Cool Stuff: Path2Putt Laser Putting Aid

“Straight back and straight through” has long been common advice in the world of putting instruction, so much so that many recreational golfers are surprised to learn that most tour professionals actually use an arcing stroke.

The arcing stroke makes sense if you think about it, however. A putter is not a pool cue or a croquet mallet. The shaft enters the head at an angle, and golfer stands to the side of the ball, also at an angle. In every other golf shot, the club head travels inside the target line on the way back, and inside again after impact. And the putting stroke can be considered a miniature golf shot.

Into this picture steps the new Path2Putt laser training aid, which demonstrates how the putter can stay “on path” during an arcing stroke.

The Path2Putt aid consists of a cylindrical laser pointer that clips onto the upper shaft of the putter. You rotate the clip until the laser’s red dot is pointing just forward of the putter face, and in line with the sweet spot of the putter face–and also in line with a corresponding line on the floor or putting green, such as a seam in a hardwood floor or a chalkline on the grass (our photos didn’t do justice to the red dot, so we are relying on the accompanying graphic below so that you can get the gist).

From there, you make your arcing stroke and watch the path of the dot. If it the dot travels along the straight line, you are on path (ie: on plane). If you stray off plane, the dot will deviate inside or outside the line. When you’re on plane, it’s really fun (and somewhat counterintuitive) to watch your putter head come inside on the takeaway while the laser dot travels back in a straight line.

The goal of the Path2Putt is to help you groove a consistent arc stroke that stays on plane and strikes the ball square to the target line.  When it comes to putting, it’s different strokes for different folks. Some golfers take the putter inside, others take it straight back, and some even take it outside on the way back. But if you want to develop a consistent arc stroke that stays on plane, the Path2Putt provides innovatively precise feedback.

Our take is that the Path2Putt is too pricey at $49. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t cool.