Face Angle & Start Direction
A putter face that is 2 degrees open at impact will miss the hole from 5 feet! For a putt to go in at 8 feet the angle of the face needs to less than 1 degree open or closed. Increase the distance to 15 feet and the putter face needs to less than 0.5 of a degree open or closed. Can you tell the difference between 1 degree closed / open to your target line?
Putter Face at Impact is the most important factor for determining start direction of the golf ball. Every wonder why the percentage putts on the PGA Tour drop off so quickly after 8 feet?
Quintic undertook a study to explain which is the more influential and by how much?
The study proved that Face Angle at impact accounted for as much as 90-92% of the starting direction of putts (centre strike with a two degree dynamic loft at impact). The question, then, is how does this translate into making or missing putts and can you even align your putter consistently at address? Do you have a face aim bias?
The Face Angle at impact as close to 0.00⁰ as possible with a face rotation of between -10 & -50⁰/sec (Please note this will be determined by the amount of spine angle and distance from the golf ball).
Causes of Poor Face Angle - Range
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Poor alignment of the putter at Address – check eyes, head, shoulder & putter grip
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Upper spine angle is too upright (check the length of the putter!)
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Too much forearm rotation ‘Hands on the club – are they neutral?’
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Manipulation of the wrists (flipping), weight moving away from the target
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Inconsistent ‘Ball Position’ – often too far inside the line with the eyes
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Anchor point of the putter is too low – belly putter...
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Check the amount of ‘Toe Hang’ – ‘more face balanced may help?’
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Head weight / Shaft weight / Grip weight = all have an influence
Consistency / Range Values How to interpret the numbers...
Blue / Eagle – Best of the Best!
The equivalent of a robot, it is not possible to do any better as a human being, please don’t try and improve this parameter, just ensure the you understands what you need to do to create such consistency for this parameter.
These are still very consistent numbers created by the player. Again ensure the You understands what you need to do to create such consistency for this parameter.
Average range numbers, you are not going to set the world on fire, however they are still more than acceptable ranges..
Irrespective of the level of golf played by the golfer, ranges in the red are going to hurt them, they display significant levels of inconsistency. Technique and club fitting need to be considered if putting performance is to be improved.
If you have now understood everything about Face Angle & Start Direction, congratulations. Now you can go to the next point, Clubhead Twist.
If you are still having trouble, find out which color you are and click on the corresponding text (e.g. Blue Eagle, Green Birdie, etc.)
Key Parameters How to interpret the numbers...
Putter Face Consistency (n=10 putts)
Face Angle & Start Direction