In a recent post, I provided lag putting drills to undertake on the practice green.

However, this article takes a step back to better understand what lag putting is and how you can better execute them on the golf course. In addition, I will explain why lag putting is an effective technique to combat the dreaded 3-putt.

Following these steps will enable you, as an amateur, to confidently navigate the putting green and reduce your overall golf scores. Furthermore, I will teach you how to read grass grains and use them to your advantage in lag putts.

What is Lag Putting?

Lag putting is the art of getting the ball close to the cup on long putts. Your intention is not to sink the first putt but rather rest it within a couple of feet of the cup. This puts you in a prime position to drain the second putt. If you hit a green in regulation, that would see you card a par.

You typically pick to lag your putt when you are more than 20 feet from the hole. The majority of golfers, especially beginners, will not sink this putt. Therefore, you should set yourself up for a short putt on your next shot.

Tips on How to Hit Better Lag Putts

Soft Grip

Lighter grips are best suited for lag putts which rely on feel and judgment more than anything else. A looser grip gives you a superior putting feel for two reasons. Firstly, it allows you to feel when the putter head is veering off-path, giving you a chance to pause and correct the issue.

Secondly, a golfer who employs lighter grips for longer putts can better feel the top of the backstroke for optimal distance control. A firm grip reduces feedback, limiting your ability to judge power and putter head path.

Golf Pro Rory Hie suggests not controlling the pendulum motion. Instead, allow your grip to provide the feel of the putter’s weight in your hands. In addition, a lighter grip helps you better judge the speed of the putt to prevent you from over-hitting your putts:

Start Small

The 15, 20, 40, and 50-footer drill is one you should consistently apply in your practice sessions. Lay down five balls at each interval and start from the closest mark.

Putt all 5 balls, and do not progress to the following distance until all balls are within 3 feet of the hole. Keep going until you achieve a 100% success rate from the furthest mark. This helps you achieve a superior feel for the ideal putter length on the backstroke for each distance.

When you get onto the course, you will not fear 60-footers, as your muscle memory will take over and boost your long putting game.

Look at The Cup During Practice Strokes

Coaches often grill into high handicapper golfers, the idea of looking over the ball at address. While this is correct at setup, I discourage it during your practice stroke.

This is problematic on a lag putt where you need to judge the distance to the cup and break of the green. You cannot analyze the layout correctly if you are not focused on what lies ahead. Zero in on the hole during your pre-shot routine and take a few practice strokes to judge the required strength.

Do this as often as you need until your putting stroke replicates the shot you are about to hit. Remember your training from the Start Small drill and employ that feel for proper distance control.

Read The Green

Learning to read greens takes practice, but the faster you learn the ropes, the easier a long putt becomes. Occasionally, you may have a 50-foot downhill putt that breaks left to right. Instead of employing the same length backstroke as I would on a flat surface, I reduce my power.

In addition, I use the break of the green to take my ball towards the vicinity of the cup. Amateurs struggle with this element of the green, as the undulation is confusing and startles the average golfer.

Rickie Fowler explains that he reads the green as soon as he walks up to it. This gives him an understanding of which direction it is sloping and the level of undulation:

Once he has marked his ball, he approaches the hole from the other side to envision how the ball will travel down to the cup. Then he reads the green from behind his ball and correlates the two findings.

Once he feels the line of the putt, he can now turn his attention to the weight of his stroke. This helps him optimize his speed control for better lag putter results.

Read The Grain

Another significant factor to consider is the grass grain and the direction of its growth. Golf instructor Stefany King shows a simple trick to reading the growth direction of the grass. This helps you identify the speed of your putt and the path of your ball roll:

She suggests inspecting the cup and identifying the area that is browned out around the edge. This is the side where the grass is growing with the green. That means if you putt from that side, it will be a slower putt and a straighter line.

Conversely, if you putt from the opposite side, the ball will roll faster and gravitate to the brown side of the cup. This is a good start for beginners willing to go the extra mile for a good lag putt. Over time you will learn about the impact of Bermuda, poa, and bentgrass. But for now, this is an ideal introductory lesson.

3-Foot Radius

The key to your first long-range putt is to get it into a zone of 3-feet around the cup. Work on getting the ball past the cup, especially on downhill putts. You cannot overhit the ball, as it may roll off the green.

However, if you leave your first putt short, you will face a tricky downhill second putt, which you want to avoid as much as possible.

My advice is to position an alignment stick 3-feet behind the cup to encourage you not to pass this point on your first putt. You can follow the same procedure as the start small drill, where you hit 5 putts from different distances.

