Lag putting is a crucial skill in the game of golf, as it requires precision and touch to get the ball close to the hole without overshooting it. If you’ve been struggling with lag putting, you may be wondering if there are specific drills that can help you improve. In this article, we will explore various methods and techniques that are widely recognized as effective in enhancing lag putting skills. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned golfer looking to enhance your skills, these drills are sure to help you develop a consistent and accurate lag putting game.
Understanding Lag Putting
What is lag putting?
Lag putting refers to a type of putting technique that emphasizes controlling the distance and proximity of the ball to the hole, rather than solely focusing on sinking the putt. It involves making a stroke with the intention of getting the ball close to the hole, while minimizing the risk of overshooting or leaving the ball too short. The primary goal of lag putting is to give yourself the best opportunity to make a one-putt or an easy tap-in for par.
Why is lag putting important?
Lag putting is crucial in maximizing your scoring potential on the greens. While sinking long putts is undoubtedly satisfying, the reality is that most amateurs struggle with consistent accuracy and distance control on longer putts. By mastering the art of lag putting, you can dramatically reduce three-putts and improve your overall putting statistics.
In addition to the scoring aspect, lag putting plays a significant role in maintaining momentum and confidence during a round of golf. Nothing kills momentum and breeds frustration more than repeatedly leaving long putts short or blasting them miles past the hole. Developing strong lag putting skills will instill a sense of control and composure on the greens, enabling you to approach each putt with confidence and focus on the process rather than the outcome.
What are the challenges in lag putting?
Lag putting presents a unique set of challenges that differ from shorter putts. The primary challenge is the need to accurately judge the distance and speed of the putt, especially on fast or undulating greens. Unlike shorter putts, where a slight misread may still result in a tap-in, misjudging the distance on a lag putt can lead to significant differences in the length of the subsequent putt.
Another challenge in lag putting is maintaining consistency in your stroke length. With shorter putts, the goal is generally to have a consistent backswing and forward swing, resulting in a predictable distance. However, on longer putts, the need for a longer backswing introduces the potential for inconsistency and varying stroke lengths, which can make judging distances even more difficult.
Lastly, lag putting requires a heightened level of mental focus and concentration. The longer the putt, the greater the likelihood of distractions creeping into your mind. Staying mentally strong and maintaining focus throughout the lag putt is crucial for executing the stroke with precision and achieving the desired outcome.
Choosing the Right Putter
Selecting the right putter for lag putting
When it comes to lag putting, selecting the right putter is essential. To maximize your ability to control distance and accuracy, consider a putter with a larger head size and alignment aids. The larger head increases the moment of inertia, making it more forgiving on off-center strikes. Furthermore, alignment aids such as lines or dots on the putter head can assist in aiming and visualizing the desired putt line.
Understanding the importance of putter length
Putter length plays a significant role in lag putting. A longer putter, typically around 35-38 inches, can assist in creating a smoother and more controlled stroke on longer putts. This extra length allows for a greater arc in the stroke, giving better distance control and a more pendulum-like motion. However, it is crucial to find a putter length that is comfortable for you and complements your natural putting stroke.
Considerations for putter weight
The weight of your putter can also impact your lag putting performance. Generally, a heavier putter provides more stability and can help with distance control, especially on faster greens. However, it is important to find the right balance that suits your stroke and feel preferences. Experimenting with different putter weights during practice sessions can help you find the optimal weight that enhances your lag putting technique.
Developing Good Putting Mechanics
Maintaining a solid grip
A solid grip is the foundation of a consistent and effective putting stroke. When it comes to lag putting, maintaining a light grip pressure is crucial to promoting a smooth and fluid motion. Avoid gripping the putter too tightly, as it can restrict the natural movement of your wrists and make it difficult to achieve a rhythmic stroke. Experiment with different grip styles and find one that feels comfortable and promotes a consistent roll of the ball.
Understanding stance and posture
Proper stance and posture are vital components of good lag putting mechanics. Position yourself with your feet shoulder-width apart, ensuring that your weight is evenly distributed between your feet. Bend your knees slightly and tilt your upper body forward from the hips, maintaining a relaxed and athletic posture. This balanced stance will enable you to remain stable throughout the stroke and maintain better control over the putter face.
Optimal alignment for lag putting
Aligning your body and putter correctly is essential for successful lag putting. Position your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the target line, ensuring that your eyes are directly over the ball. Use visual alignment aids, such as the lines on your putter head or intermediate targets on the green, to assist in aligning the putter face square to the target. This proper alignment will help minimize directional errors and increase your chances of consistently executing lag putts with accuracy.
