--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For the average player, most three-putts…" description: "\"For the average player, most three-putts happen because of a poorly judged first putt from long range.\" — Ernie Els" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/ernie-els-11177_average_for-the-average-player-most-three-putts_1449097.png" --- # For the average player, most three-putts happen because of… ![“For the average player, most three-putts happen because of a poorly judged first putt from long range.” quote by Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/ernie-els-11177_average_for-the-average-player-most-three-putts_1449097.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/ernie-els-11177_average_for-the-average-player-most-three-putts_1449097.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d0/ernie-els-11177_average_for-the-average-player-most-three-putts_1449097.png) > “For the average player, most three-putts happen because of a poorly judged first putt from long range.” [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poor first putt judgment leads to many three‑putts for average players. **In simple terms:** Bad first putt causes extra strokes. Key Takeaway Focus on accurate distance and line. Themes golf performance precision Mood analytical practical Type advice instructional When to use this quote - practice rounds - coaching sessions - tournament play Key Concepts psychology skill assessment Questions to Reflect On - How can you better gauge long‑range putts? - What drills improve distance judgment? A Different Perspective Improving first putt may not eliminate all three‑putts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happen/) [Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged/) [Judged Putt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged-putt-5205743/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Player Putts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player-putts-5205745/) [Poorly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poorly/) [Poorly Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poorly-judged-5205747/) [Putt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putt/) [Putt Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putt-long-5205746/) [Putts Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/putts-happen-5205744/) [Range](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/range/) ## Related quotes > [Unless it's a dead-straight short putt, you should focus on a spot somewhere along the line you want to roll the ball on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/unless-it-s-a-dead-straight-short-putt-you-should-focus-on-a-spot/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [If you don't believe you can make every putt, why bother trying?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/if-you-don-t-believe-you-can-make-every-putt-why-bother-trying/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Before you take your address, while you're still reading the putt, imagine the ball tracking on the line you've chosen and falling into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/before-you-take-your-address-while-you-re-still-reading-the-putt/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Contours on the second half of a long putt have more impact on how the ball rolls because it's going slower. Adjust your speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/contours-on-the-second-half-of-a-long-putt-have-more-impact-on-how/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Gimme: an agreement between two losers who can't putt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-bishop/gimme-an-agreement-between-two-losers-who-can-t-putt/) [Jim Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-bishop/) > [To be standing over a putt for two to three minutes, that's ridiculous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-korda/to-be-standing-over-a-putt-for-two-to-three-minutes-that-s-ridiculous/) [Nelly Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelly-korda/) > [A pre-putt routine helps you stay nice and relaxed so you can make the best stroke possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/a-pre-putt-routine-helps-you-stay-nice-and-relaxed-so-you-can-make/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) > [Find a man with both feet firmly on the ground and you've found a man about to make a difficult putt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fletcher-knebel/find-a-man-with-both-feet-firmly-on-the-ground-and-you-ve-found-a-man/) [Fletcher Knebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fletcher-knebel/) > [Never concede the putt that beats you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-vardon/never-concede-the-putt-that-beats-you/) [Harry Vardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-vardon/) > [Mary had a little putt, she needed it for par. Mary has a second putt...the first one went too far!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-kennard/mary-had-a-little-putt-she-needed-it-for-par-mary-has-a-second-putt/) [Margaret Kennard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-kennard/) > [“Putt-A-Round Anytime, Anywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-stone/putt-a-round-anytime-anywhere/) [Anne Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-stone/) > [I don't putt face-on exclusively, but in the back on my mind I'm haunted by the notion that I'm sure it's the best way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-mccord/i-don-t-putt-face-on-exclusively-but-in-the-back-on-my-mind-i-m/) [Gary McCord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-mccord/) > [Chad was in the right spot. He got a little aggressive with the third shot there. He probably didn't want that putt he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-sutton/chad-was-in-the-right-spot-he-got-a-little-aggressive-with-the-third/) [Hal Sutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-sutton/) > [You have to watch your handicap. My son Steve says, "Never make a putt you don't have to."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/you-have-to-watch-your-handicap-my-son-steve-says-never-make-a-putt/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) ## More by Ernie Els > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Excessive drinking is not good for my health, my family or my game. There has definitely been a change, and I feel better for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/excessive-drinking-is-not-good-for-my-health-my-family-or-my-game/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [I think I would have taken a (expletive) load of Advil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-i-would-have-taken-a-expletive-load-of-advil/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [I plot the par 5s back from the green and make my plan. If I can reach the green in two shots, I'm going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-plot-the-par-5s-back-from-the-green-and-make-my-plan-if-i-can-reach/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Contours on the second half of a long putt have more impact on how the ball rolls because it's going slower. Adjust your speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/contours-on-the-second-half-of-a-long-putt-have-more-impact-on-how/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [When I'm swinging the club at my best, it's because I'm not thinking about mechanics at all. I feel like my body is loose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/when-i-m-swinging-the-club-at-my-best-it-s-because-i-m-not-thinking/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [When you're hitting a fairway wood, you've got a lot of real estate to cover to get to your target. Your first instinct is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/when-you-re-hitting-a-fairway-wood-you-ve-got-a-lot-of-real-estate-to/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [When I stay athletic with good posture and get the club away in a good position, I get through it better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/when-i-stay-athletic-with-good-posture-and-get-the-club-away-in-a/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [He's been a top player for the last 10 years, and we all work on our swings, we all change things. We keep working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/he-s-been-a-top-player-for-the-last-10-years-and-we-all-work-on-our/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Throughout my career, I've been sponsored by several different equipment companies - Lynx, Titleist, Callaway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/throughout-my-career-i-ve-been-sponsored-by-several-different/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Before you take your address, while you're still reading the putt, imagine the ball tracking on the line you've chosen and falling into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/before-you-take-your-address-while-you-re-still-reading-the-putt/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Brushing up on your short game at the practice area is fine and good, but taking it with you to the golf course -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/brushing-up-on-your-short-game-at-the-practice-area-is-fine-and-good/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [I prefer old-world wines like Lafite Rothschild and Margaux.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-prefer-old-world-wines-like-lafite-rothschild-and-margaux/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [Some players like to change clubs around the green to hit high or low shots. I play all of my short-game shots with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/some-players-like-to-change-clubs-around-the-green-to-hit-high-or-low/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [From a good lie in the middle of a fairway bunker, I'll make the same swing as I do from an average fairway lie.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/from-a-good-lie-in-the-middle-of-a-fairway-bunker-i-ll-make-the-same/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) [Explore all 61 Ernie Els quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) ## More Average quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [There were times last year when people looked at the scoreboard and thought my batting average was the temperature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buck-martinez/there-were-times-last-year-when-people-looked-at-the-scoreboard-and/) [Buck Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buck-martinez/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. 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