3 Tips To Improve Your Long Distance Putting
If you’re anything like me when I’ve hit the wrong club or mis-hit a shot and end up with a long putt across the green, front-to-back, or back-to-front, you’re probably not in a good mood with what you are facing for a two putt. Lag putting is not easy. For me, I almost consider it an art. It can make the difference between a bad score when you’ve struck the ball well and hit a lot of greens-in-regulation and a great score when you’ve slapped it all around the park that day and feel like you’ve stolen one from your buddies or competitors.
3 Tips To Improve Your Long Distance Putting
1. Stroke Should Mirror Your Distance
Too many amateurs try to “help” the ball go longer distances. Your stroke and effort should match the distance needed to settle the ball within an 18 inch circle around the cup. Take two to three practice strokes looking at the hole with an even tempo back and through to mimic the exertion you think is needed to get the ball within two-putt range. Your stroke should go back and through about the same distance each direction. Short backstrokes with the “helping”, quick forward stroke can lead to a lack of distance control when you need it the most.
2. Focus On Centered Contact
A center strike in the middle of the putter face is imperative to being able to control your lag putting. Align the ball in the center of the clubface to ensure that you are getting the best possible roll and distance needed. Any strike that is not in the center of the face, which can happen with an arc or “looping” putting stroke, will take away from the momentum of the golf ball. The tendency will be to leave a lot of putts short. You may think of this as the same issue experienced with an iron or wood that is mis-struck. Something that is not struck in the center can reduce distance by 10,15, or 20 yards. Of course, the miss with a putter is not as exaggerated but can make the difference between a tap-in and that knee-knocking 4 footer we all despise.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
The impulse on the practice putting green before the round is almost always to practice your short and mid-range putts. Find yourself a portion of the green, possibly with some undulation or break pattern, and pick the furthest hole. Use at least three balls to get a feel for the speed of the greens for the day. Do this, at least, three or four times to different locations.
Here are more great tips to improve your game:
- 3 Keys To Shaping The Golf Ball Any Way You Want
- 30 Seconds To Master The Proper Ball Position
- 3 Tips To Hit The Stinger Off The Tee
- How To Hit More Fairways In 1 Minute
- Coming Over The Top? Check The Shaft Weight In Your Clubs
- How To Prepare For A Tournament
- 6 Steps To Successfully Putt On Fast Greens
- Every Golfer Should Do These 2 Things
- 3 Secrets To Uneven Lies That Everyone Misses
- What Wedges Should I Carry
Chris Wadwick
Chris Wadwick has been a Class “A” member of the PGA of America since 2011. He is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. He brings a deep understanding of the inner workings of the golf business, especially club fittings, product knowledge, and visual merchandising, working for Dick’s Sporting Goods for over 7 years and Occoneechee Golf Club for more than three years, prior to that. When he is not in the office, you can always find him at a nearby golf course, attending games at his alma mater, or spending time with his wife and four dogs.