Putters and physics

[CalBoomer]

Not many threads here discuss the physics of putters or putting. I'd like to start one by throwing out some thoughts.

1. A putter transmits a direction and velocity (which translates to distance) to the ball.
2. Current golf instruction favors a pendulum stroke with uniform tempo eliminating hand and wrist action. In such a stroke distance is substantially controlled by the length of the backswing.
3. A drawback to a lengthened backswing is that the club head is more likely to move in an arc and may not be perfectly perpendicular to the target line at contact.
4. It is easier to make a smooth pendulum swing and minimize arcing by shortening the backswing.
5. With a short backswing and stroke, imparting adequate or higher velocity and distance to the ball requires a heavier putter head. In physics, this is known as conservation of momentum. Mass x velocity of putter head = mass x velocity of ball.
6. If the ball is hit slightly toward the shaft or toe of the face, the putter face may twist off line. This can best be reduced by increasing the moment of inertia of the putter head. In practice this is accomplished by widening the face with maximum weight at the ends.
7. The conclusion one would draw from these facts is that the ideal putter should be wide and very heavy with the weight disproportionately distributed to the ends of the face.
8. Whether or not the head should have some type of mallet shape to help with the target line seems to be a matter of preference. I prefer mallet to blade myself.

It is analyses like these that have lead to very large driver heads being accepted by everyone, including the pros. Putter use, however, still seems to be driven by irrational idiosyncrasy. When will putter purchases fall in line with driver purchases and use the technology available?

[enduro]

Putting is only half the game. Why would we care about this?!

I agree though, I'm in the market for a blade putter (would try a mallet too) that is heavier and has weighting on the outsides. Any ideas?

[ControlJunkie]

Putting is only half the game. Why would we care about this?!

They never really caught on, but I thought the Nike Unitized series were some of the heaviest putters I looked at. Definitely heavier than my Oddesy, my Ping, and any Scotty I ever picked up.

[enduro]

They never really caught on, but I thought the Nike Unitized series were some of the heaviest putters I looked at. Definitely heavier than my Oddesy, my Ping, and any Scotty I ever picked up.

I've read heavy putters are great for short shots but really hard on long shots. It makes sense. A light putter can take a wider range of larger velocities and end up in the same general area. You put just a bit more velocity on the heavy one and the extra mass really moves the thing.

I wonder does anyone carry a lag putter and a short putter? I know you get 14 clubs, but maybe you dump one for 2 putters? I know I'd have room for 1 more putter. 4-9, pw, aw, lob, driver, 3 wood, long putter, short putter and another wedge or hybrid. For something that really is around half the game you would think we could dedicate another club for it. I guess the really good players don't need it but maybe a game improvement set carries 2 putters? Maybe we get around this using removable weights? I believe there are putters with that tech now. Add a bunch of weights for the short putts and remove them for the long ones?

[ControlJunkie]

I've read heavy putters are great for short shots but really hard on long shots. It makes sense. A light putter can take a wider range of larger velocities and end up in the same general area. You put just a bit more velocity on the heavy one and the extra mass really moves the thing.

I dont carry 2 putters to a round, but I've recently been seriously considering keeping 2, and using the putter that best suits the course I happen to be playing. Basically, a buddy and I traded, he now has my Oddessy, and I have his old Ping Anser. I LOVE the Anser on slower greens, but last weekend I played a course that had greens that were a lot faster than what I'm used to. I found myself wishing I had something with a face insert (like my Oddessy) at that point.

The ball comes off the face of the Anser much quicker, so I ended up holding back just a little too much with it. The face insert of the Oddessy will let you get away with just a little bit more. I think it would have helped me, but I cant complain, it still boils down to me, not the equipment