3-Putt Avoidance

[AlecEmersonGolf]

I only keep stats from tournament play, so I'm playing all over. I 3 putt like once a round. I'm a 1.6

[BarronDDS]

Today was the first 3 putt in the last 8 rounds. The worst part was putting a drive on the fringe and walking away with 4.

so it was actually a two putt?

[ezpz]

1.74 PPR 3putt a little under 1 a round. Most of the times I go to the range I also practice putting after hitting balls (like 3-4 times a week). My long putting had been fairly poor last year and I've put in a lot of time working on distance control but my reads on long putts are sometimes way off which doesn't help but my 5-10 ft putting is pretty decent.

[Obee]

I'm curious as to how often people 3-putt. Are many of you able to go five or six (or more rounds) without a 3-putt?

 

How often do you 3-putt?

 

I 3-putt 2.7% of the time. I just came off a nice streak of five straight 3-putt free rounds and am now two rounds into my next one.

 

My confidence is at an all-time high right now.

[ChaosTheory]

I mentioned elsewhere on the forum, I recently had a round where I hit 15 greens and 3 fringes. Including fringe putts, I had 40 putts, and 35 non-putts. Admittedly the greens are big on that course. And the 75 was a very good score for me. But still!

 

I recognize that I have a problem. The issue I'm having in trying to improve is that putting instruction is IMO very sketchy and hard to locate, whether in person or online/ in print. You can find a lot of drills, sure. But so much of the instruction is non-instruction that operates on the premise that "putting is so individual, just get comfortable."

[596]

If your putting average is low, then it does not really matter how often you 3 putt. It may mean that you are aggressive with your first putts and hit a few one putts as a result, and miss less coming back then you initially make. Now if you are missing more coming back then you can initially make, you need to either rethink your putting plan/management or practice more.

 

The stat is really your average putts per round over a bunch of rounds. Or even the number of putts/GIR. I average 30.6 putts per round, 1.7 per hole. Yes, I'll 3 putt once every round or 2 but it really needs to be taken into account in my overall putting game, not on a hole by hole or even one round basis. That 1 or 2 three putts is worth the risk as I make more one putts then

I do 3 putts. My average may very well go up if I try to avoid the infrequent 3 putt by playing safe and 2 putting everything.

 

BTW - my handicap is 2.3.

[swizbeatz]

About once a round, home course has fast undulating greens. There are a number of greens I'd rather miss than be in the wrong section, very easy to 3 putt. For example I had a 15 footer the other day I 3 putted, tried the first putt out a number of times when we finished the hole and I couldn't get it within 5 feet. I am a good putter, I'm sure I've gone 5+ rounds without one.

[Obee]

If your putting average is low, then it does not really matter how often you 3 putt. It may mean that you are aggressive with your first putts and hit a few one putts as a result, and miss less coming back then you initially make. Now if you are missing more coming back then you can initially make, you need to either rethink your putting plan/management or practice more.

 

The stat is really your average putts per round over a bunch of rounds. Or even the number of putts/GIR. I average 30.6 putts per round, 1.7 per hole. Yes, I'll 3 putt once every round or 2 but it really needs to be taken into account in my overall putting game, not on a hole by hole or even one round basis. That 1 or 2 three putts is worth the risk as I make more one putts then

I do 3 putts. My average may very well go up if I try to avoid the infrequent 3 putt by playing safe and 2 putting everything.

 

BTW - my handicap is 2.3.

 

Much of what you say is true, but it's possible to both have a low putts per round average/putts per GIR avg. AND 3-putt infrequently.

 

They are not mutually exclusive.

[596]

If your putting average is low, then it does not really matter how often you 3 putt. It may mean that you are aggressive with your first putts and hit a few one putts as a result, and miss less coming back then you initially make. Now if you are missing more coming back then you can initially make, you need to either rethink your putting plan/management or practice more.

 

The stat is really your average putts per round over a bunch of rounds. Or even the number of putts/GIR. I average 30.6 putts per round, 1.7 per hole. Yes, I'll 3 putt once every round or 2 but it really needs to be taken into account in my overall putting game, not on a hole by hole or even one round basis. That 1 or 2 three putts is worth the risk as I make more one putts then

I do 3 putts. My average may very well go up if I try to avoid the infrequent 3 putt by playing safe and 2 putting everything.

