Physics putting question

[Matt 4-L]

I like to practice putting with a line around the equator of the ball and simply try to make the line roll straight with no wobbles... My question is it possible to make the line go straight with no wobbles with a bad stroke? I assume that the putter’s path has to be straight and the face has to be square to make the line on the equator go straight with no wobbles. I got to thinking maybe an out to in path with an open face might make it go straight also? If that’s possible then my practice method needs to be changed. Thanks, Matt

 

[puttmad]

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I like to practice putting with a line around the equator of the ball and simply try to make the line roll straight with no wobbles... My question is it possible to make the line go straight with no wobbles with a bad stroke? I assume that the putter’s path has to be straight and the face has to be square to make the line on the equator go straight with no wobbles. I got to thinking maybe an out to in path with an open face might make it go straight also? If that’s possible then my practice method needs to be changed. Thanks, Matt

Matt,
Path of the putter is secondary to blade position at impact..
OK it's good to have the correct path, but not essential, especially if it detracts from your concentration elsewhere...

You would be surprised to find out how many top putters have across the line path to their stroke...but it doesn't seem to matter much, the ball still goes in the hole...
If you want to focus on anything, focus on blade angle at impact, i.e. matching the blade angle to how you set it at address...

 

[jmessner]

I like to practice putting with a line around the equator of the ball and simply try to make the line roll straight with no wobbles... My question is it possible to make the line go straight with no wobbles with a bad stroke? I assume that the putter’s path has to be straight and the face has to be square to make the line on the equator go straight with no wobbles. I got to thinking maybe an out to in path with an open face might make it go straight also? If that’s possible then my practice method needs to be changed. Thanks, Matt

Matt-
Theoretically, the ball should do the same off the putterface as with a full swing. In other words, if the face angle is different than the path, there should be some amount of side spin. So, I think it's good practice. My brother gave me some of those Pelz O-balls that have two lines around the ball. I was amazed how bad my stroke was - they wobbled all over the place.

Jay

 

[puttmad]

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Matt-
Theoretically, the ball should do the same off the putterface as with a full swing. In other words, if the face angle is different than the path, there should be some amount of side spin. So, I think it's good practice. My brother gave me some of those Pelz O-balls that have two lines around the ball. I was amazed how bad my stroke was - they wobbled all over the place.

Jay

Not quite the same mate...there is hardly any compression on a putt....and it is pretty hard to get enough side spin on a gold ball for it to make any difference....

What you experienced was in fact the results of an INITIAL moment of side spin as the putter struck the ball. After that the ball would roll as normal, but you would see the wobbly effect of the lines as they had been offset at the moment of impact...

 

[jmessner]

Not quite the same mate...there is hardly any compression on a putt....and it is pretty hard to get enough side spin on a gold ball for it to make any difference....

What you experienced was in fact the results of an INITIAL moment of side spin as the putter struck the ball. After that the ball would roll as normal, but you would see the wobbly effect of the lines as they had been offset at the moment of impact...

Of course the friction from the ground will cause the ball to tumble straight after some time. My comments were directed at the moment of impact - so if the line on the ball is not rolling straight something was not aligned at impact - either face or path or both. The OP asked if that was a good method to detect something out of line at impact - which I think it pretty much is. Now, if someone doesn't want to putt with a square face and path, then they shouldn't use this aid. Bobby Locke evidently "hooked" his putts and was a very good putter so go figure.