5 Lag Putting Drills for Better Distance Control

Lag putting is about getting your ball close to the hole on long putts, reducing the risk of three-putts. Mastering this skill helps you consistently leave your ball within 2–3 feet of the hole, making your next putt easier. Here are 5 practical drills to improve your distance control:

Ladder Drill: Practice controlling distance by rolling putts to stop just short of progressively farther markers (10–50 feet).
Clock Face Drill: Place balls around the hole in a circle to practice lagging from multiple angles.
Triple Ball Distance Drill: Focus on consistent stroke length by stopping three balls within a tight range past the hole.
Progressive Distance Drill: Putt from increasing distances (10–30 feet) and aim to stop within 18 inches past the hole.
No-Sight Putting Drill: Practice blindfolded to build feel and muscle memory for distance control.

Incorporate these into your routine for fewer three-putts and better confidence on the greens.

Lag Putting Drills for Distance Control

1. The Ladder Drill

Set up five markers at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet. The goal? Roll each putt so it stops just before the next marker.

Start by placing three balls at the first marker. Your aim is to have each ball stop just shy of the next marker. This exercise is all about improving your feel for distance.

Here’s how to perform the Ladder Drill effectively:

Set your stance: Align your shoulders square to the target.
Use a pendulum motion: Keep your stroke smooth and consistent.
Focus on the target: Fix your gaze on the next marker.
Follow through: Maintain a steady and fluid motion.

Keep your stroke tempo steady. Instead of speeding up or slowing down, adjust the length of your backswing to control how far the ball rolls.

To measure your progress, count how many putts stop within a foot of the target distance. Try to get at least 2 out of 3 putts right before moving on to the next marker. This way, you’ll know exactly which distances need more work.

Pay attention to your alignment. Many golfers unknowingly change their setup as they move to longer distances, which can throw off their consistency. Make sure your eyes stay directly over the ball and your putter face stays square to the target line at every marker.

This drill gives you instant feedback, helping you fine-tune your distance control. Over time, you’ll learn how to adjust your backswing length to match the putt distance, leading to fewer three-putts. Once you’ve mastered this, move on to the Clock Face Drill to sharpen your lag putting even further.

2. The Clock Face Drill

This drill builds on the straight-line approach of the Ladder Drill by adding multi-directional distance control. It’s great for improving lag putting. Picture the green as a clock, with the hole at the center. Place balls in a circle around the cup, like the numbers on a clock. Practicing from these different positions helps you fine-tune your ability to judge distance from various angles, making it easier to avoid three-putts.

The changing angles mimic real course situations, where putts rarely come from the same spot. By practicing this way, you’ll improve your ability to handle different green conditions. Plus, this drill sets you up perfectly for the next step: the Triple Ball Distance Drill.

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3. Triple Ball Distance Drill

The Triple Ball Distance Drill helps you fine-tune your lag putting by focusing on consistent distances. Start by placing three golf balls 30 feet away from the hole. Set a target, like stopping the ball 2 feet past the hole. This gives you some wiggle room while ensuring the balls don’t come up short. Pay attention to your stroke length and tempo throughout.

Here’s how to get the most out of this drill:

Use alignment sticks or clubs to create a straight path.
Mark specific distances with tees or coins.
Keep track of how many balls stop within 6 inches of each other.

Want to step it up? Try these adjustments:

Move the starting distance to 40 or 50 feet.
Shrink your target zone from 6 inches to 3 inches.
Practice on slight uphill or downhill slopes.

This drill gives you instant feedback. If one ball rolls farther or shorter than the others, it highlights inconsistencies in your stroke. Focus on making each stroke identical from backswing to follow-through.

Once you can consistently stop all three balls within a few inches of each other, you’re ready to take on the next challenge.

4. Progressive Distance Drill

Practice controlling your putting distance by stopping the ball within 18 inches past the hole. This drill helps sharpen your touch and reduce three-putts.

Start by placing your first ball 10 feet from the hole. For each additional ball, increase the distance by 5 feet, setting them at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet. The goal? Get each putt to either drop in the hole or stop within 18 inches behind it.

Setting Up the Drill:

Use alignment sticks placed parallel to your putting line to guide your stroke.
Mark the distances (10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet) with tees and place a ball at each spot.
Create a semi-circle 18 inches behind the hole to mark your stopping zone.

Technique Tips:

Adjust your stroke length based on the distance, keeping a steady tempo and accelerating smoothly through impact.
For longer putts, focus on lengthening your backswing instead of hitting harder. This keeps your tempo consistent and improves distance control.

Once you’ve mastered this, challenge yourself further with the No-Sight Putting Drill to refine your skills even more.

5. No-Sight Putting Drill

This drill takes your lag putting practice to the next level by removing visual cues, helping you focus entirely on your natural sense of distance and touch. By relying on feel alone, you’ll develop the muscle memory needed for consistent distance control.

What You’ll Need:

A blindfold or a reversed golf visor
Five golf balls
A spacious putting green (about 30 feet)
A partner to track ball positions

How to Practice:

Set Up
Arrange five golf balls at different distances from the hole, ranging between 15 and 30 feet. Have your partner note the starting position of each ball.
Pre-Shot Routine
Before putting on the blindfold, take a few practice strokes while focusing on the target. Pay close attention to how different stroke lengths feel for various distances. This step helps you rely on touch rather than sight.
Blindfolded Putt
Once blindfolded, attempt to lag each putt as close to the hole as possible. After each attempt, have your partner measure and record the distance between the ball and the hole. This will give you feedback on your distance control.

Tips for Success:

Stick to a consistent setup and adjust your backswing length based on the distance.
Keep your swing tempo steady.
Pay attention to the sound and feel of the ball at impact – it can provide valuable feedback.

This drill enhances your ability to judge distance purely by feel, improving your overall putting performance.

Next Steps for Practice

To build on the drills mentioned earlier, it’s time to establish a disciplined practice routine. Incorporate these drills into your regular sessions and create a structured plan to sharpen your distance control.

Creating Your Practice Schedule

Set aside 20–30 minutes for lag putting practice during each session. Start with the Ladder Drill to warm up, then rotate through the other drills for variety and challenge.

Practice Day	Focus Area	Suggested Time
Monday	Ladder Drill + Clock Face Drill	30 minutes
Wednesday	Triple Ball Distance Drill + Progressive Distance Drill	30 minutes
Friday	No-Sight Putting Drill	30 minutes

Once your schedule is set, track your performance after each session to monitor your progress.

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a log of key metrics like your average lag putt distance, the number of three-putts, and your success rates. This will help you identify areas for improvement and measure growth over time.

Using Technology for Improvement

When you’ve established a routine, consider incorporating tools that offer immediate feedback. For example, the How To Break 80 Precision Putting Video Course showcases methods like laser aids and AimPoint techniques to refine your stroke.

Advanced Practice Tips

Push Your Limits: Practice lag putts from 40–50 feet to challenge yourself further.
Simulate Pressure: Set specific goals, such as making three consecutive lag putts within 3 feet, to mimic real-game scenarios.

Stick to a consistent schedule and focus on quality over quantity. Pay close attention to your setup and stroke mechanics with every putt.

For more advanced strategies on lag putting, check out additional resources on the How To Break 80 platform, including the Essential Golf Improvement eBook Bundle, which dives into advanced putting techniques and green reading skills.