Launch Angle too Low

A launch angle that is too low will in fact drive the ball into the turf, depending on the type of surface it may cause the same problems (ball bouncing as it leaves the putter) and been shown as a high launch angle.

If you see ***** to the right of the launch angle number on some putts, this refers to a potential negative strike, if the golf ball comes of with more than 80 - 100 RPM, there is a strong chance the ball has been hit down into the ground to create such a high amount of over spin. It is also advisable to watch the first and second bounces if this occurs, with in many cases the second bounce being higher than the first bounce!

The above example has FIVE RED STARS after the launch angle (0.80º). This means the ball has been hit into the ground which will cause the putt to bounce rather than roll along as highlighted by the 'vertical bounce' graph in the bottom left. The initial ball roll in 157.75rpm whereas the maximum you would expect to achieve with a well struck putt is 80 - 100 rpm at the recorded ball speed of 5.66 mph.

Common causes of low launch angle

• not enough dynamic loft at impact
• hitting down on the ball with the putting stroke
• having the ball to far back in the stance
• the putter not having enough static loft

NOTE

The majority of putters come as standard with 3 or 4 degrees of static loft. This may OR may not be right for you. Analysing your personal putting stroke, your own hand position at address and impact and your preferred ball position will allow for the correct calculation of loft for your putter... (that's if you can repeat it consistently!?!)