What actually causes a putt to break?

In this AimPoint University video, Mark and Gareth break it all down, focusing on the key factor—slope. While many golfers believe elements like the surrounding terrain, nearby oceans, or distant mountains influence break, the truth is simple: putts break because of gravity acting on the ball as it moves across a slope.

But slope alone isn’t the whole story—time is a crucial element in how much a putt breaks. The longer a putt is rolling, the more time gravity has to act on it. How fast the ball starts turning is determined by the amount of slope it’s traversing, while how long it continues turning depends on green speed and the overall length of the putt. Faster greens and longer putts give gravity more time to take effect, increasing break, while slower greens and shorter putts limit how much the ball can break.

Understanding these principles is the foundation of great green reading. Watch as Mark and Gareth explain the science behind break, so you can make more confident reads and sink more putts!