of the marker is that they indicate plays like slope percentages of up to 8% which may be needed when a putt has side slope as well as down slope. For putts that only have slight slopes or are planar (an equal amount of side slope for the entire length of the putt) the player will firstly estimate the amount of sideslope, then the amount of up or down slope. The Perfectstroke Ball Markers have dot indicators for line of play which relate to slope percentage and are relevant and accurate for green speeds of 8,9,10,11,12 and 13 Stimp.

If the player ascertains the putt is in fact planar at 2% right to left then they would choose the side of the marker that has only the four lines, then mark the ball and aim the centre black line directly at the hole. Then they would align a ball that has a straight line marked on it with the 2% line to the left of the centre aim line. No matter what the length of the putt this will be an appropriate aim in degrees to the right or left of the target.
In the act of marking the ball and correctly aligning the ball marker it is important that the player is using a ball with a line on it to assist in accurate aim of both the marker and the ball for a breaking putt. There is a solid black line on the ball marker that needs to be aimed directly at the hole for every putt from any length regardless of the amount of break. The player can firstly aim the ball with a line on it directly at the hole then adjust the marker to the larger line on the ball. After the marker is aimed correctly, directly at the hole, the player can adjust the line on the ball to correspond with the estimated amount of slope for that putt.

The player then lines up the putter relative to the line on the ball and hits the putt as normal.

In order to learn how to accurately estimate the amount of slope on any given putt it is recommended that players uses a digital spirit level or slope measuring app such as a Inclinometer or Tour Read app.

If a player was for instance 3 feet or one metre away from the hole then the aim might be just outside the edge of the hole. This could well relate to being 3 degrees to the right. At 10 feet or around 3 metres away,and playing on a fast green, three degrees to the right might be 12.5 inches or 320mm away from the edge of the hole.

The aim in degrees stays the same regardless of the length of the putt provided the putt is planar (same slope amount across the entire length of the putt) or the putt characteristics stay the same. When a player faces a putt that has a combination of slopes slight adjustments need to be made for the uphill or downhill influences. Players can use our aim charts in training and social play which give indications for where to aim based on the green speed and the combination of slope conditions. If players want to use the Perfectstroke Green reading system in competition play that falls under Model Local Rule stipulations such as on the PGA Tour or DP World tour the green charts will not be permitted but calculations can be made based on the amount of up/down slope influencing the putt.
The reason that there is up to nine reference dots on the Perfectstroke Ball Markers is that with this system a player can accurately aim the ball and putter face even when they are faced with combination slopes including with downhill slopes. A player may be playing on fast green speeds and be faced with a 10 foot putt with a 2% right to left side slope and 2% down slope. In this case the player would need to aim around 10.5 – 11 degrees to the right of the target. The 2% side slope alone would mean that the player would need to aim around 7 degrees to the right and the 2% down slope would mean they would need to aim a further 4 degrees to the right. We provide charts that you can refer to when practicing that can provide a very accurate suggestion on where to aim or you can learn to do some basic math. With slight side slope and down slopes of up to 2% the calculations are quite easy to make and are extremely accurate –

THE PERFECTSTROKE BALL MARKERS AND GREEN READING SYSTEM

Once a player has identified the speed of the green relating to either MEDIUM, FAST and TOUR FAST they then choose the one marker for use on that day.

A MEDIUM green speed relates to 8-9 Stimp, FAST is rated a 10-11 and TOUR FAST is rated as 12-13 on a stimp measurement.

Each ball marker has markings on either side relating to the amount of slope for any given putt. One side has dots indicating the suggested aim’s for putts with a slight slope, the other side indicates dots for putts that will usually involve downslopes. If a player was faced with a putt that had planar slopes or upslope combination they would be using the side of the marker which has only four lines. When the putt also includes a downhill element of 2% and above they may need to use the other side of the marker where a putt that is 3.5% sideslope with 4% downslope will require an aim at 12 increment position at a 42 degree angle. Putts that have also have a downslope element will break more and putts that have upslope will break less.
The Perfectstroke Ball Markers and Green Reading System come as a set of three markers which are suitable for Medium Green Speeds- (8-9 Stimp), Fast Greens (10-11 Stimp) and Tour Fast Greens (12-13 Stimp). They also come with a marker that only has one line that is legal for play in all competitions including those under Model Local Rule stipulations for professional tournaments.

The Perfectstroke Ball Marker with the single aim line is legal for play in all competitions as it does not measure or gauge slope or speed or suggest a line of play.