The “Tour Read” app is the real deal when it comes to digital green reading. I don’t say that lightly. I have devices that measure slope, but this “app” gives you the actual break and pace for putts.
Would I recommend it? Yes. ★★★★
Why am I confident in saying it’s the real deal?
I have two putting mats set up right now and know the stimp reading or green speed on both. I know the break without any doubt and I measured both with my iPad. This app gave me the correct read. It was right on the money.
In fact, I put a ruler down adjacent to the hole and putted right at the suggested aim line and made the putt on the first try from 6 feet.
Pros are using this on tour. It will be very helpful for golfers at any level.
For me it expedites the setup of putting drills. Use it in practice rounds to help you verify your reads. You can use it as a stimp meter also.
The true value of things like this for me is to improve at green reading through repetition over time.
Like many helpful devices and apps, my goal is to use it to the point I don’t need it anymore.
That means becoming so proficient at green reading that I won’t need to use the app.
Here is a video of the Pro instructor / developer and an independent user.
Video using the Tour Read app and The Perfect Putter together.
It’s right on the money
Reading the image above
Calibrate the app first. The directions are obvious.
(Note: You must use the app and your device in “landscape” fashion perpendicular on your intended line.)
Then, you put your iPhone or iPad on the floor two thirds of the way to the hole and “Select Tap to Measure”. The device measures. If you tap it again it saves it and you can pick up your device.
Starting on the right, I selected 10 for the green speed or stimp reading and 6 foot for the putt length. Those selections are both adjustable.
The read for break as a percentage is displayed in the middle of the screen. In this instance it indicates a left to right break of 2.9 percent and the uphill or downhill pace reading is negligible at 0.2 percent.
The read result is on the left. With the left to right break read, it is suggesting a 6.7 inch aim line outside left. The pace adjustment is +0 because there is negligible affect uphill or downhill.
Just a note. The suggested placement of your phone or device is two thirds of the way to the hole. However, if you want to be more accurate or if you have a double breaking putt, the recommendation is to take two readings and press the “Average” selection.
Pros and Cons
Pros – The reads are very accurate. The app is easy to use. There are instructional videos accessible from the app. The videos do a pretty good job of showing you how to use the app. Many other useful links and videos are accessible from the app. It’s a great practice and teaching tool.
Cons – It’s only available for Apple devices at this time. They say an Android version is on the way. It cost $10 a month or $100 dollars a year. Some of the advanced features appear to be helpful, but are not explained well. I’ve had to watch a couple videos several times to understand the advanced functions.
Very well done training videos with drills
From Tour Read Golf
Here is a link to their website.
Eliminate the biggest variable in putting. Read Greens Like a Tour Pro!
Now available to the public for the first time! Tour tested by the best players in the world, the app uses the same closely-guarded, proven and validated green reading charts that tour pros keep in their yardage books.
The Tour Read Golf app accurately measures the slope of the green and translates this into a precise “Tour Read” of the amount of break to play and the pace you need for any putt.
The ability to determine the amount of break in a putt before you hit it is one of the most important and up until now elusive skills in golf. In as little as two seconds, the Tour Read Golf app will give you an accurate read every time.