How to stop three-putting

Most three-putts are a distance problem

On long putts club golfers tend to miss by much more in distance than in line. A first putt that is two feet off line but the right pace leaves a tap-in. One that is on line but eight feet short leaves a putt you will often miss. That is why the fastest way to fewer three-putts is better pace on putts from about 20 feet and beyond.

Aim for a zone, not the hole

From long range, the job is to finish inside a circle about a stride across around the hole, and a little past rather than short. Picturing the circle rather than the cup takes pressure off the line and puts your attention on pace, which is what matters at that distance.

Read the slope, then commit to the pace

• Look at the putt from the low side; the slope is easier to see from below.
• Walk the length of it on long putts. Your feet feel uphill and downhill better than your eyes see it.
• Pick a pace first, then the line that suits it. A firmer putt takes less break.
• Make a practice stroke while looking at the hole, so the size of the stroke comes from the distance you see.

A 15-minute practice routine

1. Put three balls at 20, 30 and 40 feet, ideally with some slope.
2. Putt each to a tee placed beside the hole rather than to the hole itself, so the target is pace.
3. Count how many finish within a stride. Write the number down.
4. Finish with ten putts from three feet so the short ones stay routine.
5. Repeat the same routine each week and compare the counts.

Know your own number

Count putts on every hole for a few rounds and note how many holes took three or more. If it is several per round, putting is probably your quickest saving. Caddora records putts from your scorecard and measures your putting against golfers of your handicap, so you can see whether it really is the place to start.