A great lag putt won’t make the highlight reels, but it’s the secret weapon that separates a frustrating round from a satisfying one. Mastering this skill is your fastest path to lower scores, and this guide will show you exactly how to do it. We’ll cover what a lag putt is, why it’s so vital for your scorecard, and provide a clear, step-by-step process to help you roll long putts stone-dead every time.
In simple terms, a lag putt is a long-distance putt where the primary goal isn’t to sink the ball, but to roll it close enough to the hole to guarantee an easy second putt. The focus shifts from precision (holing out) to distance control (the "lag"). The objective is to secure a two-putt and eliminate the dreaded three-putt, one of the biggest score-killers for amateur golfers.
Think of it as defensive putting. When you’re 40, 50, or even 60 feet away from the hole, the odds of making the putt are incredibly low, even for touring professionals. Pros make just 50% of their putts from 8 feet. From over 20 feet, that percentage drops to single digits. Flogging the ball at the hole from long range hoping it drops is a low-percentage play that often leads to a tricky 5- or 6-footer coming back.
A successful lag putt leaves you with a "tap-in" - a putt of three feet or less that you can address with complete confidence. Consistently turning one monster putt into two simple ones saves strokes, removes pressure, and builds momentum throughout your round.
Recognizing the right time to switch from an aggressive "make" mentality to a defensive "lag" mentality is a huge part of smart course management. Here are the typical situations where your first thought should be to lag it close:
The single most important mental shift for great lag putting is this: focus on speed, not the line. On short putts, the line is critical. On long putts, the speed is everything. You can slightly misread the line on a 50-foot putt and still leave yourself a tap-in if your speed is perfect. But even with a perfect line, the wrong speed can leave you 10 feet short or 8 feet past the hole.
To do this, you need to change your target. Stop aiming for a tiny 4.25-inch cup. Instead, visualize your target as a three-foot circle - or a hula hoop - around the hole. This becomes your "safe zone." Your entire goal is to get the ball to die somewhere inside that circle. This mental cue takes the pressure off holing the putt and frees you up to make a smoother, more committed stroke focused purely on distance control.
Executing a great lag putt is less about technical perfection and more about committing to a simple, repeatable feel-based process. Follow these five steps to turn three-putts into routine two-putts.
When reading a long putt, don't get lost in every tiny undulation. Stand back and get the lay of the land. Ask yourself the simple questions:
Your goal isn't to chart a perfect path, but to choose a general "launch line" that will allow your perfectly-paced putt to feed toward the hole. For a putt breaking right-to-left, for example, your target might be a spot a few feet to the right of the cup. Once you pick that starting line, trust it and turn your attention completely to the feel of the speed.
This is where the magic happens. Stand beside the ball, but keep your eyes on the hole (or your imaginary hula hoop). Don't look at the ball. Your eyes connect your brain to the target, allowing it to calculate the energy required.
Now, make a few smooth, continuous practice strokes while looking at your target. Your only thought should be: "What does the length and pace of the stroke feel like to get the ball to die near the hole?" The length of your backstroke should control the distance. A longer putt requires a longer, flowing backswing and follow-through, not a harder, faster hit. Find a rhythm that feels right for the distance. These practice strokes should directly mimic the stroke you’re about to make.
Your setup for a long putt should be built for stability and to encourage a smooth, body-driven motion. Your arms and shoulders should work like a pendulum, while your lower body remains perfectly still.
Now it's time to pull the trigger. Take one last look at the hole, settle in over the ball, and trust the feel you just rehearsed. The thought process is simple:
Feel for distance isn't bought, it's earned on the practice green. Dedicate 15 minutes of your practice time to these lag putting drills, and your scores will thank you.
Lag putting is a skill that blends mindset, feel, and strategy. By shifting your focus from making long putts to simply getting them close, you remove a massive amount of pressure and eliminate the blow-up holes caused by three-putts. It’s one of the most reliable ways to consistently lower your handicap and enjoy the game more.
Making a smarter decision on the green - like choosing to lag a long putt - comes from having confidence in your game plan. We designed our app, Caddie AI, to give you that confidence on every shot. For a tricky putt on an unfamiliar green, you can get instant advice on reading breaks and developing a strategy. By giving you access to expert-level course management right on your phone, we want to help you take the guesswork out of the game so you can play with clarity and focus.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
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