>Lee Brown
02.10.2025
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.
>Mark Heisey
02.25.2025
"The execution of a good putting stroke is the difference between success and failure in lowering your overall score. Creating an accurate, reliable, and reproducible putting stroke takes practice."
Lag putting is basically a long putt utilized by a golfer to get the ball as close to the hole as possible to have an easy follow-up put. It is essentially a strategy formed to avoid three putts. This book walks the reader through a series of steps to determine how to best hit lag putts logically. First, the golfer must determine their individual power factor (IPF). This is the length the putt will travel based on how many inches the putter has been pulled away from the ball before striking. Building consistency on one’s swing is key. Once this is known, the golfer can make adjustments based on the terrain, the speed of the greens, and the distance. The key is to always spend time before a round on the practice green to determine the conditions of play that day. Once a golfer has these tools in hand, they can determine the strike distance from the ball based on a quick calculation of the range and the information gained during practice. It is a mathematical approach based on being consistent in one’s putting force and understanding the changing factors that can affect each putt.
It takes a few pages to understand the approach Labbe is taking in this golf book. Labbe worked as an engineer, and that plays out in his strategy to lag putting. Readers expecting a Golf For Dummies book will be a bit confused as they first begin reading and trying to absorb Labbe’s method, as it is not about getting down to the basics of grip, stance, etc. Nor is this book a deep dive into the mind and techniques of a celebrity golfer such as Ben Hogan, as is chronicled in the classic Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons. Instead, this highly practical book tackles one crucial aspect of a golfer’s game: the putt. Labbe breaks down the issue mathematically and informs the reader that many golfers hit nearly half their shots as putts. Logically, reducing the number of putts should lower their score. This has allowed the author to take a quantitative view of putting and, over twenty-five years of practice and refinement, develop a solution based more on intellect than feel. Once the reader begins to grasp the consistency at the core of Labbe’s instructions, the method becomes much clearer and makes a lot of practical sense.
Labbe’s book stands out from the typical offerings golfers may be used to, such as advice on their swing, club selection, etc. Those who can transition to Labbe’s instruction for putt consistency may find it surprisingly helpful. His writing is easy to read. A specialized book on putting stance and form might also add a little comfort, especially for golfers who are struggling to master this essential part of the game. Readers of this book will be rewarded with a thoughtful, well-planned, and interesting approach to improving their putting game. Labbe has charted new ground in this unique work and has created a solid entry into the literature of golf.