Why Tilt the Arc?
Understanding ball position and path direction.
As we begin the complicated discussion of finding the best putter for you, we start with an understanding of our concept of 9 Profiles and begin to build the argument of why certain putters are designed to swing in specific patterns.
Over the years the concept of the 9 Profiles has been controversial to say the least. As players and instructors, we have been programmed to a theoretical model that says a putter path or plane, that is parallel to the target line, is the optimal stroke pattern. We believe the ball position dictates the optimal path. A parallel arc is based on impact at the apex of the arc, when the arc is defined by set up as shown below by the ball and putter at the center of the Profile.
The problem with this defined ball position is that it rarely matches a player’s perception of the path to the target. This forced position often appears to the player as left or right of the actual target. In our example below, the player visualizes the task more accurately when the ball is left of the bottom of the arc. On a side note, we see this when a ball positioned at the apex of an arc, defined by set up, appears to be right of the actual target.
By tilting the arc to the right, we can see how the path matches the target line for a longer period to the left of the bottom of the arc. Again as an aside, this is the optimal pattern for a player who prefers an ascending angle of attack on the ball. Testing shows us the ball begins to roll sooner in this pattern.
The same becomes true for the player who sees the line best from a ball behind the apex position.
By tilting the arc or plane to the left, we find the same match. This pattern has been maligned as a “cut” stroke. It is not, as the zone behind the apex of the arc parallels the target line for long period of time.
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I’ve read this 4 times. I’ve thought of my mental abilities as quite good, but as a golf professional teacher, I think it’s very difficult to understand you explanation of the need to move the apex of the arch…And would require too much back and forth to explain. I think I understand your post, for general use though, it needs Simplification! Respectfully, Gig Hilton
So? When you test or measure someone and their ball position is not at the bottom of the arch and opposite of the base of the neck, do you mover their ball position to match where their bottom of the arch is? Or do you move their setup to change the bottom of arch to match the ball position? {In the full swing, the swing bottoms out opposite the center of the sternum at impact, which is on the same vector as the base of the neck. ( generally the center of the upper torso). And in most all of my experience it tends to be behind the ball, causing fat and thin miss hits.}
It seems that their release( right hand top to under) and eye positions could counter a poor ball position to zero out the effect of ball position... Is that your experience