Select a Putter Designed for Modern Greens

Four decades ago the average length for a putter was 36", and the average loft was 5 to 6 degrees. Fast forward 40 years to contemporary times, and the average length is 34" and the lofts have decreased into the 3 degree range, with some of the RIFE and YES! putter models, pictured here, measuring in at 1 degree of loft. What happened?

The biggest impact to putter specifications is the result of the modern green surfaces. Our greens have evolved from slower carpets, to closely shaved table-tops. This has caused a shift in the optimum putter head delivery mechanics. A longer grassed, slower speed green, requires more of a wristy-pop stroke, and a good amount of loft, to aid the ball up and out of its resting place and rolling onto the surface of the green. Thus a longer club, that encourages more wrist, and a loftier face, to a help with the initial launch, was the right fit for most golfers a long time ago. View any PGA Tour video from the 50's and 60's, and you will see putter strokes that matched the greens of the times.

However, as the greens became like pool tables, golfers found that they only needed to start the ball rolling on its way, which came from a shoulder controlled, one piece, putter stroke. This type of putter swing is most efficiently accomplished with a putter length an inch or two shorter than what is required of a more wristy-pop stroke. Also, the loft requirements have evaporated as the ball is no longer resting down into the green grass, but already sitting on top of the surface of the green.

The Problem - Adapting old technology putters to new greens
The trouble is that many of the institutionalized older companies still sell putters with longer lengths and high lofts, which forces golfers to manipulate their stroke and their hands at impact, in a effort to adapt the old style to modern greens. The results are a constant battle with issues of direction, speed, and solid contact.

The preferred option is to select a modern technology putter so that you no longer have to adjust your stroke to play on today's modern greens. Find a putter length that allows your arms to hang down comfortably from your shoulders, with the center of the head lying on the ground directly under your eyes, or just outside your eye-line. Also, choose a putter loft in the 1 to 2 degree range. At first, you may encounter some inconsistency as your body, aim and stroke are not used to the proper specifications. But soon, you will find a greater degree of aim, contact, and consistency, due to a natural learning of a more efficient stroke. Regards, Mark