News
Does weight affect aim?
Why Speed Dictates Aim
When it comes to putting, and more importantly holing putts, there are only a few factors that are truly going to make a difference when it comes down to it. Technique aside, Speed is going to be one of the biggest influencers on the probability of making the putt. The reason for this is because Speed is going to determine the line you aim the ball on. A putt with less pace is going to break more than a putt of equal distance with more pace.
In addition to Speed being an important contributor to the line you select, it also affects the size of the golf hole that you are putting towards. The hole doesn’t really change size, however, once the golf ball goes into motion, the holes “effective size” changes. Essentially, at rest the golf ball can cross any threshold of the hole and fall in, thus making the holes “effective size” 100%. However, once the ball is placed into motion and is traveling at 1.68MPH the “effective size” of the hole decreases to 75%.
1.68 MPH, Entry Speed, 1-foot past the hole on an 8 stimp meter green, or 2-feet past the hole on a 14 stimp meter green, they all represent the same thing, your best chance to make the putt while giving you the best chance at a kick-in on your next attempt should you miss. Entry speed is a relatively new term, however, is a concept that has been around for a long time.
Real World Application
Mr. Smith is an average golfer and routinely shoots in the mid 80’s at his local course from the regular tees. Mr. Smith decides he wants to put in some work on his short game, and set’s about making more putts from 10-feet and closer. Mr. Smith knows that the practice green has some slope and undulation and picks a putt that breaks from left-to-right at a 2% grade. Mr. Smith putts 10 tries and makes 4 of them from 10 feet. Out of the 6 that missed, only one was missed on the low side of the hole with all of the other putts missed on the “pro” or high side of the hole. The balls that missed on the high side of the hole all came to rest between 3-5 feet past the hole. Based off of traditional knowledge, he feels confident that if he just aims a little more right on those left to righters, he is sure to make more on the next batch. Will Mr. Smith make more than 4 putts out of the next 10 attempts while aiming slightly more to the right?
Mr. Smith could potentially make more putts by aiming more to the right and maintaining his current speed, however, by aiming more “directly” at the hole he has created a more downhill putt which will also increase the Effective Stimp making the ball roll farther past the hole should it miss. Therefore, while we may increase make percentage some, the putts that are missed will be farther from the hole when they come to rest increasing the risk and likelihood of a three-putt.
What would be most beneficial to Mr. Smith would be working on speed control and using the slope and undulation to his advantage. Mr. Smith is like most golfers and routinely misses putts only to blame the line, when in actuality, it was the speed that caused the putt to miss the hole.
Why is Speed Control to Blame?
Some athletes see more curve, and some swear that they only see straight lines. Either way both are at a disadvantage if they are trying to putt the ball to the apex of the break. The reason for this is because the ball will begin to move off of the aim line very quickly as the break takes effect on the ball, and in most cases with breaking putts, the aim line will be outside or farther away from the hole then the actual apex of the break due to this initial breaking prior to reaching the apex.
With that said, using our previous example of Mr. Smith, when the average golfer sees the ball miss left of the hole on a left-to-right breaking putt, they assume that they “pulled’ the putt, when in actuality, they had to strike the putt much to firmly to get the ball to the apex of the break which is what caused it to not take the break at the end of the putt and go in the hole.
Now that we understand that most golfers are hitting the putt with too much pace and not playing enough break, how do we fix this problem? One way to approach this problem would be working with a coach and identifying the areas of speed control (length of stroke, force application, tempo, centeredness of contact, etc.) that need the most work and then develop a training plan to change the motion pattern. Another way, from a club fitting perspective would be to look at how the Instrument is weighted throughout and how that matches and affects the biomechanics of the athlete.
The Heavier the Putter the Better, right?
When you pick up your putter, do you ever balance it on one finger? If so, you know that the “balance point” of the putter tends to be a few inches up the shaft from the club head, and when you find it, you can balance the putter horizontally on one finger. Most putters in the market have most of their mass or weight much closer to the club head then the hands, and this is very important to understand. The more the total mass moves towards one end point, the more the heavier side is going to want to swing relative to the other end point. In engineering, they call this a moment arm.
