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Struggling with distance control on the greens? PGA Golf Coach Erika Larkin and coach Christy Roach share a practical approach to putting that combines visualisation, a seconds-counting drill, and stroke energy awareness. Together, they show how thinking like an athlete — rather than freezing over the ball — can transform your lag putting.
Erika Larkin – Putting
In this video, Erika Larkin and Christy Roach tackle one of the most common putting problems: not being able to judge how hard to hit the ball. Using a simple seconds-counting technique and a focus on stroke size, they walk through exactly how to see, feel, and roll each putt with confidence. The tips work across all green conditions, from severe downhill slopes to uphill putts that need more pace than you might expect.
Key Takeaways
Count the seconds before you putt
Count the seconds before you putt
Before striking, visualise how many seconds it will take the ball to reach the hole — then compare your prediction to what actually happens, training your mind to judge pace more accurately.
Use the one-second timestamp
Check where the ball should be at the one-second mark to refine your sense of speed — too far means you hit it too hard, too close means too soft, and finding that middle point sharpens your distance feel.
Match your practice stroke to the putt
Uphill and downhill putts of the same length need very different energy levels, so use your practice strokes to find the stroke size that matches the pace you have visualised — not just the distance.
Take these ideas to the putting green before your next round and test the seconds-counting drill on a range of slopes — it only takes a few minutes and quickly sharpens your instincts for pace. This video suits golfers of all levels who want to stop guessing on the greens and start putting with genuine feel and confidence.
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