 

BTW - my handicap is 2.3.

 

Much of what you say is true, but it's possible to both have a low putts per round average/putts per GIR avg. AND 3-putt infrequently.

 

They are not mutually exclusive.

 

You are correct. Though, for my game and putting management, I'd be betting that my average putts per round would increase if I was always "playing it safe" to avoid a 3 putt. I'll take the 3 foot come back with an infrequent 3 putt, for the one putts that I make.

 

Also depends on what you consider an "infrequent" 3 putt. With only 1 3 putt every round or 2, I'd consider that infrequent for an amateur.

[BillyZ2]

I am a 15 hc and sometimes go a round without 3 pg, but probably avg 2/rd.

A good lag putting skill impresses me. I think one of the major pitfalls leading to 3 putting is for the golfer to try to concentrate too much on making the putt instead of just lagging it close. It sounds a little counter-intuitive but I think it's accurate.

When I try to force the issue my distance judgement goes awry.

[jslane57]

3 putts are in interesting thing. And not always in indicator of poor play. Many times just the opposite. If you're hitting lots of greens, you're more likely to be farther from the hole, and 3 putt more. Even an average putter should have an easier time getting down in two from 45 feet lag putting than a 45 foot pitch shot where they short sided themselves.

[NavyMustangGolf]

Whoa, the dreaded 3-jack. Or FISA (F$%K I'm still Away), lol. My putting has been horrid the last few rounds. In both rounds, I had a 4 putt and two three putts. All when hitting the GIR. I almost pulled an Ernie yesterday, but managed to find the bottom on my fourth putt. Putting yips are real, a real pain. Putting lesson on que after work tomorrow.

[Dan Drake]

I 3 putt once or twice per round per round. Our greens are huge (same size as Kapalua) and I'm an awful ball striker, hence lots of 50'ers. I also tend to 3 putt when I get down on myself about my ball striking, lol.

 

That said, my strokes gained putting tells me I am quite a good lag putter and a decent short putter. It's from 6-15', the money zone, where I need to improve.

[Dan Drake]

I wanted to add a bit more to this thread.

 

I think most people are overly critical of their lag putting. I know I was. You watch those guys on Sunday afternoon and you get lulled into the false impression that everyone on tour lags every 40'+ putt down to kick in range, with a rare 3 footer left. It just isn't true.

 

First off, you are watching the best in the world, playing their best at that time, of course they are going to be on with the flatstick. Add in the fact that the TV stations make money from advertising from companies who make money because the players look so amazing on TV. They are hand selecting which shots to show you. ie, the guy who is 3 back with 2 to play 3 putts number 17, they don't exactly cut to him to show it.

 

Add to that, they play on darn near perfect greens week in and week out and they have, by Sunday, played 5 days in a row on the same surfaces. They *kinda* have the speed dialed in, lol.

 

Let's just say our perception of lag putting is a bit skewed. Look at some strokes gained data or look at some % error data and you'll get a much better perspective of your lag putting. It may not be as bad as you think.

 

Three things improved my lag putting:

1. Aimpoint Express. Having a definitive idea about the break of a long putt (even if it's wrong) has cleared up pre-putt indecision and allowed the focus to be on speed. I tend to err towards overreading long putts as well now and that has made for putts that drift towards the hole as they roll out, as opposed to drift away from the hole during the last few feet of roll. That makes a huge difference.

2. I look at the putt and determine how fast I want the ball traveling when it goes in the hole. That is what I am solely concentrating on during my preshot routine. Focusing only on speed, and more specifically the speed around the hole, has made for good putts that now end up 2' from the hole speed wise, instead of hitting a good putt and immediately realizing that the last 8' are uphill and it's never going to make it.

3. The simple realization that I am a good lag putter has made me a better lag putter!

 

To make a long story medium, take a numerical look at your lag putting. You may be able to find some things to improve on that aren't so obvious at first glance.

