LEVERAGING SPORTING EQUIPMENT BALANCE AND WEIGHT DISTRUBUTION INFLUENCE ON PUTTING KINEMATICS –A STUDY ON COUNTER-BALANCED PUTTER DESIGN

Abstract

In golf, putting is considered one of the most important factors for scoring of professional Tour players (Alexander & Kern, 2005), and accounts for 43% ± 2% per round (Pelz & Frank, 2000). Unlike the long game, short game like putting, is focused on its accuracy and consistency (Hume, Keogh & Reid, 2005). Putting stroke requires accurate and repeatable stroke especially during impact stage, and one of the most recent putter design is to grip down or to have extra weights on the grip end of the club, also known as the counterbalanced putter.