What Is Lag Putting? Master Distance Control Like a Pro

I am a weekend golfer who's three-putted more times than I care to remember. Standing over a 40-foot putt, that sinking feeling creeps in - you know you're probably not making this one, but you desperately want to avoid leaving yourself another long putt for your second attempt.

That's exactly what lag putting is all about, and mastering this crucial skill has saved me countless strokes over my 25+ years of weekend golf. Let me explain what lag putting really means and how you can dramatically improve your distance control to eliminate those dreaded three-putts.

What Is Lag Putting in Golf?

Lag putting is a putting strategy used for long-distance putts where your primary goal is to get the ball close to the hole rather than trying to make the putt. According to Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, over 90 PGA Tour wins, 6 major championships), lag putting focuses on "getting your first putt to within easy second-putt distance."

The term "lag" means to fall behind or delay, which perfectly describes this approach - you're not rushing to make the long putt, but rather positioning yourself for an easy finish.

Key characteristics of lag putting:

  • Typically used for putts of 20+ feet
  • Primary goal is distance control, not making the putt
  • Designed to eliminate three-putts
  • Focus on speed over line

As Joe Hallett (2024 PGA of America Teacher & Coach of the Year, Golf Digest's #1 Teacher in Tennessee for 7 consecutive years, coach to LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park) explains: "The goal is to get your eyes and brain to give you feedback on distance control. Look at the hole during your practice strokes - the farther you are from the hole, the more you need that visual feedback."

🎯 Lag Putting Fundamentals

  • ⭐ Distance control matters more than perfect line on long putts
  • ⭐ Primary goal is eliminating three-putts, not making the first putt
  • ⭐ Typically applies to putts of 20+ feet from the hole

Why Is Lag Putting So Important for Weekend Golfers?

After countless rounds with my buddies, I've learned that three-putts are absolute score killers. According to PGA Tour statistics, even the best players in the world average lag putts that finish just 2'4" from the hole, and they make an astounding 99.42% of putts from 3 feet.

But here's the eye-opening part: GOLFTEC research shows that PGA Tour players make nearly 30% more putts from 3 feet compared to 6 feet. That means if these elite players lagged their putts to 6 feet instead of 3 feet, they'd basically three-putt five or six times per round instead of zero.

The brutal reality for amateur golfers:

  • Average 18-handicapper makes only 50% of 5-foot putts
  • Three-putt percentage dramatically increases beyond 25 feet
  • Poor lag putting is the #1 cause of three-putts

What's more... I used to think I could muscle my way through long putts with perfect reads. But after talking to other weekend warriors at my course, I discovered we all struggled with the same thing - leaving ourselves impossible second putts because we focused on line instead of speed.

How Do You Execute Proper Lag Putting Technique?

The secret to great lag putting isn't complicated mechanics - it's about developing feel and controlling your distance. Through years of weekend rounds, I've learned that the guys who never three-putt have mastered a few key fundamentals.

Essential Lag Putting Setup:

  1. Wider stance for stability - Keeps your lower body quiet during longer strokes
  2. Eyes directly over the ball - Essential for accurate distance judgment
  3. Relaxed grip pressure - Allows for better feel and tempo control
  4. Focus on stroke length, not force - Longer, smoother strokes beat forceful hitting

And here's why this works so well... Joe Hallett (GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher, coached two-time World #1 Stacy Lewis) emphasizes: "Speed control is everything on lag putts. Use a pendulum-like stroke with smooth, even tempo. Avoid decelerating through the ball - this kills distance consistency."

The Practice Stroke Secret: Most amateur golfers make practice strokes while looking down at the ball. Big mistake! For lag putts, you need to look at the hole during your practice strokes to calibrate distance. Your eyes and brain need that visual feedback to judge how much effort is required.

🎯 Lag Putting Technique Essentials

  • ⭐ Look at the hole during practice strokes for distance feedback
  • ⭐ Use stroke length to control distance, not stroke force
  • ⭐ Maintain smooth tempo throughout the putting motion

What Distance Qualifies as a Lag Putt?

There's no official rulebook definition, but through my experience and conversations with golf pros, lag putting typically begins around 20-25 feet. However, the real determining factor isn't distance - it's your expectation of making the putt.

General lag putting guidelines:

  • 20-30 feet: Borderline lag putting distance
  • 30+ feet: Definitely lag putting territory
  • 50+ feet: Advanced lag putting skills required

Phil Kenyon notes that even tour professionals shift to lag putting mentality around 40+ feet, where make percentages drop dramatically. For weekend golfers like us, that distance is much shorter.

But there's more to consider...