In addition, there is the option to add scores into the equation to make your practice time more exciting. If you sink your first putt, you put yourself down for a birdie. However, a ball that passes the cup but remains within 3 feet equals a par.

Anything beyond the alignment stick or short of the hole is a bogey. After your 5 practice putts from each distance, tally up your score before moving to the following interval.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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So, you’ve been invited for a round of golf with your co-workers or friends and you don’t know how to play? Let’s face it, you’ve brushed it off and made excuses. But your arm has been twisted enough for you to finally say “Sure… I’ll play, I guess.” The fact of the matter is, you’re nervous about playing your first round (and understandably so!). A round of 18 is far different than a game at Top Golf or Drive Shack. So, now what?

No need to fret, we at Ship Sticks have you covered. Learn the basics of what you’ll need for equipment, what to expect during your round, and gain a few pointers along the way. Trust us, you won’t embarrass yourself during your first time. You’ll be swinging your way into your first round in no time. You never know…you might end up picking this up as a weekend hobby!

Getting Ready for your First Golf Round 

Equipment

You’ve been asked the big question and you said YES…to playing a round of golf. Don’t worry, it’ll be an exciting time hanging out in the golf cart, knocking back a few cold ones, and shooting the breeze. However, you have to be prepared when you show up to the course. Bringing the right equipment will help you start off on the right foot. Here’s our advice on what to get for a round of golf.

Should I Rent, Buy, or Borrow Golf Clubs?

Deciding whether to rent, buy, or borrow golf clubs is ultimately up to you. The first question to ask yourself is “how often will I actually golf?” Knowing, if this a one-and-done outing or a start to a new hobby will guide you into making a decision. Here are some pointers when it comes to deciding whether to rent, buy, or borrow.

Renting Golf Clubs

• Great if you plan on playing one time or don’t have a set
• Generally available at public and private courses
• It can be costly, they run about $50-$100+ bucks (depending on the course)
• Sometimes the clubs aren’t in the best conditions

Buying Golf Clubs

• Nothing quite like playing with a new set of clubs
• Makes for a great conversation piece when playing
• It’s going to be a costly expense
• Collects dust in the garage after one use

Borrow Golf Clubs

• It’s honestly the most cost-effective decision
• Borrowed clubs will generally be in better condition than rented clubs

If you are new to the game, then borrowing clubs will most likely be your best option. Typically, if you are playing with die-hard golfers, they’ll usually have a backup set they don’t use. Don’t be afraid to ask to borrow a friend’s old set. It’ll be better to practice with a borrowed set anyway. We would only recommend buying clubs if you know 100% that it’ll be a new hobby for you. Otherwise, don’t waste your hard-earned dollars for a set of clubs that you’ll just use from time to time. Renting clubs are a good option too. Keep in mind that you get what you get with a rented set of clubs.

What Goes In The Golf Bag?

For starters, you’ll want to make sure you include the basics in your golf bag. Yes, a bag contains more than just clubs! You’ll want to make sure to pack what you need. Otherwise, you could have a long day on your golf outing.

• Clubs
• Balls & Ball Markers
• Tees
• Gloves
• Golf Towel
• Bug Spray & Sunscreen
• Cold Refreshments & Snacks

Clubs:

Typically, every bag has 14 clubs in a set. The basics you’ll need are a driver, putter, sand wedge, 2 irons, pitching wedge, and a wood. Depending on the distance from the hole and the strength of your swing, you may need to utilize all of your clubs during the round.

Balls & Markers:

Does buying specific golf balls matter? The short answer is yes. However, if it’s your first time on the course, buying a bargain box will suffice. The reality is some of the balls you’ll hit will end up in the drink (water hazard) or out of play. Trust us, you’ll want extra golf balls in your bag. For ball markers, almost anything circular can be used, a quarter or Ritz Cracker (for you Happy Gilmore fans) works.

Tees:

You’ll only use tees when hitting in the tee box (not on the fairway). They’ll also come in handy to pick the grass when you make a nice divot. Grabbing a bag of regular tees will work. Most clubs will provide complimentary tees by the drink station before teeing off, just in case you forget.

Gloves:

When buying golf gloves, you are technically just buying for your non-dominant hand. Basically, if you are a righty, you’re buying golf gloves for your left hand and vice versa. Nothing much more to it than that. You’ll be glad you brought them as it will save your hands from abrasion. And having an extra one doesn’t hurt in case you sweat through it during the first few holes.

