Lag Putting in Golf: Distance Control Drills to Lower Your Scores

Lag Putting in Golf: Distance Control Drills to Lower Your Scores

By Donna White, Keiser University College of Golf Professor – PGA and LPGA Member and Winner of Three LPGA Tour Events

Most golfers spend hours on the driving range and only a few minutes on the practice greens. The path to lower scores lies in your green reading skills, mastering distance control, especially on long putts—known as lag putting. Lag putting is the skill of putting a ball from 25 -30+ feet away close to the hole—typically within 2–3 feet—guaranteeing a simple follow-up second putt. Let’s dive into why lag putting matters.

Proximity to the Hole & The Impact on Scoring

It’s common knowledge that hitting the ball closer to the hole makes putting easier. Michael Weston, writing for Golf Monthly, highlighted proximity to the hole gaps for amateur golfers using Shot Scope data. Consider these average proximity stats:

Viewing the proximities confirms the importance of being a good lag putter.  Granted, a high handicap golfer might be hitting a longer, less lofted club into the green on the approach. Scratch and tour players, hitting shorter, more lofted clubs, allow them to stop or spin the ball with more accuracy.  Driving distance also influences the approach shot yardage, especially on par four holes. On average, for both male and female golfers, the driving distance decreases the higher the handicap. The closer the golf ball is to the hole on a first or second putt, increases the probability of having fewer putts, resulting in lower scores and handicap indexes. 

Putting Averages Tell the Story

Putting averages paint a clear picture of where strokes are lost.  Data from Golfshake.com and Clevergolfer.com reveal significant differences:

• 25+ Handicaps: Average around 39 putts per round.
• 16–20 Handicaps: Average 35–36 putts per round.
• Scratch Players: Average around 30 putts per round.
• PGA/LPGA Tour Pros: Average between 28–30 putts per round.

Number of Putts: 40% of Your Total Score!

Peter Sanders of ShotbyShot Golf states putting to be “an all-important skill.” In 2025, the National Golf Foundation reported that over 29 million people played golf in the US. According to the USGA in 2024, only about 3.3 million maintain an official handicap. The average male handicap is 14.2; the average female handicap is 28.7. Review the stats:

• A scratch player shooting a par 72 with 30 putts: 41.6% of strokes were putting.
• A 14-handicapper shooting 90 with 36 putts: 40% of strokes were putting.
• A Tour player shooting 68 with 28 putts: 41.1% of strokes were putting.

The Foundation: Green Reading

Good lag putters have great “touch.” They instinctively see, feel, and understand green speed relative to grass texture, undulations, and slopes. Skilled players aim with precision and match their stroke length and ball speed to the green, directing the ball on a line that accounts for breaking contours to get close. Fast greens, smoother surfaces, softer stroke, more break. Slower greens, bumpy surfaces, firmer stroke, less break. A seemingly simple but difficult skill, lag putting requires precise control of multiple factors. 

 The Real Estate Between Ball and Cup  

When it comes to saving strokes, the most important real estate in golf is the area on the green between your ball and the cup. Many golfers just look at what is happening around the cup.  I divide the putt into thirds: front of the ball, middle, and before/ around the cup. 

Below is an overview of how I survey and appraise those sections. This feedback loop helps gauge the “feel” in my hands and body of the start line, stroke length, force, and speed required for the putt.  

Step 1: Initial Scan (Before Reaching the Ball) 

Approaching the green to mark the ball, perform a quick, comprehensive survey: 

• Scan the entire green: Take mental and visual notes on the overall conditions.
• Assess physical characteristics: Observe green firmness, moisture levels, severity of slopes, and contours.
• Note environmental factors: Pay attention to the grain direction and wind. 

Step 2: Line-of-Sight Assessment (While Marking the Ball)

Divide that real estate into three sections: the first third, the middle third, and the final third. Look down at the line from the ball to a point just beyond the cup, evaluating each section: 

• Determine the putt type: Is it uphill, downhill, sidehill, or straight?
• Evaluate speed variations: Will one section be faster or slower than another?
• Check consistency: Re-assess grain direction, firmness, and softness within each section.
• Visualize the ball tracking to the cup: Determine where you need to aim the ball “high enough” and at what speed to allow it to curve along the contours and fall into the cup.
• Plan the lag location: Identify the best area around the cup to lag the putt, increasing the chances of making the subsequent putt. 

