Golf ball line wobbles then straightens

[Mtangy13]

I recently started putting lines on my ball to see what the issue is with my putting. What I find is right after impact the line wobbles a little bit straightens out before the hole. The longer it gets the more likely it’ll happen. I’m not exactly sure what this means or how to fix it. I’ve tried a lot of different things. Can someone tell me why the line wobbles at first? Then what I need to focus on to fix it.

[BirdieDoc]

Is the ball skipping at all? If it isn't a smooth roll or if the greens are choppy you could see this

[N0rs3man]

Try putting a little forward shaft lean on the outer just before you take it back, if that doesn't work try making the shaft more up and down or neutral

[SNIPERBBB]

Stroke isn't putting quite a true enough roll on the ball. Can be few different reasons for it from AoA to putting side spin on the ball.

[Mtangy13]

Your comments reminded me I have a slo mo setting on my phone. I took a couple of videos and noticed the ball isn’t quite rolling right after the hit. That explains why it starts off wobbly then straightens out. It also occurs when I hit the ball harder. I’m practicing on a birdie ball mat so I assume that has something to do with it. I did put a little forward lean and that helped. I also noticed when I put the ball forward in my stance just a bit it helps with the roll. I believe I don’t have a true roll putting style since I’m not a pro, but I also want to make sure it’s not horrible. The other thing I noticed was my putter being slightly open when hitting. I hit the ball better when it was square. There isn’t much of a difference but enough to cause significant changes. I would like to hear more thoughts because I’m sure someone will see this post and it’ll help them. Also any drills to help with AoA, correct shaft lean, and getting a roll right after impact would help a ton.

[cadoipi]

> @Mtangy13 said:

> I recently started putting lines on my ball to see what the issue is with my putting. What I find is right after impact the line wobbles a little bit straightens out before the hole. The longer it gets the more likely it’ll happen. I’m not exactly sure what this means or how to fix it. I’ve tried a lot of different things. Can someone tell me why the line wobbles at first? Then what I need to focus on to fix it.

 

I had a similar experience to you, for the life of me I could not get the ball to roll pure from the start. Turns out my putter was too close to the ground when I was making contact with the ball. For most putters, the putter needs to be ~1cm off the ground at contact in order for its sweet spot to hit the equator of the golf ball. Once I fixed this I got the ball to roll pure.

[Mtangy13]

So I went to my local course today to putt some. I found the roll was better when I closed the face, like a significant close at address. The odd thing is closing the face cause my putts to be pulled, but the line was facing the hole when I started. I think I’ll try putting some pennies behind the ball and try to hit over them so my club is raised a bit. I’m redoing my mechanics this fall so I know what to focus on during the winter.

[Fade]

I am posting because I find this topic interesting. One of my golf-friends' putts usually bounce terribly, he is not a bad golfer or putter even, mine generally roll nicely. I couldn't reproduce his bounces if I tried, and I assume he doesn't know how to get my roll. Perhaps I will learn something from the responses here.

[Moonlightgrm]

> @Mtangy13 said:

> I recently started putting lines on my ball to see what the issue is with my putting. What I find is right after impact the line wobbles a little bit straightens out before the hole. The longer it gets the more likely it’ll happen. I’m not exactly sure what this means or how to fix it. I’ve tried a lot of different things. Can someone tell me why the line wobbles at first? Then what I need to focus on to fix it.

I think the perceived wobble is the natural "skid" of each putt. The ball skids before friction causes it to roll. If the ball is finding the cup, why worry? I'd be more concerned that your eyes are following the ball over the first few feet of each putt. To quote Gary Player, "Stay down and through the putt. Your eyes should see the patch of grass where the ball once rested, before you turn your head to watch the putt."

 

[Mtangy13]

Don’t get me wrong, watching the ball is a bad habit, but I watch other people putt and the ball starts rolling quickly where mine starts about half way down the line. I did find the problem. My left wrist was cocking the putter back too far and face was hitting down into the ball causing a skid/bounce. I took a page out of tony finaus book and pointed both pointer fingers down and it kept the wrists locked. I miss a lot of putts 10-20 feet short. I know it’s not a typical length you should make, but my lines are usually good

[cadoipi]

> @Moonlightgrm said:

> I think the perceived wobble is the natural "skid" of each putt. The ball skids before friction causes it to roll. If the ball is finding the cup, why worry?

The wobble is caused by skidding and and having the putter face not square to the target line at impact. Due to angular momentum, a rolling ball has a trajectory that is more consistent and predictable compared to a skidding ball. Therefore all other things being equal, a person will have greater distance control and accuracy on their putts if they can consistently get the ball rolling almost immediately with minimal wobble of the line.

[SNIPERBBB]

> @Moonlightgrm said:

> > @Mtangy13 said:

> > I recently started putting lines on my ball to see what the issue is with my putting. What I find is right after impact the line wobbles a little bit straightens out before the hole. The longer it gets the more likely it’ll happen. I’m not exactly sure what this means or how to fix it. I’ve tried a lot of different things. Can someone tell me why the line wobbles at first? Then what I need to focus on to fix it.

> I think the perceived wobble is the natural "skid" of each putt. The ball skids before friction causes it to roll. If the ball is finding the cup, why worry? I'd be more concerned that your eyes are following the ball over the first few feet of each putt. To quote Gary Player, "Stay down and through the putt. Your eyes should see the patch of grass where the ball once rested, before you turn your head to watch the putt."

>

 

The ball doesn't find the cup much on breaking putts if you're putt skids or bounces unless you're very lucky.