Lag Putting – Stop Trying To Make Hollywood Putts

Project Description

The result of most three putts is through a lack of understanding of how to lag a putt.

Let’s clear a few things up first. You should always be trying to hole every single putt once it is on the putting surface. However, understanding how to play the game better will serve you well going forward.

When faced with a 30-foot putt. Don’t imagine a hula-hoop, or a baby’s paddling pool around the hole!

Once you start imagining these other circles around the hole, you’re no longer trying to hole the putt. You’re now trying to roll the ball inside the imaginary circle – which is a lot bigger.

The real secret to long putting is simply controlling speed, that’s it.

Now, back to the 30-foot putt. It’s wise to pay attention to the fact that if you roll the ball 5-feet past the hole, you’re now faced with a tricky 5-foot putt downhill to save your par.

Firstly, understand that if you are 30-feet away from the hole no one expects you to make that length of putt. Not even the best players in the world genuinely expect to make a putt from that length.

A better way might be to try and roll the putt into the hole with dead weight. Meaning that, if you’re a little tentative, you’ll probably leave yourself a simple uphill tap in. Or if you’re a little heavy, you will only leave yourself a 1-2 feet downhill putt.

Problems also start to arise when people forget about their situation and try and make Hollywood putts from all over the green. When playing in a team event or you have a partner who is in good shape on the hole, playing aggressively is fine. But when you’re playing stroke play, and every shot counts on your scorecard, learning some course management skills is very beneficial.

Simply, don’t forget your environment. If you’re 30-40 feet from the hole, try and hole the putt by rolling it in on its last legs. Meaning, if you hole it, you’re over the moon! If you don’t hole it, and you roll the ball a little hard or shy, you are left with a simple tap in.

I’ve been playing this game for over 26 years and I very rarely see people three putt because they didn’t read the break. It mostly happens when people don’t judge the correct speed.

See the speed and line, start your stroke with a forward press, move the back of your left hand towards your target line, and let your natural FEEL take control of your putting.