Question for you putter experts

[tony@CIC]

As background when I started playing golf 6 years ago I got fitted for a putter at GG. the putter recommended and purchased was a Ping Scottsdale.

 

Advance to present day: I've committed to working on my putting over the winter. I also use the Ping Putter App to better understand what my putting looks like from a measurement perspective. I'm reasonably consistent in terms of the data - impact angle, tempo, closing angle, etc. For those of you familiar with the app also know that it provides a recommendation in terms of the putter characteristics. In my case: slight arc, lie angle 18 deg, loft 2 deg.

 

Now the questions:

 

1. Can the information be gathered from my existing putter?

2. How much difference in accuracy/performance is there in the lie angles. In other words if my current putter is measures at 22 but the recommendation is 18 can I expect a much higher level of accuracy?

3. Can you bend a putter to achieve the recommended numbers?

 

Or at my level - a high handicapper should I just leave it the way it is and work on different aspects of putting

 

 

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[10shot]

Yes, ur putter is an overlooked club as far as tuning goes. Most who tune putters will have various models with different lie, loft, grip forward, back etc. I gave a putter for fitting, the length, lie and loft all adjustable. Make sure u take the putter that feels good to the range. Big box marts want u in and out the door with ur new club in one day. Best to take it to the course and play it. Have ur normal group to play with see if they see/ say anything.

Rule, if ur fitter doesn't ask u to take the club(s) to the course before buying, find another fitter. UR trail clubs should have a least 4 games before u pull the trigger on the new expensive gear.

And yes tuning a putter can make putting fun again

[Mr_Theoo]

I'll say as another higher handicap player I had my putter fitted this past season because I felt I wasn't making enough one putts. So I also went to golf galaxy but my had the SAM putting lab which told me I needed a mallet instead of my blade style. It also put me in a much flatter lie angle.

 

After a few weeks of research and testing I decided on my ping sigma G Tyne. I ordered it as flat as possible. Once it got here I took it out without any practice and had by far my best putting performance in over a year.

 

I do believe you could have it bent if needed but I would suggest a new fitting since you've worked on your stoke some.

[Severtheties]

I'll say as another higher handicap player I had my putter fitted this past season because I felt I wasn't making enough one putts. So I also went to golf galaxy but my had the SAM putting lab which told me I needed a mallet instead of my blade style. It also put me in a much flatter lie angle.

 

After a few weeks of research and testing I decided on my ping sigma G Tyne. I ordered it as flat as possible. Once it got here I took it out without any practice and had by far my best putting performance in over a year.

 

I do believe you could have it bent if needed but I would suggest a new fitting since you've worked on your stoke some.

This is a true statement and I was there for that round first had. Was a little ridiculous to be honest.

[PlaidJacket]

I'm not sold entirely on putter fitting. I've had one (and only one) done before and didn't gain a thing. Didn't lose anything either. Except a wad of cash for an over priced putter. I think a balanced putter might be more important than other fitting aspects. Mine is balanced and it feels good. My old stand-by putter isn't balanced or fit to me. It's OTR and I putted great with it prior to going custom fit. I'd go back to it anytime.

 

10shot - Most reputable club fitters will guarantee your fit and build. I don't know of any that will build you clubs and tell you to go play a few rounds before you commit. I certainly wouldn't.

[STUDque]

I'll say as another higher handicap player I had my putter fitted this past season because I felt I wasn't making enough one putts. So I also went to golf galaxy but my had the SAM putting lab which told me I needed a mallet instead of my blade style. It also put me in a much flatter lie angle.

 

After a few weeks of research and testing I decided on my ping sigma G Tyne. I ordered it as flat as possible. Once it got here I took it out without any practice and had by far my best putting performance in over a year.

 

I do believe you could have it bent if needed but I would suggest a new fitting since you've worked on your stoke some.

 

But what about all the rounds after that? Did the magic stay?

 

 

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[null]

I'm not really understanding the lie angle you're given. Putter lie angles are normally between 68 and 72

[cnosil]

I'm not really understanding the lie angle you're given. Putter lie angles are normally between 68 and 72

90 - 18 = 72. Just referenced as angle from vertical shaft

[Mr_Theoo]

But what about all the rounds after that? Did the magic stay?

