Putting D Plane proposal

[mjstrong]

Since research has shown (correct me if I'm wrong) that a slight upstroke is needed to create optimal roll in a putt, it seems justifiable to aim (very) slightly right to account for the "in" vector of the "up" stroke.

Idea: instead of soling the putter directly behind the ball, aimed right, would a better compromise not be to sole the putter some distance (an inch or so) behind the ball in order to account for the "up" as it nears the ball?

For example, if you were to have an "Iron Byron" putting machine that produced a slight upstroke for optimal roll, with an on-plane swing of approx. 70 degrees, it could not start with the sole of the putter immediately behind the ball, because it would return to that point (and therefore have a level-ish stroke).

I know these are very small differences but, in the name of the search for perfection, it makes theoretical sense, no?

Thoughts?

 

[Richie3Jack]

I understand where you are coming from, but *at this moment* my thoughts are you should not aim out to the right because while you want to hit slightly up with the putter, the putter doesn't have the backspin axis that a shot with an iron or a driver has.





3JACK

 

[Damon Lucas]

It's a band-aid, MJ!

The whole idea that a putter will swing only according to one parameter is a bit silly. Your set up, shoulder motion, hand and arm and wrist motion will all also affect the movement dynamics.

Why does there need to be this symmetry in the through stroke anyway?

I am not a believer in aiming in a different direction than the intended starting direction. I understand that there are successful players who do that , and I wouldn't necessarily dissuade them from this, but it is not a good platform IMO.

 

[westy]

Your'e onto it.
Ritchie's comment about spin i believe is not altogether relevant, just that the separation in the two d-plane vectors is very close together. i.e path is generally agreed as +1.5 to +1.75ish and square to aimline, with the true face vector straight above that assuming the ground is horizontal. then your putter has say five degrees of loft, so the true face vector is 5 degrees above the +1.5 of upward path.
Both point straight ahead but diverge slowly. And are easy to tilt because of this.
Pitching wedge vectors diverge fast, (hit down, face point up lots)......easier to hit straight too because its harder to tilt the axis.
+1.5 is about 2 inches forward of the bottom of your arc. (pelz)
Ritchie's axis tilt should be the same as the surface tilt to impart good roll...ie if you were putting on a tilted section of a green, you would want to roll your rock off the face with the tilt at the same angle.
Hit up below the horizontal equator.

Aiming is a futile exercise.
Trust your instincts, they are way better.
Understanding will zero out compensation.
If your putter has a line on it you better know where to point it....

 

[ZAP]

Seems to me that the "flight" of a putt is so short that D-Plane is going to have limited application. Since the ball starts where the face is aimed I would have to say that trying to aim anywhere other than your intended line is not a good idea.

 

[Brian Manzella]

If,

you make a perfectly on-an-inclined-plane putting stroke,

you MUST either aim right slightly or have the face open slightly at impact,

If,

you hot the ball on the way up, which is an ideal strike for putting.