How to Lag Putt Like the Pros

Putting and short game master Dave Pelz shares tips for successful lag putting
Putting and short game master Dave Pelz shares tips for successful lag putting.

Whether trying to break 70 or 100, perhaps the #1 nemesis of a good round is the dreaded three putt. So what’s the best way to make more putts? Leave your second putt closer to the hole.

Sure the pros impress us with the booming drives, spectacular iron play, and making the 15-footer seem like a 5-footer. However, the next time you watch a PGA, LPGA, or Champions Tour event on TV, pay attention to their lag putts from 30, 40, 50 feet and beyond to see just how brilliant they are at controlling their distance on the green.

Dave Pelz and Phil Mickelson are two household names when it comes to putting and the short game. In fact, Mickelson often goes to the coach for short game advice.

“I was quite surprised that he came to me because he is perceived to have one of the best short games in the world. But Phil said he wanted to save a quarter of a shot per round in the majors, and asked if I could do that. Well, I’ve never seen anyone I couldn’t improve.”

We’ve compiled the two videos below where each shows tips, drills and lessons for lag putting.

Tips from Pelz:

  1. Never worry about holing your long lag putts
  2. Always walk to the hole and walk back so your subconscious mind can judge the distance
  3. How Ben Crenshaw’s method of using your binocular vision helps to visually see the distance

Dave Pelz shares lag putting tips in this video from Cleveland Golf:

Tips from Mickelson:

  1. His 10-putt 40/50/60 lag putting drill that he uses
  2. How he eliminates one of the two variables in putting: how far he goes back on his stroke and how much energy he uses going forward
  3. 80% of putts three-putted are downhill. Always leave your ball below the hole.

Phil Mickelson shares his strategy and drill for lag putting with this video from Odyssey Golf:

Take these tips and drills with you to the putting green and the course next time you’re out! It’s not a guarantee you’ll eliminate all of your three-putts, but you’ll be sure to have fewer of them.

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How to lag putt with tips from Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson shares lag putting tips

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