Putting · Drill
The 40-50-60 Lag Drill
Part of our putting programs for three-putts. Build a program with it
This long-putt drill comes with a catch. Ring a hole with tees, three feet out. Putt three balls from 40 feet. Then three from 50. Then three from 60. Every ball must finish inside the circle. If one misses, you start over at 40 feet. Near the end, you'll feel real pressure. That's what makes it work. It trains the long putts that cause most three-putts.
The drill
- Mark a three-foot circle with tees.
- Putt three balls from 40 feet.
- Then three from 50 and three from 60.
- All nine must finish inside.
- Miss one and start over.
Why it works
Most three-putts start with a first putt that leaves you too far from the hole, so the skill that matters on long putts is distance control. A three-foot circle gives you a clear target for speed rather than line. The restart rule adds pressure, so you practice holding a steady stroke and pace when it counts.
Common mistakes
- You aim only at the hole and ignore the circle.Pick a spot in the middle of the circle and judge each putt by whether it stops there.
- You change your stroke length by feel from ball to ball without a plan.Use the same tempo every time and let the length of the backstroke grow with the distance.
- You rush the putts after a miss to get back to where you were.Take the same routine before every ball, including the first one after a restart.
How you'll know it's working
- Your putts finish in the circle with little need to adjust the length of your stroke.
- Misses are spread both short and long, not all on one side.
- You complete all nine balls in fewer restarts over several sessions.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make the circle four feet wide or start from 30, 40 and 50 feet.
Harder: Shrink the circle to two feet or add a fourth distance of 70 feet.
Common questions
How do you stop three-putting on long putts?
Focus on speed so the first putt stops near the hole. A target circle around the hole gives you a clear measure of that.
How many feet should a long putt finish from the hole?
A good aim is to leave it inside about three feet, which gives you a simple second putt. That is the size of the circle in this drill.
