Meaning & use
on the greens
Last updated
Meanings
phrasefixed phrasesport
Relating to putting performance on the putting surfaces of a golf course.
Grammar: Used as an adverbial or adjectival phrase after verbs like be, play, or struggle: He is strong on the greens.
Patterns
- be strong on the greens
- struggle on the greens
- improve on the greens
She has been excellent on the greens this season, rarely missing a short putt.
His coach said he needs to spend more time on the greens to lower his score.
The course is famous for its fast, tricky greens, so players who are good on the greens have an advantage.
phrasefixed phrasesport
On the green areas of a golf course, especially the putting greens.
Grammar: Literally means physically located on the putting surfaces: The ball landed on the greens.
Patterns
- land on the greens
- be on the greens
The approach shot landed softly on the greens, leaving an easy birdie chance.
Golfers are not allowed to drive carts on the greens.
Common combinations
- strong on the greens
- She is strong on the greens, often one-putting from long range.
- struggle on the greens
- He struggled on the greens and missed several short putts.
- fast greens
- The fast greens made putting difficult for everyone.
- on the putting green
- She practiced for hours on the putting green.
Synonyms and how they differ
- on the putting surface
- A more technical way to say the same thing; it is less idiomatic than 'on the greens'.
Word family
- green noun
- The smooth area of short grass around each hole on a golf course.
- greenskeeper noun
- A person who takes care of a golf course, especially the greens.
Commonly confused: on the greens or on the green?
on the greens vs on the green
The singular form usually means a single putting green or a village green; the plural 'on the greens' refers to putting greens in general or across a course.
Practice
In golf, what does it mean if a player is 'on the greens'?
Choose one answer.
'On the greens' refers to putting performance on the putting greens, not driving or walking on the fairway.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on the greens”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.