PHOTO PROVIDED If uncertain about the line, imagine a two-foot circle around the hole and lag the put to within the circle.

For golfers who try to emulate the touring professional on television, please stop. If you watch golf on television, you are aware of all the attention given to the slow-play dilemma: Tour players take up to three hours to play nine holes, which is unacceptable.

Many weekend golfers try to copy what the professionals do on TV, which slows down play on the course and probably doesn’t work anyway.

The following advice will help you play faster and improve your putting.

When walking up to the green, look at the slope and distance to the hole. Take one look at the hole and stroke the ball. You will find that the first look is the best; over-reading a green is one of the most significant faults a weekend golfer makes. Take one look at the hole and stroke the putt, and you will enjoy this great game called golf.

Rick Musselman, golf author and professional, owns Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.