Golf Towels:

We encourage having two towels on hand. One, to wipe away the excess debris from your clubs and ball, and the other to dry off the sweat from your face and arms during the round.
To wipe the sweat away from your face and arms, we recommend purchasing towels with moisture-wicking fabric. For your clubs and ball, a normal golf towel will work. You can usually tell a towel is specifically made for golf because of the ring cut out. It’s used to hook onto the golf bag.

Bug Spray & Sunscreen:

Depending on where you are playing, you’ll want to make sure you have a can of bug spray and sunscreen available. The last thing you want is for pesky mosquitoes getting in the way or for you to be cooked like a lobster the next day.

Cold Refreshments & Snacks:

A round of golf is typically about 4 hours. So, it’s likely that you’ll get hungry during play. We recommend packing an energy or granola bar in your bag just in case. Whether it’s a hot day or you’re thirsty, you’ll want to stay hydrated. Surprisingly enough, golf takes a lot of energy to play, so drinking water is key.

Bonus:

Speaking of drinking, if you plan on drinking alcohol while playing (a popular pastime of golf), they’ll typically have attendants throughout the course and in the clubhouse. We wouldn’t condone sneaking beer in your golf bag. Especially if it looks obvious with beer cans sticking out. But if you do, bring a dry ice pack to help keep those brewskis cold.

Well, looks like you have the equipment for your first round of golf. Whether or not you play well is up to you. You’ll at least have your bag, clubs, and accessories to have a fun time. There are a few other things to cover for your first round of golf like etiquette, how to swing, and much more. Check out Part Two of our mini-series where we talk about what to wear.

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You’ve got a set of golf clubs, golf accessories, and you’re almost ready to play your first round. The optimal word being almost. Since you have the right equipment, now you need to look the part of a golfer. Whether it’s a private or public course, you can’t roll up to the course with jeans and a t-shirt. Dressing the part will not only help you look like a golfer, but you’ll have a more comfortable experience. Here’s what to wear for your first golf outing.

It’s Not Always Sunny – Check The Weather Reports

Before you go browsing the stores, you’ll want to take a look at the projected forecast for the day. Hopefully, it won’t rain on your first round, but it’s better to be prepared. On the other hand, you also want to be prepared for extremes. Wearing pants in the middle of summer in Arizona or Florida isn’t fun, nor is wearing shorts and a polo in the fall and winter.

Golf Clothes: What To Buy?

Now that you have a general idea of the weather report, it’s time to go shopping! Whether you prefer shopping online or going to the local golf store, it’s always best to try before you buy. Particular brands don’t matter as long they are specific for golf, meaning they have Dri-fit material to them. If you wanted to dress like a certain G.O.A.T. and buy a red polo with black slacks, feel free. Ultimately, it’s up to you what colors you want to wear.

• Hat
• Shirt
• Pants/shorts
• Shoes/socks
• Outerwear – Rain Gear

Hat

Having headwear on the golf course does more than block out the sun. Whether it’s a visor or golf hat, they help keep the sweat off your eyes. Plus they help block harmful UV rays from the sun if there isn’t a lot of cloud coverage. If the temperatures are colder, you may want to consider wearing a beanie instead.

Tops

A golf polo is standard wear for a shirt. Our recommendation is to buy a Dri-fit polo or a polo that is moisture-wicking. If you are playing on a hot day, a Dri-fit polo breathes and keeps the sweat off. During cooler weather, you may want to opt for a long sleeve polo. Picking up a quarter-zip is always encouraged as you can easily remove it if you get warm during your round.

Bottoms

Shorts or Slacks? Either work in warm temperatures, but personal preference, shorts are better when it’s hot. Denim is not permitted at courses but, when deciding which to choose, it’s best to take a look at the course dress code. This is typically located directly on the course website. If you are playing in Scotland, kilts are also permitted. For female golfers, skirts, shorts, or pants can be worn at the course. Some courses have length restrictions, so confirm this before purchasing your bottoms.

Shoes & Socks

If you are in a pinch and are playing a public course, you can get away with wearing cross-trainers. The preferred shoe is one specifically made for golf. The difference is that they have small spikes on the bottom so they grip the grass better than a pair of sneakers. As far as socks, it depends on the weather. For the warmer days, Dri-fit socks are the best route. If it’s cold out you’ll want to wear thicker socks than you would wear for the summer.

Outerwear – Rain Gear

During the fall and winter, you’ll want to bring a golf jacket with you. Especially if it’s windy. In the unfortunate event of rain, we recommend wearing a rain jacket and pants. The minimum should be a golf umbrella, to help protect you from showers.

Now that you have a golf outfit you’ll not only look the part, but you’ll feel the part. Unless you choose a ridiculous color scheme, you won’t look like a fool walking onto the course. You’ve got your equipment and your golf clothes, now you’re are ready to learn more about the game. Look out for Part 3 in our Golf for Beginners Series – Golf Etiquette.

