putter lie angle for determining putter length ?

square · December 5, 2014

As I understand it, a putter fitting typically starts by focusing first on length, followed by lie angle angle adjustment. The theory is that a player should adopt his normal, comfortable address posture, then determine correct length, then determine correct lie. But don't the length and lie together influence the way a player sets up (addresses) a putt ?

It seems to me the very best way to find a good putter fit is to actually try a variety of finished putters of varying length-lie combinations. For example, try a 35" 72* a 35" 70* a 35" 68*.

Then try a 34" 72*, 34-70 , 34-68. Then try a 33" 72* 33-70 33-68.. I know this is impractical, but it seems to me the ideal way to best find a truly good fit. And it's not that impractical. A fitting shop and, , or, manufacturer, to cover just about every player, would need only about a dozen finished putters. Say 3 lie angles each in 33", 34", 35" and 36" lengths..

My point is that today's standard for putter length - lie fitting is to hand a player different lengths and then make a guess about lie angle. It's not ideal, and neither are the adjustable fit putters like some Ping dealers utilize. Finished "test" putters would be a significantly better method. Anybody here agree, disagree ?

StezzGolfer · December 5, 2014

I can actually kinda like that theory. Just requires to have a little more inventory on hand, but for a serious fitter it shouldnt be a problem. I wonder if anyone has a counter argument.

You might be onto something square. My putter fitting was quite underwhelming. Paid $100 for them to tell me my stroke looks great and that they adjusted my lie angle 1*. Kinda sucked. I left feeling/wondering if there was a better setup for me.

square · December 5, 2014

[quote name='StezzGolfer' timestamp='1417793014' post='10547743']
I can actually kinda like that theory. Just requires to have a little more inventory on hand, but for a serious fitter it shouldnt be a problem. I wonder if anyone has a counter argument.

You might be onto something square. My putter fitting was quite underwhelming. Paid $100 for them to tell me my stroke looks great and that they adjusted my lie angle 1*. Kinda sucked. I left feeling/wondering if there was a better setup for me.
[/quote]

There was a bootmaker in Santa Fe who produced an inventory of "fit test" boots in just about every size. That is 6.5-14, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE widths. Considering all the widths, his fit test inventory was about 100 pairs. Producing those was a considerable up front expense for him, but over the decades of use well worth it. Rather than do what most custom boot makers do, which is take a precise measurement, he actually had pairs ready to try on and walk about while wearing. This guy sold a lot of boots because he had the fit test boots. It's an easier sale when the customer know for certain his expensive boots will fit him well.
A company like Ping. or a retailer who sells Ping, would be well served to have a putter test fit inventory of a dozen or so varied length-lie putters. And certainly any "fit oriented brand", such as KZG or Wishon, , and their authorized dealers, should do this for length and lie fit testing.
The mater of head shape design, amount of offset, putting stroke type etc... is another story. For that I see no reason to produce any fit test inventory..