Three‑putts usually come from one thing: inconsistent distance control. The good news is you can improve it quickly with a short routine that teaches feel, tempo, and speed calibration on different green conditions.
1) The Ladder Drill
Place targets at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet (tees or coins). Putt one ball to each target in order. Your goal is to stop the ball within a putter‑head past each marker. This trains a repeatable tempo and helps you link stroke length to real distance.
2) Two‑Ball Spacing
Roll a first putt to 25–35 feet. Then roll a second ball and try to finish within one putter‑head of the first. If you miss, adjust with a smoother stroke—not a jab. This drill builds speed awareness fast.
3) The 3‑Foot Finish Zone
Mark a small “finish circle” around the hole (about 3 feet). From 20–40 feet, your only rule is: first putt must finish inside the circle. It is the simplest way to practice two‑putt golf.
4) Uphill/Downhill Pairs
Find a sloped section. Putt one uphill lag from 25 feet, then one downhill from the same distance. Alternate for 10 minutes. You will learn how much shorter the downhill stroke needs to be, and you will stop leaving downhill putts short.
5) Eyes‑Quiet Roll
For a few putts, keep your eyes “quiet” (soft focus on the ball) and feel the strike. The goal is centered contact and a calm lower body. Better contact equals more predictable roll and tighter dispersion.
15‑Minute Weekly Template
- 5 minutes: Ladder Drill
- 5 minutes: 3‑Foot Finish Zone
- 5 minutes: Uphill/Downhill Pairs
Keep it simple: repeat this once or twice a week and your lag putting will stabilize. When your first putt finishes closer, your short game becomes less stressful—and your scorecard reflects it.
How to read greens for speed (not just break)
Most players look for left‑to‑right or right‑to‑left and forget the bigger scoring factor: pace. Before you putt, take one look from the side and ask, “Is this section uphill, downhill, or level?” Then check the grain or shine if you play courses where it matters. A downhill putt on a shiny, firm surface should trigger a shorter stroke and a softer start line. An uphill putt into thicker grass needs a longer stroke and a commitment to rolling the ball rather than steering it.
A simple cue: pick a “landing spot” in your mind where the ball should slow down, usually 12–24 inches past the hole. If your roll‑out keeps finishing beyond that, your next read should focus on speed control, not aim.
Common lag‑putting mistakes
- Decelerating: slowing the putter through impact leads to inconsistent strike and unpredictable roll.
- Trying to make everything: a lag putt is a scoring play—your job is to leave a simple second putt.
- Changing grip pressure: squeezing on longer putts creates a jabby stroke and poor face control.
- Practicing only straight putts: real greens have slope; include uphill/downhill and sidehill reps.
Fix the first one by focusing on a smooth finish. Many golfers improve immediately when they think “finish the stroke” rather than “hit the ball.”
A quick pre‑putt routine for long putts
Keep your routine short so you actually use it under pressure. Stand behind the ball, visualize the roll to your target, then take one practice stroke that matches the distance. Step in, set the face, and let your body repeat that same motion. The routine should take under 15 seconds. Consistency comes from repeatable setup more than extra looks.
Equipment tips that help distance control
You do not need new gear to become a great lag putter, but two checks help. First, make sure your putter length allows your eyes to sit comfortably over or slightly inside the ball line—this improves start direction. Second, consider the ball you play: switching between very soft and very firm balls can change feel on long putts. If you change balls often, spend five minutes at the start of each round recalibrating pace.
Progress marker: the “20–40 foot two‑putt test”
Once a week, drop five balls between 20 and 40 feet. Your goal is not to make putts—it is to finish every first putt inside a 3‑foot circle. Score it: 5/5 is excellent, 4/5 is solid, and anything lower tells you to spend more time on the ladder drill and uphill/downhill pairs. This test is simple, fast, and directly tied to lower scores.