When faced with long-distance putts, many amateurs make the mistake of trying to hole out the shot, leading to three-putts and added strokes. In reality, even the best PGA Tour players only make putts from 20-25 feet about 23 percent of the time, making it unrealistic for the Average Joe to do so. Instead of focusing on holing out, golfers should focus on lag putting, which involves dialing in speed to leave the ball close enough to sink the second putt.
Viktor Hovland, a six-time PGA Tour winner, provides tips on how to approach long-distance putts in a way that eliminates the temptation to aim for the hole. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on speed rather than trying to make the putt from distances like 45 feet. By concentrating on leaving the ball close to the cup, golfers can improve their lag putting and reduce the likelihood of three-putting. Hovland recommends spending time perfecting speed control in preparation for tournaments.
Hovland suggests a putting drill that involves picking a spot just over halfway to the hole and intentionally rolling the ball over that spot. Instead of fixating on the hole and how far the ball needs to travel to reach it, golfers should focus on the speed needed to roll the ball over the chosen spot. By being mindful of stroke size and distance control, golfers can improve their ability to leave the ball in a favorable position for the second putt. This drill helps golfers develop a baseline understanding of speed control on the green.
When addressing the ball for a long-distance putt, Hovland advises golfers to concentrate on the spot they are aiming for and the stroke size needed to achieve the right distance control. By taking a couple of practice swings to gauge the distance to the chosen spot, golfers can visually and kinesthetically understand the speed required for the putt. Hovland stresses that when standing over the ball, the focus should solely be on speed control, with the line and stroke being secondary considerations.
Overall, Hovland’s approach to long-distance putting emphasizes the importance of speed control and leaving the ball close to the cup rather than trying to hole out every putt. By implementing lag putting techniques and focusing on distance control, golfers can reduce their likelihood of three-putting on long-distance putts. Developing a baseline understanding of speed control through practice drills can help golfers improve their performance on the green and lower their scores.
