Few things in golf are more frustrating than walking off a green after a three-putt.
You've hit a good drive, found the green in regulation, and then watched a potential par turn into a bogey simply because the putter let you down.
The good news is that most three-putts are preventable.
After coaching golfers for many years, I've found that three-putting usually isn't caused by poor technique. More often, it comes down to poor distance control, unrealistic expectations, and not spending enough time practising the right things.
Let's look at the biggest reasons golfers three-putt so often and what you can do to reduce them.
Distance Is More Important Than Direction
If there's one lesson I could teach every golfer about putting, it would be this.
Distance is more important than direction.
I often talk about the two Ds of putting – distance and direction.
Imagine you have a 25-foot putt.
If you hit the perfect line but your speed is six feet too firm, you've now left yourself a six-foot putt coming back.
Now imagine you hit the putt two feet left of your intended line, but with perfect pace. Your ball finishes about two feet from the hole.
Which second putt would you rather have?
Most golfers will hole far more two-foot putts than six-foot putts.
That's why controlling the speed of your putts is far more important than trying to roll every putt down the perfect line.
Stop Trying To Hole Every Long Putt
This might sound strange coming from a PGA Professional, but on long putts, your first goal shouldn't always be to hole them.
I'd like to think I'm a good putter, and naturally I enjoy trying to make putts.
But I've also learned that if I become too focused on holing a 30 or 40-foot putt, I often hit it too firmly and leave myself an uncomfortable second putt.
On longer putts, your priority should be simple:
Leave yourself an easy two-putt.
If the ball drops in, that's a bonus.
If it finishes inside a comfortable tap-in range, you've done your job.
Most Golfers Don't Actually Practise Putting
This is probably one of the biggest reasons golfers continue to struggle.
Rolling a few putts before your round is excellent for getting used to the speed of the greens.
But that's warming up.
It isn't practice.
Practice means spending time deliberately working on your distance control, starting the ball on line and developing your feel.
You don't even need to be at the golf course.
A putting mat in the lounge, a section of carpet in the hallway or a few sessions on the practice green can make a huge difference over time.
If you want to lower your scores, putting deserves just as much attention as your full swing.
Learn To Read Putts From The Side
One habit I've developed over the years is looking at longer putts from the side as well as behind the ball.
From the side, it's often much easier to judge whether the putt is uphill, downhill or relatively flat.
That information helps me choose the correct speed before I even stand over the ball.
Green reading isn't just about finding the break.
It's also about understanding how the slope will affect the pace of your putt.
Feel Takes Time To Develop
Putting is one of the most feel-based parts of golf.
When you're new to the game, it can be difficult to judge exactly how hard to hit a putt.
That's completely normal.
The more putts you hit, the better your feel becomes.
Just like learning how far you hit each club, distance control on the greens develops through repetition and experience.
Three-Putts Can Happen To Anyone
While most three-putts come from long-range putts, they can happen from much shorter distances too.
You might miss a six-footer, become frustrated, rush your routine and miss the one coming back.
We've all done it.
The important thing is not to let one poor putt affect the next one.
Take your time, stick to your routine and treat every putt as a new shot.
Could Your Putter Be Holding You Back?
Technique and practice are usually the biggest factors, but equipment can play a role too.
If your putter doesn't suit your stroke, your setup or your eye, it can make distance control and consistency much harder than they need to be.
A properly fitted putter won't eliminate every three-putt, but it can certainly help you become more consistent on the greens.
If you're unsure whether your current putter is the right fit, it's worth looking at a Putter Fitting.
Final Thoughts
If I could give golfers one piece of advice to reduce three-putts, it would be this:
Focus on speed first.
Most golfers spend too much time worrying about the perfect line and not enough time developing great distance control.
The closer your first putt finishes to the hole, the easier your second putt becomes.
If you're a beginner or junior golfer, I'd encourage you to spend plenty of time working on your putting.
Every three-putt you eliminate is one shot saved without needing to hit the ball any further.
That's one of the quickest ways to lower your scores.
Whether you're looking for a new putter, some practice equipment or help with your technique, we're always happy to help at Golf 360.
You can browse our range of Golf Putters, improve your practice with our Putting Training Aids, or book one of our Golf Lessons & Coaching sessions if you'd like help lowering your scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I three-putt so much?
The most common reason is poor distance control. If your first putt finishes too far from the hole, you'll have a much harder second putt and increase your chances of three-putting.
Should I focus on speed or line when putting?
Both matter, but speed is usually more important. Even if your line isn't perfect, good distance control often leaves you with a much easier second putt.
How can I improve my distance control?
Regular practice is the key. Spend time hitting putts of different lengths and focus on finishing them within a comfortable tap-in distance rather than trying to hole every putt.
Does a putter fitting help reduce three-putts?
It can. A putter that suits your stroke and setup can improve consistency, but most golfers will see the biggest gains by improving their speed control and practising regularly.
Should beginners spend more time practising putting?
Absolutely. Putting is one of the quickest ways to lower your scores, and developing good feel early will benefit every part of your game.
Happy golfing,
Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder – Golf 360
Mount Maunganui