Factors that influence lag putting distance:

  • Green speed and conditions
  • Slope and break complexity
  • Your personal putting skill level
  • Course conditions (wet, dry, windy)

I've found that on fast greens, even 15-foot putts can require lag putting approach if there's significant slope involved. The key is being honest about your make percentage from different distances.

How Do You Practice Lag Putting Effectively?

The best lag putting drill I learned from my golf buddies is deceptively simple. Most guys practice short putts all day, then wonder why they can't control distance on long ones. Here's what actually works:

The 10% Rule Drill: According to GOLFTEC's Patrick Nuber, you should aim to get your lag putt within 10% of the original distance from the hole. So a 30-foot putt should finish within 3 feet, and a 50-foot putt within 5 feet.

Step-by-step practice method:

  1. Place tees at 30, 40, and 50 feet from a hole
  2. Create a 3-foot circle around the hole using tees or string
  3. Hit 10 balls from each distance
  4. Count successful putts that finish inside the circle
  5. Goal: 8 out of 10 successful attempts before moving to next distance

Now here comes the good part... Research shows that golfers who practice the "circle drill" consistently reduce three-putt frequency by over 40% within just a few practice sessions.

Advanced Lag Putting Drills:

The Leapfrog Drill: Set up two parallel alignment sticks about 2 feet apart. Hit three balls trying to get the first just between the sticks, the second in the middle, and the third at the far end. This builds incredible distance control.

The One-Ball Challenge: Use only one ball and putt from various long distances. No do-overs! This simulates on-course pressure and forces you to commit to each putt.

🎯 Lag Putting Practice Priorities

  • ⭐ Practice the 10% rule: get within 10% of original distance from hole
  • ⭐ Focus on circle drills rather than trying to make long putts
  • ⭐ Simulate pressure by using only one ball during practice

What Are the Most Common Lag Putting Mistakes?

After 25 years of weekend golf, I've seen (and made) every lag putting mistake in the book. The good news? Most errors are easily fixable once you understand what's going wrong.

Mistake #1: Hitting Too Hard This is the classic amateur error. You think more force equals better results, but lag putting requires finesse. When you hit too hard, you lose distance control and often leave yourself longer second putts than you started with.

Mistake #2: Inconsistent Rhythm and Tempo
I used to have a different putting stroke for every distance. One day I'd be smooth, the next day jerky and rushed. Phil Kenyon's students work extensively on tempo consistency - the same rhythm regardless of distance, just changing stroke length.

Mistake #3: Not Adjusting for Green Speed This one bit me constantly until I learned better. Fast greens require delicate touch, while slow greens need more aggressive strokes. According to Golf Digest research, golfers who fail to adjust for green speed increase their three-putt percentage by nearly 25%.

Mistake #4: Poor Green Reading on Slopes Joe Hallett teaches focusing on the final third of the putt for break assessment: "When the ball is moving slowly near the hole, break will affect it most. Read that section carefully and aim accordingly."

Mistake #5: Looking Down During Practice Strokes The biggest revelation in my putting came when I started looking at the hole during practice strokes. Your brain needs visual distance feedback, especially on putts over 30 feet.

Most importantly... Don't practice lag putting the wrong way. Too many weekend golfers spend five minutes hitting random long putts, then wonder why they don't improve. Structured practice with specific distance targets is essential.

🎯 Avoiding Lag Putting Mistakes

  • ⭐ Focus on smooth tempo rather than hitting harder for distance
  • ⭐ Adjust stroke for green speed conditions on every round
  • ⭐ Look at the hole during practice strokes for visual feedback

How Does Green Reading Affect Lag Putting?

Reading greens for lag putting is completely different from short putts. On short putts, precise line matters most. On lag putts, understanding how speed affects break is crucial.

Speed-Break Relationship: The slower your ball moves, the more break affects its path. This means the final 10 feet of your lag putt will break significantly more than the first 10 feet. Smart lag putters focus their green reading on where the ball will be rolling slowly.

Key Green Reading Factors for Lag Putts:

  • Overall green slope and grain direction
  • High and low points around the hole
  • Where the ball will slow down most (usually final third)
  • Wind effects on longer putts

As Joe Hallett explains: "Always miss on the high side if possible. If you miss low, your ball rolls farther away. If you miss high, it drifts closer to the hole."

Pro Tip from the Course: Walk to the side of your lag putt to get true distance perspective. Most amateurs only view putts from behind the ball, relying on terrible depth perception. Viewing from the side eliminates depth perception issues and gives you the actual putt length.

When Should You Lag Putt vs. Try to Make It?

This decision separates smart course management from reckless golf. After years of weekend rounds, I've learned that knowing when to be aggressive versus conservative can save multiple strokes per round.

