Need some help with putter type vs. eye dominance, alignment, etc.

[KMeloney]

Looking for rules-of-thumb/general info on fitting

Hey all,

Just wondering if I could compile, in one post, some of the rules-of-thumb and general info regarding suiting a putter to an individual, as well as how a given putting style will translate into ball path, etc.

For starters, I am extremely left-eye dominant (I have bigtime astigmatism in my right eye only), putt and play righty, and am 6'-0" tall. I have a 34" HS Spider that I like a lot -- but, I'm willing to also believe that it is not "optimized" for me, or that I'll need to make some set-up adjustments with it.

Based on this info, I'm looking for feedback on the following:

- What set-up tends to best suit the eye of a left-eye-dominant righty golfer? And why?

- Does eye-dominance play in a roll in center-shaft vs. heel shaft? What about a plumber's neck vs. double bend shaft? (I just can't putt well with blade putters, so keep mallets in mind for this discussion, please.)

- What combination tends to promote pushes/open alignement, and which promotes pulls/closed alignment? (I've seen this written somewhere, but don't recall the answer.)

- Is there a putter set-up that best suits a more upright putter path (ball closer to the feet), and one that best suits a stroke with more shaft lean (ball further from the feet)?

- Based on the previous question, without altering the shaft (bending the putter), will one ball/stroke position promote a pull or push?

Rather than just practicing trying to make the ball go into the hole, and knowing that I have some depth perception issues (btw, my left eye sees 20/20, so no problem with general vision -- just the vision in the right eye is a problem when only using that eye), I was hoping to get a better sense of some generalities that I can embrace/compensate for.

For example, if I could generalize that with the heel-shafted Spider, with the shaft more upright, with left-eye dominance, the putter will LOOK square but actually be aimed slightly LEFT, then I'd like to understand that an make adjustments.

Thanks, folks!

/< / /2 /<

[liveagua]

I had all these questions myself. This month's Golf Digest has an article about "Putting Myths" that was authored by Pat O'brien. I would read this first, then purchase his CD from SeeMore's website. It should answer all your questions.

[KMeloney]

I had all these questions myself. This month's Golf Digest has an article about "Putting Myths" that was authored by Pat O'brien. I would read this first, then purchase his CD from SeeMore's website. It should answer all your questions.

 

Unless we're talking about two different articles, I think the putting myths article only discussed three

myths, and I didn't find it terribly helpful... But, thanks.

 

What can you tell me about the CD? Is it more about promoting SeeMore putters, or about the art/science of putting?

 

Based on what I know about the red dot system on SeeMore putters, I don't think a SeeMore putter would work with my eyesight (and, I don't want to get away from the Spider)...

[SUMM1T]

The DVD addresses more myths and goes in depth as to why they are myths. It's great because it lets you see what he is saying the new Golf Digest magazine.

 

It does promote SeeMore. Because he's using that putter to demonstrate those myths. A lot of people are concerned with SeeMore not being "right" for them. It may take some getting used to, but the system truly works. If it didn't the company wouldn't be around. It's helped win a Masters, and they are getting more and more guys on Tour using it.

 

Again, different strokes or different folks, but give it a try, see if maybe there is something there you missed when you looked the first time at the SeeMore system.

[toys4tots16]

I also am a righty who is left-eye dominent. They key is to get your left eye over or slightly behind but on the putting line, but the problem with that is that this puts the putter head too far forward in your stance, which means you would need a non conventional putter head that had less offset- like a centershafted putter, or some custom putter lacking any offset. You will find a double bend shaft easier to putt with than a regular plumbers neck. (This is assuming that you keep you hands in the middle of your stance, and dont have a forward press.)

 

Hope that helped !

(also try putting left handed, I bet you do very well after a little bit of practice.)

[KMeloney]

I also am a righty who is left-eye dominent. They key is to get your left eye over or slightly behind but on the putting line, but the problem with that is that this puts the putter head too far forward in your stance, which means you would need a non conventional putter head that had less offset- like a centershafted putter, or some custom putter lacking any offset. You will find a double bend shaft easier to putt with than a regular plumbers neck. (This is assuming that you keep you hands in the middle of your stance, and dont have a forward press.)

 

Hope that helped !

(also try putting left handed, I bet you do very well after a little bit of practice.)

 

Thanks! This is the kind of info I am looking for.

[SUMM1T]

Another thing you could do is get on a TOMI system or V1 system and see what your putting stroke looks like. I spent some time on a TOMI system and it told me that I was aimed an avg. of .5'' left of target and that my putting stroke was good going back, but i would cross the line and come "over the top" coming through.

 

A center shafted putter will help you out a lot because it will not let your eyes play tricks on you with the club head being open/closed. It's a lot easier to see that on a center shafted putter.

 

I would set up with your eyes behind the ball, not over the ball. This will help promote the arc swing path, which is natural.

[PuttingDoctor]

My recommendation would be to work with someone who can help you see what you see ....better.

 

I tell a lot of folks, "we all see differently." I use the Kirk Curry laser system for my demo days and fittings. I would say that from my sample size that most left eye dominant right handed players will aim better with a straight shafted putter.

 

I have seen more of this group gravitate to a center shafted putter than heal shafted as well.

 

Work with a number of head and shaft combinations to figure out what you aim best with.

[KMeloney]

Thanks for the responses, folks. I really do need to work with someone who can stand behind me and tell me exactly what my tendencies are...

 

Thanks!