Why Speed Matters in Putting

Speed plays a crucial role in effective putting. Too fast, and the ball risks rolling past the hole, leading to missed opportunities—whether a frustrating lip-out or a longer, more difficult next putt. While letting putts roll past the hole can sometimes reduce three-putts, it doesn’t always translate to fewer total putts per round.

What the Data Says

Data from Shot Scope shows that scratch golfers single-putt 31% of the time and two-putt 61% of the time. This suggests that for most golfers, focusing on distance control and minimizing three-putts offers more benefit than consistently trying to get every putt to roll past the hole.

Strategic Distance Control

Instead of aggressively trying to putt past the hole, it can be smarter to leave the ball in a favorable position for your next shot. The optimal distance to leave a putt past the hole varies depending on factors like average putt length holed and capture speed—the speed at which a ball will still drop into the cup after reaching the hole.

For a mid-handicap golfer, the average length of a holed putt is about 4 feet. Leaving the ball more than 4 feet past the hole increases the chance of missing, as longer putts are generally harder to hole.

Understanding Capture Speed

Capture speed is the maximum speed at which a ball can roll past the hole and still drop in. If your putt rolls faster than the capture speed, it’s less likely to fall in, increasing the risk of a miss or a longer return putt. Learning to control your speed to stay at or below capture speed maximizes your chances of holing putts or leaving easy tap-ins.

Why Slower Is Better Near the Hole

Putting the ball with the slowest possible speed as it reaches the hole effectively enlarges the hole’s “target area.” A slower roll means the ball is less likely to bounce out or lip-out, giving you a better chance to hole out or at least leave a simple tap-in.

Adjusting for Green Conditions

Green speed and grain can significantly affect your putting speed. On faster greens, your ball will travel farther with less force, so you should soften your stroke. Conversely, on slower greens, you may need a firmer stroke. Always take time to read the green conditions before putting, and adjust your speed accordingly.

Drills to Improve Putting Speed Control

• Target Area Drill: Place tees or coins at various distances past the hole and practice landing putts within these zones to improve distance feel.
• Ladder Drill: Putt to targets set at increasing distances (e.g., 3, 6, 9 feet) focusing on consistent pace and stopping the ball close to each target.
• One-Handed Putting: Practice putting with just your lead hand to develop a softer touch and better feel for speed.
• Distance Control Routine: Use a series of putts from different distances, focusing only on speed, not aiming, to build muscle memory.

Mental Tips for Confident Speed Control

• Trust Your Feel: Avoid overthinking your stroke. Trust the practice and focus on a smooth, consistent tempo.
• Visualize the Roll: Before each putt, picture the ball’s path and speed, imagining it dropping gently into the hole.
• Stay Relaxed: Tension tightens your muscles and distorts feel. Take a deep breath and stay loose.
• Commit to Your Stroke: Confidence in your speed choice reduces hesitation and improves execution.

Summary

Mastering putting speed means emphasizing distance control over power. Focus on hitting putts firm enough to reach the hole but slow enough to avoid rolling too far past it. Adjust your stroke to green conditions, practice with targeted drills, and develop the mental confidence to trust your
feel. This approach reduces the risk of costly misses and sets you up for easier follow-up putts, ultimately lowering your scores.

— Copyright Glen Bowen, © 2025