Learn to Putt -Lesson 26

Understanding a Face Aware Strategy

Learn to Putt – Lesson 26

Face Aware Strategy

In my last post I mentioned the strategic contrast between those players who are more path aware of their stroke, and those who are more face aware. I have heard from an appreciated number of readers. Some expressing their preference and others asking how they would know. First, let me mention there is no science to these concepts. I use it to help me recommend putters, to give me some insight into how a player perceives the movement of the stroke, and most important it helps me in the total evaluation of a putting stroke. Always with the goal of finding an individual’s best strategy rather than conforming to a model strategy.

With no preference, let’s start with the characteristics of a face aware player. In every lesson I will ask after a missed putt, “Why do you think you missed this putt?” A face aware player normally blames the hands. “I blocked it” or “I flipped it closed” are typical answers. They will make the modification by changing how they use their hands. They might change how they deliver the putter to the ball. I had the privilege of shadowing Stan Utley one summer. When we first put him on PuttLab, it was outdoors on a putt that broke a little right to left. Stan assumed it was straight and subsequently missed the first putt left. Without making any adjustment in path direction, he progressively changed the release of the putter, holding the face a little more open at each turn until he made the putt. Not to think if he had read the putt, he would have used this technique, only it shows his awareness of his stroke. No path change, to more right of the hole. Rather, just a modified release point.

Characteristics of a Face Aware Player.

·      Face aware players are very sensitive to grip profile and handle construction. Another way of saying face aware would be hand aware. Face aware players tend to prefer smaller grips.

·      Face aware players typically prefer putters with some degree of toe hang. They can sense the feel of torque in their hands during the stroke and use that feel to judge stroke length and how to find square at impact.

·      Face aware players tend to vary the face to path orientation during the stroke. The idea of a square-to-square stroke or a gated, open to closed stroke are opposite strategies, but both very much face aware.

·      When measured on diagnostic technologies face aware players will often show an uneven rotation through the ball. Rather than 2° of face rotation 10 cm before impact and 2° rotation, after they might show more on either side of the ball contrasted with less on the other side.

·      From a putter fitting strategy, face aware players tend to prefer lower or face heavier balance points. Not over all heavy but limited weight in the grip end of the club. No counterweights.

·      Historically face aware players will alter the ball position based on the direction of the break. They will play the ball back in their stance on a right to left for a right-handed player and more forward for left to right.