[2bGood]

Obie, I was thinking about you yesterday! I had a good round going and got into trouble on the 14th. I managed to still get a GIR but was far from the hole with a challenging two putt. My first Putt was good from where it was, but left me 6' with lots of break. While standing of it I was thinking of Obee and this thread. Luckily I made it despite the less then positive thoughts. :swoon:

[rawdog]

3 putts are in interesting thing. And not always in indicator of poor play. Many times just the opposite. If you're hitting lots of greens, you're more likely to be farther from the hole, and 3 putt more. Even an average putter should have an easier time getting down in two from 45 feet lag putting than a 45 foot pitch shot where they short sided themselves.

 

Likewise, a low number of putts doesn't always indicate great play (maybe great short game play). Look to poker putts betting games as an example.

 

I once played 9 holes with my assistant pro when I worked at a GC near me and I had 11 putts. He joked he wanted me on his scramble team just for my putter. Too bad only 1 or 2 were for birdie that day, and none of my first putts were outside of 15 feet.

[MrJones]

I don't track my stats but I'd say I 3 putt less than once per round. I three putted once this weekend where I played three rounds.

 

Putting is and has been one of the best parts of my game for probably the last year. I also have the mentality that I should make everything. It may be silly but it keeps my confidence high. My speed is good and I'm very good at hitting on my intended line.

 

The real change came when I starting practicing 3 footer or smaller to the extreme. I want to feel like if I miss an initial putt, I will always make the one coming back. It gives me confidence in my initial putts.

 

 

But obviously my 3 putt stats are going to be better than a guy that hits a lot more greens than I do per round.

[Yrrdead]

I'm at 4%, which is an improvement from last year. Though I feel like I went from trying to make putts to not missing putts which has led to more consistency but less birdies.

[kdphan]

i'm pretty sure i'm somewhere between 10-15% 3-putt per round

 

It has gotten on the higher end of the range ever since playing at the new club. These greens are a bit tricky to read. I need to stop overthinking and worry more about speed.

[Forged4ever]

The simple realization that I am a good lag putter has made me a better lag putter!

THIS is THE single greatest piece of advice in THIS or any putting related thread!!!

 

Provided that you have a solid reproducable stroke, this simple belief in yourself is THE most critical factor to makin putts and droppin lags in the manhole cover(or picture frame or WhateverTF you visualize :) )-

 

And yea, for some, you're gonna have to believe that you're a great putter before the numbers bear you out, but trust me here, under pressure, you at least have half a chance, if ya don't believe, ya got none, zero, zilch-

 

Ok, gotta run :)

 

Stay well my Friends,

RP

[ZA206]

You can't be a good lag putter until you can consistently hit the ball in the center of the putter face. IMO, that's the #1 variable that plagues high handicappers and bad putters. Without consistent center face contact, your brain can never fully develop feel for speed, thus your lag putting will be spotty at best.

 

This was me for many years, and only in the last few years have I changed my stroke, setup and putter to get better in this area, and it's helped tremendously.

 

ZA

[Forged4ever]

Hey Obe's, I hope that you're well and skinning the kids!!

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever My Friend,

Richard

[BillyZ2]

Par 3, 175yds, pin up front, highly sloped back to front. My tee shoot lands in the back, too much club. I proceed to 5 putt the lightning fast greens.

[Tax Man Golfeth]

I can putt reasonably well, which is to say that I have it in me to make good putts. However, I seldom 1 putt unless it's a bogey+ putt. If I'm on in 2 or 3, I can usually 2 putt, where the 2nd putt is often a tap in. But if I hit a green, or have a birdie or god forbid an eagle putt, 3 putting is all but guaranteed. Hell I missed an 18" birdie putt not that long ago. But I can go to the practice green and drop 18" putts all day.

 

So it's something in my head that seems to make me allergic to birdie putts. I know I need to work on center face contact and there are other drills on my list, but the mental game is where I feel I need the most help. (Long game is not exempt from mental woes either... hitting one bad shot should not automatically guarantee another bad shot; and hitting a chunked wedge after a stellar drive shouldn't be as routine as it has become.)

 

What books, videos, pills, etc., do you guys recommend on this topic? Thoughts?