Step 3: Confirmation Walk (Behind the Cup)

Walk from your ball/marker to a spot behind the cup and look back toward your ball: 

• Confirm initial observations: Assess and confirm the factors you saw from the original line of sight.
• Finalize strategy: Verify how all the processed factors will influence your aim, speed, and pace. 

Step 4: Execution Factors (Instinctive)

These considerations instantly influence your execution, even before starting your personal putting routine: 

• Aim: Putter Face. It’s the ONLY thing that will hit the ball! Confirm set-up to suit. 
• Stroke length (power): Determined by the distance and conditions.
• Direction and distance control: Guided by your comprehensive assessment and intuition to start the ball on your intended line and roll the ball at a speed to make or get close.  

Key Takeaway

Green reading is a complex sensory-motor skill requiring visual-brain-body connections. Developing a fast and efficient green reading routine YOU feel gives you the highest probability of sinking the putt or getting very close to the hole is important.  Always be mindful of the best area for the next putt. 

There are many green reading systems, like AimPoint, that some players use.  Putting guru Geoff Mangrum believes the ability to read green textures and judge the fall line should be instinctive and science-based.  To simplify your understanding, consider the three C’s. 

• Color (Grain): Lighter, shiny grass color typically means it is down-grain and will be fast; darker shades mean you will be rolling the ball against the grain and will be slow. 
• Contour (Slope): Makes sure all undulations in that 1/3 of the real estate appraisal suggestion are noticed. The high and low points of the terrain influence how gravity pulls a ball and the friction time it rolls. 
• Cup: Ever wonder why players or caddies look down at the cup? This is a quick way to see which direction the grass is growing (grain). The tip of the grass blade will grow over the rim towards the browned edge where the blade was cut when the cup was placed. This influences the break of the ball as it enters the cup. 

Becoming a better lag putter and having confidence in reading a green takes practice. 

My Favorite Lag Putting Drills for Distance Control

“Bowling for Dollars” Drill (Underhand Toss/Roll Drill)

This drill builds touch and pace control by using the natural motion of an underhand toss, rolling the ball on the ground towards a target. Closely mimicking the rhythmic pendulum swing and wrist motion required for consistent lag putting.  Ironically, you will often see a tour player during practice rounds do this when they approach a green to see and get a feel for green speeds, grain direction, and contours.

• How I use it: I increase the distance of my “rolls” from 20, 30, or 40+ feet. My target isn’t the hole, but an imaginary 3-foot circle around the cup or even a towel. Facing the target, squatting down enough to use the natural feeling of an underhand toss, using my trail hand to release and roll the ball to the target.  In group settings, we have students stand in the middle of the green and have them roll the ball to the edge of the fringe.   

After a few underhand rolls from various distances, grab the putter, aim, put your lead arm behind your back, and putt with just the trail hand from those distances, feeling the weight, face control, and release of the putter head.   

• Influence for lag putting: Not only does it help enhance your green reading skills, but it also builds the feel and rhythm required for the long, smooth stroke of lag putting, helping you gauge pace instinctively rather than mechanically.

The Clock Drill (25-40 feet)

A timeless favorite for developing speed control under pressure. The stakes escalate with distance, demanding focus to make the putt or get the ball within a manageable range.

• Set-Up: Find a cup on the green that allows you to start at 25 feet and work out in a circle to 40 -45 feet. Place 6 balls around the cup at 25 feet, then 30, 35, 40, and 45 feet.  
• Execution: Start at the 25-foot circle and work around the clock with the intent to sink or get the ball in the designated “gimme” zone (within 2-3 feet).  If you do not do so, you must start all over at the initial 25-yard circle until you work through all distances. If time or skill level is a concern, you can vary the “gimme” range or, instead of having students start over, simply add points (two if you hole the putt and one if the ball ends inside the circle). Any target score can be established.
• Why it works for lag putting: The core purpose of the ladder drill is to develop distance control, forcing your brain to adjust the feel required for every putt while managing pressure. This is crucial for minimizing three-putts.

Straight/ Breaking Putt: Backstop Drill

This drill focuses on developing green reading skills, defining fall lines, confident speed and feel for the correct pace, ensuring the ball always reaches the hole, and makes or passes it slightly, on the “high side” of the cup.

