How to Stop Three-Putting
TL;DRThree-putts are a distance-control problem, not a stroke problem. Fix lag; the short putts you already make.
Three-putts feel like a putting-stroke problem. They almost never are. Look at your Coach by ATX data and you'll see: your three-putts come from first putts over 25 feet, and the second putt is longer than it should be — not because you missed it, but because you left the first one too far away.
The real cause of your three-putts
A 15-handicap's typical first-putt proximity from 30+ feet is around 6–7 feet from the hole. From 5–7 feet, amateurs make roughly 50%. That's your three-putt.
Bring first-putt proximity from 6–7 feet to 3–4 feet and the second putt is now 90%+ makeable. Three-putts drop by half without touching your stroke.
The lag putting drill that actually works
What your data is telling you
- 3-putts mostly from 20–35 ft: pure lag putting problem. The drill above is 80% of the fix.
- 3-putts mostly from 8–15 ft: speed on breaking putts. Practice reading break with a coin drill.
- 3-putts from under 5 ft: now it's stroke or pressure. Go see a coach.
The mistake almost everyone makes
Grinding 3-foot putts on a mat at home. If you're already making 85% of your 3-footers, there's no realistic scenario where practicing them more reduces your three-putt count. Lag putting is where the strokes live.
FAQ
How many three-putts is normal for an amateur?+
A 5-handicap averages 1–2 three-putts per round. A 15-handicap averages 2–3. A 25-handicap often has 3–4. Most three-putts come from putts over 25 feet, not from missed short ones.
Is three-putting a distance-control or line problem?+
For 85% of amateur three-putts, distance control is the cause. First-putt proximity — where your lag putt ends up — is the strongest predictor of three-putting.
What's the fastest way to reduce three-putts?+
Practice lag putting from 30, 40, and 50 feet. Skip short-putt drills for a month. Your first-putt proximity will drop and three-putts follow almost automatically.
Stop guessing what to work on.
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