Advice for Buying a New Putter



High MOI at Impact Low MOI in Motion.

1. Think of your putting stroke in terms of rotation and not path shape. Before I am done I am going to convince everyone this is the correct point of reference for putting strokes. OEM's won't touch it because of the perception that rotation is a bad thing. Please repeat after me. "Every stroke has a rotational requirement and every putter has a rotational value". If they match, how much rotation you have doesn't matter.



2. Use moi as a tool to complement rotation as well as impact. Webster defines moi as resistance to twisting IN MOTION. Toe hang is the defining parameter of moi in motion. Weight distribution and location of cog are the defining parameters of moi at impact. Too many golfers have high rotation strokes, fighting low rotation putters. Some of you, although not as many, have the opposite. A low rotation requirement, using a putter with a high rotational value. A putter that fits rotation is the best way to control distance. Ultra High MOI, used with the wrong rotational requirement, kills feel because it masks feedback.



3. Putting at a high level is not easy. It takes knowledge of your stroke, a system to read greens, and maybe most important the ability to roll a ball a precise distance. With understanding and a decision to do things the same way every time, the implementation of the stroke is very easy and simple.



4. When you consider a putting change, think about what the putter is built to do. I hear everyday that someone loves the looks, but can't use a certain style of putter. Unless you make the changes necessary to fit the putter you try, you will never know. Ex. A player uses a face balanced 33" putter at 72 degree lie angle. He wants to try a full toe hang-heel shaft. So he gets it with the same specs FB@33&72 and can't putt with it. Never knowing that at 34 and 69 it may have been the best thing he ever did for his putting.



5. THERE IS NO BEST WAY. I have a very comprehensive fitting system that I think allows a player to make the decisions that build the best stroke for the individual. Even with all that work I have had just as much success reverse engineering the process by making suggestions to help players that tell me they have to use a certain style putter.

Knowledge and consistent implementation. Who would have ever thought?

More Putting Help.

Lesson 290-Putting slump? Think - Hit on the short ones to control impact and swing through the ball on the longer ones to control speed.

 

Lesson 291-Hard to have any hit in your stroke with a heavy putter. Hard to swing a light one. What is the right weight for your technique?

 

Lesson 292-Struggle to start the ball on line? Try changing swing weight of your putter. Too Heavy = Pulls. Too Light = Pushes.

Lesson 293-It is easier to teach your hands how to swing the putter than to react to your visual perception of the stroke with your hands.

 

Lesson294-There is a flat spot in every putting stroke path. It is the most consistent place to strike the ball. Fewer compensations needed.

 

Lesson 295-Try to match the flat portion of your stroke to the target line. Easier with a tilted ARCING plane than a SBST vertical plane.

 

Lesson 296-Yes I said it! Lesson 295. ARC is more forgiving stroke than SBST. Easier to keep the putter online through the impact zone.

 

Lesson 297- Do you have a favored type of putt? What makes that putt easier? Example- Decel Blockers like downhill Right to Left putts.

 

Lesson 298-Mechanics and timing often change depending on the requirement of the putt. Favored putts can identify weaknesses in your method.

 

Lesson 299-The reason for different strokes depending on the break is often the appearance of the hole relative to your alignment.

 

Lesson 300-Learn the difference between target and end result. Hole is always the end result, but it is the target on straight putts only.

 

Lesson 301-Where do you look at as you prepare to putt, your target or the hole? Looking at the wrong spot common fault on missed putts.

 

Lesson 302-Initial direction and initial ball speed are the parameters that determine a make or miss. Focus on them and not the end result.

 

Lesson 303-Spend some time practicing without the hole as a target. Can you start the ball on a chosen line and roll it specific distance?

 

Lesson 304-Matching the mechanics of hitting a putt to the requirements of a breaking putt is hard. Stroke doesn't control the curved path.

 

You can improve your Putting!

Lesson 273-MissedPutts11-The belief that weakness in your method and not errors in how you implement your method is why you missed the putt.

Lesson 274-There is too much luck involved to make decisions based on one missed or even one made putt. Focus on the process!

 

Lesson 275-Lighter = Faster. Heavy=Slower. Consistent speed issues? Start with those two equations. Beware of heavier is better marketing.

 

Lesson 276-Moving the balance point of the putter changes the release point of the stroke. Higher = Later = Push, Lower = Earlier = Pull.

