Offset?

[geezer]

Just something that has been bothering me recently.

Offset in a putter? What does it actually do? I'm referring to a full shaft offset ( I think its called a plumber neck?? ) as opposet to no offset, like most mallets.

Does it help with/pusjing/pulling putts, or is it mostly asthetic or a confidence thing?

Anyone help?

[Beach Golfer]

It can help with both pushing and pulling putts. It all just depends on what sort of stroke use user has. It is very much a feel thing that will work for some people and not for others. There is not just one type of stroke that the offset will have.

[supercow]

http://www.pga.com/improve/features/...07_experts.cfm

  None said:

This past winter I bought a new putter because I wanted a new upgrade. I had been using my friends ping with a half shaft offset. Now I have one with a full shaft offset. I cant seem to master my new putter. Does the offset have anything to do with it? J. Thomas Joe: I'm guessing that your original putter has less offset than the new one. If this the case, you may be experiencing an "aim" problem. As a general rule, offset in a putter helps a person who has a problem aiming too far to the right of the intended target. Conversely, non-offset will help someone who tends to aim to the left of the target.

[geezer]

O.K, thanks, that helps alot.

Beach golfer, you mentioned types of stroke. What type of stroke is more suitable for which type of offset? Anybode know? ( I'm sure someone does, just thought I'd ask for the sake of asking )

[elchene]

I've been wondering the same thing...

[elchene]

Just found this:

Offset Shafts and Hosels
An offset shaft or hosel is generally a good thing for a recreational golfer (and many pros, too). Offset helps the golfer line up with his or her forward eye over the ball, and with a good line of sight. Offset also helps keep the hands ahead of the ball when the putt is struck, which is a putting fundamental. Many putt great without offset, so it's one more thing that comes down to feel.

http://golf.about.com/cs/equipmentre.../bybputter.htm

[KIDDEREK]

  elchene said:

Just found this:

I wish he'd explain why keeping hands ahead of the ball is fundamental. Anyway, I always thought an offset putter helps to decrease the exaggeration of a pulling (arc) swing.

Just logically thinking: If your at address at 12o'clock and finish your putt swing at 10 o'clock: If your putter head is behind your hands, then it will never get to the 10 o'clock position, thus decreasing (not necssarily correcting) your pulling of your putt shots. So, I got my new SC mid slant and it's a half offset, as opposed to my old Odyssey which is a full off set. With the SC, I pulled everything. I was just all over the place. Sending that one back for the full offset Select #2.

[iacas]

  KIDDEREK said:

So, I got my new SC mid slant and it's a half offset, as opposed to my old Odyssey which is a full off set. With the SC, I pulled everything. I was just all over the place.

Based on my experience, it wasn't the offset. A good putter (the human, not the instrument) can hit a putt on the intended line with just about any normal putter. Only those who have some extreme move seem to have trouble, in my experience, with a putter that has a different offset or something.

I think offset is less about hitting the putts on line and more about whatever you want to look at. I think toe hang has more to do with getting the ball online than the offset. After all, you line it up at setup and just return the putter head to that position at impact. Offset is a small, teeny difference in that and you can move your hands that half a shaft.

[KIDDEREK]

  iacas said:

Based on my experience, it wasn't the offset. A good putter (the human, not the instrument) can hit a putt on the intended line with just about any normal putter. Only those who have some extreme move seem to have trouble, in my experience, with a putter that has a different offset or something.

Riiight, thanks. Let me guess, you use a pool cue since you're so awesome. No one's a good putter, we're all trying to improve and cover up any shortcomings. Do you try to sound like a douche all the time?

[CG031]

I never liked the offset. That was one of the reasons I went to a new putter.

[The Bogey Man]

This really all implys on what type of putter stroke you have...