Understanding Trackman Putting Data
Ever wondered why some putts break more than others, or why your seemingly perfect stroke produces inconsistent results? At PARennial Golf, we believe that understanding your putting data is the key to becoming a more consistent putter. Let's break down Trackman's putting measurements into digestible insights that will help you hole more putts.
The Stroke Mechanics
Timing & Rhythm
- Backswing Time: How long your putter travels away from the ball. Think of this as the 'loading' phase of your stroke.
- Forward Swing Time: The time your putter spends moving toward impact. This is your 'delivery' phase.
- Tempo: The relationship between your backswing and forward swing times. Like a metronome for your putting stroke, this ratio is crucial for consistency.
- Stroke Length: How far you take the putter back. This is your 'dosage' control for distance.
Impact Conditions
- Club Speed: Your putter's velocity at impact - the primary driver of distance control.
- Face Angle: Where your putter face is pointing at impact. Even a single degree off here can mean a missed putt.
- Club Path: The direction your putter is moving through impact (in-to-out or out-to-in).
- Face to Path: The relationship between face angle and path. This tells you why your ball starts on its initial line - or doesn't.
- Dynamic Lie: How your putter shaft leans at impact, affecting the ball's launch conditions.
Ball Behavior
Initial Launch
- Ball Speed: The immediate velocity of your ball post-impact.
- Launch Direction: Where your ball starts relative to your target line.
- Launch Angle: How much your ball is lifting off the ground at impact.
The Roll Phase
- Skid Distance: How far your ball bounces or slides before achieving true roll.
- Roll Speed: The velocity once your ball starts purely rolling.
- Speed Drop: The percentage of speed lost between impact and true roll.
- Roll Percentage: The proportion of your putt that's actually rolling versus skidding.
- Bounces: The number of times your ball hops during the skid phase.
Green Reading Metrics
Surface Analysis
- Effective Stimp: The actual speed of your specific putt.
- Flat Stimp: The general green speed, normalized for slope.
- Slope Percentage (Side & Rise): The actual tilt of the green, both horizontally and vertically.
- Break: Total curve from start to finish.
- Elevation: Height change from start to finish of your putt.
Pro Tip
While Trackman captures many putting metrics, the key to consistent putting lies in three fundamental measurements:
- Face Angle: The biggest factor in your initial ball direction. Even the perfect speed doesn't matter if you're starting the ball offline.
- Club Path: A consistent path leads to consistent impact. Think of this as your putter's highway to the ball.
- Speed Control: Monitored through ball speed and roll metrics, this determines not just distance but how your ball behaves on slopes and breaks.
Focus on these three elements, and you'll see immediate improvements in your putting consistency. Remember, even the pros only make about 50% of their 8-foot putts - putting is about managing your misses as much as making everything.
Why This Matters
At PARennial Golf, we see putting as a blend of art and science. Understanding these numbers helps you:
- Develop a more consistent stroke
- Better predict how your ball will react on different surfaces
- Practice with purpose rather than just hitting putts
- Make more informed decisions about your putting style and equipment
Remember, these measurements are tools to help you understand your tendencies and improve your consistency. They should inform your practice, not overwhelm it. Every great putter has their own unique stroke - what matters is finding what works consistently for you.
Ready to dial in your putting stroke with TrackMan data? Download the PARennial Golf app and make a booking or purchase a membership today.
