Close Up Putting

[mjstrong]

I've noticed that, from the close up "down the line" putting views on TV, a lot of Tour pros appear to pull their putts online.

Is this just a wonky sample size, an indicator of d-plane balancing (aim right, swing up), or an eye/visual thing where most unintentionally aim right and have learned that slight pull stroke (this seems to be my own personal experience)?

Any thoughts?

 

[paspilot]

It could be the aim right with a slight pull that you suggest, or it might be the camera angle. I know that it looks pretty straight on to the putter head but if it is off even slightly with a long lens the sight lines can be deceptive.

 

[Matt 4-L]

Probably an optical illusion. A lot of guys use lines on their golf ball and the close up putts that I have seen the line usually rolls true which requires a square face and path to the line.

 

[mgranato]

Because of the smallish angles involved, I've always heard that getting accurate video of the putter is pretty tough to do on the fly. However, the worm cam does make for interesting observations. Imagine the pics from the local muni on a Saturday morning.

 

[mjstrong]

I suppose. I was hoping to dismiss the camera angle angle since it seems to be so common, I thought we'd see just as many push-looking strokes (which I don't) from the worm cam. To be definitive, of course, you'd need some accompanying Sam Puttlab data.

 

[drewyallop]

usually rolls true which requires a square face and path to the line.

I may be wrong but I believe this is incorrect. Doesn't it depend on angle of attack and true path? For example, a putter moving up and out at contact will result in a straight putt?

Drew

 

[Matt 4-L]

Not exactly what I was talking about you have taken my quote out of context. I was referring to the sharpie line rolling true, basically making the ball roll end over end. We know that the face needs to be the only thing square to your putting line to make the ball start on line. I was referring to the line or mark they put on their golf ball, to make it roll with out wobbling the face and path both have to match up to the intended line.