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

Putting stroke: Arc vs Straight drill

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.

Alignment Sticks Required: 2

PathPal Configuration: Together

Putting

What It Helps With

Squares club face

Centered Putter Contact

How to Set Up the PathPal

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.)
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.
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.

Step-by-Step Drill Instructions

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.
Maintain the Plane: Concentrate on keeping the hands and clubhead "riding up and down that plane" throughout the backswing and follow-through.
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.
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.