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Often referred to as “The Gentleman’s Game”, golf has a ton of rules. Truthfully, way too many and a bit overwhelming to take it all in. However, to play a round of golf, you don’t need to know all the rules of the game. You just need to know the basics, and that is what we are here to help you with. So here are the finer points of the game. Follow these and you’ll look like a proper golfer on the course (even if it’s your first time).

Golf Etiquette for Your First Round

• Showing Up On Time
• Golf Balls On The Practice Green
• Picking Up The Flag
• Carrying Multiple Clubs On Cart Path Only
• Looking For A Lost Ball
• Standing Behind Someone As They Putt
• Walking Through a Players Line
• Golf Bag On The Tee Box
• Walking With Your Bag Across The Green
• Divot Patterns At The Range
• Picking Up When You Are Behind
• Being On Your Phone Too Much
• The Give And Take

Showing Up On Time

It goes without saying, but you need to be on-time when playing golf. The phrase “you’re on-time when you are 15 mins early” doesn’t quite apply here. It’s recommended to arrive at least 30 mins before your tee-time. Otherwise, you’ll back up the golfers behind you and possibly run the risk of your slot being canceled.

Golf Balls On The Practice Green

A no-no on the practice green is putting too many golf balls on the green. If you’re there by yourself have fun, but if you are sharing the space with other golfers, be respectful and don’t take up the whole green. Using two golf balls on the practice green is the rule of thumb.

Picking Up The Flag

If you are first to hole out, pick up the pin (flagstick) and place it back in the hole when everyone is finished. You don’t want to forget to place the pin when you are ready to head to the next tee box. Plus, the golfers behind you need to see the flag to align their shots. With the new rules of golf, there is the option to leave the pin in. Just ask your golf buddy’s on their preferred style of play.

Carrying Clubs & Cart Path Only

Typically seen on par 3’s or if a hole is being worked on, there are some areas of the course where it states “cart path only.” To help keep the pace of the game, you should carry a few clubs with you when hitting your ball. Walking back and forth to your ball and the cart takes an unnecessary amount of time.

Looking For A Lost Ball

A lot like love “If it returns, it’s yours, if it doesn’t, it wasn’t. A ball is considered lost after 3 minutes. So, if you really hit in the ruff, you’ll have to take a stroke penalty and play your ball from where it was last hit from. If your pace of play is already slow, just take the penalty and keep going, it’s not worth the ranger being on you to speed up.

Standing Behind Someone When They Putt

It’s rude to be behind someone when they are putting, even if it’s not directly behind them. No one likes the feeling of someone breathing behind their neck. So, move to the side before they go in for their birdie.

Walking Through A Players Line

Never do this. A player’s line not only is the line from the ball to the cup, but it extends two-three feet past the cup in case the putt misses. Walking on the line will change the trajectory and path of the ball.

Golf Bag On The Tee Box

For those that choose to walk versus riding, do not place your bag on the tee box. Sometimes the bag can fall over or scuff the hitting area. Also, the bag can be a visual distraction, so it’s best to keep it off to the side.

Walking With Your Bags Across The Tee

The reason not to walk with your bags across near the cup is that the extra weight (from the bag) leaves an imprint on the green. Walking around the fringe is fine, but do remember to leave the green pristine as possible.

Divot Patterns At The Range

There are two common methods for divots at the driving range — either lined up in a row or vertical lines. The one no-no is to leave them scattered about. It ends up chewing more turf then you need.

Picking Up When You Are Behind

Many people are playing for fun, especially when starting. Don’t worry about your score. Sometimes you have to keep up play and pick up your ball. No shame in cutting your losses.

Being On Your Phone

It may go without saying, but you don’t need to be on your phone the whole time you are golfing, it can wait. Enjoy the game and the surrounding nature. Check your phone when appropriate like at the clubhouse, or in the golf cart. Don’t forget to leave it on silent. Otherwise, you run the risk of your notifications going off at the wrong moments (like during a swing).

The Give & Take

It’s generally accepted to give a golfer a tap in or allow someone to take a long putt. However, it’s all about balance. You don’t want to make a golfer finish every tap-in or be too generous. Calling a mulligan is fine, but not for every shot. Keep in mind that golf is fun, so you’ll want to cheer on your friends when they hit a good shot. And as a courtesy, you’ll want to help track their ball when they shoot.

