Importance of putting

Proficiency of golf performance (driving, chipping or putting) can be evaluated based from either direct data, i.e., ball displacement, accuracy, or secondary data, i.e., face, path, angle of approach (Pelz, 2000) and impact spot (Karlsen et al., 2008a). Literature suggests that the putting stroke has a minor effect with directional accuracy and that adopting an invariant pattern of movement that is easy to replicate could be more beneficial (Karlsen et al., 2008a). Many coaches advocate a putting stroke where the putter has positive acceleration at impact (DeGunther, 1996; Pelz, 2000). Better competency players show a longer downswing amplitude and a slower velocity at impact (Delay et al., 1997) and a shorter time to peak velocity. The direction, also known as aim, has been less researched has been 1.3% PGA veterans (Tierney

& Coop, 1998) and 1.8% (Karlsen, 2003).

Past studies have compared various skill levels on putting (Delay, Nougier, Orliaguet, &

Coello, 1997; Coello, Delay, Nougier, & Orliaguet, 2000; Paradisis & Rees, 2000; Carnahan, 2002; Fairweather, 2002; Sim & Kim, 2010). Variation in proficiency levels can be identified by kinematics in backswing amplitude (Sim & Kim, 2010) downswing amplitude (Delay et al., 1997), impact velocity, stroke-ratio (Sim & Kim, 2010) and variability in movement and velocity (Paradisis & Rees, 2002; Kenny et al., 2008). According to Wiren (1990), success in a short game like putting correlates to grip type, impact, point of contact. Ball displacement and club velocity inputting can be increased by downswing amplitude (Delay et a., 1997).

According to Pelz (2000), the face angle determines 83% while 17% relates to the path while Karlsen et al. (2008a) found 83% faces, 15% is the path, and 3% is impact spot. Delay et al.

(1997) found downswing time in expert players to be 261 – 289 ms on putts of 1 – 4 m. Karlsen (2003) found no differences in downswing time on putts of 2 m (305 ms), 8 m (312 ms), and 25 m (297 ms) for elite players. Researches (Karlsen & Nilsson, 2002) has suggested the elite player face angle, path and impact spot variability at 0.5°, 0.8° and 2.9mm impact spot

respectively. However, club setup, shaft lean, aim relative to target has not been addressed.

Karlsen and Nilsson (2008b) result showed that face rotation in the downswing of 1° open to 4° closing, face change less than ±1.5° and downswing time 270ms to 370ms is considered acceptable. However, this study tested environments, and too many putts were tested 18.3 (s=5.31), which alters the reliability of the test. Research by Karlsen and Nilsson (2008b) has suggested that elite players have less variability and stroke itself has limited influence on the number of the putts holed. Putting is considered one of the most critical skills in golf, and the foremost factor in predicting competition results.

Putting holing rate is directly correlated to the proficiency of golf performance (driving, chipping or putting) can be evaluated based from either direct data, i.e., ball displacement, accuracy, or secondary data, i.e., face, path, angle of approach (Pelz, 2000), impact spot (Wiren, 1990) and impact spot (Karlsen et al., 2008a). Literature suggests that the stroke has minor influence directional accuracy and that adopting an invariant pattern of movement that is easy to replicate could be more beneficial (Karlsen et al., 2008a). Golf coaches advocate a putting stroke where the putter has positive acceleration at impact (DeGunther, 1996; Pelz, 2000).

Better competency players show longer DS amplitude and slower velocity at impact (Delay et al., 1997) and a shorter time to peak velocity. The direction, also known as aim, has been less researched has been 1.3% PGA veterans (Tierney & Coop, 1998) and 1.8% (Karlsen, 2003).

Past studies have compared various skill levels on putting (Delay, Nougier, Orliaguet, &

Coello, 1997; Coello, Delay, Nougier, & Orliaguet, 2000; Paradisis & Rees, 2000; Carnahan, 2002; Fairweather, 2002; Sim & Kim, 2010). Variation in proficiency levels can be identified by kinematics in backswing amplitude (Sim & Kim, 2010) downswing amplitude (Delay et al., 1997), impact velocity, stroke-ratio (Sim & Kim, 2010) and variability in movement and velocity (Paradisis & Rees, 2002; Kenny et al., 2008). According to Wiren (1990), success in a short game, like putting correlations to grip type, impact, point of contact. Ball displacement and club velocity inputting can be increased by downswing amplitude (Delay et a., 1997).

According to Pelz (2000), the face angle determines 83%, while 17% relates to the path while Karlsen et al. (2008a) found 83% faces, 15% is the path, and 3% is impact spot. Delay et al.

(1997) found that expert golfers' downswing time ranges from 261 – 289 ms from 1-4meter putts. Karlsen (2003) found that elite players no differences between distances with downswing time from 2 meters (305 ms), 8 meters (312 ms), and 25 meters (297 ms). Research (Karlsen &

Nilsson, 2008b) has suggested the elite players’ face angle, path, and impact spot variability at 0.5°, 0.8°, and 2.9mm impact spot, respectively. However, club setup, shaft lean, aim relative to target has not been addressed. Research (Karlsen et al., 2008a) showed that face rotation in the downswing of 1° open to 4° closing, face change less than ±1.5° and downswing time 270ms to 370ms is considered acceptable. However, this study tested environments, and too many putts were tested 18.3 (s=5.31), which alters the reliability of the test. Research by Karlsen and Nilsson (2008b) has suggested that elite players have less variability and stroke itself has limited influence on the number of the putts holed. Putting is considered one of the essential skills in golf and the primary factor in predicting competition results.

Putting the holing rate is directly correlated to the distance to the hole. Karlsen et al. (2008a) found done collective study of past research and tour professional rate of sunk putts versus distance, listed in Table 2.2. Karlsen et al. (2008a) found done collective study of past research and tour professional rate of sunk putts versus distance, listed in Table 2.2. Holing rate for 1-putt is listed in Figure 2.4.

Table 2.2.

Holing percentage from PGA, “World-class model” and by Norwegian elite players

Source: Tierney and Coop (1998)

Putting Distances PGA Tour top-10 putters World-class model Norwegian elite players

1-meter 93.10% 92.00% 89.70%

2-meters 64.20% 65.00% 56.90%

3-meters 43.90% 45.30% 37.30%

4-meters 30.70% 31.50% 25.10%

5-meters 22.60% 22.40% 11.50%

Figure 2.4. “World-class model”, predicting 1-putt probability, 3-putt probability and expected numbers of putts taken from a different distance by a world-class putter.

Source: Tierney and Coop (1998)