At the U.S. Women's Open, 'cozy' putting is the key to success. Just ask this LPGA star
SPEED MATTERS MORE: Don’t obsess over the line. Just get it close. (Photographs courtesy of Getty Images)
On speedy, sloping U.S. Women’s Open greens, like the ones we’ll be playing this week at Wisconsin's Erin Hills, you can end up hitting a lot of lag putts. You have no choice but to play defensively if you want to avoid three-putting or worse.
Generally, I like the ball to end up either hole-high or just beyond it, but I always look around the cup and determine where the best miss is. For example, if it’s a downhill putt, the best place to miss might be a little long. That way, I have an uphill putt coming back.
If it’s an uphill putt, the best place is not going to be long. I don’t want a tricky, slick downhill putt coming back. I don’t like leaving putts short, but when I’m lag putting, I’m making the best decision to set up a two-putt.
Lag putting is mainly about speed control. To practice it, hit long putts while looking at the hole. This will give you a visual connection to the length of the putt and improve your feel. Also, set up an alignment stick or a club as a barrier two feet behind the hole and hit putts that stop between the hole and the barrier. Think of it as leaving it in the safe zone. When you get good at this drill, you’ll three-putt a lot less often. —With Keely Levins
ANGEL YIN, 26, from Monterey Park, Calif., has two wins on the LPGA Tour including the Honda LPGA Thailand in February. Through April, she ranked 13th in the strokes gained/putting stat.
