Putting is supposed to be the easy part, right? No wind, no bunkers, no excuses. But if you’ve ever walked off a green feeling personally attacked by your flatstick, you already know: it’s anything but simple.
Especially when the terms lag putting and distance control start flying around like everyone just agrees on what they mean.
Spoiler: they’re not the same thing — and understanding the difference could be the key to shaving strokes off your card.
Let’s break it down.
Lag Putting vs. Distance Control: What’s the Real Difference?
First up: What exactly is lag putting?
Lag putting is the golf version of “let’s not make things worse.” It’s what you’re doing when you’re 30 feet from the hole and you’re not dreaming of a birdie — you’re just praying to avoid a three-putt.
As one golf instructor put it: “Lag putting is when you’ve got a long putt, don’t expect to make it, but want to get it close, so you can tap the next one in.”
That’s it. No heroics. Just getting the ball close enough for a tap-in. If you consistently two-putt from long range, you’re already ahead of the game — literally.
So then what’s distance control?
Distance control is the broader skill behind all good putting. It’s knowing how hard to hit the ball — whether you’re 3 feet out or 30. Lag putting is just one application of solid distance control. You can’t be a good lag putter without it, but being good at distance control also means you’re more likely to sink the shorter stuff too.
Put another way: lag putting is the strategy. Distance control is the execution.
Or, as one expert put it: “No matter how well you read the green or align your putt, if you don’t control the speed correctly, you will miss the hole.”
Speed. Is. Everything.
The Stats That’ll Make You Take This Seriously
If you’re still thinking this sounds like golf nerd stuff, check this out:
- The average male golfer has about 40 putts per round. Forty.
- Pros? About 32. That’s an 8-stroke difference without touching a driver.
- Even the best only make about half of their 8-foot putts. HALF.
And if you’re wondering how often you’ll three-putt from 20+ feet:
- Low handicappers: around 9%
- Mid handicappers: 15–16%
That’s a lot of strokes lost simply because we can’t cozy the ball up to the cup.
Want to Get Better? Try These Drills
Drills for Lag Putting
1. The Ladder Drill
Set up four balls at increasing distances (6, 12, 18, 24 feet). Focus purely on speed — not sinking putts. Your goal is proximity, not perfection.
2. Tee Ladder Drill
Set tees at intervals (5, 10, 15 feet), and try to roll your ball between each set. It’s basically a way to calibrate your putting throttle.
3. Leapfrog Lag Drill
Roll your first ball between two alignment sticks. Next ball needs to go farther. Then farther still. Great for dialing in incremental feel.
4. Two Putt Chuck Drill
Pick three different targets over 20 feet away. Your challenge? Two-putt each one — no matter what. It’s about mental commitment and consistency.
Drills for Distance Control
1. Backstroke Length Drill
Use specific backstroke lengths for known distances (e.g., 6-inch backstroke for 6 feet). Build that internal tape measure.
2. Leapfrog Progression
Roll your first putt 10 feet. Then try to land each ball just past the last. It’s harder than it sounds — and super effective.
3. Audio Drill
Close your eyes. Seriously. Just listen to the strike. You’ll develop better feel when your eyes aren’t micromanaging everything.
Common Mistakes (That You’re Probably Making)
Mistake #1: Reading the Green Poorly
You’re not imagining things — subtle slopes matter. And if you’re not crouching, walking around the hole, and paying attention to others’ putts? You’re missing out.
Mistake #2: Inconsistent Backstroke
If your 12-foot putt sometimes has a 6-inch backstroke and other times a 10-inch one… yeah, that’s a problem. Your putting stroke should feel like a metronome, not jazz improv.
Mistake #3: Obsessing Over Line
If you’ve ever hit the perfect line and still come up 6 feet short, you know: speed beats line every time. The ball needs the right pace to even get to your break point.
Mistake #4: Confidence Crash
Somewhere between your warm-up and hole 5, you lost your mojo. Confidence matters — especially with longer putts. Build it with a consistent routine and celebrate the two-putts. Yes, really.
Mistake #5: Bad Alignment
Lining up with your eyes and shoulders off? Your ball’s gonna start off-course. Use alignment aids during practice and check your setup before blaming your stroke.
Final Thought: They’re Different, But They Work Together
Lag putting and distance control are not interchangeable — but they’re definitely intertwined. Lag putting is the strategy for those long bombs across the green. Distance control is the skill that makes sure you don’t blow it 6 feet past (or leave it 10 feet short).
If you’re averaging 40 putts a round, cleaning this up might just be your lowest-hanging fruit. Even cutting out a couple of three-putts can make a difference you’ll see on the scorecard — and feel in your wallet when you win the next match.
So stop trying to sink every 30-footer. Start playing smart. Practice your speed. Embrace the lag.
And most importantly — give yourself a chance.