LENGTH/LIE/LOFT
When selecting a putter, understanding length, loft, and lie are essential in ensuring that the putter fits the golfer’s individual stroke and setup, and contributes to optimal performance. Each of these factors can affect how the ball rolls off the face and how comfortable the golfer feels during their putting motion.
1. Putter Length:
Importance: The length of the putter is crucial in determining the golfer’s posture and the mechanics of their stroke. A putter that is too long or too short can lead to an uncomfortable setup, poor alignment, and inefficient stroke mechanics.
How to Find the Right Length:
- The correct putter length is generally determined by the golfer’s height and posture. A common rule is that the length should allow the golfer to stand comfortably with their hands hanging naturally in front of them, while maintaining a slight bend in the knees.
- Standard Length: Most golfers use a putter between 33-35 inches However, for golfers who are taller or shorter, a longer or shorter putter may be needed.
- Fitting Considerations: A golfer should stand with their feet together, bend slightly at the waist, and hold the putter with the head flat on the ground. The ideal length is the one that allows for a relaxed stance and proper alignment without forcing the golfer to reach too far forward or crouch.
2. Putter Loft:
Importance: Loft refers to the angle of the putter face. It impacts how the ball rolls off the putter. Too much loft can cause the ball to “bounce” or skid, while too little loft can cause the ball to stay low and not roll smoothly.
Standard Loft:
Most putters have a loft between 2-4 degrees, with 3 degrees being typical. This slight loft helps get the ball rolling smoothly right from the start.
How to Find the Right Loft:
- Too much loft: If the putter has too much loft, the ball might “pop” off the face, which can lead to an inconsistent roll. This is typically a result of the golfer hitting the ball too low on the face, creating inconsistent distance.
- Too little loft: If the loft is too low, the ball might remain on the ground too long, leading to a “skidding” roll.
- Fitting Considerations: A good rule of thumb is that the loft should allow the golfer to have the ball make clean contact with the ground at the right moment, helping the ball to smoothly lift and start rolling.
3. Putter Lie:
Importance: The lie angle refers to the angle between the shaft and the ground when the putter is in its address position. The correct lie angle helps the golfer keep the putter face square to the target line throughout the stroke, improving accuracy.
How to Find the Right Lie:
- Too upright: If the lie angle is too upright, the toe of the putter will point upward, causing the golfer to miss putts on the heel of the face.
- Too flat: If the lie angle is too flat, the heel of the putter will point upward, causing the golfer to miss putts on the toe of the face.
- Fitting Considerations: The correct lie angle ensures that the putter face is square to the ground at address and throughout the stroke. A proper lie helps the golfer roll the ball consistently on their intended line. Golfers who tend to push or pull their putts can benefit from adjusting their lie angle.
How to Find the Best Length, Loft, and Lie:
1. Get a Putter Fitting:
A professional putter fitting is an ideal way to determine the correct length, loft, and lie for your specific setup. During a fitting, the fitter will observe your stance, stroke, and mechanics to make the necessary adjustments.
2. Length:
A standard fitting might start with a standard length putter, but adjustments are made based on the golfer’s height and posture. The right length helps a golfer stand comfortably and allows them to make a smooth, natural stroke.
3. Loft:
A fitting expert may use a launch monitor or other technology to determine the amount of loft needed based on how the golfer strikes the ball. The goal is to minimize skidding and maximize smooth, consistent roll.
4. Lie:
The right lie angle is often determined by how the putter face sits on the ground when the golfer is addressing the ball. A fitting technician will check to ensure that the sole of the putter is properly aligned, with the face square to the line, and will make adjustments as necessary.
Summary of the Best Putter Setup:
- Length: A putter that is the correct length ensures the golfer can maintain good posture and an efficient stroke. It allows for comfortable hands and arms positioning and encourages a consistent stroke.
- Loft: A loft between 2-4 degrees (usually 3) helps to reduce bounce and skid, ensuring that the ball rolls smoothly and consistently.