When we feel how “soft” a putter face is, we are actually experiencing all of our senses and sound tends to affect what we feel a lot. For example, older Ping putters would tend to be lighter and have less mass than current putters, and luckily, they were named Ping because that is the exactly the sound you would get when you struck one. Often times, people would describe a Ping putter as being hard due to it being cast and not forged when in actuality it was due to weight. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the Heavy Putter that was around about 10 years ago. This putter was big and heavy and always felt to be incredibly soft, but in reality, was just a big chunk of lead with lots of mass.
The issue with having a putter that feels great and has a lot of mass is that it tends to hit the golf ball too firmly relative to the perceived “effort” needed to be applied to get the ball to travel to the hole. This leads to putts traveling at too much speed to take the amount of break that we planned on which influences our aim over time.
Perception vs. Reality
Most athletes believe that they prefer a heavy putter, however, when asked about putting, they frequently state that they tend to hit their putts too firmly and miss on the high side of the hole. Based off an understanding of how the weight affects the moment arm and acceleration of the putter, we can see how this is a conflicting ideology. So, if we know that weight contributes to creating the correct “feeling” of the putter for the athlete, yet leads to poor speed control, how do we satisfy both needs?
The answer lies in moving some of the weight or mass to the other side of the center of mass of the putter. The more we “balance out” the weight distribution between the two endpoints, the less moment arm effect will be created. The other advantage to moving mass or weight to the other side of the center of mass of the putter is that we can now satisfy both needs if we are strategic with where the mass or weight is added.
If the center of mass of the putter is a few inches up the shaft from the club head, then if we added mass or weight within the shaft but below the hands, technically the mass or weight is above the center of mass of the putter, yet still below the hands of the athlete which satisfies the “feel” component while still reducing the amount of moment arm effect. This internal weighting can be accomplished using the Opti-Vibe system.
If this attempt at slowing down the club head fails due to the weight of the putter “feeling” too heavy, then we can counter-weight the putter and actually put more mass in the butt-end of the putter. This tends to be very effective in slowing down the club head and many putter manufactures have begun to sell counter-weighted putters. This process can also be completed using a product called Tour Lock.
Summation
Speed kills, and most of us are much too aggressive with our putting strategy, which exposes us to longer “come-back” putts and leads to a higher likelihood of 3-putts. By better understanding how speed effects the line, we can reduce the number of total putts taken by reducing the amount of 3-putts. This is a much easier task to accomplish than having to make more putts outside of 10-feet.
If you are interested in seeing this concept in action, I highly recommend our Big Tilt Pro Max XL. Not only does it project the aim line, but also the maximum speed, minimum speed, and maximum percentage to make line. In addition to being able to see the lines, it also comes with over 50 different training programs designed not only to help with making more putts, but also developing all the necessary skills that go into becoming a good putter.
In addition to training the necessary skills to become a good putter, it is also important to evaluate your putter from a few different perspectives. In addition to creating the proper alignment and loft scenario at address, it is also important to evaluate the weight distribution of the putter and how that affects the timing or tempo of the stroke. While the timing or tempo will be unique for each individual, most good putters will maintain the same timing or tempo when hitting putts from different lengths, which is impossible to do with a putter that is either too light or too heavy. It is important to understand that you probably don’t need a new putter, just a little fine tuning with the weighting.
Fine tuning this process is very easy with the use of the Trackman 4 Putting Solution. By understanding the “fine details” of how we deliver the putter, and how this matches the biomechanics of the body, we can finally get down to working on the parts of the stroke that will have the biggest effect size and actually lead to lower scores.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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geohogan
Apr 5, 2022 at 10:08 am
We aim a bow and arrow. We aim a fire arm.
Standing 90 degrees to the target line, it is not possible to “aim” a golf club at a distant target.
We can position ourselves to sweep the inside quadrant of the golf ball.
Wasted my Time
Apr 2, 2022 at 10:37 pm
All these mumbo-jumbo for a sales pitch? Shameful!
lee
Apr 2, 2022 at 9:19 pm
nice ad