Master Lag Putting: Control Speed, Sink More Putts
Are you tired of leaving your long putts miles short or blasting them well past the hole? Lag putting, the art of getting your ball close to the cup from a distance, is a crucial skill often overlooked. Many amateur golfers struggle to consistently two-putt from outside 6 metres, leading to frustrating three-putts and higher scores. The good news is that mastering lag putt speed control isn't about brute force; it's about finesse and a consistent approach.
Why Lag Putting Goes Wrong
The primary reason most golfers struggle with lag putting is a misunderstanding of how to generate power. Instinctively, we tend to hit the ball harder for longer distances. However, this often leads to inconsistent contact, poor direction, and wildly varying distances. When you try to "hit" a long putt, you introduce too many variables – wrist breakdown, inconsistent tempo, and a loss of the putter's natural pendulum motion. The result is often a putt that's either woefully short or screaming past the hole, leaving you with a tricky second putt.
The Fix: Stroke Length, Not Force
The secret to exceptional lag putting lies in controlling the length of your stroke, not the power you apply. Think of your putting stroke as a pendulum. For shorter putts, the pendulum swings a short distance; for longer putts, it swings a longer distance. The tempo and rhythm of the swing should remain relatively consistent.
- Vary Your Stroke Length: For a 10-metre putt, your backstroke might be twice as long as for a 5-metre putt, and your follow-through should mirror that extension. Experiment on the practice green to find the specific backstroke and follow-through lengths that correspond to different distances.
- Feel the Putter Head Weight: As you swing the putter, focus on feeling the weight of the putter head. Allow it to swing freely back and forth. This promotes a smooth, consistent acceleration through the ball without any jerky movements. Your hands and arms should primarily guide the putter, not power it.
- Maintain a Consistent Tempo: While the length of your stroke changes, aim for a consistent tempo. A common rhythm is "one-two" – "one" for the backstroke, "two" for the follow-through. This helps prevent deceleration or sudden bursts of speed.
- Eyes Over the Ball: Ensure your eyes are directly over the ball at address. This helps you see the line correctly and maintain a stable head throughout the stroke, which is crucial for consistent contact.
Practice Drill: The Ladder Drill
This simple drill will dramatically improve your lag putt speed control:
- Find a relatively flat section of the practice green.
- Place a tee in the ground about 3 metres from you.
- Place another tee at 6 metres, then 9 metres, and finally 12 metres. You've created a "ladder."
- Starting with the 3-metre tee, try to putt your ball past that tee but not past the 6-metre tee.
- Then, try to putt past the 6-metre tee but not past the 9-metre tee, and so on.
- Focus intently on the length of your backstroke and follow-through for each distance. Pay attention to the feel of the putter head.
- Repeat this drill, trying to get each putt to stop just past its target tee.
As you practice, you'll start to associate specific stroke lengths with specific distances. This builds muscle memory and confidence, allowing you to trust your stroke on the course.
Unlock Your Putting Potential
Mastering lag putt speed control is a game-changer for your scorecard. By focusing on stroke length rather than raw power and feeling the putter head, you'll develop a more consistent and reliable putting stroke. Remember, practice makes permanent, so dedicate time to these drills. For more personalised insights into your game, including putting analysis, consider using an AI golf caddie app like CaddieIQ to track your progress and refine your technique. Stop three-putting and start making more birdies!
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