The important thing to note is communication. If you explain to your golf buddies that it’s your first time, they’ll help you with the nuances of the game. But it always looks better when you come prepared. Plus you’ll end up focusing on having fun versus trying to learn new rules. Now that you know the etiquette of the game, you’ll need to learn how to swing! Check out Part 4 – How to Swing in our Golf for beginners mini-series.

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Just keep swinging, just keep swinging…That thought will probably come across your mind when you are playing your first round. You might have other thoughts too like “I hope I don’t look like an idiot or please don’t hit anyone.”

It’s no secret, golf is not an easy sport, and the mental part of the game goes along with the mechanics. Don’t worry, we know how intimidating the game can be so we’ll show you the ropes. Once you get the hang of it, your swing will come naturally.

How to Swing a Golf Club:

• Range Practice vs. Professional Lessons
• Grip
• Setup
• Takeaway
• Backswing
• Downswing
• Hitting The Ball
• Follow-through
• Chipping
• Bunker Shot
• Putting

Range Practice vs. Professional Lessons:

Which is better for your first golf round…practicing on the range or taking lessons? If you have the time and money to invest in a few lessons or are serious about picking this up for the long haul, lessons are definitely the way to go. However, if you don’t have the time to schedule lessons or are just trying to work on the basics, it’ll be worth your while to hit up the driving range to get adjusted to swinging. It always helps to bring a seasoned buddy along with you to make sure you have the form down.

Grip:

Please note that there are different grips you can try.

• Place your dominant hand where the grip meets the golf shaft.
• Then place the club in your non-dominant hand.
• Secure your hands by curling the bottom three fingers of your non-dominant hand. Set your thumb flat across the club.
• You’ll know when you have the proper grip when you feel the base, and the fatty part of your thumb on the handle.

The Setup:

• To aim, move the clubhead behind the ball and point your face where you want the ball to go. Afterward, change your stance so it’s perpendicular to your face.
• When using the driver, play the ball a little on the inside of your front foot. Combine that with a slight tilt of your upper body pointing away from the target which will help launch the ball at a high angle.
• Remember to stay loose and keep your arms and legs in motion when standing over the ball. A sign of a good drive stems from open and free motion.

The Takeaway:

• Your hands, arms, shoulders, and back should start moving backward in unison. Remember to not let your hands dominate the swing.
• When the club is parallel to the ground, the clubhead should be in line with your hands or just outside. The purpose is to have your swing be on a plane so it sets up for solid contact.

The Backswing:

• Stay in your posture. If you are out of position you’ll have to adjust by dropping down your stance and that will open the chance of making poor contact.
• Keep the right leg flexed so weight can shift to it. This ensures the body is storing energy by coiling.

The Downswing:

• To hit with power, you’ll want your lower body to lead the upper body as you’re turning. Otherwise, you’ll short-change yardage.
• Make sure your right elbow is close to your body when the club moves downward. This will help the club stay on the inside path.
• When maintaining the angle between your left arm and the club shaft when swinging down, you’ll have clubhead lag. The more lag you have, the more acceleration you’ll have at the bottom of the swing.

Hitting The Ball:

• To make solid contact, you’ll want to make sure you feel as your weight is shifted from the back foot to your front.
• The clubface should rotate closed just as your right arm starts to extend.
• Swinging the club from the inside will feel easy and smooth.

The Follow-Through:

• A good sign of impact is when your arms are fully extended toward the target. That means you’ve expended all of your energy from the backswing.
• The front foot should be stable with your weight firmly planted.
• Your torso should also continue turning left even as the ball takes flight.

Chipping:

• For chipping, you’ll want to set up with your weight on the front foot and the ball toward your back foot. This will help with making solid contact.
• Your wrists need to be firm.
• Keep your upper body turning throughout the shot. Your chest should face forward when completed.

The Bunker Shot:

• Hitting from the sand can be challenging. It’s important to start by taking a wide stance and letting your feet dig in.
• A key thing to remember is you are not actually hitting the ball on a bunker shot. You’re hitting the sand behind it, so take a big swing back and follow through.

Putting:

• Start by standing parallel behind the ball with your eyes looking straight down. Your hands should directly hang under your shoulders.
• The putter head moves straight back and forth. It only begins a circular arch when the stroke gets longer.
• Focus on putting the ball at a steady pace, and don’t forget to always follow through or you will cut it short.

Phew, we know that is a lot to cover with a golf swing. But, these basics will help you get started or at least get you through your first golf round. When hitting solid contact or sinking a putt, you’ll feel like a vet. You never know, you might find yourself playing more rounds after your first outing. Like anything in life, the more you practice, the more you’ll get better at it. Finishing off our series is Part 5 – Planning Your First Trip.

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