How to Stop 3 Putting
Golf is a fun sport that requires skill, precision, and patience.
One of the most frustrating aspects of golf is the dreaded 3-putt.
Hitting the golf ball onto the green in regulation and then taking three putts to hole out can ruin a golfer’s round.
However, with the right approach and practice, three putting can become a thing of the past.
How to stop 3 putting?
In this article, I will tell you effective strategies that will help you stop three putting in golf.
Improve Your Green Reading
The first step to avoiding 3-putts is to improve your green reading skills. Reading the green correctly lets you determine your putt’s slope, speed, and direction.
To read the green, start by walking around the hole to get a sense of the overall slope of the green. Look for any obvious breaks or undulations that could affect your putt.
Once you are on the green, take your time to study the putt from different angles. Look for any subtle changes in slope or texture that could affect the ball’s roll. Pay attention to the speed of the green and how it varies from one area to another.
When you are ready to putt, visualize the line that you want the golf ball to travel along. This will help you to aim more accurately and make a more confident stroke.
Recommended: How to Read Greens (5 Tips to Drain More Putts)
Practice Your Distance Control
Distance control is another critical factor in avoiding 3-putts.
The goal is to get the ball close enough to the hole on your first putt so that you can make an easy second putt. To improve your distance control, start by practicing your lag putts.
Lag putting is all about getting the ball close to the hole without trying to make it. The goal is to leave yourself an easy second putt if you miss.
Start by hitting putts from different distances, focusing on getting the ball to stop within a few feet of the hole. As you get more comfortable with lag putting, gradually increase the distance of your putts.
Another effective way to improve your distance control is to use a putting aid. There are many different putting aids on the market, from simple alignment sticks to more complex devices that measure the speed and distance of your putts.
Using a putting aid can help you develop a consistent stroke and improve your ability to control the speed of your putts.
Focus on Your Putting Technique
Having a solid putting technique is essential for avoiding 3-putts.
One of the most common mistakes golfers make is hitting the ball too hard or too soft. This can result in a putt that either rolls past the hole or comes up short.
To improve your putting technique, start by focusing on your grip. Make sure that your hands are positioned correctly on the putter grip, with your thumbs pointing straight down the shaft.
This will help maintain a consistent grip pressure and reduce the likelihood of any unwanted movement in your hands during the stroke.
Next, focus on your stance and posture. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, making sure that your weight is evenly distributed between your feet.
Keep your eyes directly over the ball and your shoulders square to the target. This will help you to make a more accurate and consistent putting stroke.
Finally, focus on your stroke itself. Start the stroke by keeping your putter head low to the ground and accelerating smoothly through the ball.
Avoid any jerky or sudden movements, and maintain a smooth and consistent tempo throughout the stroke.
Practice Under Pressure
One of the main reasons golfers 3 putt is because they feel pressure to make the putt. This can lead to a tense and rushed stroke, which is more likely to result in a missed putt.
To overcome this, it’s important to practice putting under pressure.
One effective way to practice strokes under pressure is to play a putting game with your friends or practice partners.
Set up a series of putts around the green and take turns trying to make them. The person who misses a putt has to perform a penalty, such as running a lap around the green or buying drinks for the group.
Another effective way to practice strokes under pressure is to use visualization techniques.
Before attempting a putt, visualize the ball rolling into the hole and imagine the feeling of satisfaction that you will experience when it does.
This can help you reduce feelings of pressure or anxiety and allow you to make a more relaxed and confident putting stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of 3 putts?
The key to getting rid of 3 putts is to improve your distance control and your green reading.
You need to practice hitting putts of different lengths and speeds. Learn how to adjust for the slope and the grain of the green.
A good drill is to place a tee at 10, 20, and 30 feet from the hole and try to hit each putt within a 3-foot circle around the hole.
How do you cut down on three putts?
One way to cut down on three putts is to improve your lag putting.
Lag putting is when you hit a long putt with the intention of leaving it close to the hole, rather than trying to make it. This way, you avoid leaving yourself a difficult second putt.
A good drill is to place a towel or a club on the putting green about 2 feet from the hole and try to hit your lag putts so that they stop on or near the towel or club.
How do I stop chunking my putts?
Chunking your putts is when you hit the ball too softly or with too much loft, causing it to bounce or skid on the green. This can ruin your distance control and accuracy.
To stop chunking your putts, you need to make sure you have a smooth and consistent putting stroke and that you hit the ball with a slight forward press of your hands.
A good drill is to place a coin or a ball marker behind the golf ball, trying to hit the ball without touching the coin or marker.
How do you not miss a 3 foot putt?
Missing a 3 foot putt can be very frustrating and costly. To avoid missing these short putts, you need to have confidence and focus.
You need to practice these putts until they become automatic. You must have a clear routine and a positive mindset when facing them.
A good drill is to place five balls around the hole at 3 feet and try to make them all in a row. If you miss one, start over.
Final Thoughts
Three putting can be a frustrating and demoralizing experience for any golfer.
However, by improving your green reading skills, practicing your distance control, focusing on your putting technique, and practicing under pressure, you can significantly reduce your chances of three putting.
Remember, playing golf requires patience and persistence, and with the right approach, you can achieve success on the golf course.