The ability to adjust the angle of stance gives the golfer the opportunity for a perfect fit. The putter can be adjusted to fit the golfer rather than the golfer having to adjust to the putter. A lie angle adjustment feature will allow the golfer to ensure that the putter head is well supported (flat on the ground) at address while taking correct stance. This is vitally important for putters with front loft. Recent laser laboratory studies have shown that even a four degree error in tilt angle adjustment can cause a directional error of more than 1.4 inches at a distance of ten feet.

Face balance is essential for a proper straight back to straight putting stroke. Using a rear mounted center shaft can give a balanced face putter design. If proper allowances are made for the lie angle limit, the putter can have a USGA compliant adjustable lie angle design that remains balanced on the face at any lie angle.

If a putter offers an adjustable stance angle, it can now be tailored to the golfer for the proper length putter. Thus achieving the desired position of him with his eyes over the ball/target line. The golfer should stand in front of the ball with the arms hanging naturally straight. They should not be flexed or rigid. The basic putting stroke is accomplished with a one-piece movement of the triangle formed by the hands and arms when gripping the putter.

Recently, while running a putting clinic at a local country club, I noticed three consistent violations of the essentials of proper putter fit.

1) Incorrect length

Some men and almost all women golfers, both beginners and experienced, gripped their putters 3 to 4 inches because they were too long. The top sections of most putter grips have flat areas to help with alignment and help prevent overuse of the wrists. When golfers gripped 3 to 4 inches, their hands were close to the steel shaft. This prevented them from getting the benefit of the flat parts of the hilt. This issue could easily be resolved by cutting the shaft to the correct length and installing a new grip. This relatively inexpensive task can be done quickly by most pro shops or golf shops.

2) Incorrect lie angle setting

Many of the golfers either had the toe or heel of their putter off the ground at address or were standing with their eyes well placed inside the location of the ball to keep the head of the putter flat on the ground at address. In most of these cases, they were using putters with the wrong stance angles for their physical size and putting stance. Those golfers aiming at the ball with the heel or toe of the putter in the air were creating misalignment and stroke, and increasing the chances of catching part of the putter on the ground in a way that twisted the putter head off line. . Those golfers who directed their eye putts considerably inside the ball/target line were creating alignment difficulties. These areas can be quickly checked by having a friend watch your putting direction position or by using a “ball drop” drill. The golfer assumes his normal pitching stance holding a golf ball to the tip of his nose. They then drop the ball and note where it landed in relation to his feet/stance. Where the ball landed gives them the correct location of the ball in the setup.

3) Wrong weight

Most golfers used standard “out of the box” putters, regardless of whether they were too heavy or too light for them. They had to adapt to his putter. Proper putter weight setup is the key to good distance control and stroke consistency. Depending on relative hand/arm strength, green speed, playing conditions, and even personal day-to-day preferences, the golfer’s ability to adjust their putter weight is key to putting success.

The importance of proper balance of putter face, length, stance angle and weight in golf putter fit cannot be overstated. These areas are vital in helping the golfer become the best putter he can be.