Opposites Attract in Putting
A Legacy Post by Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research Dr. T. J. Tomasi (1940-2023)
One thing you hear all the time is, “Don’t move your head when you putt.” The same advice applied to the full swing has been pretty well banished from the credibility bin by actual measurements, but not so with putting — until now.
First a Distinction and a Definition
The definition of head movement is any motion of the head in any direction — up/down, back/forth, and around. The distinction is between body-head-together movement (the clubhead and the head move in the same direction) and body-head-opposite movement (head moves opposite of the clubhead).
While some degree of movement is natural, excessive or erratic head movement can have a significant impact on the putting stroke. Maintaining a stable head position throughout the putting stroke is crucial for consistency and accuracy. The head serves as an anchor point, providing a reference for proper alignment and balance. Any excessive movement, such as swaying or lifting, can disrupt the putting stroke path, leading to mishits and inconsistent ball striking.
The importance of minimizing head movement lies in its direct correlation with putting mechanics and ball contact. A stable head position promotes a more consistent putting stroke path, allowing for a more precise delivery of the putter to the ball. When the head remains relatively still, the body can rotate around a consistent axis, facilitating a more efficient transfer of energy through the putting stroke. This results in cleaner contact with the ball, greater control over ball roll, and improved overall shot accuracy.
Furthermore, excessive head movement can also affect mental focus and balance, both of which are crucial components of a successful putting stroke. A stable head promotes better concentration on the target and shot execution, reducing the likelihood of distractions and errant putts. Maintaining balance throughout the putting stroke is essential for generating consistent power and maintaining control. Therefore, developing awareness and control over head movement is essential for maximizing putting efficiency performance.
According to research published in the Journal of Motor Behavior and headed by Timothy D. Lee at Canada’s McMaster University, expert putters, even though they may say they don’t move their head, actually do move it in the opposite direction to their clubhead. Poor putters and novices move their head in the same direction. Both movements document the brain’s urge toward simplicity by using a streamlined control strategy that creates a single, easily controlled pattern that applies to each putting stroke.
Why Would This Be So?
- First, the human body is always in motion, even if the micro-movements can’t be seen. If you’re alive, you move. So, to try to not move while you putt is going against the very nature of your movement profile.
- Second, a coupled motion away from the target then toward the target is a sway — not good for your impact geometry. But, when the arms move away from the target while the head moves toward it, this movement cancels out excess dislocation.
Also, in order to stabilize images on the retina during small head movements, your eyes move in the opposite direction to your head. In the case of the expert putter, whose head and club move in opposite directions, this would mean his/her eyes move in the same direction as the clubhead.
This young pro is a great putter. On the backswing, her head moves slightly to her left. Note where it is in relation to the tree behind her.
On the downswing, the putter moves toward the target while her head moves backward. Note the space between her head and the tree and compare it to the first photo. The movement is small and hard to see, but it is present in good putting strokes.
Learn more!
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