Putter - Toe Hang vs. Visuals

[cjpsse]

Putting is all about confidence through a mixture of a repeatable stroke, hitting a starting line, consistent roll, etc. How much significance do y'all place on putter balance and toe hang versus looks, feel, and sound? At what point does putter design relative to your individual stroke outweigh visual pleasantries, familiarity, and comfort?

[Go Horns!]

You need to start a putter fitting with figuring out the head shape and alignment aid (or lack thereof) that gets you aimed at the target. Then figure out the toe hang you need. Then you figure out the putter weight you need. Once you get those three figured out, you then figure out the feel and sound.

[cjpsse]

Makes sense, and that's what I've personally done. But, just starting conversation to see if more folks go with putters that are technically correct or just grab what looks best off the shelf.

[IDrive300Fsport]

I went for something that was both technically correct and looks. Club champion did a great job of that.

[theredzone7]

> @"Go Horns!" said:

> You need to start a putter fitting with figuring out the head shape and alignment aid (or lack thereof) that gets you aimed at the target. Then figure out the toe hang you need. Then you figure out the putter weight you need. Once you get those three figured out, you then figure out the feel and sound.

 

Where do you recommend doing this?

[cjpsse]

> @theredzone7 said:

> > @"Go Horns!" said:

> > You need to start a putter fitting with figuring out the head shape and alignment aid (or lack thereof) that gets you aimed at the target. Then figure out the toe hang you need. Then you figure out the putter weight you need. Once you get those three figured out, you then figure out the feel and sound.

>

> Where do you recommend doing this?

 

I originally worked through a putter fitting with someone that has a SAM Putting Lab. Tons of information, lots of fun. I'm sure there are a few different systems that do the same thing, but practically Trackman for your putter.

[1Mordrid1]

> @cjpsse said:

> Putting is all about confidence through a mixture of a repeatable stroke, hitting a starting line, consistent roll, etc. How much significance do y'all place on putter balance and toe hang versus looks, feel, and sound? At what point does putter design relative to your individual stroke outweigh visual pleasantries, familiarity, and comfort?

 

Balance and feel are probably the first thing I try. As someone who likes to use a really short putter, sometimes this is difficult to find. If it feels good, then I will putt with it and see how it lines up to my eye and if it is to my liking. Then I focus on length and weight.

 

[Fairway14]

> @cjpsse said:

> Putting is all about confidence through a mixture of a repeatable stroke, hitting a starting line, consistent roll, etc. How much significance do y'all place on putter balance and toe hang versus looks, feel, and sound? At what point does putter design relative to your individual stroke outweigh visual pleasantries, familiarity, and comfort?

 

My putter criteria is as follows:

 

85% shaft length to head weight ratio

10% grip shape and grip weight

4% head design/shape

1% toe hang

[Go Horns!]

> @theredzone7 said:

> > @"Go Horns!" said:

> > You need to start a putter fitting with figuring out the head shape and alignment aid (or lack thereof) that gets you aimed at the target. Then figure out the toe hang you need. Then you figure out the putter weight you need. Once you get those three figured out, you then figure out the feel and sound.

>

> Where do you recommend doing this?

 

Find someone that uses the Edel fitting system, or tech like SAM Lab or Quintic. Depends on where you are located. The problem with SAM Lab is they attach weight to the putter to do the measurement. Quintic is a camera system.

[cjpsse]

> @Fairway14 said:

> > @cjpsse said:

> > Putting is all about confidence through a mixture of a repeatable stroke, hitting a starting line, consistent roll, etc. How much significance do y'all place on putter balance and toe hang versus looks, feel, and sound? At what point does putter design relative to your individual stroke outweigh visual pleasantries, familiarity, and comfort?

>

> My putter criteria is as follows:

>

> 85% shaft length to head weight ratio

> 10% grip shape and grip weight

> 4% head design/shape

> 1% toe hang

 

Totally blanked on the grip shape, as that is largely replaceable. BUT, throwing a fat super stroke on a toe hang will certainly alter how much you rotate the club open and shut... I'd imagine this nullifies a bit of the intended natural rotation of the putter. Heck, I made my putter into an armlock, which takes out a ton of variables.

[Red4282]

> @cjpsse said:

> Putting is all about confidence through a mixture of a repeatable stroke, hitting a starting line, consistent roll, etc. How much significance do y'all place on putter balance and toe hang versus looks, feel, and sound? At what point does putter design relative to your individual stroke outweigh visual pleasantries, familiarity, and comfort?

 

Toe hang or lack there of needs to compliment your stroke. Your stroke is based in posture and stance. What i have recently found interesting is how being right eye/left eye dominant subconsciously influences stance and therefor stroke. Being right eye dominant, i tend to set up a little open and almost “cut” my putts. Not ideal, but for those reasons a face balanced really helps me...a heavy toe hang is awful for me as it gets too open on me and i miss short and right.

[drscott266]

> @cjpsse said:

> Makes sense, and that's what I've personally done. But, just starting conversation to see if more folks go with putters that are technically correct or just grab what looks best off the shelf.

 

SAM putt lab will show what type of stroke you have, Club Champion can do that. Your pro shop may have someone who can assist with this just by watching you. People will argue for and against putter fitting on a technical basis, but I can tell you it truly helped me. I firmly believe you must for toe hang to your stroke, head shape just has to fit your eye, alignment is all personal but a pro can help assist you in telling you if you are able to line up correctly. I really struggle with lining up putts I have learned through this fitting.

[theredzone7]

For putter grips...is style, weight, size, all personal preference? Or is there a science behind it based on your stroke?

[cjpsse]

> @theredzone7 said:

> For putter grips...is style, weight, size, all personal preference? Or is there a science behind it based on your stroke?

 

In a very non-scientific way, I can absolutely see a difference in my putting stroke when using a pistol grip or one of the massive superstrokes. But, doesnt work the same for each user nor every configuration of how your hands are on the putter. Someone may love a pistol grip when they hold the putter with left hand low, but hate it when using the claw.