Building Distance Control Skills
Creating a consistent stroke length
Developing a consistent stroke length is crucial for effective distance control in lag putting. Practice swinging the putter back and through with a smooth and pendulum-like motion, paying attention to maintaining the same tempo and length on each stroke. Focus on achieving a consistent rhythm and follow-through, allowing the putter head to accelerate through impact smoothly. By ingraining a consistent stroke length, you will gain better control over the distance of your lag putts.
Developing touch and feel
Touch and feel are essential skills to master for successful lag putting. Spend time on the practice green experimenting with various lengths and speeds of putts. Focus on developing a sense of how the ball will roll at different distances and how the greens’ conditions affect the speed and break of the putt. By honing your touch and feel through deliberate practice, you will gain the ability to instinctively judge and execute lag putts with greater accuracy.
Mastering the pendulum motion
Mastering the pendulum motion is fundamental to achieving consistent distance control in lag putting. The pendulum motion refers to a smooth and rhythmical stroke where the putter swings back and through in a slight arc, similar to the motion of a pendulum. Avoid using excessive hand or wrist movement, as it can introduce variability and inconsistency in your stroke. By mastering the pendulum motion, you will be able to generate a consistent and repeatable roll of the ball and improve your overall lag putting performance.
Practicing Lag Putting Drills
The ladder drill
One effective lag putting drill is the ladder drill. Set up a series of progressively longer putts, starting from a short distance and gradually increasing the length. Focus on making precise distance judgments and controlling the speed of each putt. This drill helps develop your touch and feel for different distances, allowing you to fine-tune your lag putting skills.
The gate drill
The gate drill is another beneficial drill for improving lag putting accuracy. Set up two alignment rods or clubs as a gate, placing them a few inches wider than the width of your putter head. Practice putting through the gate at various distances, focusing on hitting your lag putts through the gate without touching the alignment rods. This drill helps improve your ability to start putts on the intended line and promotes better control over your putting accuracy.
The circle drill
The circle drill is a great drill for developing consistent stroke length and distance control. Mark a circle on the practice green at a specific distance from the hole, using tees or coins. Start by putting from various points on the circle, aiming to get each putt to finish within a smaller inner circle. This drill challenges your ability to control both the distance and proximity of your lag putts, helping you develop a more precise touch and feel for different distances.
Improving Green Reading Ability
Understanding slopes and breaks
Improving your green reading ability is crucial for successful lag putting. Spend time studying the greens and observing the slopes and breaks that influence the roll of the ball. Look for subtle undulations, changes in slope, and grain direction that can affect the speed and line of your lag putts. By understanding the intricacies of the greens, you will be better equipped to make accurate distance and speed judgments.
Developing a systematic approach to green reading
Developing a systematic approach to green reading can greatly enhance your lag putting skills. Start by observing the overall contour of the green and identifying any dominant slopes or general patterns. Then, analyze the specific area around the hole to determine how it may impact the final roll of the putt. Consider factors such as uphill or downhill sections, breaks, and potential grain influence. By following a structured routine during your green reading process, you can make more informed decisions and more accurately judge the required distance for your lag putts.
Reading the speed and grain of the greens
Reading the speed and grain of the greens is essential for effective lag putting. Pay attention to the grass type and direction of the grain, as they can significantly affect the roll and speed of the putt. Observe how the ball reacts on different parts of the green, particularly in relation to the grain. Experiment with different speeds and observe how the ball reacts to adjust your lag putting strategy accordingly. By incorporating the characteristics of the greens into your decision-making process, you can achieve greater distance control and make more consistent lag putts.
Enhancing Visualization and Focus
Using visualization techniques
Visualization is a powerful tool for enhancing lag putting performance. Before each lag putt, take a moment to visualize the desired path, speed, and roll of the ball. Use your imagination to see the ball rolling smoothly towards the hole and finishing in close proximity. By mentally rehearsing successful lag putts, you create a positive image in your mind, increasing your confidence and focus when executing the stroke.
Improving concentration and focus
Maintaining concentration and focus is vital for successful lag putting. Eliminate distractions by developing pre-shot routines that help you get into a focused state. Take deep breaths, clear your mind, and visualize the intended putt. Refrain from getting too caught up in the outcome and instead focus on executing each step of your routine with precision and confidence. By training your mind to remain calm and focused, you can enhance your lag putting performance under pressure.
