Stop 3-Putting: Lag Your Putts Close
Imagine this…a magic genie offers you three golf-related wishes. What do you wish for?
I’m guessing wish #1 is to never three-putt again. If it’s not, you might want to check your pulse. Three-putting is just the absolute worst.
If there’s one thing that most three-putts have in common, it’s one bad lag putt. Leave a 40 footer ten feet short and odds are you’ll walk off the green kicking yourself.
Let’s change that.
View From the Side
Most amateur golfers stand behind a long putt, in line with the ball and hole and then guess how hard they need to hit it.
Face it, you depth perception isn’t great, though. No one’s is, so stop depending on it to judge the speed on your next long putt.
Instead, walk to the side of the putt. Stand so that your body makes a triangle with the ball and the hole. This will give you a better sense of the true length of the putt when you can see it in front of you.
As you stare at the line, take some practice swings to “feel” the speed. Slowly trace your eyes from the ball to the hole allowing your eyes to judge the length from the side.
The Final Third
You’ve looked at the putt from the side and know exactly how hard to hit it. That information is of little use if you don’t know what direction to hit it as well.
Long putts can often have two, three, or more breaks. Sometimes it can feel like you’ve got no chance to get it all right, but I’ve got good news: you don’t need to read every break.
Don’t worry too much about the first 2/3rds of the putt. During that stretch, the ball is moving faster and, therefore, is less influenced by changes in the putting surface.
Pay close attention to the final 1/3rd of the putt where the ball is slowing down and more likely to be moved one way or another by a bump in the green.
Hole is Huge
Now that you’ve got the speed and the aim, let’s set some expectations. Are you trying to make the putt? No. So, stop putting that sort of pressure on yourself.
Have an honest conversation with yourself about what a “win” would be. How close does the ball need to be for you to feel good about the second putt?
Then, picture the hole being that big. If you’d be happy getting it within four feet, picture a eight foot diameter circle around the hole. Take the previous two tips and use them to put your ball inside that new, bigger hole.
Genie, Out
Lag ‘em close and never three-putt again.
P.S. - You can also listen to a podcast episode on lag putting here.