Always Lag Putt When:

  • Putt is 40+ feet on flat surfaces
  • 25+ feet with significant slope or break
  • Fast, slippery green conditions
  • Downhill putts over 30 feet
  • Tournament situations where three-putt eliminates you

Consider Going for It When:

  • Relatively flat putt under 25 feet
  • You need to make it to win/tie
  • Uphill putt with backstop
  • Slow green conditions that reduce break

The result? According to putting statistics, amateur golfers who make smart lag vs. aggressive decisions reduce their average putts per round by 2-3 strokes.

Situational Strategy Guide:

  • Match play: More aggressive on crucial holes
  • Stroke play: Always prioritize avoiding big numbers
  • Practice rounds: Experiment with different approaches
  • Windy conditions: Always lag putt for safety

🎯 Smart Lag Putting Decisions

  • ⭐ Lag putt on slopes, fast greens, and distances over 30 feet
  • ⭐ Consider course conditions and tournament situation
  • ⭐ Prioritize avoiding three-putts over making heroic putts

What Equipment Helps with Lag Putting?

The right putter can make a dramatic difference in lag putting performance. Through equipment testing and conversations with fellow weekend golfers, I've learned that certain putter characteristics enhance distance control.

Putter Features for Better Lag Putting:

Weight and Balance: Heavier putters help maintain smooth tempo on longer strokes. The extra weight prevents you from getting "handsy" and promotes a pendulum motion.

Face Insert Technology: Phil Kenyon recommends putters with soft face inserts for better feedback. Materials like Odyssey's White Hot or premium milled faces provide the feel necessary for distance control.

Length and Lie Angle: Proper putter fitting is crucial. According to PGA instruction data, poorly fit putters can reduce lag putting accuracy by up to 15%.

Training Aids That Actually Work:

Based on instruction from top putting coaches, these training aids specifically help lag putting:

  • Putting Arc MS-3D: Promotes consistent stroke path
  • Perfect Roll Mirror: Ensures proper eye alignment
  • Golf Rings: Create visual target zones for distance practice
  • Alignment Sticks: Essential for circle drills and leapfrog practice

Let me explain why this matters... Many weekend golfers spend hundreds on drivers but use whatever putter came in their starter set. Investing in properly fit putting equipment specifically for lag putting can immediately improve distance control.

Key Takeaways: Master Lag Putting to Lower Your Scores

From countless rounds with my golf buddies and studying techniques from top instructors, lag putting mastery comes down to smart practice and realistic expectations. Here's what will immediately improve your distance control:

Essential Lag Putting Fundamentals:

  • Focus on speed control over perfect line reading
  • Use the 10% rule: get within 10% of original distance
  • Look at the hole during practice strokes for visual feedback
  • Maintain smooth, consistent tempo regardless of distance

Smart Course Management:

  • Lag putt on distances over 25-30 feet
  • Always consider green speed and slope conditions
  • Miss on the high side when possible
  • Prioritize eliminating three-putts over making heroic putts

Practice That Actually Works:

  • Circle drills with specific distance targets
  • One-ball pressure practice
  • Work on tempo consistency, not just distance variety
  • Simulate on-course conditions during practice

Most importantly, remember that even PGA Tour players with the best putting coaches in the world average their lag putts to 2'4" from the hole. Setting realistic expectations and focusing on consistent distance control will transform your putting and lower your scores immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lag Putting

What distance is considered a lag putt?

Generally, putts of 20-25 feet or longer are considered lag putts, though this depends on your skill level and course conditions. The key factor is whether you realistically expect to make the putt - if not, you should use lag putting strategy.

Should you always lag putt from 30+ feet?

Yes, for most amateur golfers, putts over 30 feet should be approached with lag putting strategy. PGA Tour statistics show that even professionals have very low make percentages from these distances, making distance control the priority.

How do you practice lag putting at home?

If you have 20+ feet of smooth floor space, you can practice stroke tempo and length control. Focus on making the same smooth stroke at different lengths rather than trying to putt into an actual hole.

What's the biggest lag putting mistake amateurs make?

The most common mistake is focusing on the line instead of speed control. On long putts, getting the speed right is far more important than reading the break perfectly.

How does green speed affect lag putting?

Faster greens require gentler strokes and more careful speed control. The same stroke that works on slow greens will often send the ball well past the hole on fast greens, leading to difficult comeback putts.

Should you use a different putting grip for lag putts?

Most putting instructors recommend keeping the same grip but focusing on maintaining light pressure. Some golfers find success with slightly lower hand positions for longer putts to improve feel.

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