Putter loft—the face angle relative to vertical, usually 2°–4°—plays a decisive role in how the ball launches and rolls. Its goal is not to lift the ball but to raise it slightly from its green depression and start smooth forward roll as early as possible. Wrong loft—too little or too much—causes skidding, bouncing, and loss of distance and direction control.
Function and Ideal Range
Loft controls launch angle and determines when the ball transitions from skid to roll. The ideal launch angle is narrow: 0.75°–2.5°. Too little loft (<1°) keeps the ball in its depression, producing long skid and “wobble.” Too much loft (>4°) lifts it too high, causing hop and bounce. The result in both cases is unstable roll and inconsistent pace.
Dynamic Loft and Fitting
The effective loft delivered at impact depends on stroke mechanics:
Correct fitting measures dynamic loft at impact, not just static loft. Tools analyzing launch, skid, and roll phases help match loft precisely to each golfer’s stroke.
Roll Dynamics
Optimal loft achieves three effects:
Performance Consequences
Analogy: Putter loft acts like a ramp angle. Too shallow (low loft) scrapes the floor; too steep (high loft) makes the ball bounce. The ideal ramp gives a clean, immediate roll.
Summary
Correct loft—typically 2°–4°, fine-tuned to stroke and green conditions—produces an efficient launch and early pure roll. The smallest deviation outside the 0.75°–2.5° launch window disrupts accuracy, pace, and feel. Proper loft fitting ensures every putt starts true and rolls consistently toward the hole.