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Golf tip of the week: Putter adjustments can be necessary to put well

All serious golfers should have their equipment evaluated by a master clubfitter.

Most golfers are concerned about the proper loft and lie on their irons and driver. But the fact is correct putter loft and lie can increase the chances of making more putts.

The standard putter loft bought off the rack at a box store, or pro shop is four degrees. The problem is everyone sets up to the ball differently, which alters the factory’s loft and lie. Your putter may have four degrees of loft, but your stance and putting style may increase or decrease the loft and lie. When stroking a putter, the putter should have approximately four degrees of loft at impact.

The loft and lie on a putter can be bent to fit your stance and putting stroke. Eighty percent of the time golfers buy an expensive putter and find out later it doesn’t work as advertised. In most cases the putter does not fit them properly:

Too much loft: The ball will skip.

Slightly too much loft: The ball will dribble.

Negative loft: Will cause the ball to bounce.

Correct loft: Fit to a golfer’s stance, grip, and stroke, the ball will skip the first six inches or so and roll smoothly after that, gripping the putting surface much like a tire grips the road.

An improper lie: Will cause the ball to roll left or right of the intended target line.

A master club fitter can check your golf ball roll pattern on a device called a Putter Roll-Board and adjust your putter accordingly. A putter roll board will show how much your ball will skip, jump or roll. The putter is then adjusted until the ball rolls correctly.

The lie and length can be checked with a Floor Mirror set-up Guide. If the toe of the putter is up the ball will roll left of the target and if the toe is down the ball will roll right of the target.

Rick Musselman, a golf author and professional, teaches in his high-tech golf swing simulator, at his golf studio and custom club shop in Williamsport.

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