How to be more accurate on shorter putts

wings02 · February 10

I’ve been playing golf for more than fifty years and must say, my putting has improved. I have always been a decent putter and with a handicap of 8, I find my putting has been part of the reason. I recently made an adjustment in the lie angle of my putter and have found that has really helped. Normal stock lie angle of putter’s is around 69-70 degrees. Up until a year ago, that is what I used. One day I was experimenting by standing closer to the ball and forcing my lie angle much more upright. I found it accomplished two things. I was able to see the alignment better because my head was more over the ball. At 66years old and having a bad lower back, I could not bend as much at the hip to allow my head to be more over the ball especially when using a putter with a lower lie angle. Another thing a higher lie angle allows me to do is lock my wrists better. This adjustment gives me a more consistent stroke especially a straighter take away.
I’m a fan of L.A.B. putters so I had to purchase and sell a few before I dialed in the lie angle that most suited for me. I actually took an old Bobby Grace center shafted putter and elongated the shaft hole from heel to toe to allow me to change the angle. I built a jig and used a digital angle tool made by Klein. I would set up the lie angle and then epoxy the shaft in place. It took a few times doing this to accomplish the lie angle I felt worked the best. For me it was around 79-80 degrees. I purchased a used LAB DF2.1 with a 78 lie angle. So far, it was worked out well. I’m hoping to order their new DF3 model and will get it in a 79 degree lie angle.
Experiment with your own putter by standing closer to the ball and forcing your putter in a more upright position and hit a few putts. It probably isn’t for everyone but It sure has helped me.

Maximilian · February 10

Great you found what works for you! I totally agree that higher hands lock the wrists in place quite naturally.

But thing is, we all see things differently. My eyes see the line best from fairly far inside of the ball. So for me, standing upright and fairly far from the ball is what works the best. I couldn’t use as upright lie angle as you do. Shortish putts is probably my biggest strength since I figured this out, but it won’t work for the next person.

Shilgy · February 10

Just don’t go past 80°. That is the legal limit per equipment rules.

wings02 · February 10

Yes, correct!!!

jda · February 10

You should always be close enough that your eyes are over the ball. If you need a second mark to make sure that your putter is level, then get one - sharpie is fine.

Otherwise, work on spacial awareness - not related to this. IMO, the lines on balls are keeping people from developing this skill. Do all of your practicing without any alignment aid like a ball line. Get to where you can just see what you need to see.

I help with HS golf and most of them are not good. We sometimes put another mark on their putters so that they can get them right. It is a quick and easy way to at least have the tool aligned for them not being rocked back on the heel or whatever. Then, if they want to use a sight line on the ball, they are standing right above it and can rely on it without being a few degrees further back.