Missing Short Putts

Missing short putts is a problem for golfers at all skill levels. Why does it happen? Let's explore the possibilities.

The art and science of fitting a putter should give you a club that guides you into the optimum address position and helps you execute an effective stroke. The putter should complement your natural tendencies for both setting up to the ball and hitting the ball into the hole. If the putter doesn't fit you correctly, compensations in address and stroke are needed that are difficult to repeat under pressure. What are the key specifications needed to fit a putter to the golfer?

Putter length. It's a good place to start. First, it's important to understand there is no standard length for a putter, and that the off-the-rack retail putter needs to be matched to your address position. It's a function of differences in our posture, arm length, and assuming a comfortable stance that allows your eyes to settle over the ball. Because that stance is not the same for everyone, simply measuring the wrist-to-floor dimension will usually not be effective. 

Putter loft. Research has been done to demonstrate that the putter face should strike the ball at an angle that gets the ball rolling with a minimum of elevation off the putting surface. You need to get the ball rolling smoothly right after impact. That requires matching the putter face loft to the impact angle a golfer makes with a comfortable repeatable stroke. Impact with the ball should be made just past the low point in the arc of the stroke to provide the topspin needed for optimum roll. Knowing how individual stroke mechanics affect putter loft at impact is essential for fitting.

Lie angle. The sole of the putter should rest in a neutral position at address that would allow the center of the sole to be in contact with the ground. If the toe points up significantly, the ball will tend to go to the inside of the target line. A heel up position tends to send the ball to the outside of the target line. Getting the lie angle correct is another essential specification that affects your ability to sink any putt, including the short ones.

These three specifications are among the most basic properties needed for a putter that will give you the best chance to roll the ball into the hole from any distance. There are several more parameters that need to be fit correctly including total weight, balance, head design, grip style, and shaft properties. And of course, there are essential technique considerations to be learned and practiced. 

The goal of our custom fitting is to give you a putter that enables you to make a high percentage of the short putts as well as an understanding of your natural putting tendencies. We think it's one of the best steps you can take to score low.