Putter
The putter is a different
species from the rest of our clubs. The Driver, Metalwoods and irons are about
hitting and smashing; the putter is about stroking. Metalwoods and
irons are clubs of utility; the putter is an instrument of emotion.
A good putter is like a good spouse, only harder to find.
Putting is in itself a
game within a game. And although techniques for a good putt are
as individual as the golfers themselves, some technical basics
need to be made clear.
Grip
The type, design
and size of the grip on the putter are a very personal choice.
One may prefer a slightly bigger or smaller size from time to
time.
Length
Selecting the
right putter's length to suit your putting posture is a very
important factor so as to enable your eye line direct over the
ball and over the line toward the hole. With the correct length
and a good posture, your arm should be able to hang freely for
a good pendulum stroke.
Loft-Angle
Loft is essentially
the key to a good roll. To have a true roll on your putts, you
want the ball rolling on top of the grass, and loft gets it here.
Too many lofts and your ball will get airborne, land and probably
bounce off line. Too little loft and you will force the ball
into the grass and it will rebound off line. Most putters have
3 to 4 degrees of loft. The loft angle of the putter face is
also affected by the way you hit the ball.
Lie-Angle
The putter
lie angle should be correct, even if the lie-angle is off by
significant degree; the small loft-angle will result in an off
line shot for long putt. Therefore golfers who experience direction
problem on long putt should examine their Lie-Angle.
Putter
Weight
Putting requires
a methodical, repeating tempo in the stroke, decreasing the total
weight of the putter is not generally considered to be key to
success on the greens. It is much easier to develop the proper
stroke tempo with high total weight in the putter than with a
very light total weight in the putter.
Club-face
Material
Today, putter's
clubface is made of various material inserted such as poly ABS
plastic and Bi/Tri-metal. The inserted material is to produce
a softer feedback 'feel' for individual golfer depending on the
material of the ball's cover used. The soft material will effectively
increase the amount of time the ball remains in contact with
the putter-face. It is also a phenomenon that usually results
in enhanced feedback to the hands and greater distance control.
Hosel -Offset
The primary
goal of creating offset putters is to encourage the golfer to
present his/her hands ahead of the ball at impact. This is said
to enhance the ability of the golfer to keep the speed of the
putter head accelerating slightly or constant, through the ball,
which is a key fundamental to hitting the putt consistently solid
on-center.
The amount of offset cannot
have dramatic effect on cutting down the amount unhinging of
the wrists through the impact zone, putter offset is considered
to be far more of an appearance related factor in the selection
of the putter than a performance related factor.