Mastering the putting stroke is a key aspect of excelling in golf. One crucial concept to grasp is the idea that the putting stroke should travel on an arc rather than moving straight back and straight forward. Some of the reasons why this should happen.
Understanding the Concept of Arc in Putting
So a great visual to have is that the putting stroke works along part of a circle and that circle sits on an inclined plane. The sub section of any circumference of a circle is called an arc.
Hence why the putting works on an arc. When the circle sits on an inclined plane this “putting arc” can be viewed in 3 dimensions.
If the putter is working along the arc the trajectory of the sweet spot works up and inside on the backswing, back down and out in the downswing and then back up and in, on the forward swing.
Viewing the putter as moving within this inclined circle you can see the putter doesn’t work in straight line.
It differs to the idea of the straight back and straight forward stroke, which involves a linear motion and a concept which requires the golfer to manipulate parts of their body such as the hands, wrist, arms and shoulders. Understanding the arc concept is crucial because it offers numerous advantages in terms of consistency, alignment, feel, and balance. Trying to work the putter straight back and through requires a very complex set of actions that will ultimately make it difficult to reproduce.
Advantages of an Arc Putting Stroke
The concept of an arc in the putting stroke brings several advantages. Firstly, it will allow you to feel what good mechanics are and help promote a consistent and repeatable motion as it requires less degrees of freedom from the body. The arc helps maintain greater control and repeatability.
Secondly, it improves alignment. The curved path encourages a natural swing motion that aligns the putter face with the target line more consistently at impact. Thirdly, an arc stroke enhances feel and touch. The curved motion allows for better sensitivity to the putter head’s movement and the feedback it provides during the stroke.
Developing and Implementing an Arc Putting Stroke
To develop and implement an arc putting stroke, start by identifying your natural stroke type. Pay attention to your swing tendencies and the path your putter head naturally follows. From there, ensure proper setup and alignment to facilitate the arc motion. Position your body, arms, hands, and eyes in a way that promotes a comfortable and natural arc path. Keys things here are forward bend of the torso, arm length and movement.
Next, practice and refine the arc motion through drills and repetition. Engage in exercises such as the moving the putter over the top of a Visio Mi putting Template. Focus on maintaining a consistent and fluid swing while allowing the putter to follow the natural arc.
Finally, integrate the arc stroke into game situations, gradually applying it to different distances and green conditions.
Common Challenges and Tips for Arc Putting Stroke
While embracing the arc in the putting stroke brings numerous benefits, it is not without challenges. One common obstacle is avoiding excessive wrist movement, as it can cause poor control of the face during the takeaway into the backswing as well as during the downswing before impact. Maintain stable wrist joints to ensure a consistent and reliable arc stroke.
Additionally, pay attention to maintaining a smooth rhythm and tempo throughout the stroke. Be mindful of not excessively accelerating or decelerating during the swing. Adjusting the stroke length for different putts is another important aspect to consider, as varying distances require subtle modifications in the arc path.
Lastly, fine-tune alignment by practicing visualising the arc and the ball’s intended path.
In Summary
Understanding the concept of the arc in the putting stroke is essential for golfers seeking improvement on the greens. By embracing the arc, players can benefit from enhanced consistency, alignment, feel, and balance.
By practicing and implementing the arc stroke, golfers can unlock their putting potential and enjoy greater success on the greens.
#practicewithpurpose
Team Visio
Do the alignment lines on your putter enhance your accuracy, or could they be hindering your performance?
Most golfers use the lines on their putters to aim the face precisely along their chosen start line. This is especially common if you also use a line on your golf ball to assist with aiming. But have you ever considered whether these lines are actually benefiting you?
ou step up, address the ball with your putter, and make a smooth stroke, only to watch the ball veer off line like it had a mind of its own. You swear you aimed it right. But did you? For most golfers, the issue isn’t the stroke. It’s misalignment, starting the ball in the wrong direction from the very beginning.
Do you ever stand over a putt and second guess your read, only to watch the ball miss wide, breaking too much or not enough? You’re not alone. And there’s a chance, the problem isn’t your stroke, it’s the read.
Putting is often lost before the ball even moves. distance, slope (angle & gradient), grain and other factors can all influence how the ball rolls. If you misread those pieces of information, even a good stroke can send the putt off line.
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