Forward Press and Putter Loft

[MattGolfs]

For those of you that forward press when putting, what loft do you have on your putter?

 

I started forward pressing recently, almost to the point where i’m locking my left wrist and found it to be a really good trigger and it stabilizes my putting stroke. The issue is, my putter has 2° of loft so I feel like it need to hit up on the ball for it to roll smoothly and not skid into the ground. Going to get it bend to 4° before my round tomorrow but was curious to what everyone else has on there’s!

[MattM97]

0-3° for me and I just have the ball up in my stance due to my eye dominance. 

[driveandputtmachine]

Loft needed with or without forward press will be based on starting ball location.  If you are towards lead foot, less loft is needed, if towards the middle more can be needed depending upon actual location.

 

I forward press with a standard putter and play the ball in the middle part of my stance.  I hate putters being bent for loft, so I have someone mill the loft.  This is a visual trigger problem for me and affects my aiming.

 

Remember starting direction and ball placement are first.  Do not move ball position to accommodate a forward press.  For most folks it will throw off your starting line due to your stroke the closed at one rate in the middle of your stance, and towards the lead foot that same closure rate will throw off your start line.

 

I know many say putting fittings and toe hang and everything else are not worth it.  I disagree, as most am's never start the ball where they are aiming.  Finding your correct ball location for your closure rate and then you adjust the loft of the putter, then you figure out visual queues to aim where you think you are aiming.   Changing your natural stroke is a fools errand, fit your tool to your stroke(path and closure rate to ball position).

 

This is the entire reason I am testing a 39 inch putter, with a split handed grip, counter weighted and heavier head weight. I am trying to match my tool to what I do best naturally.  It is not arm lock and this runs counter to what many will tell you for a consistent stroke, but I am trying to be more athletic and less mechanical with my putting.  I am 6 rounds in and the results have been great.

[PixlPutterman]

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This is correct.

 

I press with the ball closer to my back foot (with an open stance) and have 4* of loft

[MattGolfs]

Thanks everyone, my ball position is a bit forward of the middle of my stance. I switched up the loft to 3.5° yesterday and felt like I was getting a lot better contact with the putter face and not hitting down on it so much!