Putting - Straight or Arc?

What kind of a golfer are you? Are you committed? Passionate? The least that you should be is to reflect your current status of being Operationally-Ready NSmen which means that at any given time, when your code is being flashed - be it on your mobile phone, computer, in the cinemas or on radio, your golf bag is already in the car boot and within six hours you'll be at the golf course to whack the daylights out of some dimpled balls. Even carrying your child piggy-backed.

Heard the one about the chicken and the pig? They were walking across the street and saw a restaurant's breakfast banner: "Egg and Ham" breakfast for $3! The chicken said: "For that, I have to give a day's work, that's what I called commitment". The pig said: "For that, I have to lay down my life. That's what commitment is." This is the chicken and pig situation. Are you prepared to lay an occasional egg or to give ham? 

This is golf as in life. Be prepared to always give more and watch the magic unfolds. I know that some of us are more talented and feel that since we are so gifted, we need less practice. Bruce Lee once said that he doesn't fear the man who practised a thousand different kicks once but he feared the man who practised a single kick a thousand times. Get the drift?

Some people are efficient and some people are effective. What's the difference? Being efficient is a good thing but one can be very efficient doing the wrong things which will inevitably lead to the wrong destination faster. Being effective is to have the power to produce desired effect and therefore, success. Alright, now for something to ponder over the weekend:

How Do You Putt?

How do you putt? Straight or arc? As previously mentioned, some of us may think that we are putting straight back and straight through when in fact we could be putting in an arc even if it were a very tiny arc. By just rotating your putter club head a wee bit, you are already opening and closing the club head and making an arc. Old school taught us that putting is straight back and straight through but in every club that we use to hit the golf ball, we do so in an arc. Designs of putters - head shapes, style of neck and hosel and even the types of shaft suggested strongly that there existed two school of thoughts for some time and modern video technology captures putting strokes more in an arc than straight.

Straight or Arc?

Old school gurus preach about putting being straight back and straight through while modern day gurus are now teaching that putting is in fact an arc. It is as confusing as doctors giving you contradictory advice on whether how many eggs you should eat. What do I say to this? I say live and let live. Eat what you like but do so moderately. Oh dear, I am confused. I should be talking about putting not eggs lest you get eggs on your face. You should really adopt what is the most natural to you. It is during the most pressurised moment that you need to be at your natural best. An adopted and fake stance which is not natural can make you crumble during critical moments.

USGA Rules

USGA Rules allow for putter shaft to be no greater than 80 degree to the ground. It also requires that players must have both feet on the same side of the ball. What this means is that it will be more like hitting a baseball or as in hockey or tennis which are all about hitting from the side and the only way one can hit from the side is to be swinging in an arc. A typical and standard putter usually comes with a lie angle of 71 degree in most brands and models.

Research

In some circles of putting researches, it was found that golfers who swing straight back and straight through actually manipulates the putter face to close and open going back and forth which may not be natural and over time you may lose it. It is better not to think straight and back but just focus and concentrate on your line of putt and speed and distance control. What is important is that your swing is natural which will probably lead to an arc. Some may do so with a bigger arc and some smaller. A good putt is an instinctive one and not mechanical - slight elbow bend, no tension in arms/hands (soft hands), eyes directly over the ball or slightly behind the ball. Some golfers may lean the shaft forward or back which alter the built-in loft which is not recommended. Players who suffer from Yips usually have a straight back and straight through stroke. A phenomenal amount of concentration and precision is needed on your putts because one or two degrees off from ten feet will make you miss the hole by quite a fair bit. I mean if you roll a ball on a world map aiming for Canada and you could end up in Africa.

How Does Tiger Putts?

So far, all these nitty gritty details may not catch your attention unless I put a picture of a bikini-clad woman next to it or when I mention Tiger Woods. So how does Tiger putts? Straight or arc?

Tiger Woods rotates his putter in an arc at a total of 11 degrees in his stroke. This means the club face will open and close. Examine the figures - his putting stroke is 4.5 degrees open moving backwards and 6.5 degrees close moving forward in his follow through. This forms a total of 11 degree in movement. Therefore, Woods putts with an arcing stroke. Now, how Tiger putts is really none of your business but how you putt matters. Go on and discover it for yourself. There are tangible rewards at the end of the rainbow, for there lies a pot of gold. In the hole!

Do fill me up on what you think about your putting stroke or what you think it should be. You can share and post your comments here too.

Golf as in life, play as it lies!