So I went for a fit using the Sam Puttlab

[Slugsy]

Confused

So I wanted to get a health check on my putting and check I had the right putter.

Effectively I was told that I had a really consistent stroke that went back straight and through fairly straight and very consistent. However I had my hands low and the putter toe was up and I had a lot of off centre hits. I already have a face balanced Bettinardi putter and was told to change my hands and get the putter more flat on ground.

The thing is, I mentally prefer a more open/shut style ie Utley but I'm convinced that because I mistakenly have this, while nice putter, face balanced, I've become more straight back and through as a result of it to get better results and I'm not maximising my putting potential as a result?

The conclusion of the session was to keep my putter and work on the lie by raising my hands but I'm not 100% convinced that this was right? I wondered what a neutral opinion thought? Am I just hankering for a Scotty Cameron etc but should really look at the stats and do what's been suggested or should I ignore what has been concluded and go with gut/personal preference?

[pgagreg1]

Very consistent and a lot of off center hits? I'm confused

[Matty Fatts]

First, I would try having the lie angle adjusted to be more flat.

That way you don't have to change your stroke or hand position to get the putter to lie flat.

Hopefully this will result in more consistent on center hits.

[lightningbolt444]

Putt how you feel comfortable and then get fit to that not the other way around. If you like the toe up look maybe look to grab a JAM . Was the whole stroke consistent including path,rotation etc or just path?

[nosil]

[quote name='Slugsy' timestamp='1324590181' post='3977085']
Effectively I was told that I had a really consistent stroke that went back straight and through fairly straight and very consistent. However I had my hands low and the putter toe was up and I had a lot of off centre hits. I already have a face balanced Bettinardi putter and was told to change my hands and get the putter more flat on ground.
[/quote]

With the toe up you will probably get some off center hits. Toe up should generally lead to misses left. What is your typical miss with this putter?


[quote name='Slugsy' timestamp='1324590181' post='3977085']
The thing is, I mentally prefer a more open/shut style ie Utley but I'm convinced that because I mistakenly have this, while nice putter, face balanced, I've become more straight back and through as a result of it to get better results and I'm not maximising my putting potential as a result?
[/quote]
Why do you prefer this style. You should prefer YOUR style of putting that gets the ball in the hole. I personaly thing SBST is not really possible and all strokes have some arc. Plus a face balanced putter is more about rotation than path. Again what is your typical miss?

[quote name='Slugsy' timestamp='1324590181' post='3977085']
The conclusion of the session was to keep my putter and work on the lie by raising my hands but I'm not 100% convinced that this was right? I wondered what a neutral opinion thought? Am I just hankering for a Scotty Cameron etc but should really look at the stats and do what's been suggested or should I ignore what has been concluded and go with gut/personal preference?
[/quote]

If your misses are left, I would either raise my hands or flatten the lie on the putter to get it flat. I think that will help with the miss hits as well. Overall sounds like pretty sound advice to at least try before you make any decisions about new putters. Flattening the lie will not require any change to your setup or stroke so why can it hurt? Maybe you will putt better

[Slugsy]

Some really good advice, thanks. Re my off centre, I had a very consistent path but was also consistently hitting towards the heel, off centre!

Nosil, I totally take your points and will try to amend my set up and work hard to see if this works. If not I think the next step will be to actually get a fitted putter?

[PuttingDoctor]

Slugsy, there are some confusing issues as stated by some in the above posts. Did you receive a copy of your report?

As Nosil stated, If your Betti is standard loft of 4 degrees then the toe up will have the face looking left.

Strong fundamentals are important but correct fit will accomplish a lot too. I didn't see any mention of your level of handicap.

If you have your report I'd be happy to have a blind look at the results for you.

Just email [email protected]

As an after thought you should know that Stan Utley addresses PGA groups with the following statements, "I teach straight back straight through ON PLANE." and "I want face angle to remain square to the path of the putter throughout the putting stroke."

What this looks like on the SAM overhead view is a very slight arc inside to inside. It is not the overcooked fanning action many think and try to manufacture in their putting strokes. When face angle remains square the toe looks like it opens and closes as the path arcs.

[Slugsy]

Puttingdoctor, I do have the report and will email it in a couple of hours as I would greatly appreciate your thoughts. I'm a 5 handicap whose putting can be described as streaky and quite honestly could be improved a lot (normal round tends to be either 27/28 putts or 35/36 with not much in between and lately more normally 35/36). I am not confident at the moment as to what the right thing to do is so I would welcome your thoughts.

[Parshutr37]

My advice would be to do whatever is necessary to get perfectly centered hits. If you do that, your blade orientation at impact will be perfect (i.e. not impart any sidespin). If your off-center hits are toward the toe, you're closing the blade to compensate for an arc stroke. Marius Filmater found that the best putters are arc-to-straight. Line up with the shaft vertical and the face aligned with your target, but leave about one ball open space between the ball and the blade. Then arc in to a square position BEFORE impact, which firms up the wrists and leads to a slight upward impact.
Yes, it's complicated, but it's what Faxon, Woods, etc., have trained themselves to do.
Most putting instruction, including Utley, is well-meaning but simplified to help amateurs improve from rotten to mediocre.

[pingfool]

35/36 putt per round...time to try something different.

If you were "fit" using SAM Put Lab by a certified professional, I would follow the recommendations.

Work on 8-10' w/ your eyes closed.