November 1, 2015 Posted by Matt

If your ball is just off the green, you need to make a decision whether to chip or putt.  If the grain of the fairway grass is against you (the blades point toward your ball), it is better to putt the ball.  If you try to chip, the grain might catch your club and cause you to stub the shot by stopping it in the grass.  If the grain is flowing with you, then you have the option of putting or chipping the ball depending on the slope of the green ahead of you.  Chip it uphill and putt it downhill for better distance control.