If I could recommend one skill that would help golfers of every ability lower their scores, it would be lag putting.
Many golfers step over a 30 or 40-foot putt hoping to make it. While there’s nothing wrong with positive thinking, that’s not always a realistic goal. Great lag putters understand that success isn’t measured by how many long putts they make, it’s measured by how many easy second putts they leave themselves.
Legendary Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw, widely regarded as one of the greatest putters in golf history, has often emphasized that the objective of putting is to get the ball as close to the hole as possible. If it drops, that’s a bonus. That simple mindset takes pressure off trying to make every putt and shifts your focus to what really matters…excellent speed control
Three Keys to Great Lag Putting
1. Focus on Speed, Not the Line
On long putts, distance control is far more important than the perfect line. Even if your read is slightly off, a putt with great speed will usually finish close enough for an easy second putt.
2. Develop a Smooth, Consistent Tempo
The best putters don’t try to “hit” the ball. They make a relaxed, rhythmic stroke that produces consistent distance. A smooth tempo and soft grip create a consistent speed and eliminate unnecessary tension.
3. Picture a Three-Foot Circle Around the Hole
Before every long putt, imagine a three-foot circle surrounding the cup. Your goal isn’t to realistically hole the putt, it’s to roll the ball into that circle. If you consistently finish inside that “safe zone,” you’ll dramatically reduce three-putts and increase your confidence on the greens
Why Lag Putting Matters
Most golfers lose more strokes from poor speed control than from poor green reading. A putt left eight feet short or six feet past the hole often leads to unnecessary three-putts. Great lag putters rarely make this mistake, they consistently leave themselves short, stress-free second putts.
In fact, PGA Tour professionals generally spend a considerable amount of their practice time working on long putts, because they know that eliminating three-putts is just as valuable as making an occasional 25-footer. Great scoring begins with great distance control.
Practice Tip
The next time you’re on the practice green, forget about making putts for a few minutes. Instead, place five tees three feet around the hole creating a three-foot circle, and challenge yourself to finish every long putt inside that three-foot “safe zone.” You’ll quickly develop a better feel for distance, and you’ll be amazed at how many strokes you save during your next round.
Remember: Every great putter focuses on speed first. Master your distance control, eliminate three-putts, and you’ll watch your scores begin to fall.