OldDuffer

Yes, the F-35 is indeed face-balanced. Definitely optimized for the "straight back, straight through" stroke.

Ball position (and feet position, and grip, and...) is an element of your stance that you have to dial-in over time through experimentation. That's one of the reasons that the transition to face-on putting takes time (months, not hours or days). But I read an item about how Ernie Els found that making his transition years ago from conventional to a long putter really helped, in part, because it forced him to really focus, and practice, which he had somewhat gotten away from over time. So look at the challenge as a long-term positive.

The shaft angle on the Bobby Grace F-35 is 80 degrees (the most allowable to be USGA-compliant). So when I dangle it from my top grip, it ends up being 90 deg. but slightly toe-down. So there is a very slight right-bias if you try to go true vertical with the shaft. I am still (after almost 6 months) defining where the break-point is between face-on and 'traditional' long putting. If I try to putt 'face-on' from too far away (still defining 'too far' ). I tend to scuff the ground. So I go 'traditional' when off the green or putting outside maybe 20 feet. So that has been the hardest part of moving to 'face-on'. It isn't easy. Today I was on a long par 5 in 3 on my 'home' course, and then proceeded to 4-putt from 10 feet. So expect a lot of grief, but keep it up.

I actually like the F-35 very much. I had a 'conventional' Bobby Grace mallet before (the Triumph), so I was accustomed to (and very much wanted to continue having) the 'multi-rebound radial face' and the extremely high MOI. It did take me several months to get used to 'face-on' putting, and its really only in the past few weeks that I see some significant improvement, as I have finally settled upon a preferred stance, ball position, grip, etc. Definitely easy to get putts started on line, and I'm getting better at distance control,

I was on the patio adjacent to the first tee of the 'Old White' course at The Greenbriar in the early 1980's, just drinking and watching folks tee off. Since we were all there for an industry association meeting , most of the observers knew most of the golfers -- ratcheting up the pressure a bit for the golfers. One guy really hammered his tee shot -- right off the toe, at 90 degrees, into the (sheet metal) side of the building on the other side of the tee box. Loudest bang I ever heard, and this guy was dying. He declined to re-tee, and jumped in his cart hoping to make a quick getaway. But his buddies made him sit there and endure the abuse from the crowd on the patio for what seemed like ages...

It is a little weird standing with most of my weight on my right leg, and leaning to the right to get my head over/behind the ball. I can see that Sam Snead's original croquet style would have been easier. But, per the USGA, maybe too easy. I won't really know until I get out on the course in the Spring (whenever that finally arrives here) whether the 'binocular vision' provided by side saddle putting really helps my distance control. But I do think this is worth trying for an old guy like me who otherwise might be driven from the game by the yips.

I took the plunge and purchased a face-on-style putter (Bobby Grace F-35 'Let's Face It') two months ago, and have been practcing diligently in my house. Not ready to take it to the course yet (because it is -4 deg. F here in Northeast Ohio currently...). I am hopefully optimistic (read: desperate), as the dreaded yips derailed my game last year. Still refining ball/feet position, and grip, in order to consistently make solid contact. Not ready so far to try looking at hole instead of ball when swinging (see contact issues above).