 

 

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Yea, I've always been a decent putter when it came to finding the line and speed control but my putter didn't match my stroke as well so once I got the tyne it was just putting it all together

[cnosil]

As background when I started playing golf 6 years ago I got fitted for a putter at GG. the putter recommended and purchased was a Ping Scottsdale.

 

Advance to present day: I've committed to working on my putting over the winter. I also use the Ping Putter App to better understand what my putting looks like from a measurement perspective. I'm reasonably consistent in terms of the data - impact angle, tempo, closing angle, etc. For those of you familiar with the app also know that it provides a recommendation in terms of the putter characteristics. In my case: slight arc, lie angle 18 deg, loft 2 deg.

 

Now the questions:

 

1. Can the information be gathered from my existing putter?

2. How much difference in accuracy/performance is there in the lie angles. In other words if my current putter is measures at 22 but the recommendation is 18 can I expect a much higher level of accuracy?

3. Can you bend a putter to achieve the recommended numbers?

 

Or at my level - a high handicapper should I just leave it the way it is and work on different aspects of putting

 

1.  What information are you trying to gather?

2.  Possibly.  Some people are successful with the wrong lie angle.  I putter that is too upright will have the toe in the air and may lead to missing left.

3.  Yes you can bend putters to get the right loft and lie.  Easier to bend for lie than loft.  Bending loft has a tendency to make the putter sit open or close. 

 

I am an advocate for a properly fit putter.  If the putter doesn't correctly fit your stroke,  it makes starting the ball on your intended line more difficult.  If you are starting the ball online, don't change anything about the putter.  I don't necessarily consider made putts since there are multiple factors that determine if the ball goes in the hole.  

[tony@CIC]

1. What information are you trying to gather?

2. Possibly. Some people are successful with the wrong lie angle. I putter that is too upright will have the toe in the air and may lead to missing left.

3. Yes you can bend putters to get the right loft and lie. Easier to bend for lie than loft. Bending loft has a tendency to make the putter sit open or close.

 

I am an advocate for a properly fit putter. If the putter doesn't correctly fit your stroke, it makes starting the ball on your intended line more difficult. If you are starting the ball online, don't change anything about the putter. I don't necessarily consider made putts since there are multiple factors that determine if the ball goes in the hole.

To answer question 1, given that I was fitted for a strong arc: Will tweaking the current putter specs to what I'm seeing on the Ping App give me a higher level of accuracy or are there too many variables in putting?

 

 

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[cnosil]

To answer question 1, given that I was fitted for a strong arc: Will tweaking the current putter specs to what I'm seeing on the Ping App give me a higher level of accuracy or are there too many variables in putting?

 

 

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So GG fitted you to a strong arc and you are seeing slight arc on the ping app. How do GG determine strong arc?

 

There are lots of opinions regarding putter fitting. In the ping app arc is the same as rotation. So for a slight arc the general recommendation would be less toe hang. And no, you can't easily make a putter with lots of toe hang have less toe hang.

 

Let's try to analyze what you are seeing regarding your putting. How do you power the putting stroke? Do you miss left or right or do you hit your line? To check you can put a dime about 16” in front of a ball and using different length strokes see where you miss the dime.

 

If you hit the dime consistently don't do anything with the putter if you have a consistent miss changing you putter or possibly your stroke. The putter or stroke change is a bigger discussion.

 

Putting is about controlling distance and starting line. If you can manage those two things your stroke and putter are right for you.

[ddryan]

Loft, Lie, bend - A lot to think about and consider- but for me, putting has always been about feel.  I have used blades, mallets long shaft and normal shaft, and various combinations- I currently use an oversized grip, normal hand position (Right handed putter, left hand above right, overlapping right pinky to left index finger, about the same grip I use on other clubs).  I focus on keeping the triangle created by my arms and shoulders stable, and using pendulum action to make the stroke. 

 

When I am at GG or other box stores, I might pull a putter and stroke a few shots, but by and large, I am comfortable with my current stick and plan on keeping it in the bag, along with my new MLA (see below).

