How to hit clutch lag putts like Min Woo Lee’s 53-foot tournament-winner

What I loved about Min Woo Lee’s 53-foot lag putt to set up a tap-in for the win at the Texas Children’s Houston Open Sunday was the process and form he used under intense pressure. With a breakthrough PGA Tour title on the line, Lee did not break from his normal routine. He coolly read the double break, stayed in the moment and made the putt from off the green look easy and automatic. Believe me, it wasn’t either of those things.  

You can check it out here:

In nervy moments like this one, committing to your process is everything.  

The best putters stay laser focused as they approach the green. They occupy their minds by gauging the slope. They assess where their ball is relative to the hole location, and determine the best line to take for the speed of the putt. It is a reflex from practicing and playing golf for so long; it’s also a useful way to minimize the pressure of the moment and stay present. 

The process of hitting a putt can have variations, but it incorporates these important elements that Lee used:

1. He used his eyes. As he stepped into the long lag putt, he kept his eyes on the distance needed and the line of the putt. 

2. He set the putter first, then took his grip and then his stance. Follow this order for getting into position for putting to get more consistent and accurate with aiming.

3. He moved quickly from the set up to the swing, not taking too long from the time he set his stance to begin the backswing. He knew where the hole was and had rehearsed the size and speed of the swing, using his athleticism and feel to make a fluid stroke. 

This process can be especially pressure-proof when practiced. Stay present and focused by noticing more about the green as you approach it. Survey the line and hole location. Stay true to your routine and get ready to celebrate big moments in your own rounds.