is the clubhead freewheeling through impact on a putt?

[bryan@nobackswing.com]

the physics would say yes, right? same as full swing?

are there differences because the clubhead is coming in much more slowly?

basically what i am trying to figure out is if there is any benefit to holding the putter firmly vs. letting it "fall" into the ball.

 

[dbl]

Freewheeling means you can model the dynamics of the clubhead as just a point mass, no shaft and no input from hands up on the shaft during impact interval.

That said, there are different trajectories you can send the clubhead on before impact. Some of them would have the putterhead moving up vertically, and some would have it level for instance.

Think Arnold Palmer wristy stroke versus a sled delivery of hands level to ground. My opinion is you want control and repeatability, and so whatever style works is 'ok'.

 

[dschultz6072]

I just hold that thing against my chest and give it the ole' 1-2. Then I sit on it. The putter shaft.

I don't see how a putter head can free wheel unless you're actually teeing up a ball and taking a rip at it. The shaft does not bend when the putter head is being swung at such a slow pace, as far as I know. I wouldn't want it to bend, either.