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Putting Putter Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Viktor Hovland's Lag Putting Secret

On a putt of about 15 yards, Viktor Hovland breaks the distance in half. His strategy can be summed up in one sentence: choose a point 60 percent of the way along the line and get a feel for how fast the ball needs to go to reach it.

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Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 5 of 7Putt Better in 7 StepsConsidered successful when: Out of 10 putts from 15 yards, 8 end up within one meter of the hole.
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To be continued

4 minSame problemJustin Rose's Focus on PuttingJustin Rose · Intermediate / Expert4 minSame problemJordan Spieth's Apex Point in PuttingJordan Spieth · Intermediate1 minFrom the same proViktor Hovland's Putting Routine on a 10-Foot PuttViktor Hovland · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

In tournaments, when the greens are firm and the flags are placed on the sides, you often have to aim for the center of the green and there are a lot of long putts. For Viktor Hovland, the speed That’s what matters most, and that’s where he spends most of his time before a tournament. On a putt of about 45 feet (14 m), instead of just looking at the hole, he chooses a point about 60% of the way along the path and wonders how fast the ball needs to travel to end up near the hole.

Once he has chosen the line, he makes trying it out while looking at this point. Once the ball is in play, the line and the movement no longer matter: only speed keeps him busy. He looks at the hole several more times, commits that last view to memory, and then strikes. The video is short, but the technique is easy to replicate.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Choose your line, then find a point about 60% of the way along it.
  2. Imagine how fast the ball has to move at that spot to end up near the hole.
  3. Try a few practice swings while watching this spot to get a feel for the swing arc.
  4. Sit back and forget about line and technique—only speed matters.
  5. Look at the hole once or twice, hold that last glance, and then take your shot.

Key Takeaways

On a long putt, speed matters more than the line.
Break the putt in half: aim for a point about 60% of the way.
Get a feel for how fast the ball needs to pass this point.
When you're over the ball, focus only on speed.
Keep in mind the last time you looked at the hole before taking your shot.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focus only on the hole when making a very long putt.
  • Think about the line or the movement once you're over the ball.
  • Aim for a flag placed on the side instead of aiming for the center of the green.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Puts ranging from 15 to 15 yards, with a marker placed at 60% of the distance
  2. Practice shots while looking at the target
  3. Remove the marker and follow the same process

Your Questions

Why choose a point that's 60% of the way there?

Viktor Hovland finds it easier to gauge how fast the ball needs to travel at that point than to estimate the entire distance to the hole all at once. He thus breaks the putt down into two parts.

What is he thinking about as he hovers over the ball?

Only speed matters. He says that at that moment, line and movement no longer matter.

Why are there so many long putts in tournaments?

When the greens are firm and the flags are on the sides, you often need to aim for the center of the green. This means you’ll end up far from the hole, which is why speed control is so important.

Learn More

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Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Viktor Hovland). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros