Become the Two-Putt King
The best lag putt isn't always the one that goes in. It's the one that leaves a comfortable second putt. Play nine different locations on the green like a miniature golf round, aiming to finish each hole in two strokes or fewer.
Your Make Zone is the distance from which you make about 80–90% of your putts. Use flat markers at 3 and 4 feet for this demonstration; younger golfers can choose a closer distance that fits their current skill.
What you need
- One golf ball and a putter
- Two flat ball markers
- Measuring tape to establish your Make Zone
- A putting green with starting spots over 15 feet from the cup
- A scorecard or phone to record your strokes
Choose your Make Zone
Pick a distance where you regularly make 8 or 9 putts out of 10. For this version, mark 3 and 4 feet as reference distances. The first putt should finish within your chosen Make Zone.
How to play
- Select nine different starting positions around the green, each more than 15 feet from the hole.
- From Hole 1, read the putt and aim your lag putt inside your Make Zone.
- Play the ball from where it finishes until you hole out. Count every stroke.
- Record your score. Each starting position is a par 2.
- Move to the next location and repeat. Try to finish at par or better.
- Adjust the round to 3, 6, 9 or 18 holes to suit your time and attention span.
Scoring — every hole is par 2
Birdie: 1 putt (−1) · Par: 2 putts (even) · Bogey: 3 putts (+1)
On a standard nine-hole round, par is 18 strokes. Hole a long first putt and you can finish under par!
Play the right number of holes
3 holes: Par 6 · quick practice
6 holes: Par 12 · build focus
9 holes: Par 18 · standard challenge
18 holes: Par 36 · extended session
Keep sessions enjoyable. Younger players often benefit from shorter rounds.
Watch the 3-Hole Demonstration
Follow three sample holes of the Two-Putt King challenge. This demonstration shows how a junior golfer approaches long putts and finishes the hole.
9-Hole Putting Challenge demonstration · 45 seconds · Tap play to begin.
Take the challenge to the green
Save the illustrated Drill Card No. 3 and bring your scorecard. Great lag putting makes the next putt easier.
View Drill Card No. 3 →← All Daily Drills