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How to Release the Putter Face

Putting distance control and direction are deeply connected to face rotation. Most golfers don’t realize that the putter face needs to be released through the stroke — just like every other club in the bag — and that release involves a small but critical amount of rotation.

Not to the same degree as a full swing, obviously. But if you want to control your distance, start your putts on line, and produce a true roll rather than excessive backspin, you need to slightly deloft the putter through impact — not add loft like the majority of golfers unconsciously do.

Most golfers allow the putter face to work upward through impact in an attempt to keep it square to the target line. From the golfer’s perspective, it looks like the face is staying square.

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On a short putt where accuracy is paramount, golfers naturally resist any sense of the face moving. So the lead wrist breaks down — the left wrist collapses — to prevent perceived face rotation.

If you look down during that flip, it appears as though you’ve succeeded in keeping the putter face pointed at the target throughout the stroke.

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Read the full article: How to Release the Putter Face

Chuck Quinton

is the founder of the RotarySwing Tour online golf instruction learning system. He played golf professionally for 8 years and has been teaching golf since 1995 and has worked with more than 100 playing professionals who have played on the PGA, Web.com and other major tours around the world.

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