Lesson 277-Can you roll a ball a pre-defined distance with your eyes closed? A poorly fit putter inhibits creating a feel for distance.

Lesson 278-Players using putters that don't fit their rotational requirements find themselves consistently coming up short of the hole!

Lesson 279-Compensations in your stroke will often be the source of problems finding the right speed. Poor putter fits create compensations.

Lesson 280-Let the putter swing a little as you go through your green reading ritual. It will help you create a feel for what you see.

Lesson 281-When you make a practice stroke do it with the same length and tempo you intend to use with the actual putt.

Lesson 282-Remember for every putt it is the first time you have ever attempted this exact one. Treat it as such. Take nothing for granted.

Lesson 283-Read every putt, even though you think you know what the putt will do. That habit will make you more observant when you need it.

 

Lesson 284-As you read a putt remember the ball is rolling and not flying to the target. The ground controls movement not you!

 

Lesson 285- Pay more attention to WHERE the ball rolls rather than HOW the ball rolls. No extra credit for a good roll that misses the cup.

 

Lesson 286- Can you feel the ground with your feet at setup? If not, your weight is too far toward your toes or heels. Balanced is best.

 

Lesson 289-The heavier the weight of the putter the less influence toe hang has on rotation. What do you need, more or less? Most need more.

 

11 Reasons for Missed Putts

Lesson 260-Lots of instructors can share what someone else has told them. Very few can tell you what they know to be true. Knowledge works.

 Lesson 261-Knowledge you need. How to match stroke to putt length to control speed. How to control the face at impact at different speeds.

Lesson 262-Never make a change in your putting strategy without a knowing why you are making the change. Wish and hope is a lousy strategy.

Lesson 263-Reasons for missed putts. #1 Visual interference. Perception of target line from side on position does not match actual = steer.

Lesson 264-Missed Putts/Reason 2. Mixed sources of motion. Shoulders back arms through or arms back and shoulders through? Complicated.

Lesson 265-Missed putts 3. Putter moves off plane during the stroke. Loops in the stroke, forced follow throughs, jumpy hands are all signs.

Lesson 266-Missed Putts 4.Wrong stroke length for needed distance. Most common? Too long for the short putts and too short on the long ones.


Lesson 267-#5 Bad timing. Too fast on short strokes-too slow on the long ones. Same time to impact regardless of stroke length is the goal.

Lesson 268-Missed putts 6. Steer or redirect the putter during the stroke. Some players know no other way. Always goes bad under pressure.

Lesson 269-Missed Putts 7.Steer caused by improper orientation of flat sided grip to clubface. It also makes it difficult to aim the putter.

Lesson 270-MissedPutts8-Players releases the putter based on how the putt breaks. Blocks a slice break and releases the toe on a hook break.

Lesson 271-MissedPutts#9-The rotational balance of the putter does not match the rotational requirement of the stroke. Who wins the fight?

Lesson 272-MissedPutts10-Makes a compensation based on a previous putt. Example? A push on one putt often results in a pull on the next one.
Lesson 273-MissedPutts11-The belief that weakness in your method and not errors in how you implement your method is why you missed the putt.

More Putting Advice

Lesson 251-Over time, the flex of a shaft on a putter has a measurable influence on rhythm and timing. More flex=slower. Less flex=faster.

Lesson 252-Putting strokes develop over time, based on feed back. How the feel of the stroke relates to the results. Don't assume anything.

Lesson 253-A softer shaft flex in a golf club makes you more aware of the position of the head. The same is true with a putter.

Lesson 254-Ability to feel the head of the putter in motion is critical to having a feel for stroke length. Length of stroke=length of putt.

Lesson 255-Try to match the length of your practice stroke to the length of your putt. Otherwise you are just moving the putter. No benefit.

Lesson 256-The amount of rotation changes with stroke length. A feel for the proper stroke length helps you control speed and DIRECTION.

Lesson 257- Too many putts are missed because of the wrong stroke length. Too long for the short putts and too short for the long ones.

Lesson 258-Do you know your correct stroke length for putts in 3 foot increments? Best thing you can do for your game. Proper stroke length.

Lesson 259-Old adage of see it-feel it-roll it is good advice. How do you feel it? Stroke length! Not putter speed!