x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Dial in your lag putting with this simple tip from Phil Mickelson
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
Putting

Dial in your lag putting with this simple tip from Phil Mickelson

By: Phil Mickelson
September 9, 2023
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
phil mickelson putts

This tip will help you dial in your stroke on the greens.

Getty Images

Your read may not always be right, but you can get any putt within tap-in range with proper distance control.

Fact: There are two variables in your stroke. The first is how far you take the putter back. The second is how you accelerate, or how big a stroke you make going through. If you cut the number of variables in half, your odds of always being around the hole skyrocket. 

phil mickelson putts
Lefty varies the length of his backstroke on lag putts, but always has the same length on the follow through. Michael Schwartz

I keep the length of my forward stroke (and acceleration) the same on most lags. That’s the constant. So then all I have to do is vary the length of my backstroke to roll the ball the correct distance. At every event, I’ll spend time on the practice green rolling, say, 40-, 50- and 60-foot putts, dialing in the backstroke length for each one while keeping the forward stroke the same. If I’m a little short, I’ll take my putter back a little farther, but I won’t change my acceleration. 

This makes lagging so easy. I don’t know why all pros don’t do it.

Latest In Instruction

17 hours ago

Why this common putting strategy is actually the 'worst advice in golf'

19 hours ago

The 4 keys for pitching off wet lies

21 hours ago

The nerdy tech behind Bryson DeChambeau’s resurgence

1 day ago

Find the center of your stance for better contact with your irons

generic profile image

Phil Mickelson

Golf.com Contributor

Related Articles

Putting
phil mickelson hit putt during 2025 LIV Hong Kong

This 'simple but brilliant' advice will make you a better lag putter

By: Zephyr Melton
News
Phil Mickelson

‘Simple but brilliant’: Phil Mickelson touts 35-second video as putting helper

By: Nick Piastowski
News
Rory McIlroy, Poppy McIlroy

Rory’s daughter asks a tough question, and I'm a Green Jacket fan | Weekend 9

By: Nick Piastowski
Gear
Fred Couples of the United States plays his second shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia.

How these interesting gear choices at the Masters can help your game

By: Johnny Wunder
News
Phil Mickelson of Hyflyers GC celebrates the birdie on the 4th hole on day three of LIV Golf Hong Kong

Phil Mickelson makes unreal Masters par save Friday at Augusta

By: Josh Sens
News
Phil Mickelson reacts after a bad break at LIV Golf Miami.

Phil Mickelson was climbing up the leaderboard. Then disaster

By: Jack Hirsh
News
Phil Mickelson during day two of the LIV Golf League at the JCB Golf and Country Club, Rocester.

Phil Mickelson reveals Augusta National tactic that made him Masters champion

By: Alan Bastable
News
Augusta National trees fell

Phil Mickelson tells epic story about Augusta National tree cleanup

By: Sean Zak
Features
Phil Mickelson of Hyflyers GC celebrates the birdie on the 4th hole on day three of LIV Golf Hong Kong

Phil Mickelson's place among the all-time greats? It's complicated

By: Michael Arkush
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version