- Lie: A proper lie angle ensures that the putter face is square to the target line, promoting accuracy and consistency in the golfer’s stroke.
Conclusion:
Each golfer’s putting setup is unique, and the ideal length, loft, and lie will depend on factors like height, posture, and putting style. Proper fitting of these elements is key to improving putting performance, ensuring a smoother, more consistent stroke, and helping the golfer achieve better control and accuracy on the greens.
WEIGHTING (INTERCHANGEABLE WEIGHTS IN SOME PUTTERS)
Weighting in putters is an important factor in fine-tuning a golfer’s stroke and improving consistency and control. The way weight is distributed in a putter can significantly affect how the club behaves during the stroke, especially at impact. Some putters offer adjustable weights, allowing golfers to modify the feel and balance to match their stroke tendencies.
What is Weighting in a Putter?
Weighting in a putter refers to how the weight is distributed throughout the putter head. The weight distribution can impact the putter’s feel, stability, and the ability to control the face angle during the stroke. Proper weighting helps the golfer maintain control over the putter face, ensuring a consistent roll on the ball.
Adjustable Weighting:
Some putters, particularly higher-end models, feature adjustable weighting systems. These systems allow golfers to add or remove weights in specific areas of the putter head. This flexibility allows golfers to tailor the putter to their individual stroke characteristics.
How Weighting Affects Putting Performance:
1. Heel-to-Toe Weighting:
In many putters, weight is distributed toward the toe and heel of the putter head. This is designed to create a more forgiving putter, where off-center hits still travel a reasonable distance and remain on line.
If you tend to miss putts to the right (for a right-handed golfer), you may need to adjust the weighting to help close the face through impact. By reducing weight in the toe and possibly adding weight to the heel, the putter will naturally help close the face and correct the miss.
2. Face Angle Control:
The placement of weight can influence whether the putter face tends to stay open (pointing right for right-handed golfers) or closed (pointing left). Adjusting the weighting can either help maintain a square face at impact or influence the face to remain open or closed depending on the golfer’s needs.
3. Stability and Control:
Heavier putters or those with weight concentrated toward the perimeter of the head can provide a larger sweet spot, increasing forgiveness and stability on off-center hits. This makes it easier to control the stroke, especially on longer putts.
A lighter putter or one with weight more concentrated in the center may offer more feedback and a softer feel but can be harder to control over longer distances or on off-center hits.
Examples of Weighting Adjustments:
1. Blade Putter:
If a golfer is missing putts to the right, they may adjust the weighting by removing weight from the toe (or adding weight to the heel) to help the putter face rotate through impact and close more easily.
2. Mallet Putter:
For mallet-style putters, the weights may be more concentrated in the perimeter of the putter head, and golfers might adjust the weights to change how the putter feels during the stroke or to help close an open face.
3. Counterbalance Weighting:
Some putters feature counterbalance weighting, where extra weight is placed near the top of the grip or at the end of the shaft. This helps stabilize the putting stroke by shifting the balance point, reducing wrist movement and promoting a smoother stroke.
Summary of Weighting in Putters:
1. Purpose:
Weighting in a putter is used to control the face angle and improve stroke consistency. It helps stabilize the putter through impact and minimizes off-center hits.
2. Adjustable Weighting:
Some putters allow golfers to adjust weights in different areas (toe, heel, or rear) to fine-tune the putter’s performance.
3. Impact on Stroke:
The correct weighting can help golfers maintain better control over the face angle (open or closed) and achieve a more consistent putting stroke, whether they are aiming to hit more straight putts or manage an arc in their stroke.
Conclusion:
Weighting is a key factor in customizing a putter to a golfer’s individual preferences and needs. Adjustable weighting systems allow golfers to fine-tune the putter’s performance, ensuring that the face behaves as desired through impact. By adjusting the weights, golfers can correct their tendencies (such as missing putts right or left) and achieve better consistency and control over their putting stroke.