How Pace and Green Speed Change Your Aim: The Math Behind Green Reading

You can feel the slope. You know the putt is downhill. But how far out should you aim? That’s where most golfers get it wrong — and it’s costing you strokes.

Welcome to the smarter way to read a green — by understanding how pace (distance to the hole) and stimp (green speed) influence your aim.

Why Your Aim Needs to Change

Most amateur golfers guess their break — and the biggest variable they overlook isn’t slope.
It’s how far you’re putting, and how fast the green is.

Let’s break it down:

Pace (Distance)

The farther the ball travels, the more time it has to break.

• A 10-foot putt might only break a cup.
• A 40-foot putt across the same slope? That could be two feet of break or more.

The longer the pace = the bigger the break.

Stimp (Green Speed)

Stimp measures green speed (usually 8 to 13). The higher the number, the faster the green.
Fast greens = less friction = the ball holds its line longer but breaks more due to speed retention.

• Stimp 8 (slow) → less break
• Stimp 12 (fast) → more break

The Formula (Used by PacePoint Pro)

To take the guesswork out, PacePoint Pro uses this simple calculation:
(Slope % × Paces) × Clock % × Stimp Factor

So Why Does This Matter?

Because every time you guess instead of calculate, you leave your aim to chance.
It’s not about “feeling” the break — it’s about understanding the math that shapes it.

With a system like PacePoint Pro, you can:

• Dial in your reads no matter the green
• Adapt your aim by distance and speed
• Build confidence from 10 feet or 40

 Final Word

Whether you’re a mid-handicapper tired of 3-putts or a tournament player looking to lock in your reads, knowing how pace and stimp affect your aim is a game-changer.

Read smart. Putt smarter.
That’s the power of green-reading, simplified.