Low Point

[tongzilla]

Also you can think of a pendellum. It will have no lean in the shaft at low point. Now all that matters is where that pendellum is rotating on the body.

I don't want to sound pedantic (), but:

The pendulum is an example of the Vertical (Only) Hinge Action, hence not compatible with The Putting Arc®.

[vj]

Birdie Man,

Left to my own sense of geometry which has been given to me through TGM and Lynn, I would place the ball mid stance for the shoulder stroke and Left shoulder for the arm only stroke. Let me clarify that a need for it to be "exact" depends on the person. However, accomplishing a "sameness" here will alleviate any wild "feelings" as the putter head swings down-out-forward to low point and then back-up-in to follow through.

So rough pattern of ball position can be guided in putting by understanding the geometry of the circle. Know where the center of the circe is and this will give you knowledge as to ball position. The radius of this circle will give you knowledge of proper shaft lean and the visual proof of "pendellum" motion in the putting stroke no matter the if the arcing, straight back and through, or any other possible stroke is used.

[tongzilla]

The incline swing plane with a Vertical Hinge becomes vertical, no? The swing plane is still there or has it become somethings else?

Hey, stupid questions got me through college- LOL.

In fact, I was thinking about this in Canton (Three G.O.L.F. Guys School) when Mikestloc (Mike Finney) asked me the exact same question.

Go through this mind experiment with me and you'll understand it! It might cost you a few brain cells, but it's worth it -- trust me.

The Vertical (Only) Hinge Action may best be represented visually by a pendulum. Now, I know the pendulum doesn't contain any pins and hinges, and therefore it isn't a proper Hinge, but the most important thing is that their Basic Plane of Motion are identical -- they both have a Vertical Plane of Motion, e.g. the Wall.

1. Imagine swinging this pendulum -- for example, a string with a weight attached at the bottom -- flat against the wall. Since the wall is also vertical, there should be no conflict -- the pendulum swings beautifully along the wall.
   
   
2. Now imagine the weight has a Clubshaft attached to it. This Clubshaft will not be vertical with the string (although it can be), but instead, it will be at an angle, as if it's on the Inclined Plane.
   
   
3. With the addition of the inclined Clubshaft in Step 2, repeat Step 1.

Nothing has changed -- you are still using a Vertical (Only) Hinge Action even though the Clubshaft is Inclined at an angle!

Now, if you did the step 3 with an imaginery Inclined Plane board lying flat against the Clubshaft, the Clubshaft will not stay on this Inclined Plane while the pendulum / Vertical (Only) Hinge Action is operating. If you wanted the Clubshaft to stay on this Inclined Plane, you would need to use a Dual Vertical Hinge Action, which is not what we're talking about here.

So to summarise:

• Contrary to popular belief, the Clubshaft/Sweetspot angle of inclination does not have to be vertical when using Vertical (Only) Hinge Action. It can be inclined at any angle you want.
  
  
• The Clubshaft never stays 'On Plane' when using Vertical (Only) Hinge Action. The only exception is when the Clubshaft is also Vertical.
  

[vj]

Why put the ball at low point? What is the reason for doing it? Why does it matter?

All really great questions. So let's get enough information together to allow people to understand where low point is and then you can make the decision.

When the ball is situated perfectly at low point the putterhead is neither moving up or down. It is at its bottom and the center of the putter (in a vertical fashion) will strike the ball equator of the ball. THe shaft here, witout manipulation will be vertical to the ground.

When the ball is situated behind low point the putterhead is moving downwards. Here the upper part of the putterhead (in a vertical fashion) will strike above the equator of the ball. All this holds true without MANIPULATION. Furthermore, the putter shaft will be leaning forward at impact, changing the loft of the putter and the roll characteristics of the ball.

When the ball is situated ahead of low point the putterhead is moving upwards. Here the bottom of the putterface (in a vertical fashion) will strike below the equator of the ball. The putter shaft will be leaning back at impact, changing the loft of the putter and the roll characteristics of the ball.

The changes in shaft lean, and solidness of impact is the reason I CHOOSE not to place the ball TOO FAR from lowpoint. It just opens the door for manipulation. THe importance of low point points to the geometry of the circle and from there anyone can see the true pendellum motion which takes place. Moving the ball around naturally changes the lean of the shaft as it relates to the geometry of the circle.

I hope I have answered the first three questions. Today is October 14 and I would like to extend an offer to any of the forum members. Send me your putting strokes on either VHS, DVD, or mini DV and I will give them a study and send back the changes. There will be no charge to forum members. Unfortunately, I will not except tapes after November 14th.

VJ Trolio
Old Waverly Golf Club
One Magnolia Drive
West Point, MS
39773

[cometgolfer]

VJ,

You may have addressed this in another thread or it may be in my Putting Arc instructions. When locating the ball at low point is the "back" of the ball positioned at the low point or the "center" of the ball (or am I just splitting hairs here)?

I can see where the center of the ball at low point would encourage the "contact before low point" that we seek in full strokes.

BTW - I do like my Putting Arc.

[vj]

Comet,

You are definitely splitting hairs. However, if the back of the ball is sitting at low point the putter head will have a shallower angle of attack than if the center of the ball is sitting at low point. Get back to the "hit" as the puttershaft should be vertical at low point and I think you will discover your ball position.

[tongzilla]

Definitely reference it with the back of the ball. If the back of the ball is at Low Point, then your Angle of Approach would also be your Plane Line for putting (negligible compression, hence Impact = Separation).

[vj]

Also understand by favoring one side of your body or the other (weight) low point can be moved. For instance if you favor the left leg it is possible your spine or left shoulder to move closer to the target. This would mean a change in ball position is necessary.

Alternatively, favoring the right leg would move it back. So get in front of a mirror and take a look.