What is a three-putt in golf?

Definition

Taking three putts to complete a hole, representing a significant scoring penalty that typically adds one stroke to what should have been achievable. Three-putting usually results from poor distance control on the first putt, leaving a challenging second putt, or from misreading the break and leaving the ball well away from the hole. Professional golfers track three-putt statistics as a key performance metric, as avoiding three-putts is crucial for competitive scoring. Common causes include aggressive first putts from long distance, poor green reading, and pressure-induced putting stroke breakdowns.