Title: Putting by the Numbers: A Quantitative Method of Lag Putting
Author: Bob Labbe
Publisher: Bob Labbe Books
ISBN: ‎ 979-8-9920800-5-6
Pages: 83
Genre: Sports
Reviewer: Lee Brown

Read Book Review

Golf isn’t a particularly easy game to master as anybody who has had trouble actually hitting the ball will attest to. But with practice and a lot of patience, some level of success can be achieved when out on the green. Of course, there’s always room for improvement, no matter a golfer’s skill level. If you’re somebody who is looking to better your game, Bob Labbe’s new book, Putting by the Numbers, might interest you. Through personal testimony and knowledge gained through his years working as an engineer, Labbe demonstrates how readers can improve their golf score via a mathematical method of lag putting which aims to give golfers a better understanding of distance control and hitting speed.

As the title of the book suggests, the system Labbe focuses on is ‘quantitative putting.’ This method of lag putting is based upon a simple method of arithmetic that, if applied, will (according to the author) help golfers of all levels improve their golf score by four to five strokes per round. If that sounds good to you, then you should definitely pick up Labbe’s book. After studying his method and putting it into practice, you should be better able to optimize your stroke to give you greater control of your club and ball. Admittedly, the method will require you to make simple mathematical calculations when out on the green but if you get the hang of these, you will no longer be reliant on guesswork when judging how hard and how far to hit the golf ball.

While quantitative lag putting does require some level of mathematical skill, Labbe’s system isn’t overly complicated, so you don’t need a degree in math to understand it. His book is concisely written and easy to read and understand, so it can be recommended to both amateur and professional golfers alike. Labbe uses charts and other diagrams to lay out his methods and uses situational examples to explain how his technique can be used on the golf course. Buyers of the book can also benefit from an accompanying video that gives a visualized representation of what Labbe discusses in his book.

Many players use guesswork when putting which often results in frustration when the ball doesn’t approach the required position. The quantitative method of putting will change the way you strike the golf ball and, with practice, get you closer to the results you’re hoping for. This is the dream for many golfers, especially those who struggle with lag putting. So, whether you’re playing on your home course or playing on a course away, expect an improvement to your game after applying Labbe’s method. Your competitors won’t know what hit them when they see the results you achieve. But one thing’s for sure, it won’t be a misjudged golf ball that you have inadvertently sent their way!  Putting by the Numbers is a must-read for golfers seeking a scientific approach to distance control.