What Is Lag Putting: The Lag Putting Fundamentals Every Golfer Needs To Know

While everyone loves the tension of watching a dramatic long putt on television, reality is often much less glamorous. A long putt turns into a three-putt, because you overshot the hole, or focused too much on the slope of the green and didn’t have enough speed to actually reach the hole. 

The secret to improving your putting lies in mastering a specific, foundational approach to long-distance greens.

What is lag putting?

A lag putt is a long putt, where your only goal is to set yourself up for an easy second putt. It may feel counterintuitive, but it’s a lot easier to focus on getting your ball close to the hole on a long putt, than it is to focus on getting the ball in the hole. Over the course of 18 holes, consistently avoiding three putts will have a much more positive effect on your overall score, than occasionally getting a putt in on the first try. 

Why lag putting helps lower your scores

Most three-putts are the result of a bad long putt, not a bad short putt. Putting too much pressure on a long putt, can lead to more dramatic misses and set yourself up for a second putt that is only marginally easier. Poor distance control ends up creating situations that didn't need to exist in the first place. 

Lag putting takes the pressure off your long putt, by focusing solely on setting yourself up for an easy tap in on your second putt. It doesn’t mean you are trying to miss the hole, it just adjusts the goal, so ending up a few feet away from the hole still feels like success.

At its core, lag putting is a mindset strategy. You’re replacing a challenging putt, with a more approachable one, and focusing on progress instead of perfection. If you want to shave strokes off your scorecard, improving your putting is one of the fastest ways to do that. 

The key to lag putts: The three foot circle strategy

The basic strategy behind lag putting, is to picture a 3-foot circle around the hole, instead of focusing on the 4.25-inch wide cup. Your only objective is to stop the ball somewhere inside that circle. 

This strategy encourages you to make controlled putts, and not take risky chances that could land you further from the hole than you started.

Speed vs line control

Speed matters more than the line of your ball on lag putts. A small line misread on a 30 foot putt might leave you 2 feet off the hole, but misjudging the speed can easily land you 6 feet past the hole or 8 feet short.

Getting your speed right will also result in a better line. Not having enough speed can make your ball more susceptible to sloping greens, so dial in your speed and distance first, then worry about the perfect line.

When to use a lag putt

Not every long putt calls for the same approach. Course conditions and your position on the green dictate whether to lag or be more aggressive. When in doubt, play for the easy second putt.

How to control distance on long putts

1. Use a pendulum tempo

A smooth, rhythmic stroke is what produces consistent distances. Your backswing length and follow-through length work together to dictate how far the ball rolls. Letting the putter swing rather than "hitting" or "jabbing" at the ball, results in smoother strokes that are more likely to go where you want.

2. Match stroke length to the putt

Longer putts require longer backstrokes—not faster hands. Use the length of your backstroke for a more consistent way to control distance. Keeping the tempo the same whether you're putting 10 feet or 40 feet makes it e

3. Keep your lower body quiet

Any swaying during a longer putting stroke leads to off-center contact and unpredictable distance. Plant your feet and let your shoulders do the work.

4. Feel the weight of the putter head

Soften your grip pressure slightly so you can sense the putter head swinging through the stroke. This helps you avoid trying to steer or force the ball toward the hole.

5. Look at the hole during practice strokes

While making practice strokes, look at the hole instead of the ball. Your brain naturally calibrates the distance when your eyes are on the target. Then during the actual stroke, keep your eyes down and listen for the ball to drop or stop.

How to read the green on long putts

On lag putts, you're reading the green for general direction rather than a precise line. Walk the putt to feel the slope with your feet, since your body can often feel the grade better than your eyes can see it. A rough read with good speed beats a perfect read with bad speed every time.

Lag putting drills to build distance control

The ladder drill

Place tees at 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet. Putt one ball to each tee consecutively, trying to stop each ball within a putter-length of the marker.

If you leave one short, start over. This builds progressive distance feel quickly.

The eyes closed drill

After your practice strokes, close your eyes right after impact. Guess out loud whether the putt is short, long, or perfect before looking. This trains your feel and helps calibrate your physical senses with actual results.

The fringe target drill

Skip the hole entirely—putt from 30+ feet and try to stop the ball exactly at the fringe. Removing hole anxiety builds pure speed control without any pressure.

Common lag putting mistakes and how to fix them

Hitting the ball too hard

Being aggressive leaves long comeback putts that turn pars into bogeys. Instead, aim for the front edge of your 3-foot circle rather than the hole itself.

Decelerating through impact

Slowing down mid-stroke kills distance control and often pushes the ball offline. The fix: make a shorter backstroke and accelerate smoothly through the ball.

Focusing only on line instead of speed

Obsessing over the exact break often leads to not thinking enough about speed. Prioritize getting your speed right, and the line will matter a lot less.

Ignoring the comeback putt

Leaving the ball above the hole creates fast, breaking second putts. When in doubt, leave it below the hole for an uphill tap-in.

How green speed and slope affect your lag putt

Fast greens require shorter strokes and lighter grip pressure. Slow greens call for longer stroke length while maintaining the same tempo. Uphill putts need more energy, while downhill putts need less.

Spend a few minutes on the practice green before your round to calibrate your feel for that day's conditions. Green speeds vary from course to course and even morning to afternoon.

Do you need a lag putter?

While any putter can handle lag putting, certain designs naturally aid distance control. When weighing mallet putters against blade putters, mallets generally have higher MOI (Moment of Inertia), meaning they twist less on off-center strikes and preserve ball speed on long putts.

Heavier putter heads can help smooth out the stroke on longer swings, preventing the jerky wrists that ruin lag putting distance. The right putter for you depends on your stroke, and forgiveness on mishits makes a real difference, especially on long putts

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Build confidence on every lag putt

Lag putting is a skill anyone can improve with the right approach and a few focused practice sessions. The goal isn't giving up on making long putts, but playing smart golf helps eliminate stressful par saves and keeps your round moving forward.

Equipment plays a role too. A putter with good weight distribution and consistent roll makes distance control easier, especially on 30+ footers where it matters most. Stix putters are designed for forgiveness and smooth feedback, helping everyday golfers two-putt more often without overthinking the stroke.

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Frequently asked questions about lag putting

What distance counts as a lag putt?

Most golfers consider any putt over 20 feet a lag putt, though some use 25 feet as the threshold.

Should you look at the hole when hitting a lag putt?

Looking at the hole during practice strokes helps your brain gauge distance, but most golfers look at the ball during the actual stroke.

What makes a putt illegal in golf?

A putt is illegal if you anchor the club against your body or hit a moving ball. Putting while another ball is in motion on the green is also illegal.

Do mallet putters help with lag putting?

Mallet putters are generally more forgiving on off-center hits and provide consistent feedback, which can help with distance control on long putts.

How often should you practice lag putting?

Spending a few minutes on lag putts before every round builds feel quickly—focus on distance drills rather than holing out.