Some golfers make long distance putting look easy. But most golfers have trouble sinking putts beyond 50 feet. In fact, it’s one of the hardest things to do in golf. And the stats prove it. At every distance greater than 32 feet in 2008 the pros average more than 2 putts per hole, according to PGA Tour’s ShotLink system. Long distance putts also present you with a dilemma. Do you go for it or lag it up there?
Below are 6 keys to 2 putting from long distance lies.
- Spend time on the practice green
- Read the green from the halfway point
- Putt to a large circle
- Expand circle when putting from 50+
- Get to know the greens
- Practice, Practice, Practice
Speed is the key to successful long putting—whether you’re going for it or lagging it. In fact, your odds of getting down in two increase dramatically if you can get your first put inside of 5 feet.
Before the round, spend some time on the practice green before rounds. While your focus should be on short putts, stroke some long ones as well. This gives you a feel for how the greens are playing that day.
During the round, crouch down and read the putt from the halfway point. Look at it from a 90-degree angle. Long putts often travel uphill and downhill. Crouching helps you see slope differences better.
If you’re lag putting, create an imaginary circle 6-feet in diameter around the hole. Then putt to it. Focus on getting inside the circle. An old trick, the circle works for many golfers. It can relieve the pressure of a long putt and provide a more realistic goal to shoot at.
On putts 50 feet or more, expand the circle. Make it 10 feet in diameter. Anything within a 10-foot circle still leaves you with a makeable putt.
Finally, get to know the greens on courses you play often. It will make hitting long distance putts much easier. But if you really want to sink more long putts, practice them from 30 feet or more between rounds.
