Nobody enjoys practicing putting, let alone long-distance putting where the make percentages drop significantly.
But if you’re someone who’s serious about lowering your golf scores, understanding how to shave strokes with the flat stick is the first place to start. Not only because great putting always trumps OK putting, but also because it’s literally the simplest place to improve your game.
Since putting doesn’t require full-swing changes or elevating the golf ball, it’s the one place you can instantly go from shooting mid-90s to finally breaking 90.
But you need to have some structure to your practice, which is why my long-distance putting lesson with top-ranked golf teacher Tina Tombs can help.
You’re Likely Not Practicing Putting Enough
In the video above, Tombs talks to me about my strategy on long-distance putts, with me (embarrassingly!) admitting that I hardly practice putting, given my time constraints as a dad to a now 2-year-old!
“When do I practice, right?” I quip in response to her question about my habits. “I’ve got a new kid, so it’s tough for me to even get out to [the range] at all. So when I’m out there, it’s always the full swing and never on the short game.”
In response, she reminds me of something important.
“Did you know that [the putter] is probably the only club you use on every hole?”
Understanding that is important, because if you’re a golfer who struggles on the greens like I do, it’s time to improve “the weakest link,” as Tombs describes it.
Use a Hula Hoop to Master Long-Distance Putting
After calling me out (in a kind way, of course!), Tombs describes a long-distance putting drill that can help relieve some stress on the greens.
“I’ve set up a little drill and have put a three-foot circle [about the size of a hula hoop] around the hole,” she tells me. “And I’ve marked off a 30-footer, 40-footer, and 50-footer to practice — so this is a great drill to try and get your pace.
“Start at 30 feet and try to get three balls into the circle, then move to 40 feet and then 50 feet and just go a few times through the circle.”
Lag-putting is such an important part of success on the greens, so this long-distance drill helps you feel the length of your stroke, while visualizing a landing spot. It also helps set expectations on longer putts, where the make percentage on the PGA Tour is just 5.4 percent on putts longer than 25 feet.
But before even hitting a ball with my putter, Tombs has me do something a little unorthodox to feel how much energy I need in my putting stroke — roll some balls underhanded (which is also effective when pitching, too).
“By doing that, now you know what a 50-footer feels like on these greens,” she tells me.
She then has me stand over my ball and start the long-distance putting drill, preaching the importance of feeling that same energy from before when I rolled a ball with my hands.
“Sense that same motion and let the putter swing back and through,” Tombs instructs.
It’s a more difficult drill than you might think, and still requires touch rather than simply bringing the putter back and swinging through impact harder.
“Just let the putter collide with the ball,” Tombs says. “I’m not going to add energy to it, I’m just going to [let my putter] fall into the ball. It should always be the same rhythm.”
After struggling a bit with this, it was clear that I need to spend more time practicing my putting. By repeatedly using this long-distance drill, I’ll be able to master lag-putting, gain confidence on both long and shorter putts, and eliminate nasty 3-putts once and for all.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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