[Dan Drake]

I can putt reasonably well, which is to say that I have it in me to make good putts. However, I seldom 1 putt unless it's a bogey+ putt. If I'm on in 2 or 3, I can usually 2 putt, where the 2nd putt is often a tap in. But if I hit a green, or have a birdie or god forbid an eagle putt, 3 putting is all but guaranteed. Hell I missed an 18" birdie putt not that long ago. But I can go to the practice green and drop 18" putts all day.

 

So it's something in my head that seems to make me allergic to birdie putts. I know I need to work on center face contact and there are other drills on my list, but the mental game is where I feel I need the most help. (Long game is not exempt from mental woes either... hitting one bad shot should not automatically guarantee another bad shot; and hitting a chunked wedge after a stellar drive shouldn't be as routine as it has become.)

 

What books, videos, pills, etc., do you guys recommend on this topic? Thoughts?

 

This good article by Rich Hunt gives some insight to why the birdie/par/bogey putts are easier and harder to make:

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/247705/study-why-do-tour-players-make-more-par-putts-than-birdie-putts/

[jslane57]

I can putt reasonably well, which is to say that I have it in me to make good putts. However, I seldom 1 putt unless it's a bogey+ putt. If I'm on in 2 or 3, I can usually 2 putt, where the 2nd putt is often a tap in. But if I hit a green, or have a birdie or god forbid an eagle putt, 3 putting is all but guaranteed. Hell I missed an 18" birdie putt not that long ago. But I can go to the practice green and drop 18" putts all day.

 

So it's something in my head that seems to make me allergic to birdie putts. I know I need to work on center face contact and there are other drills on my list, but the mental game is where I feel I need the most help. (Long game is not exempt from mental woes either... hitting one bad shot should not automatically guarantee another bad shot; and hitting a chunked wedge after a stellar drive shouldn't be as routine as it has become.)

 

What books, videos, pills, etc., do you guys recommend on this topic? Thoughts?

Golf is Not a Game Of Perfect. By Bob Rotella.

[jslane57]

Par 3, 175yds, pin up front, highly sloped back to front. My tee shoot lands in the back, too much club. I proceed to 5 putt the lightning fast greens.

Avoided the three putt! Mission accomplished;)

[northgolf]

Best tip for avoiding 3 putts on the low side is play a course with really tiny greens.

 

My home course has large greens with multiple slopes. There are a few holes with some pin positions where you can put yourself on the wrong part of the green such that a 2 putt is extraordinary (as in, your first putt has no way of ending up within 15 feet of the hole). On those holes, you are better off in the rough with the correct angle than being on the green in the wrong place. Club selection coming into the green is important as well = some greens are 3-4 clubs deep and being on the green with a 30 yard putt over 2 or more different slopes makes lagging it close an accomplishment.

 

Course management coming into the green can have a big influence on your putting.

[Matt J]

There are certainly a ton of factors that come into play when it comes to the infamous 3 or 4 jack.

 

Proximity to the hole, green speeds and undulation, and distance control seemingly are the three big ones for me.

 

I like the emphasis on finding the center of the face with the flatstick. I think more players struggle with that than we admit.

 

I've come to accept that there are "good" 3 putts. We don't all play USGA pin placements and when you get a greens crew that plops a few into a 3% grade or higher I don't think you can beat yourself up about it.

 

Reading greens better and finding the "best miss" have helped me to manage my putting. Distance control is probably the biggest factor and is a hard thing to develop. I've recently started finding a flat spot on the practice green and lagging putts to the fringe. A recent piece of advice involved not getting to technical about distance control and I find that to be helpful. Also, evaluating each putt by direction, distance, and read rather than whether it drops.

[isaacbm]

"I've never 3 putted. I mean, I might have. I mean, if you actually showed me 3 putting on camera I might believe you that I 3 putted but even then I'd have trouble believing I've ever 3 putted. " Jack

 

Personally, I 3 putt once or twice every 10 rounds. I've gone 21 rounds once. My key is to be a bad iron player and an exceptional chipper/pitcher. LOL!

I often shoot under par with 7-9 greens in reg. If you miss most of the greens it's really easy to pad your putting stats! Lol!!

 

Seriously, if I could just hit a damn iron!! Played 4 rounds last week at 4 different courses. No 3 putts, no doubles, 85% fairways hit, 51% greens hit. Average 24 putts. I should start a short game school.