How to lag it close: visualization and feel in my right hand are the keys to getting proper speed

Some players take a more mechanical approach to lag putting, using a formula for how far the ball will roll according to speed and distance. My dad taught me as a kid to develop my putting touch and feel through visualization. "Putt to the picture," he would say. "Feel the stroke." Whenever I'm struggling and need a tune-up, I return to those basics.

The objective in lag putting is to roll the ball at a speed that will give the ball a chance to go in but, if missed, leave a kick-in second putt. As a player who controls the speed and direction of the putt with his right hand, I try to feel the speed of the greens in that hand. Sometimes I've even practiced one-handed to develop my stroke. I concentrate on speed, because if my speed is off, the line really doesn't matter.

Tiger Woods writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest. Contributing Editor Mark Soltau is also the editor of tigerwoods.com.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Golf Digest Companies
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning