Putter Weight Influence Part 3

When we talk about developing a feel for speed control in putting, we are discussing controlling effort and momentum. How much effort does it take to get the putter started, to change directions at the end of the backswing, and how much effort to arrive at the ball in the proper position and speed.

It doesn't take much to find discussions on how to apply the effort. You will hear and read plenty about how to control effort. For example, in our online course, Burnt Edges identifies the initial source of the movement and the sequence of movement that brings you back to the ball. Do you control effort with your core, your shoulders, your hands or a combination? But even if you identify the source of the effort you have only solved part of the problem. More important is when do you apply the effort? Unfortunately, that subject has been one of those you are basically left to discover on your own, unless you are working with a knowledgeable instructor.

As much as any other factor, understanding timing is the key to better putting. The timing of your stroke is integral to controlling the putter face, speed and position at impact, no matter how you perceive the task. Timing is typically measured in two ways. Total time to impact and the ratio of backswing time to forward swing to impact. Total time of the stroke is another measurement you might see. But it is an indirect way of analyzing as the follow through portion is a variable that has an indirect influence on impact.

I have quite a large data base of measurements. The median time for all strokes to impact is 1 second. I might as well save myself the analysis as that is the conclusion of most diagnostic technology manufacturers. I have seen successful strokes as quick as .75 and as slow as 1.3. I use 1 second as a reference between up tempo strokes and slower tempo strokes. Are you more like Brandt Snedeker around .7 or Loren Roberts at 1.2?  It helps as we examine time to impact that we measure in 3 intervals. I like 5 feet, 15 feet and 30 feet. Not as much for convenience but these are distances centered in ranges the statistics people have identified as crucial to scoring. Many are surprised to learn that in the best performers, there is little difference in time to impact between the three distances. They use different length strokes, at a different pace, within a similar time frame.

Me at 600 grams total weight.

The next step in understanding effort and timing is to consider the ratio of backswing time to time to impact. This ratio is often shown as backswing to forward swing. The accepted range is around 2-1, where the backswing takes twice as long as the forward swing. Again, I don’t consider this as the target score! Only a reference number. If you like a slow backswing and an accelerating stroke through the ball then your ratio is going more than 2-1. Some players are a little quicker in the backswing and apply less effort going forward, so their forward swing time will be a bit slower. Remember your best putting stroke is like a fingerprint. Every successful one is a little different than another.

Bruce at 545 grams total weight.

Now, I have said all that to tell you this. Nothing has more influence on the timing of your putting stroke than the weight of the putter! You can practice for three months with your current putter and not achieve the results you can in 10 strokes with a weight change. It has taken me 10 years of research to understand it, but now that I do I can see a clear path to helping players more quickly. If on your own or with your instructor you think timing creates an issue in your stroke, first consider the overall weight of your putter and how that weight is distributed. Then remember that lighter is faster and heavier is slower. You might save yourself some time. Stay safe!