Putting - Setup - Handle Position

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-18-2007
This article has been read 4947 times.

Putting Setup - Handle Position

Now that we have talked about the ball position, let's move on to the putter and where you should sole it as you address the golf ball. You have to sole the putter head on the ground as close to the golf ball as possible without touching it. You should be able to see a couple of blades of grass between the golf ball and the face of the putter.

Get the Lie Correct First

Keep in mind the average putter has 4 degrees of loft and that is not enough for you to see it. When you sole the putter on the ground, the grip end of the golf club must point to the center of your body.(#10)

If you have the putter square at address (putter face aiming towards your target) with the correct amount of loft and the grip end is pointing towards the middle of your body, you are ready to go. Do not forget you have to have the putter soled (the bottom of the putter must rest on the ground, the toe nor can the heel be in the air).(#11)

There are a couple of mistakes that can happen at address.

If the grip end of the putter is too far forward at address (more towards your left pant leg) the putter will not have enough loft at impact.(#12) If the putter does not have enough loft at impact, the golf ball will drive into the ground and the ball will hop along the way towards the cup. You will not get that smooth role you are looking for.

If the grip end of the putter is too far back at address (more towards your right pant leg) the putter will have too much loft at impact.(#13) If the putter has too much loft at impact, the golf ball will loft into the air. Again you will not get that smooth role you are looking for.

The bottom line of the clubhead and shaft is, if you do not start correctly at address it does not matter how good of a read, aim or stroke you have, it all goes out the window if you do not start it right.

One final thought. Some golfers have a forward press. A forward press is when just before you start the stroke you move the putter grip slightly towards the target and then you start the stroke.

This is fine as long as your forward press is a SLIGHT move of the putter grip towards your target. Make sure you do not move it to the right or left but straight towards the target.