What is grain, and how does it affect your placement and chopping?

Grains — the stuff golfers love to brag about, blamed for everything from missed putts to dropped chips.

“The grain got him that time, Johnny,” he heard the announcers say.

But is it, really? And what exactly is a grain? What is the impact on the shots we play? And how should we adapt to it?

Those sound like good questions for an agronomist and golf instructor. Mark Patterson is the superintendent of two Florida courses (Legacy Golf Club at Lakewood Ranch and Serenoa Golf Club) and Scott Munroe is a GOLF Top 100 instructor. We asked them to read on grain.

What what is cereal?

We all have tendencies. Turf does, too. Grain is the tendency of grass to grow horizontally in one or more areas. “And some species show more than others,” Patterson said. You are more likely to find grain in common warm climate grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine and paspalum, all of which have lateral growth habits, rather than glossy, cool-climate grasses such as poa, bentgrass and fescue. Other factors, such as environmental conditions and maintenance practices, can affect the amount of grain in grass. In high-end clubs and courses intended for elite tournament play, the turf is so pampered (with regular brushing and sanding and other maintenance) that the grain is usually small. A low cutting height reduces the grain, as the grass is cut so tightly that it stands upright.

How grain affects the gun

Thanks to advances in turf science – and evolving maintenance practices – grain is not as prominent in many courses as it once was. But while golfers — and golf announcers — often overestimate their influence, Patterson says, the grain still has an impact. Phrases and sorghum again against the grain they exist for a reason. Balls roll and bounce less when you putt and bump the grain (and faster if you carve or putt the grain), just as the club has a greater chance of getting caught in the grass. And, yes, it's true: grain can also influence the amount of break on a chip or putt.

How can you tell if it is for you or against you

Contrary to popular belief, grain does not grow in the sun. But it tends to grow where the water comes out. When in doubt, look at the different colors of green in the grass. If the grass looks dark, it is growing towards you (you are playing with the grain). If it's a lighter shade of green, the opposite works. At the end of the day, the grass around the edge of the cup can be another sign. If one side of the cup looks brown or very worn, that is the direction the grain is growing.

How to lay against the grain

Some of the hardest putts, Munroe says, are uphill putts that put the greens fast against the grain. Speed ​​dialing is just difficult. A lot comes down to practice. There is no better way to improve the experience. But in all conflicts, this is certain: you will need to stroke the ball with more authority. For that, Munroe recommends a slightly firmer grip, which will give the putt “pop.” It will also help keep the putter head moving forward in case it gets caught in the grain. The same applies to shots from the fairway when the grain is working against you: hold on tight.

How to make a chip against the grain

You know that old saying about putting the ball back in your stance and pressing your hands forward? Well, forget it, said Munroe. He doesn't recommend it if you click on the grain; it only increases the chances that you will stab the club and the leading edge will get caught in the grass. The best way to carve grain, says Monroe, is to leave it at all. Use a 3 wood or hybrid instead, using the club as you would a putter. “Our biggest concern here is getting a clean strike,” Munroe said. “And this is the best way to ensure that.” Speed ​​control may be a challenge at first, but you'll get the hang of it the more you practice, and you'll remove the lump from your repertoire.

How to jump grain over danger

Playing a shot from the green with a 3-wood or hybrid is a reliable way to go, but it won't work if there's a fairway in your path. For a lofted shot, you'll want a wedge. Again, Munroe cautions against playing the ball back in your stance for the same catch reasons noted above. Instead, approach the shot with the ball centered and your hands pressed ever-so-slightly forward. “You want to feel like you're brushing the grass,” he says. The length of your back and finish will be determined by the length of the shot itself. But if it's a short, high shot, focus on the club handle going left through impact.