heel drag with putter

[cdj588]

so i have this problem that plagues me. when i putt most of the time the heel will hit the ground before i hit the ball and it screws everyting up of course. it does this with my taylromade that is 70* lie angle and my dad new scotty newport that is 71* lie.

my question is do you think i may need to adjust the lie angle on my putter? and if so what direction wouold the bend be to cure this? like 71* to 73* or 71* to 69*?

[microcrayfish]

Maybe your putter is too long for you. I recently bought a new putter that was 35" without realising that my old one was actually a 34". I had the same problem until I got my new one cut down an inch and now it's fine.

[ks8829]

I think it is the Indian rather than the arrow.

the putting stroke is similar to the golf swing that it will have the bottom of the stroke and you are hitting your putter fat as in a fat shot. If you take a video of your putting stroke you will see what you are doing on your backswing of your putting stroke.

If you watch the pros, they have an definite vertical arc in their putting stroke and this eliminates any fat putts as you are doing.

[Fourputt]

Clearly either your setup is wrong or the putter is too upright for you. You aren't setting up with the sole parallel to the ground. There have been some good putters over the years who have been able to play like that (Isao Aoki for one), but they are a small minority.

Check to be sure that your eyes are straight over or behind the ball at setup. If you are reaching for the ball that could be part of the problem. If your setup is good with your eyes directly above the line, then it would seem that the putter is too upright for you. In that case you may have to have it adjusted or if it isn't a type which can be bent, then it needs to be replaced.

[cigarnut81]

Go get that putter fit buddy.

[Stacey_E]

Your putter probably needs the lie flattened and/or shaft shortened. I wouldn't be too quick to go lopping off the shaft though. I've made that mistake before. Although it might not bother you, when I shortened a putter shaft it caused it to feel way too light to have any feedback and distance control (for me anyway). It wont bother some people though.

I was lucky enough to get my current putter fitted right the first time. After ordering the length I new I wanted, I took it to a local pro. Without a lot of instruction and such he simply said "show me how you want to use it". Then when he had me hold it address he simply looked at how far the toe was off the ground and guessed at bending it 4* flat. He guessed correctly.

[Fourputt]

Personally I don't buy a putter, then find a way to make it fit me. I try everything I can find, then buy the one that feels best within my budget. I don't shop for any particular brand, and I've never paid more than $100 for a putter. If it feels good then by extension, it fits me. I've never had to adjust any putter I've ever owned. My normal setup is to choke down almost to the steel. I've tried shorter shafted putters, but they don't give me the same feel as choking down on a longer shaft.

I'm not saying that this is the way for everyone, but if you buy without exploring all of your options, you might spend a lot of money and still be missing out on the perfect putter for you.

[cdj588]

well shortening is not really an option cause its alrdy 33" and i choke down. but today i played at the very top of the grip and i make my usual set up but pushed my hand forward a little and everything was good. so im thinking about playing with a 34 inch putter and i guess increase the lie angle maybe 2degress upright. thanks for the advice guys.