Putting stroke: Arc vs Straight drill

Myth Buster: Why Your Putter Doesn't Go Straight Back and Straight Through

Sticks: 2
Config: Together
Focus: Putting

Drill Objective

This brief lesson challenges the common misperception that the perfect putting stroke moves straight back and straight through. Due to the angle of the shaft (the lie angle), the putter head must naturally travel on a slight arc. This drill shows how the hands and the clubhead should ride up and down the established swing plane rather than attempting a linear path.

Set-Up

  1. Determine Lie Angle: Set up the pathpal or a similar training aid to the approximate lie angle of your putter when you address the ball. (In the clip, 75∘ is suggested.)
  2. Position the Putter: Take your normal putting stance. The shaft of your putter should match the angle of the training aid, which establishes the putting plane.
  3. Visualize the Path: Place a visual aid (like an alignment stick) along the path your putter head would take if it were following the plane established by the shaft angle.

Instructions

  1. Execute the Stroke: Make a smooth putting stroke, focusing on letting the putter head naturally follow the slight arc dictated by the shaft's angle.
  2. Maintain the Plane: Concentrate on keeping the hands and clubhead "riding up and down that plane" throughout the backswing and follow-through.
  3. Feel the Arc: Acknowledge and feel that the putter head is moving slightly to the inside on the backswing and slightly to the inside again on the follow-through, rather than trying to force it to go straight out and straight back in.
  4. Confirm the Result: Practice stroking balls with this slight arc motion. The goal is a more natural and consistent path, leading to a square face at impact and better roll.

Benefits

Squares club face
Centered Putter Contact
Brad Pluth
Brad Pluth
Master Professional
Dick's House of Sport
  • 3x: US Kids Top 50 Master Coach
  • 4x: Golf Digest Best in State
  • 50,000+: Lessons given

""Dude this device is absolutely amazing""

Efrim Moore
Efrim Moore Assistant Coach, Moorehouse College

""There's a million ways to use this""

Jacob Tilton
Jacob Tilton Director of Instruction, Ansley Golf Club

""The reason I like [the pathpal] is because it's super versatile""

Cody Carter
Cody Carter Head of Player Development, Druid Hills Golf Club