Putter Balance Types

[Region3]

I've been reading a bit about putters and putting on the internet over the last few days, but something's puzzling me and I can't find a definitive answer.

It says that a straight back and through putting stroke is suited to face-balanced putters and more of an arc is suited to a toe-down putter.

Some toe-down putters are only just below horizontal (about 4 o'clock) and others point straight down (6 o'clock).

Does it depend how much of an arc the putting stroke is to which of the 2 types of toe-down putters would suit best, or is there any general rule of thumb at all?

 

[USER1999]

Just find one you like, and stick with it. I can't see there is any great science to it. If you are roughly straight back and through, then mallet / face balanced, if not then go for a traditional anser type putter.

Either that, or go to Ping and get c/f'ed for one.

 

[Region3]

I was just curious more than anything if the 2 types of 'toe-down' putter were suited to anything inparticular.

 

[roccokj]

In my opinion your stroke doesn't have "suit" any putter. I have an Oddyssey Sabertooth which is face balanced and i swing on an arc but two putters before that I had a blade which I preffered to bring straight back and thru

 

[RGDave]

Interestingly, replying to an "ask the experts", I don't have the first idea of putter types and putting styles.

What I do know, is that a face balance putter (like my ugly mallet) has this weird way of always pointing straight up in the air (and square ) if you balance any part of the shaft on a finger. How this helps, I don't know, but presumably, if you hold the putter nice and gently there is less chance of the face swinging open or closed.

Can anyone shed any light?

...for those of you with a face balanced putter, next time you have it in your hands, place a finger under the shaft (near the head end...) and try to balance the putter on just a finger. It's like voodoo or something.

 

[Region3]

The "theory", although there are always exceptions, is that a face-balanced should be more suited to a stroke that goes straight back and through staying on the target line, so the face is always square to the target line.
A toe-down putter should be suited to a stroke that's more of an arc. The face opens on the backswing, squares up at impact, then closes on the follow-through.

I was just curious about the 2 degrees of toe-down-ness (I think I just made a word up!)

 

[Fore]

I recently bought an Odyssey putter. I went on their web site and did the putter fiting module. It was quite enlightening.
Although it recommended the putter i actually bought, which was not the most expensive, i tried out loads at World of golf but came back to the recommended putter. I putted 2 x 10 footers on the trot straight off in the shop so my mind was basically made up at that moment.

Try the odyssey site and you can vary the settings to see how their recommendations change in relation to posture, common faults and preferred feel etc.

 

[scottyfan]

Hi Region3,

No there is no absolute guideline on amount of toe down. The best way in my opinion to work ot which is best for you is to get your putting analaysed using sam lab or similar.
That will show up all the good / bad points about your putting stroke and should enable you to work with the pro running the session to determine improvement areas plus best putter fit.
There are a number or people around the country who specialise in putter fitting. One of the best in the South east is Gilroys Golf. I know three people who have been and they say Jason is the best in their opinion. Personally I had my Sam lab at my local club. It showed that although I was using a toe down heel shafted putter I would be better with a centre shaft either slightly toe down (4 oclock) or face balanced. ( interpetation of improvement criteria)

Other things the Sam lab will show is how you address the ball (open etc) how the putter moves, path plus degrees open/ closed before after impact, consistency of on centre strike, loft at impact, putter face rotation, tempo etc etc. Sitting down and analysing with the pro will enable you to work out what is best addressed by fixing technique an d what might be improved by a change of putter , putter weight, putter grip size etc.

regards scottyfan