There’s no substitute for being a reliable putter. With a hot flatstick, you can make birdies, save pars, and even erase mistakes. As legendary teacher Harvey Penick once said, “Sinking putts makes your confidence soar, and it devastates your opponent. A good putter is a match for anyone. A bad putter is a match for no one.”
Pros understand this fact well, and they make tons of putts. Last season, PGA Tour pros made 87.87% of their putts inside 10 feet. Inside 5 feet, that number jumps to 96.85%. While it’s true that pros do everything well, their ability with a putter in their hands is what makes them some of the best golfers in the world.
Clubface Control: The Key to Putting Success
At a recent coaches camp hosted by GOLF Top 100 Teacher Andrew Rice, sports biomechanics professor (and golf science guru) Sasho MacKenzie made a presentation on what causes missed putts. And while stroke path and speed have some impact on the way the ball rolls, the biggest factor in missing straight putts is improper face angle.
According to MacKenzie’s research, golfers have only a 0.7 degree margin of error with their face angle when it comes to a straight 12-foot putt. If your putter face is open or closed by more than 0.7 degrees, it will result in a missed putt.
On the other hand, stroke path has a surprisingly minuscule impact on whether or not you make the same straight 12-footer. For you to miss the putt, your stroke path has to be off by more than 3.5 degrees.
So, what should you focus on during practice? Instead of getting obsessed with your stroke path, prioritize keeping the clubface square. MacKenzie’s research shows us that the face angle has more to do with whether or not you make a putt than anything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is clubface control in putting?
Clubface control is crucial in putting. Improper face angle can lead to missed putts.
What is the margin of error for face angle in a straight 12-foot putt?
Golfers have a mere 0.7 degree margin of error with their face angle for a straight 12-foot putt.
How much does stroke path affect putting accuracy?
Stroke path has a minimal impact on putting accuracy. For a golfer to miss a straight 12-footer, their stroke path must deviate by more than 3.5 degrees.
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