Shaft Angle

• Shaft Angle: This is a personal preference and often is directly related to club face alignment. Do you address the ball with the shaft vertical, behind or even leaning forward? It is possible to create a positive 1 degree launch angle of the golf ball irrespective of the shaft angle, by changing the static loft of the putter. Remember, we don't want a negative attack angle, as this will trap the golf ball into the ground, create large over spin values and potentially bounce even higher after being driven into the ground.

Also it is worth pointing out, a players address position and impact position maybe different ! (a forward press for example)...

Causes of the Shaft Leaning Back

• Incorrect Ball Position – the ball is too far forward in the stance.
• The wrists become too active – they flip through impact.
• Incorrect putter design (static loft) for your style of stroke.

In some cases, players like to have a forward lean on their putter shaft, Phil Mickelson for example. With a 6.00 degree shaft lean at impact, he requires a combination of positive attack angle and static loft of the putter to create a positive launch angle (1 degree) of the golf ball... It is also possible to create a positive 1 degree launch angle of the golf ball with a negative shaft angle (leaning backwards at impact). What would be the static loft of the putter in this instance? Remember, we don't want a negative attack angle, as this will trap the golf ball into the ground, create large over spin values and potential bounce even higher after being driven into the ground.

Causes of the Shaft Leaning Forward

• Too much weight on the front foot.
• Ball too far back in the stance.
• A large forward press at address.
• Incorrect putter design for your stroke.