Lag Putting Tips
Lag putting means rolling a long putt so that it finishes close to the hole, leaving a short, easy second putt. The goal isn't to hole it, it's to stop it near enough that you never three-putt.
From long range, even the best players hole only a small share of their putts. What separates good and bad lag putters is how close the first putt finishes.
What counts as a lag putt?
There's no official distance, but most golfers start thinking about lagging once a putt is longer than about 30 feet (10 yards). From there, speed matters far more than line. A ball that's a few feet off line but the right pace still finishes close. A ball on a perfect line that's 10 feet too long does not.
Think in zones, not holes
Instead of aiming at the cup, picture a circle around it that reaches about three feet (one metre) from the cup in every direction. Your job is to finish inside that circle.
This takes pressure off. You stop trying to hole a 40-footer and start trying to leave a simple tap-in, which is a much easier target to hit.
How to control speed on long putts
- Look at the whole putt. Walk part of the way to the hole, looking at it from the side. That helps your eyes judge the length.
- Make practice strokes while looking at the hole. Your brain is good at matching an effort to a distance when it can see the target.
- Use a longer stroke, not a harder hit. Keep the same smooth tempo as a short putt and let the length of the backswing set the distance.
- Strike it from the centre. Off-centre strikes lose speed and come up short. A solid, centred hit is the most underrated part of lag putting.
- Commit. Once you've chosen the pace, make the stroke. Second-guessing mid-stroke leads to decelerating.
Uphill, downhill and sidehill lags
Slope changes both speed and break. Here's how to adjust:
| Putt | Speed | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Uphill | Hit it firmer | Picture a hole a few feet behind the real one |
| Downhill | Hit it softer | Picture a hole a few feet short of the real one |
| Sidehill | Normal, but plan for break | Most of the break happens as the ball slows near the hole |
| Two-tier green | Judge each section | Get it up or over the ridge first, then let it roll |
On a sidehill lag, it's usually better to miss on the high side. A ball below the hole tends to break away and run further off, while a ball above the hole will often curl back towards it. Our guide on how to read a green explains how to spot the slope.
Common lag putting mistakes
- Trying to hole it: going for the cup on long putts usually means racing it past.
- Getting quick at the top: a fast, jabby transition makes distance random.
- Only looking from behind the ball: you'll miss uphill or downhill sections you'd see from the side.
- Forgetting the second putt: after the first putt, walk up and look at the leftover putt properly. Plenty of three-putts come from rushing the short one.
If three-putts are your problem, how to stop three-putting puts lag putting together with the rest of the fixes.
A quick lag putting drill
Put three tees in the green at roughly 20, 30 and 40 feet. Putt one ball to each, then repeat in reverse order. Score a point each time a ball finishes within a putter length of the tee. Changing distances every putt is closer to what happens on the course than hitting the same putt again and again.
Try it in Mashy
Mashy is a pitch & putt, so you'll often find yourself with a long putt across a sloping green. Putts can be up to 26 yards long, and the drag-and-release stroke rewards the same feel for speed: pull back too far and you'll race it past. The green read overlay colours high ground warm and low ground blue, which helps you see when a long putt is going uphill or down.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good lag putt?
A good lag putt finishes close enough that the next putt is a simple tap-in, often within about three feet of the hole. On very long or tricky putts, anything you can comfortably hole next time is a good result. Holing it is a bonus, not the goal.
Should a lag putt finish short or long?
Ideally the ball finishes just past the hole, because a putt that stops short never had a chance to drop. On fast downhill putts it's often smarter to leave it a little short, so you aren't left with a slippery return putt. Uphill second putts are usually easier.
How do you practise lag putting?
Use several different distances rather than hitting the same putt over and over, and score yourself on how many finish within a putter length. Practise from the side of the green as well as straight on, so you get used to uphill, downhill and sidehill putts. Ten minutes before a round is plenty.
Is lag putting the same as long putting?
They're closely linked. A long putt is simply one from a long way out, while lag putting describes the approach of trying to roll it close rather than holing it. Most golfers lag any putt where holing it is unlikely, which usually means anything beyond about 30 feet.
How long can a putt be in Mashy?
In Mashy, the longest putt you can hit is 26 yards. The default Shed Blade putter shows a 4-yard aim guide, while the Red Mallet from the Pro Shop shows 10 yards and the Gold Putter shows the whole putt and its break.