In putter fitting, determining the proper loft and lie of the putter head are necessary specifications that using a putter bending machine can help you identify. The other crucial measurement is the length of the shaft. Considering that putting is about 43% of the average golfers’ score, having a properly adjusted putter can make all the difference in the world.
Determining a putter’s length.
The length is determined when the golfer is in a comfortable & proper posture, defined as having a good eye & hand position and comfortable body set-up. Golfers generally force-fit their posture to the length of a putter that looks good to them. To get the most accurate measurement, use the Mitchell® Putter Ruler to measure the length of the golfer’s current putter.
Determining loft and lie
Why is a putter head’s lie and loft angles important to every golfer? They both influence the roll and direction of the golf ball.
If the lie angle is incorrect, the golfer’s stroke will misdirect the ball. In other words, if the putter face is not in a horizontal attitude at impact, the face plane will be pointing in a direction other than straight toward the hole. For example, if the putter is too upright, the face is aimed at the left of the hole for a right-hand golfer. The golfer must make a compensating stroke to start the ball on the intended line. Using a putter bending machine like the Mitchell® TourGAUGE® Putter Machine can help you adjust the putter head to the ideal lie angle.
The loft of the putter will determine when the ball starts to roll. The ball becomes airborne after leaving the putter’s face. The ball will be in the air too long if the putter has too much loft. The golf ball will skid and bounce on the putting surface several inches before it starts a true roll. This dramatically affects the distance the ball travels and influences how the ball reacts to the break. If there is too little loft, the ball will bounce severely before it rolls. Using the Mitchell® TourGAUGE® Putter Machine to adjust the putter to the ideal loft helps you minimize the distance the ball is in the air and reduces the likelihood of it going offline.
A properly fitted putter is very important, especially when you think of it this way: If it is necessary to have correctly fitted irons, hybrids, and metal woods, which represents 57% of your score for 13 clubs, imagine not having the proper loft and lie on one club that means 43% of your shots.
