How to Master Distance Control on Long Putts (Stop 3-Putting)

Why Long Putts Kill Your Score

If you’re tired of 3-putting, the fix probably isn’t a new putter—it’s learning how to control distance better.

Long putts—20 feet and out—don’t need to drop to be effective. They just need to stop close enough for you to clean up with confidence.

The problem is, most golfers don’t spend enough time practicing pace. They obsess over aim but ignore feel.

This article will help you sharpen your distance control, train your touch, and stop wasting strokes from long range.

The Real Goal of Long Putts: Proximity, Not Perfection

Most amateurs walk up to a 40-footer thinking, “Let’s see if I can make this.”

Pros don’t think that way. They’re thinking, “Let’s leave myself a tap-in.”

The best long putters in the world rarely make those putts—they just get them within a foot or two consistently.

Your mindset needs to shift. Don’t focus on holing it. Focus on leaving it close.

That one mental change alone can save you multiple strokes per round.

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Why Most Golfers Struggle with Distance Control

Most 3-putts aren’t caused by bad green reading—they’re caused by poor speed.

Many golfers swing too fast or jab at the ball, especially on long putts. That leads to inconsistent pace and unpredictable results.

Others have no feel at all because they never practice long putting. They only warm up with 5-footers and tap-ins.

Contact is another issue. Hit it off the toe or heel and the ball comes off dead, even with a good stroke.

Some players overthink the line on long putts and forget the real goal: rolling it the right speed.

To fix these problems, you need rhythm, feedback, and the right drills to train feel—not just mechanics.

Keys to Great Distance Control

1. Consistent Tempo

Don’t speed up your stroke just because the putt is long. Keep your tempo smooth.

Use a longer backswing—not a faster one. Let the putter flow, not pop.

2. Stroke Length Matches Distance

A 30-foot putt needs a longer stroke than a 10-footer—but your tempo should stay the same.

Match your follow-through to your backswing. That keeps your pace balanced.

3. Solid Contact

If you miss the center of the face, your ball won’t roll the right distance.

Use impact tape or a putting gate to train center-face strikes.

4. Focus on Feel, Not Force

Try making a few practice strokes while looking at the hole. It helps your brain connect motion to distance.

Feel leads to instinctive control—especially when green speeds change.

5. Adjust for Green Speed and Slope

Downhill putts require less effort. Uphill ones need more.

Pay attention to green type, moisture, and slope during practice. This trains your internal “speedometer.”

Best Drills for Long Putt Distance Control

Ladder Drill

Set markers at 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet. Your goal is to roll a ball to each spot and stop it within two feet.

Start short and work back. Focus on tempo and matching stroke length to distance.

This drill helps calibrate your feel while also training your brain to associate swing size with putt length.

Eyes-Closed Long Putts

Stand 30–40 feet away and hit putts with your eyes closed after setup.

You’ll learn to rely on your feel instead of visual feedback. After each putt, open your eyes and check the result.

Over time, your touch will sharpen—and you’ll become less dependent on overthinking.

Leapfrog Drill

Putt the first ball a moderate distance. Then try to roll the next one just past it.

Each new putt must leapfrog the last. If you hit it too far, reset.

This trains soft hands, precise control, and better stroke regulation.

Putting to Fringe or Towel

Place a towel or use the edge of the fringe as your target. Your job is to stop the ball just short of or touching the edge.

This removes the pressure of making a putt and trains your ability to hit a zone instead of a hole.

Practice Strategy: How to Train Your Feel Weekly

If you want better long putt control, make it part of every practice session. Even 10 minutes can make a huge difference.

Start with calibration drills like the Ladder or Leapfrog to warm up your feel. Focus on different distances each day to avoid getting stuck on just one.

Mix in random putts from 20 to 50 feet across different slopes. Vary your aim points and green reads.

The key is variety and intention. Don’t just hit balls—train your touch with purpose.

Your goal isn’t perfection. It’s building instinct and confidence from long range.

Conclusion: Make Long Putts a Strength, Not a Liability

You don’t need to make every long putt—but you do need to stop 3-putting them.

Great distance control is a skill you can develop. It’s about tempo, feel, and solid contact—not mechanics alone.

Train your pace like you train your swing. Put in a little time each week, and you’ll start leaving yourself tap-ins instead of testers.

That’s how you lower scores—one controlled lag putt at a time.

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor