There is one application application of basic physics that improves putting accuracy: MOI, as applied in perimeter weighting and face balance. Another basic principle has now been applied (pat pend) that has been proven to increase distance control: EVR, error variance reduction insert, USGA approved, actually keeps missed putts closer to the hole. Especially helpful for fast greens and yip control. Can be found at Straightaimgolf.com or email me

Dear Richard,

I visited the website to check out the physics, but the description on the website was not very clear about the technology. I gather that the putter face has some design feature that absorbs impact rather than reflects it (and this is important somehow for distance consistency in some way), but the terminology used to describe this was very jargony and elusive.

Could you either send me a putter to learn from and review or provide a clearer explanation of the system?

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
Putting Theorist and Instructor
Geoff Mangum's PuttingZone
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Geoff,

The putter face does absorb impact, in a calculated, nonobvious, way, which made it patentable, but not so much as to violate USGA requirements It can be understood with a bit of common sense statistics: You putt 4 times at a target with a standard metal- or hard polymer-face putter and miss all four times. Two are too short at 2 and 4ft. and two are too long at 6 and 8ft. The average deviation of these putts from their average (5ft.) is 2ft. Let us design a putter insert, meeting USGA requirements, that absorbs 50% of the impact force and hit the same 4 putts. The lengths of these putts will be 1, 2, 3 and 4ft. The average (absolute) deviation of these putts from their average (the target) is 1ft. The second group of putts end up 50% closer to the target, on average, than the first group of putts. I call this the EVR (error variance reducing) effect.

The second group of putts don't go as far, on average, as the first group; you have to hat them harder to reach a 5ft. target, but they will end up 50% closer to the target than those hit with the standard putter face. Golfers quickly learn to hit harder, just as they quickly adjust to putting on a slower green.

Designing an insert for a given EVR over a given distance, given a certain green speed, and still meet USGA requirements, has been tricky, but I have prototypes that 1. Reduce EV by a fairly uniform % to a target distance of 22ft., with a green speed of Stimpmeter=11ft. 2. Reduce EV more for short putts (under 10ft.) than for longer putts. I think this may be helpful to yippers who have trouble with short putts (Some pros seem fit this category). These putters should help control distance on very fast greens.

I have put EVR inserts in some of my own Straight-Aim putters, but the inserts can be installed in a putter of any design.

One cannot just use a soft insert and come up with a USGA-legal putter. (I do see illegal balata inserts being used). In order to get significant EVR, say with a balata putter face, USGA requirements will be exceeded. Another trick I had to accomplish was to get significant EVR and still meet USGA requirements.

Physical principles used in calibrating acoustical and vibration damping provide a new background for increasing putting accuracy.

I built a putting machine for objective testing. It was tricky coming up with a machine in which I could control (increase or decrease) random error, but I have a prototype that works, and have found insert configurations that do produce specific EVR profiles.

Regards,

Richard L. Patten

How can I buy evr inserts to put in my putters?
Thanks. GAP