 

On faster putting surfaces and downhill putts, I will play the ball further out to the toe of the club, and work to get the ball to the hole or beyond by 18-24 inches (as they say, never up, never in).

 

I have recently purchased an MLA Pro Classic (thanks CKSD) but have not gotten enough time on the putting surface to feel comfortable using it in a round- so that will wait for spring.  My Cleveland is working ok right now, and more practice would make it work better!!! 

[tony@CIC]

So GG fitted you to a strong arc and you are seeing slight arc on the ping app. How do GG determine strong arc?

 

There are lots of opinions regarding putter fitting. In the ping app arc is the same as rotation. So for a slight arc the general recommendation would be less toe hang. And no, you can't easily make a putter with lots of toe hang have less toe hang.

 

Let's try to analyze what you are seeing regarding your putting. How do you power the putting stroke? Do you miss left or right or do you hit your line? To check you can put a dime about 16” in front of a ball and using different length strokes see where you miss the dime.

 

If you hit the dime consistently don't do anything with the putter if you have a consistent miss changing you putter or possibly your stroke. The putter or stroke change is a bigger discussion.

 

Putting is about controlling distance and starting line. If you can manage those two things your stroke and putter are right for you.

So on the question of strong vs slight arc I have made changes to my putting strong - specifically on the backswing. Last spring before the changes the app was showing a strong arc. Today it shows slight arc. On the miss it's generally to the left by a roll or two.

 

 

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[cnosil]

So on the question of strong vs slight arc I have made changes to my putting strong - specifically on the backswing. Last spring before the changes the app was showing a strong arc. Today it shows slight arc. On the miss it's generally to the left by a roll or two.

 

What changes did you make to your stroke? How do you power your stroke? Shouders, left arm, right arm?

[cksurfdude]

So GG fitted you to a strong arc and you are seeing slight arc on the ping app. How do GG determine strong arc?

 

There are lots of opinions regarding putter fitting. In the ping app arc is the same as rotation. So for a slight arc the general recommendation would be less toe hang. And no, you can't easily make a putter with lots of toe hang have less toe hang.

 

Let's try to analyze what you are seeing regarding your putting. How do you power the putting stroke? Do you miss left or right or do you hit your line? To check you can put a dime about 16” in front of a ball and using different length strokes see where you miss the dime.

 

If you hit the dime consistently don't do anything with the putter if you have a consistent miss changing you putter or possibly your stroke. The putter or stroke change is a bigger discussion.

 

Putting is about controlling distance and starting line. If you can manage those two things your stroke and putter are right for you.

Just quoting / repeating cnosil's comments 'cuz it seems to me to be about the best putting advice you can get via a forum; ie. short of seeing a teaching pro and/or a qualified fitter.

 

So on the question of strong vs slight arc I have made changes to my putting strong - specifically on the backswing. Last spring before the changes the app was showing a strong arc. Today it shows slight arc. On the miss it's generally to the left by a roll or two.

 

 

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One suggestion I'd dare make is check if the bottom of the putter is flat / parallel to the putting surface .. that is: I see many players address a putt with their putter visibly toe-up .. which could influence the ball to go more left than intended.

[tony@CIC]

What changes did you make to your stroke? How do you power your stroke? Shouders, left arm, right arm?

Shorter backswing, arms close to body (pendulum type stroke), while I think I'm balanced left and right hand on the stroke - it's probably more left (note I am a lefty)

 

 

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[Kenny B]

As background when I started playing golf 6 years ago I got fitted for a putter at GG. the putter recommended and purchased was a Ping Scottsdale.

 

Advance to present day: I've committed to working on my putting over the winter. I also use the Ping Putter App to better understand what my putting looks like from a measurement perspective. I'm reasonably consistent in terms of the data - impact angle, tempo, closing angle, etc. For those of you familiar with the app also know that it provides a recommendation in terms of the putter characteristics. In my case: slight arc, lie angle 18 deg, loft 2 deg.

 

Now the questions:

 

1. Can the information be gathered from my existing putter?

2. How much difference in accuracy/performance is there in the lie angles. In other words if my current putter is measures at 22 but the recommendation is 18 can I expect a much higher level of accuracy?

