Let’s say you’re 30 feet from the hole, with a slightly downhill putt that breaks about a foot. Not an easy putt to make. Your goal should be to “lag” the ball to within close proximity of the hole. Remember, the object of the game is to record as few strokes as possible.

· Start by gauging the speed of the putt. Then examine the contours of the green to establish the proper path the ball should follow.

· Stroke the ball with confidence

· If the ball misses the hole, it should finish about a foot or two beyond the hole. That’s a sign that your speed was correct and that your direction was only slightly off.

Conclusion: golf is a game of misses. The goal in lag putting is to minimize the possibility of three-putting, the bugaboo and score-wrecker of most average golfers.