Putting Setup Aspects

[mjstrong]

Re-read Brian's Rolling the Rock article (by the way, a great way to scan some really good threads is to list them by # of views in the pull down menu, bottom left). It talks about what the putter should be doing, which is the most important thing. However, I'm wondering about what aspects of the setup he'd find important in order to execute those putter fundamentals.

Specifically, I was wondering to myself about the amount of tilt great putters have. I know that most advocate very level shoulders (ie. zero tilt), but Mickelson sure has some tilt to his setup. Just want to hear some thoughts from everybody out there.

 

[suns11111]

Kind of strange no one has touched this one. Personally I don't like Phils putting setup. To manufactured. I like the was Aaron Baddley sets up to the ball, watched him on the GC. Couple practice swings perpendicular to the target, setup to the ball, one look and in no time the ball was in the hole. Guess I really never paid attention his routine till now.

 

[mjstrong]

Any others?

Kind of strange no one has touched this one. Personally I don't like Phils putting setup. To manufactured. I like the was Aaron Baddley sets up to the ball, watched him on the GC. Couple practice swings perpendicular to the target, setup to the ball, one look and in no time the ball was in the hole. Guess I really never paid attention his routine till now.

I like his routine, nice and fast. His setup is more level though. Can anybody think of guys other than Phil who show the same kind of tilt in their putting setup? Mr. Nicklaus definitely had his head behind the ball, but not really due to axis tilt...

 

[puttmad]

Jack's shoulders had loads of tilt on them...

 

[holeout]

When you guys say "tilt" do you mean axis tilt or shoulder tilt? Because I think what you see is more shrug on the rear shoulder than anything. I don't think Phil or Jack really had a ton of axis tilt in their putting; it's more related to how much they are shrugging their rear shoulder (right for Jack, left for Phil).

 

[mjstrong]

When you guys say "tilt" do you mean axis tilt or shoulder tilt? Because I think what you see is more shrug on the rear shoulder than anything. I don't think Phil or Jack really had a ton of axis tilt in their putting; it's more related to how much they are shrugging their rear shoulder (right for Jack, left for Phil).

I was referring to axis tilt originally. Jack definitely had his shoulders tilted, but I couldn't find any face-on images to get a great look.

Would all effective putting patterns then use No axis tilt? Shoulder tilt, and shoulder shrug notwithstanding...

 

[holeout]

I was referring to axis tilt originally. Jack definitely had his shoulders tilted, but I couldn't find any face-on images to get a great look.

Would all effective putting patterns then use No axis tilt? Shoulder tilt, and shoulder shrug notwithstanding...

I think it would depend on the player, as all things do. I'm sure there's some tilt present in all strokes, but not to the same degree that we would see it in full swings. I also doubt that axis tilt is as important in putting as it is in a full swing either. Shoulder tilt (a term I just kind of used out of the blue, apologies if it's not technically being used correctly) or shoulder shrug, I think, more accurately describes the difference you see between a guy like Phil (lots of shrug on his left/rear shoulder) and a guy like Badds (level-ish shoulders in comparison).

Edit: Just thought some more about this. Guys that hang their arms straight down from their shoulders, like Phil, seem to have this "tilted" look more to their putting since their rear hand has to reach down so much farther to grip the club. A guy like Badds, who also has to reach down farther with his rear hand also, doesn't have as much of a "tilted" look since he doesn't hang his arms straight down and allows some bend in each arm. His shoulders level, he only has to straighten his rear arm more than his left to grip the club, rather than tilt or shrug his shoulders.

 

[mjstrong]

I think it would depend on the player, as all things do. I'm sure there's some tilt present in all strokes, but not to the same degree that we would see it in full swings. I also doubt that axis tilt is as important in putting as it is in a full swing either. Shoulder tilt (a term I just kind of used out of the blue, apologies if it's not technically being used correctly) or shoulder shrug, I think, more accurately describes the difference you see between a guy like Phil (lots of shrug on his left/rear shoulder) and a guy like Badds (level-ish shoulders in comparison).

Edit: Just thought some more about this. Guys that hang their arms straight down from their shoulders, like Phil, seem to have this "tilted" look more to their putting since their rear hand has to reach down so much farther to grip the club. A guy like Badds, who also has to reach down farther with his rear hand also, doesn't have as much of a "tilted" look since he doesn't hang his arms straight down and allows some bend in each arm. His shoulders level, he only has to straighten his rear arm more than his left to grip the club, rather than tilt or shrug his shoulders.

Good thought there. That's definitely true.

 

[holeout]

Good thought there. That's definitely true.

Thanks!

Anyone else have thoughts?

FYI Brian has modified some of his thoughts on putting since the "Rolling the Rock" article, I believe. I think his "Matrix Putting" will be in part of the upcoming "Friends" video.