3. Can you bend a putter to achieve the recommended numbers?

 

Or at my level - a high handicapper should I just leave it the way it is and work on different aspects of putting

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

Which model of Ping Scottsdale putter did you buy?  There are models with straight, slight arc and strong arc.  I'm assuming that GG put you in strong arc based on their recommendation.  If that's the case and you have changed your stroke to slight arc, it's my opinion that your stroke is fighting the design of the putter.  If that's the case, then I suggest rolling a few putters that are made for your new stroke before you think about modifying your current putter.  The Ping app is great for helping you pick a putter with your swing tendencies.  If you tendencies have changed, you might think about getting fit for a different putter.

 

I also agree with the comments above.  The lie angle can impact both line and speed.  If you don't compensate, the ball will go left or right, and you won't consistently hit the center of the face.  Not saying that you can't get used to it.  One of our local pros putts with the toe up in the air and is very good.  If you look at Steve Stricker, he putts with the heel up and I would love to be as good as he does.  

[tony@CIC]

Which model of Ping Scottsdale putter did you buy? There are models with straight, slight arc and strong arc. I'm assuming that GG put you in strong arc based on their recommendation. If that's the case and you have changed your stroke to slight arc, it's my opinion that your stroke is fighting the design of the putter. If that's the case, then I suggest rolling a few putters that are made for your new stroke before you think about modifying your current putter. The Ping app is great for helping you pick a putter with your swing tendencies. If you tendencies have changed, you might think about getting fit for a different putter.

 

I also agree with the comments above. The lie angle can impact both line and speed. If you don't compensate, the ball will go left or right, and you won't consistently hit the center of the face. Not saying that you can't get used to it. One of our local pros putts with the toe up in the air and is very good. If you look at Steve Stricker, he putts with the heel up and I would love to be as good as he does.

Thanks Kenny, good advice. A lot has changed in my game the last six years and especially this year. Time to start shopping for a new putter !

 

 

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[cnosil]

Shorter backswing, arms close to body (pendulum type stroke), while I think I'm balanced left and right hand on the stroke - it's probably more left (note I am a lefty)

 

 

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So you are pushing putts.   If you are using your left arm/hand a bit more it could result in a push because the putter you aren't able to bring the putter through to the right side.  My suggestion would be to work on rotating the putter through the finish to get the putter through to your right side.

[Kenny B]

So you are pushing putts.   If you are using your left arm/hand a bit more it could result in a push because the putter you aren't able to bring the putter through to the right side.  My suggestion would be to work on rotating the putter through the finish to get the putter through to your right side.

Tony's left handed.

[cnosil]

Tony's left handed.

Yep. I tried to write my comment from that perspective. Said he was missing left which is a push. Also indicated he may be a little more left side dominant. High rotation putter with left miss may mean he needs to work on getting the putter through to the right side. Basically the body prevents the left arm from getting the putter completely through and the face is left open. His new low rotation stroke may not help since he is probably still leaving the face open. Completing the stoke by trying to move the putter back inside the target line may help bring the ball back to the right.

 

More words here but based on your comment I tried to explain in more detail.

[tony@CIC]

So you are pushing putts. If you are using your left arm/hand a bit more it could result in a push because the putter you aren't able to bring the putter through to the right side. My suggestion would be to work on rotating the putter through the finish to get the putter through to your right side.

That's an interesting comment. I'll have to work on that on my basement putting green

 

 

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[jayjay0808]

I think putters are just such a personal feel its hard to generalize. As with a shaft different techniques fit different specs. I am 6'0 tall and have always been fit into a 34" length, just this year I tried a 35" and just rolled the ball so much better. I kind of don't want to go get fitted on it as I am sure my eyes are inside the ball

[cnosil]

. I am 6'0 tall and have always been fit into a 34" length, just this year I tried a 35" and just rolled the ball so much better. I kind of don't want to go get fitted on it as I am sure my eyes are inside the ball

I am 5'10, use a 35” putter, and my eyes are inside the ball. I was fit to my specs based on how I see the putts line. There are lots of ways to fit a putter. Feel is important but I also believe firing is just as important.

 

I want the putter that helps me roll the ball the best and has enough feel that I can tell when I don't hit the ball correctly.