The Correct Speed of the Putt

Most golfers read the greens but don't think about how the speed of the putt affects the breaking putts.

Putts with slower speed tend to break more. On the other hand, if the putt has more speed, it will break less.

So you need to think about how you want to roll it in the hole.

Most amateurs tend to leave the putt short of the hole from 10 feet. Pros don't usually leave it short from this distance.

According to Dave Pelz, the correct speed of the putt is the one that goes 17 inches past the hole if it doesn't go in.

Ben Crenshaw, Boby Jones and Jack Nicklaus were putting it 4 inches past the hole.

Cristie Kerr who led the LPGA Tour in putts per green hit in regulation multiple times said that the putt has the best chance of dropping when it would go a foot by a cup if it doesn't go in.

I'm not here to discuss which method is correct. But if you are leaving it short most of the time like other amateurs, you might want to think about the speed of the putt.

The Good Drill to Lean the Pace

Here is the good drill for controlling the pace or speed of the putt.

This drill is used by Cristie Kerr and is very good drill to learn distance control.

Here is how you can do it.

1. Lay a club down 1 1/2 feet beyond the hole
2. Hit putts. Try to roll the ball up to the shaft without actually hitting it

• How to Hit Breaking Putts
• The 6 Keys and Drills to Hitting Long Putts