The Easy Way to Pull Lag Putts Close
By Patrick Cameron
Staring down the throat of a 80-foot monster---that's what it feels like sometimes when you're on the green and there's still a lot of work to do. But instead of giving in to panic, use your energy more effectively by learning a step-by-step method for turning that terror-inspiring long putt into something you look forward to.
Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Practice putting. The best way to turn terrifying putts into "no big deal" is to have confidence in your stroke when you step up to the ball. Obviously, the more you practice on the putting surface, the better your chance of knowing the green speed when you actually get to the hole.
Walk the line. Without stepping in your own line, walk the path that your ball will most likely take. This will give you an idea of the true distance that the ball has to cover. Simply looking at the line from where your ball is won't give you much of an idea of actual roll distance.
Read the green. Take a look at your line from both behind your ball and behind the cup. Get down in a crouch. By getting down to green level, you'll get a better read for the slopes and undulations of the putting surface.
Visualize the putt. Sometimes it helps to try and see the ball going in or running up next to the hole before you actually putt. Having a clear head when you address the ball can only work in your favor.
Create a bull's-eye around the hole. One of the biggest obstacles that you face when lag putting is you try to take your little white ball and place it in the middle of a cup 100 feet away. That's asking too much---even for a pro. So make an imaginary bull's-eye that runs about 10 feet out from the cup and then see how close you can get to the center.
Control your stroke. Even the longest putts don't require you to crank up the putter. You can achieve all the force you need with a simple 12-inch drawback. So don't go winding up on the thing. A good, controlled stroke will help with the roll path of the ball and the speed.
About The Author
Patrick Cameron is a freelance writer with 10 years of diverse experience in consumer goods branding, promotions and retail communications. He works out of his home in Denver, Colo. He received his Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Minnesota.
