Charting Greens at the Riviera Country Club
By Ron Wilkerson, BreakMaster President
BreakMaster was invited by the Riviera Country Club to assess the slope of their greens prior to the Northern Trust Open 2008. The primary tool we utilized for measuring the greens slope was the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader, renowned for its effectiveness in greens charting techniques. This device is the pro's choice for reading greens and is relied upon by hundreds of professionals and tournament committees on both major and minor tours.
The Satellite Image
We began with a satellite image of each green that was downloaded from the internet, using advanced greens charting techniques to enhance our analysis. The quality of these images is continually improving thanks to sources like Google Earth™. The image here, courtesy of Google Earth™, showcases the green on hole #1 at Riviera Country Club. The straight line in the center of the image leads directly to the middle of the fairway, drawn using the measuring tool available on the Google Earth™ site. All greens measurements reference the middle of the fairway, ensuring precision for the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader.
The Template
The satellite image was utilized as a template and converted into an outline using an illustrator program, such as Adobe Illustrator. This technique was applied to all 18 Riviera Country Club greens, and the outlines were printed on 8.5"x 11" pages for the Greens Maps prior to the visit to the course. To effectively apply greens charting techniques, center lines—both horizontal and vertical—were established to divide each green into four quadrants, allowing for accurate measurements to be made with the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader.
Green Reading Tools
The tools for greens charting techniques are crucial at Riviera Country Club greens. At the center of this is the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader, secured to a Leveling Skid to minimize the impact of bumps and ball marks during measurements across the green. Also essential are the Centering Sticks—two 8-foot pine pieces (1.25" x .25") featuring a center screw and alignment lines for precise perpendicular indication. Additionally, a 300-foot measuring tape, greens map pages on a clipboard, and some golf hats are utilized for marking measuring lines on the greens.
Finding the Center of the Green
The next stage is to use the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader to precisely measure each green at Riviera Country Club, establishing the center lines. This process is vital for determining not only the exact width and depth of each green but also for finding the precise Center Point of the green. All measurements of the green begin from this Center Point, which is essential for effective greens charting techniques.
The Center Point
The Center Point on each green at Riviera Country Club is marked with a typical ball marker. Following that, the Centering Sticks are placed over the center mark to assist in precise alignment, which is essential when utilizing BreakMaster Digital Green Reader for effective greens charting techniques.
Finding the Center of the Fairway
The Centering Sticks are positioned with reference to the center of the fairway, which is essential for effective greens charting techniques like those used with the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader. The first stick is aimed directly down the center of the fairway, following the "depth" line of the green, regardless of the approach from the green—seen here on the right at Riviera Country Club greens. This setup ensures that all measurements are precise and easily readable on the course. Additionally, the alignment lines on the Centering Sticks facilitate placing the horizontal stick along the "width" line of the green, ensuring it is exactly at the horizontal center.
The Measuring Lines
Utilizing objects on the green can enhance the accuracy of readings along a precise line, which is essential for effective greens charting techniques. In this illustration, we're displaying a measuring tape positioned at the far end of the green, which is the fairway end, and a hat placed at the near end of the green. This setup marks the initial line for measurements, ensuring that we capture the nuances of the Riviera Country Club greens.
The Leveling Skid
To make it easier to take multiple readings along a line using the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader, we taped it to a plexi skid and pulled it along with a string, which is one of the effective greens charting techniques we use at the Riviera Country Club greens.
Charting The Greens
This is an example of note-taking using BreakMaster Digital Green Reader, a tool essential for greens charting techniques. Notes are taken with arrows indicating the break direction at each measuring point on the greens, specifically referencing Riviera Country Club greens with the help of centering sticks. Numbers are recorded to show the degrees (break amount) at each measuring point. As the BreakMaster is dragged across the green, the break direction and amount of break can change frequently, sometimes dramatically, as observed in the upper right section of this green.
Using The Cut Lines
Sometimes, it is helpful to use the "cut lines" when measuring the greens at Riviera Country Club, but only if they align with the direction indicated by the Centering Sticks. Once a line along the green is measured, we then move the hats (or other indicators) two yards to the left or right and take another set of break readings. Utilizing the BreakMaster Digital Green Reader, we can effectively implement these greens charting techniques to ensure that the entire green is accurately measured and recorded.
The Greens Chart
Here is the final greens chart, ready to be assembled into a Greens Book that will assist pros and other golfers in lowering their scores by understanding the break of the Riviera Country Club greens in advance of their approach shots and putts. This map details hole #1. Want to master the other 17 holes? Get a BreakMaster Digital Green Reader and create a Greens Book for your favorite course! Blank Custom Greens Books are included with each BreakMaster purchase, and more are available in our online STORE.
The Riviera Greens Book
Here is the final Greens Book, utilized by several golfers at the Northern Trust Open. One standout, Scott McCarron, ranked Number One in putting for the tournament. He credited his achievement to the use of our Greens Book, which employs advanced greens charting techniques. Thanks to this, he was able to anticipate how the ball would break on the Riviera Country Club greens before making his putt.