Can a green reading app help you hole more putts?

Putting just got easier, and there’s no need to bother with a lesson or one of those mindboggling green books. That’s the theory behind a new app called Golf Scope, which practically doubles as a virtual caddie and statistician in your pocket. For £3.99 a month/£22.99 a year, the app removes all the guesswork of green reading and show you the line before you putt. It then provides tips on how hard to hit the putt and how much the putt will break. The only thing you’ve got to worry about is putting a good stroke on the ball. That, and starting the ball on line.

How does it work?

Using your phone’s camera, the app scans the green, snaps a picture of your ball and then captures a photo of the hole. Once complete, it creates a 3D rendering of the green and generates a predictive trajectory of the putt in the style of Puttview. Think Shot Tracer, but for putting.

Are the reads any good?

We had our doubts, but the 3D simulation is incredibly accurate as long as you take the time to find out the stimp of the greens. To make things easier, a new update is coming which will allow you to measure the stimp of any green using just your phone and a couple of golf balls. Stand aside greenkeepers.

Is it easy to use?

As with most augmented reality apps, the usability is a little temperamental and the read will “fail” if you walk too quickly while scanning, or leave a piece of debris on your line. When it does work, it lets you choose between three alternative line types – conservative, normal and aggressive – to fit your putting style. There’s also a “putts percentage graphic” to temper expectations, and the option to video a putt and play it back to compare ‘your’ line versus the “optimal” line. So, as long as you document each putt, you and your coach can identify your strokes gained relative to different distances.

Can I use it in competition?

Sadly not, but then you probably guessed that already. Rule 14-3 prohibits the use of equipment and artificial devices for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might assist a player in making a stroke.

Is it worth the money?

For the cost of one meal deal a month, we think so. The app simplifies the green reading process better than most coaches can and highlights trends – good and bad – in your putting. It does lack a function which lets you save videos in the app, and so clutters up your phone’s photo library instead. A few bugs also need ironing out, but even then it’s still one of the best training apps on the market. But don’t take our word for it; download the free, 30-day trial and decide for yourself.

Should I download Golflogix as well?

The most downloaded app in golf (apparently) is also a cheat sheet for putting. Golflogix includes all your usual gizmos, such as GPS distances, calorie counting and handicap and scorecard tracking. The coolest and newest feature is an interactive, 3D putting map. Basically, it’s a digitalised version of the green book and allows you to see a bird’s-eye view of a green’s contours so you can adjust your approach shots and putts accordingly. The only hitch is that of the 35,000 golf courses mapped, less than 25% include the “Putt breaks” feature. Sadly, we couldn’t find any in the UK and considering you’ve got to pay £4.49 a month/£27.99 a year just to access them, it simply isn’t worth it. Stick to Golf Scope for the time being.