• Set-up for straight putts. Place an alignment stick or club 18 inches behind the cup.
• Execution: Find a straight putt with no break. Hit 3 putts from various distances (20 feet – 40 feet and longer). The objective is to lag the ball with enough speed to make or pass the hole, stopping before it reaches or hits the backstop. Hitting the backstop means the putt was too aggressive; stopping short means it was too timid. The distance behind the cup can be increased or decreased depending on the skill level of the golfer. After doing this from each distance with 3 balls, then put pressure on yourself. Putt with only 1 ball, varying the distance. You can gamify with points as well.
• Setup for breaking putts: Find a cup and starting point that will break from right to left or left to right, or may require tackling numerous breaks. Determine the “high side” of the cup you will have to aim to get the ball close,ensuring you have “played enough break.” Place a second alignment stick/club perpendicular to the line you feel the ball must roll, forming a second guard rail. The shape of the backstop and guardrail for putts that will break from right to left. The opposite for the left to right.
• Execution: Hit 3 putts from various distances (e.g., 20 feet -40+ feet), both right to left and left-right. The objective is to hit the ball with enough speed to make or pass the hole but stop before it reaches or hits the stick behind the cup, and to also finish on the “high” side (breaking side) of the cup in the guardrail. Hitting the rear club means the putt was too aggressive; stopping short means it was too timid. Landing below the breaking side means our aim and speed were off. Change cups and distances frequently. Again, add pressure, using only one ball.
• Influence on Lag Putting: This drill reinforces green reading, aim, speed control, and the principle that a ball has a better chance of going in the hole if rolling on the high side. It trains you to commit to your instincts with a confident stroke, which is essential for getting the ball into the 2–3 foot “safe zone” on lag putts.

Eyes Closed/Eyes Open Drills: “Call it” – “Stop” – “Look.”

This drill heightens feel and tempo by trusting the visual “snapshot” you took in reading the putt, trusting the line, and your stroke. It heightens your awareness of the length of stroke required to make a putt or get it close to the hole.  

• Execution A: “Call it”: From a consistent starting point (e.g., 20 – 40+ feet), place multiple balls. For each ball, choose a different type of putt (short, long, left, right break, uphill, downhill, etc.). Read the putt, do your routine, and address the putt as you would normally do.
  Close your eyes just before starting the stroke. Feel the length and tempo of the stroke required to match the line and speed. Before you open your eyes, state if the ball was short, long, left, or right of the cup. Open your eyes when you think the ball stops to assess the result.

• Execution B: “Stop”: Do the same as above with your eyes closed; however, for this drill, you don’t have to call the result, you must focus intensely on the sensation of impact force and speed you feel you created when you made the putt.  Say “STOP” out loud the exact moment you feel the ball has stopped rolling.
  Compare your perceived timing with the actual result. Change the target (distance and line) for every putt to maintain focus. This is next-level sensory and feel training to gauge how short or long a ball must travel, depending on the length of your stroke.

• Execution C: “Look.”  Do the same as above, looking at the cup.

• Influence on Lag Putting: The eyes closed drills sharpen your internal sense of pace, putter face control, and distance relative to stroke length, rhythm, and tempo. All vital for consistent distance control on long putts. It builds trust in your intuitive ability to connect the feel of a stroke, reducing unnecessary head movement and “mechanical” thoughts. Eyes open, looking at the cup allows the brain to be more intuitive, accurate, and target-oriented when judging the force needed in the stroke. This frees tension or mental chatter.

“Micro-Target” Drill

PGA and LPGA Tour pros often practice putting to a higher standard than the 4.25-inch cup. Putting to a smaller target demands precise aim and contact.

• Setup: Place a coin or tee in the green as your target; any smaller target than the cup will do.
• Execution: Putt from long distances (30-50 feet). The goal is to get as close to the object as possible. This trains the ability to read the break and start and roll the ball on your intended line, which is critical for making more putts.
• Influence on Lag Putting: This drill sharpens your ability to read the green and the brain-body adjustments required to make a stroke. It requires precise aim and speed control to get it closer to a smaller target, which can build confidence in your lag putting.

Conclusion

Great lag putting isn’t just about stroke mechanics—it’s about predicting how slope, grain, and speed affect the roll of the ball. The many styles of putting on both the LPGA and PGA have proved successful. The key is being able to repeat whatever style you embrace under pressure. Pair these drills and improve your green-reading skills to minimize dreaded three-putts. Watch your scores and handicap drop.