YOU DON’T NEED TO MAKE IT.
Control the leave. Take three-putts off the card.
The Shift
Stop trying to make long putts. Start controlling the leave.
Long putts feel like missed opportunities because golfers expect the wrong thing.
Pros don’t make these either. They avoid the second mistake.
The Truth
Even the best players in the world are not making many putts from outside 10 feet.
- From 10–15 feet, a good result is usually a stress-free second putt.
- From 20 feet and beyond, your real target is a makeable leave.
- The win is not always the make. The win is taking three-putt out of play.
What To Do
Before you hit the putt, choose the leave zone. Your job is to roll the ball into that zone with the right speed.
- Pick the line.
- Pick the speed.
- Accept that the ball may not go in.
- Roll it on time.
- Leave yourself a putt you expect to make.
A great long putt is not always a made putt. A great long putt is one that makes the next putt easy.
The Takeaway
You do not beat three-putts by forcing makes. You beat them by controlling speed, accepting the leave, and making the next putt boring.