Putting stroke

Hi Guys
Some of the players I play with have a slightly in-out putting stroke , whereas others take putterhead straight back and through. Which of these would be the most reliable/best ?

In my own testing as far as starting your putt on line is concerned; you can do whatever you want to do regarding how you swing the putter, as long as the face of the putter is perpendicular to your desired path at impact.

I wouldn't say either method (straight back straight through or putting on an arc) would be better than the other, but rather a matter of personal preference. The most reliable method seems to be to keep the arms and hands static and rock the shoulders. How upright or bent over you are will determine how much you putt on an arc vs how much SBST you are.

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For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

If you swing a putter on an arc the face will only be square to target for a small period of time. If swung back and through square to the target line contact will be made square to the target line. If the human body could swing a golf club at speed straight down the target line at the ball would you wish to swing it on an arc?

If you wanted to make a machine that putted a ball in a straight line from point A to point B, how would you make it swing the club and why?

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

Straight back, and straight through will always be the best stroke to use when putting. However, you will have to know what the maximum distance is that you can use that type stroke. Green "stimp" will also play a major roll in distance. Let's say the maximum distance I get on a fast green using that stroke is 25', without having to be a contortionist. After 25', I will need a longer back stroke, which will take my putter to the inside of my intended putting line, since I can only go straight back so far. Essentially, anything more than 25' I am just trying to lag that putt close, with a few actually finding the hole. This is where being proficient at chipping, and pitching comes in to play. A good chipping/pitching game will allow you to use what ever putting stroke you want, without it changing due to a longer distance, which requires a longer putting back stroke.
Some people (me included) use a heavier, or lighter putter to offset green "stimp" speed. so that they can use the same putting stroke. Bottom line when it comes to putting is whatever stroke works for the individual should be used. GJS