Putter for negative AoA?

[Boogeyman]

I really like a forward press when putting and of course that's not an issue since loft can always be adjusted to match it. But I'm also very right eye dominant and having the ball placement far ahead of my right feels very odd. So when I combine the forward press with a ball position around the middle of the stance I usually end up hitting down on the ball. And that means the ball won't start rolling purely and negatively impacts my distance control.

 

Now does anyone know of any putters that have been designed with a negative AoA in mind? Or any design features that would work better with it? Or should I just fix my setup in order to get the ball rolling properly?

Edited January 4 by Boogeyman
Spelling mistake

[getitdaily]

Fix the setup and stroke. The only putters that will even remotely help are those with an extreme forward CoG. 

[MattM97]

A setup and ball position fix is by far the easiest and cheapest option. I've done it just takes some practice and patience. 

[Socrates]

Change your setup.  Continuing on with a flawed setup is never a good thing.  Before I got my current putter (Ping Valor) I knew that I was hitting down on the ball a little as the ball never really rolled well.  There always was a little hop/skid and it got worse the longer the putt I had to make.  When I started using the Valor, it put me in a different setup position and I really noticed how well the ball rolled.  So much so that I bought it even though I initially really didn't like the look.  Going away from an Anser style putter was the best thing I did.  Now I don't fear the ball will hop and bounce off line.  I still have a bit of a yip issue, but when I've got that under control, I really roll it well.

 

[roundersmitty]

Maybe something with a slight radial face like Bobby Grace design.   The face contacts the ball above the equator for immediate roll.  

[is1ander]

9 hours ago, Boogeyman said:

I really like a forward press when putting and of course that's not an issue since loft can always be adjusted to match it. But I'm also very right eye dominant and having the ball placement far ahead of my right feels very odd. So when I combine the forward press with a ball position around the middle of the stance I usually end up hitting down on the ball. And that means the ball won't start rolling purely and negatively impacts my distance control.

 

Now does anyone know of any putters that have been designed with a negative AoA in mind? Or any design features that would work better with it? Or should I just fix my setup in order to get the ball rolling properly?

 

I went to Club Champion and my optimal loft was -1. The gentleman adjusted my Scotty Newport 2 and I started puring putts like I've never done before in my life. Since then, I've movede to mallets and have all my putters set at -1 loft except for Mezz Max. I just putt it normally and the feel is not as good as the others but distance control is fine.

[Gator5]

I would recommend changing setup or a lesson. Could also try a seemore putter with RST so you know your setup and ball position is correct then go from there. 

[ShortGolfer]

Get a putter fitting and have the loft of your favorite putter adjusted to your swing.

 

When does the golf season start where you live?

A couple months may be enough time to get used to a swing change.

Edited January 4 by ShortGolfer

[is1ander]

27 minutes ago, ShortGolfer said:

Get a putter fitting and have the loft of your favorite putter adjusted to your swing.

 

When does the golf season start where you live?

A couple months may be enough time to get used to a swing change.

 

I agree. First question is: Have you ever been fit for a putter? If not, that's step one because a swing change will still likely require a putter fitting to optimize. A good putter fitter can also give set-up tips. 

[Nickb333]

Sik face? 

[jda]

If you don't want to change the stroke, then a smooth face will impart less backspin onto the ball... especially with longer putts.

 

Of course, changing the setup is likely best.

[Phabs]

Putter with 10* of loft 

[MFBach]

What’s wrong with just adding loft to your current putter? Changing setup and stroke is far more difficult thang having the loft adjusted on your existing putter. 
 

Who cares if it’s a weird spec? We see all kinds of crazy putters and strokes on tour every week. Whatever works for you should be the goal. 
 

Take your putter and go somewhere that can provide specs and details, then find the optimal loft to provide the shortest distance before pure roll. Have the putter bent and forget about the rest. 
 

Based on my experience, I had a similar issue with the ball being well forward in my stance. I was in for a putter fitting and it obviously came up because it was affecting distance control significantly. The guy was a premier fitter, and I suggested moving the ball back in my stance. He said it would be crazy to adjust my entire setup when we could just adjust the loft. My gamers have 1* of loft now and I’ve never looked back or thought twice about it. 

[chip75]

On 1/4/2025 at 7:40 AM, Boogeyman said:

So when I combine the forward press with a ball position around the middle of the stance I usually end up hitting down on the ball. And that means the ball won't start rolling purely and negatively impacts my distance control.

A middle-ish ball position shouldn't hurt you too much, but it really depends on how steep you are. Loft will help, but I'd be concerned that you're chopping down and across with negative loft. 

 

I'd check your face on position, see if you're leaning forward. You could also try a reverse-Jack and rotate your head to accommodate your eye dominance.

[Boogeyman]

Thank you all for your responses! I was eventually able to book myself a putting lesson with a reputable putting coach in two weeks so I hope that he'll be able to tell me whether I should adjust my setup or do something with my equipment. I actually have three different putters now that I'm sort of inbetween: Rife Abaco, Spider Tour Red with plumber's neck and an Armlock Spider GTX. I had a SAM putting lab session with the Spider Tour about two years ago and I got good numbers with it back then. But after that I've startes feeling a lot more comfortable with a forward press so it's not the best match for me anymore. But I'll take all three with me and see what he'll think.