Putting Geometry

[Homerson]

V.J,

If the ball is just in front of low point, would that not lead to a pull, however slight?

What are your thoughts on the hit down versus hit up arguments, and why?

What are your preferences with the loft of the putter?

Thanks

[vj]

Understand that low point is three dimensional. The club is moving down and out and forward-Once there the club will move up and in and forward. When the ball is placed at or just in front of low point it will not lead to a push because #3 traces a straight base line. If your mind sees the arc of approach and separation and begins to believe this is what #3 is doing then you are in trouble. Don't confuse the two.

As far as the down vs up stuff.....just look at the pics. The shaft should not be laying back too much, nor should it be leaning forward to much. I like an equivalency of FLW in putting, this will have the shaft perpendicular to lean forward. So...I feel it is imperative to hit down on the putt (in your mind) while at the same time have the ball at or just in front of lowpoint so that you do not beat it into the ground. There are alternatives to this procedure.....Just one man's opinion.

Loft? It goes back to your mechanics. Mallet putters with large MOIs tend to have no loft because the center of gravity is so far away and down from the face. If it had much loft on it you would be "chipping". Anser types should employ a minimum of 5 degrees loft in my mind. The shaft of the plumber neck type putters tend to lean forward naturally.

So loft is an issue of putter design in many ways.