Be A Better Lag Putter And Control Your Distance

In golf, your instincts can get you into trouble. A good example is when you have a long putt. The tendency is to think you have to hit the ball harder than normal. That mind-set leads to a short backstroke and a fast flick on the downstroke. The result is usually poor contact—and a putt that never gets to the hole.

A better technique is to lengthen your backstroke but keep the pace of the motion the same. That produces more energy at impact—the longer stroke gives you smooth acceleration—and a better chance of catching the ball flush. It's just like trying to get more distance on a full shot: Hitting the ball in the middle of the clubface is the best thing you can do to transfer energy into the ball. And the best way to lose energy? You guessed it—make a wild swing and mis-hit the shot.

To become a good lag putter, you might have to reconsider the way you think about the stroke. If you believe you should lock your arms and hands and simply rock your shoulders, you're going to struggle from long distance. Lag putts require some play in the elbows and wrists. I'm not saying you should purposely hinge them, but you should let them react naturally to the motion. Lock those joints, and you can only make so much swing.

So get into your setup with a nice light grip, and maintain that pressure throughout the stroke. That will let you keep some softness in your hands and arms for a longer motion that has more momentum—and more power. Your lead wrist will naturally have a little cup or backward bend in it at address. Feel like that wrist flattens on the backstroke (above), and then the trail wrist flattens through impact. That's how you create speed without forcing it.

“IF YOU’RE A STIFF-WRISTED PUTTER, YOU’LL STRUGGLE FROM LONG RANGE.”


Be A Better Lag Putter And Control Your Distance

Facebook
Pinterest
Photo by J.D. Cuban

PUTTING WOES? GET A NEW LOOK
I've used the same putter for 20 years. I love it. The simple design and the dark finish against the white ball help me square it up. That's not to say we always get along. If your putter goes cold, do what I do: Switch to something totally different. I'll go to a big mallet head for a few rounds; for you, maybe it's a blade putter. Point is, give your brain and body a new experience. You might end up sticking with the substitute—but keep your old pal close by.

Butch Harmon is based at Rio Secco Golf Club, Henderson, Nev.


Check out Golf Digest All Access to get over 150 lessons on any of your devices, at any time.

Sign up for Golf Digest All Access today

Be A Better Lag Putter And Control Your Distance

Source: Internet

Related Posts

Masters 2019: You might not have heard of Justin Harding, but you may want to copy his putting style 1

Masters 2019: You might not have heard of Justin Harding, but you may want to copy his putting style

They do everything they can to make the Masters feel like a throwback to the 1950s. But one look at early first round leader Justin Harding's putting stroke and it's…

Read more
Be Like Tiger: Beat Pressure With A Relentless Routine 2

Be Like Tiger: Beat Pressure With A Relentless Routine

We all know players who seem to always get it done under pressure. More likely, they just look good by comparison with the golfers around them who are collapsing. Putting…

Read more
Better putting can come from small adjustments. Just ask Gary Woodland. 3

Better putting can come from small adjustments. Just ask Gary Woodland.

Birdies are available in large batches at Bellerive, and Gary Woodland has taken full advantage—thanks to some subtle coaching advice from putting guru Phil Kenyon and a minor equipment tweak….

Read more
A Secret To Great Putting 4

A Secret To Great Putting

If you asked a lot of golfers how to teach the putting stroke, they might say that when holding the club, the arms and shoulders create a triangle shape that…

Read more
Get rid of grip tension to avoid a Tiger-style four-putt 5

Get rid of grip tension to avoid a Tiger-style four-putt

Given Tiger Woods' recent struggles with the putter, it isn't too surprising that one of the lowlights of his first-round 78 at Shinnecock Hills was a four-putt from 40 feet…

Read more
How To Make the Ones That Matter 6

How To Make the Ones That Matter

A lot of amateurs, and even some pros, treat must-make putts like they're standing over a six-footer to win the U.S. Open. You can see the anxiety building in their…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *