Putting Alignment in Golf

This paper investigates putting alignment in golf and examines the efficacy of using a foreshortened, intermediary target. Putting alignment was quantified using a laser light source embedded into the heel of a putter. Twenty seven subjects (23 male, 4 female; age 30.3, s = 14.2 years) were assigned to three experimental groups based on their performance standard and experience: 2–11 handicap (n = 9), 12–24 handicap (n = 9), novice golfers (n = 9). Subjects used a conventional style of putting alignment for two different lengths of intended putts; 1.83 m and 3.66 m. Results indicated that novice golfers exhibited significantly larger alignment errors than experienced golfers (P=0.002), no significant difference in alignment error was noted between 2–11 handicap and 12–24 handicap golfers. Respective mean alignment errors, to the 1.83 m target, were 1.11°, s_x = 0.19°; 0.69°, s_x = 0.09°; 0.69°, s_x = 0.10°; for novice, 12–24 handicap and 2–11 handicap golfers. Likewise respective mean alignment errors to the 3.66 m target were 1.40°, s_x = 0.21°; 0.84°, s_x = 0.16°; 0.82°, s_x = 0.14°. The use of a foreshortened, intermediary target (1.83 m) resulted in significant improvements in percentage success rates compared to when the actual target was located at a distance of 3.66 m (P=0.03).