Golf handicap is significantly correlated to putting performance with low handi-cap golfers (LH) demonstrating increased putting accuracy compared with high handicap golfers (HH). This study also noted that elite golfers had slightly less velocity but more precise putter face angles at impact which increased their accuracy in completing more successful putts than amateur golfers. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that kinematic assessments of face angle at impact, putter path, the vertical spot and backswing are critical determinants of a golfer’s success and are useful indicators to help improve accuracy and precision of golf putts. Elite golfers have a more accurate direction and face angle when compared to amateur golfers. The studies included demonstrated that kinematic approaches can help improve accuracy and precision of golf putts which help to increase the success rate of putts and reduce overall scoring. After the articles were assessed for eligibility, n = 17 articles were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. Results: Out of the initial n = 897, n = 834 records were excluded. The number of articles were reduced further to n = 25 and included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Among these articles, only n = 63 were assessed for eligibility. The total number of studies screened for this review was n = 897. An initial, broad search of electronic databases including PubMed, SPORT discus, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar was conducted for literature using the keywords “biomechanics” AND “golf putting”. Methods: A total of 25 articles were used in this review. Specifically, this study also investigated the differences in club head velocity and putter face angle at impact (°) between elite and amateur golfers. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether kinematic assessments help to improve golf putting accuracy and precision, and increase the success rate of golf putts.

The plumb-bob method was found to be an invalid system for determining the break of a putt. A + 1.5 degrees error on a 1.4 m (approximately 4.5 ft) putt translates into reading an extra 0.08 m of break and a missed putt. Half of the participants in the study deviated by +/-1.5 degrees or greater from standing perpendicular to a slope.

The second experiment examined the ability of a golfer to stand perpendicular to a slope. It was determined that if the slope of the green beneath the golfer was different from the slope between the ball and the hole, then the plumb-bob method would provide an incorrect indication of break. In the first experiment, a controlled putting environment was constructed to assess the plumb-bob method in determining the break of a putt, if the slope of the green was not constant from the position of the golfer behind the ball through to the hole. Two separate experiments were conducted to examine the consequence of violating inherent assumptions in the method. This study evaluated the validity of the plumb-bob method as used to determine the break of a putt.

Plumb bob putting