Managing pre-shot routine
Establishing a consistent and effective pre-shot routine is key to improving your lag putting. Create a routine that suits your style and helps you mentally prepare for each putt. It may involve visualizing the line and distance, taking practice swings, or aligning your body and putter with a specific routine. The purpose of a pre-shot routine is to create familiarity and a sense of control, allowing you to approach each lag putt with consistency and confidence.
Incorporating Pressure and Game-Like Scenarios
Adding pressure to practice sessions
Incorporating pressure into your practice sessions is crucial for simulating real-game scenarios and improving your lag putting performance under pressure. Create practice games or challenges where you have consequences for missing lag putts, such as having to start over or tallying points. By introducing pressure, you can train yourself to focus and perform at a higher level, preparing you for the pressure situations you encounter during a round of golf.
Simulating game-like scenarios
Simulating game-like scenarios during practice sessions helps develop the mental and physical skills necessary for successful lag putting on the course. Set up practice rounds where you play multiple holes, simulating different lengths and varieties of lag putts. Challenge yourself to strategize and execute each lag putt as if it were a critical putt in a round. By simulating realistic scenarios, you improve your ability to transfer your practice skills to the course effectively.
Practicing lag putting on different greens
Practicing lag putting on different greens is essential to adapt to varying course conditions. Seek opportunities to play on different golf courses or practice greens with different grass types, slopes, and speed variations. By exposing yourself to different green surfaces, you develop the ability to adjust your lag putting technique and strategy accordingly. Practicing on different greens enhances your adaptability and versatility as a lag putter.
Analyzing and Adjusting Putting Techniques
Utilizing video analysis
Utilizing video analysis can provide valuable insights into your lag putting technique. Record your putts during practice or a round and review them later, paying attention to your stroke mechanics, alignment, and consistency. Look for any potential areas of improvement, such as inconsistencies in your pendulum motion, alignment, or grip. By identifying and addressing these areas, you can refine your lag putting technique and optimize your performance on the greens.
Tracking and analyzing putting data
Tracking and analyzing putting data can provide valuable statistical feedback on your lag putting performance. Keep a record of your putts during practice or rounds, noting the distance, location, and number of strokes taken on each hole. Use this data to identify patterns or trends in your performance, such as common distances you struggle with or areas where you excel. By analyzing the data, you can make informed decisions on which aspects of your lag putting to focus on during practice, ultimately improving your overall performance.
Making necessary adjustments based on feedback
Based on the feedback from video analysis and statistical data, make necessary adjustments to your lag putting technique and strategy. For example, if you notice inconsistencies in your stroke length, focus on developing a smoother and more controlled pendulum motion. If you consistently under or overshoot certain distances, spend more time practicing putts within that specific range. By actively addressing your weaknesses and making targeted adjustments, you can refine your lag putting skills and become a more proficient putter overall.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Consulting a golf instructor
Seeking the guidance of a qualified golf instructor is an invaluable opportunity to receive personalized feedback and advice on your lag putting technique. A golf instructor can assess your current skills, identify areas for improvement, and provide tailored drills and exercises to enhance your lag putting abilities. With their expertise, a golf instructor can help address specific weaknesses and guide you towards a more efficient and effective lag putting technique.
Taking advantage of advanced putting technologies
Advanced putting technologies, such as launch monitors and putting analysis systems, offer valuable insights into your lag putting performance. These technologies measure critical factors like the speed, launch angle, and roll of the ball, providing objective data to analyze and improve your lag putting technique. By leveraging these tools, you can gain a deeper understanding of your stroke mechanics and make data-driven adjustments to enhance your lag putting skills.
Attending putting clinics and workshops
Attending putting clinics and workshops is an excellent way to further your knowledge and skills in lag putting. These educational events often feature experienced instructors and professionals who share their expertise and provide practical training sessions. By participating in these clinics, you can gain new insights, learn advanced techniques, and receive valuable feedback on your lag putting. Additionally, interacting with fellow golfers who share similar goals can be motivating and provide a supportive learning environment.
In conclusion, lag putting is a vital aspect of the game that directly impacts your scoring potential on the greens. By understanding the techniques, challenges, and strategies involved in lag putting, you can develop the necessary skills to excel in this area of the game. Choosing the right putter, developing good putting mechanics, building distance control skills, practicing lag putting drills, improving green reading ability, enhancing visualization and focus, incorporating pressure and game-like scenarios, analyzing and adjusting putting techniques, and seeking professional guidance are all important steps towards becoming a proficient lag putter. With dedicated practice, a solid foundation of skills, and a strategic mindset, you can elevate your lag putting to new levels and improve your overall performance on the golf course.
