GETTING THE RIGHT PUTTER IS MORE SCIENCE THAN ART By Ignis van der Merwe
The putter is the most used club in every golfer’s bag, yet the most neglect- ed choice when it comes to a fitting. Only one in four golfers are said to be using a putter that suits them. Choosing a putter based on what feels comfortable, what tour players are using, or one that gives instant results on the practice green, is not the solution. A fitting is necessary no matter your skill level. Having confidence in a putter correctly fit- ted to your stroke can be the breakthrough to play better golf. A fitting helps address three key putting issues: 1/ Aim, 2/ Starting direction, 3/ Speed. According to GolfTec, putts are missed if your putter face is more than 1.2 degrees open or closed at impact, a tiny margin of error. Starting the ball on the correct line is a crucial element of putting. And a combi- nation of direction and speed determines whether the ball finds the hole. With that in mind, here are the key factors to consider when selecting a putter. Lie angle Crucial in controlling the ball’s initial direc- tion after impact. If the toe is too high or upright (pointing up), the ball will tend to be pulled left. Conversely, if the toe is too low (an upright heel), the ball will be pushed right. An incorrect lie angle also results in a less solid strike, as the ball is impacted at an angle rather than flush with the putter face. This can introduce sidespin, further affect- ing accuracy. Having the correct lie angle will improve consistency and accuracy. Putter Length Finding the right putter length for your height and stroke is essential for consistent, quality putts. Using a putter that’s too long or too short can lead to poor posture, incon-
sistent contact, and overall struggles on the greens. Putter length is measured from the sole of the putter (below the hosel) to the top of the shaft. A putter must be at least 45.72 centimetres (18 inches) long, but there is no maximum restriction. Golfers have experi- mented with a variety of lengths, from short putters to belly putters, chest putters, and even those that rest against the chin. The recent trend is towards shorter putters. Manufacturers now offer 34-inch putters (86.36cm) as the new men’s stan- dard, replacing the 35-inch norm. Standard women’s putter lengths have been reduced from 34 to 33 inches, and women shorter in height than 1.6 metres should look at 30-31 inches. However, the shorter the putter, the heavier the head needs to be, to maintain the proper swing weight. This trend aligns with modern putting techniques, which emphasise a natural, free- flowing stroke where arms and hands swing more directly beneath the shoulders. Find- ing the right putter length can enhance both comfort and consistency, leading to better performance on the greens. Loft: Key To Consistent Distance Control When a ball rests on the green it sits in a depression created by its own weight. Re- gardless of how hard a putt is struck, the ball will skid for 14 to 20 percent of the total distance before transitioning into a true roll. The purpose of putter loft is to ensure a con- sistent balance of skid and roll on every putt, helping with distance control and accuracy. When striking a putt, the ball needs to be lifted slightly out of its depression so it can skid smoothly across the surface rather than through the grass. If the ball isn’t lifted enough, or lifted too high, it will bounce, cre-
ating an inconsistent skid and roll pattern. This makes it harder to control distance. Golfers achieve the best results with a putter launch angle of 4 degrees. However, a putter designed with 4 degrees of loft doesn’t mean automatically delivering that amount at impact. Actual loft is influenced by: Hands ahead of putter head at impact » De-lofting the putter (lowering launch angle) Hands square to putter head at impact » Utilising the putter’s true loft Hands behind putter head at impact » Increasing loft (potential bouncing) A putter fitting can analyse your stroke and determine if your loft is optimised for a smooth, consistent roll.
Swing Weight: Key to Distance and Control
Modern putters have heads that are too light, negatively impacting distance and consisten- cy. Swing weight determines whether a putter head is too heavy, too light, or within the opti- mal range. The ideal swing weight for a putter
A putter is the easiest club to get fit for Your putting stroke is generally your most repeatable, so that makes it the easiest to analyse, and sometimes the recommended changes (length, lie angle, grip) don’t require a putter change. Even if you want something new, resist the urge to test a bunch of putters off the rack. You might make a few good putts, but that doesn’t mean you’re lined up with it or that it has the right weighting for you. Focus not only on the head shape, but the hosel position, weight distribution and alignment lines – the stuff that can make a difference.
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