Fix the Biggest Handicap Killer
The root cause is almost always distance control on lag putts, not directional error. A 40-foot putt that ends up 8 feet short or long creates a second putt most amateurs miss. Speed control is the #1 skill to develop.
Your goal on long putts isn't to make them — it's to leave the ball within 3 feet. Think of a 3-foot circle around the hole as your target. This takes pressure off your stroke and vastly improves two-putt rate.
The 'ladder drill': place balls at 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet and putt each trying to stop within 3 feet. The 'clock drill': putt from 4 different positions around the hole at 30 feet. Count total putts — goal is 8 two-putts from 8 attempts.
On long putts, break occurs mostly in the last 15 feet as ball speed decreases. Read the area around the hole more carefully than the area near your ball. Factor in grain direction — putts into the grain are slower and break less.
Long putts require a longer stroke — don't try to hit harder with a short stroke. The stroke length should roughly match the distance: a 30-foot putt needs a noticeably longer backstroke than a 10-foot putt. Keep the tempo consistent.
Even with great lag putting, you'll sometimes face 4-5 foot second putts. Build confidence by practicing these daily: 3-foot putts until you make 10 in a row, then 4-foot putts, then 5-foot. Routine and commitment eliminate yips.
Poor putting often traces back to swing mechanics affecting posture and balance. GOATY's swing analysis identifies the root causes — better mechanics lead to more consistent setup for putting too.
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