Most right-handed golfers have been told that a right-to-left putt is better for them. Or, at least, fits their eye better. This is a common perspective in the golf world.
There is certainly truth in this perspective or opinion, especially for a right eye-dominant golfer.
Do right-handed golfers truly putt right-to-left putts better? Let’s find out.
R2L versus L2R
Over the years, our putter testing has given golfers insight as to which putters are the best from an off-the-rack perspective. Now, with the help of PuttView, we can expand putter testing beyond putters themselves including the opportunity to test putting scenarios.
This lab aims to provide statistical data to the discussion of right-to-left putts and left-to-right putts for a right-handed golfer. Do golfers actually perform better from one of these scenarios? Is the performance negligible? We are about to find out.
Testing parameters
If you are new to MyGolfSpy, data is the heartbeat of our operation. Here are the parameters for this right-to-left versus left-to-right putt lab:
- 10 testers (handicaps between 0-15)
- 20 putts taken from each condition
- ~12′ putts only
- Each tester used their own putter
Right-to-left versus left-to-right putts – the data
There are three key metrics we will be focusing on in this particular lab:
- Average Miss Distance
- Putts Holed/Average Putts Holed
- Strokes Gained
With PuttView technology, we can measure and collect each of these three key metrics. Each one gives us insight as to how each individual tester performs on a right-to-left breaking putt and a left-to-right breaking putt. Most importantly, this data reveals the overall performance from both of these breaking putt conditions.
Average miss distance
This is simple. You hit a putt and then PuttView calculates a “miss distance” for that putt. Average miss distance is a metric we didn’t have access to in the past. It gives us a clear view of which testing condition produces a closer proximity to the hole on average.
Overall, testers had a closer proximity to the hole on average on a right-to-left breaking putt. Here are some key notes:
- R2L – 0.81′
- L2R – 0.93′
- The closest and furthest proximity to the hole were on a left-to-right breaking putt (0.47 feet and 1.37 feet).
This is the putting metric where we see the greatest advantage in favor of a right-to-left putt. More on that later on.
Total putts holed and average putts holed
Total putts holed and average putts holed are the eye-opening statistics in this test. In this case, they are mind-boggling because we have a dead tie between our two testing conditions.
- R2L – 64 total putts holed
- L2R- 64 total putts holed
Similarly, average putts holed between the two conditions is identical.
- R2L – 6.4 average for putts holed
- L2R – 6.4 average for putts holed
As you can see, making putts in either condition is less likely than putting uphill or downhill. Not only that but the performance is a toss-up. Some golfers will putt well on a right-to-left breaking putt. Others will be more efficient on left-to-right breaking putts.
Strokes Gained
Another key metric is Strokes Gained. It is a direct representation of performance over 18 holes.
Once again, neither condition separates itself from the other:
- R2L -0.01 Strokes Gained
- L2R -0.01 Strokes Gained
Now, a loss of 0.01 Strokes Gained is arguably negligible but it shows just how similar the performance on right-to-left and left-to-right breaking putts can be within this lab.
Which putt do you want? Right-to-left or left-to-right?
The data is clear: Performance from each condition is situational to the golfer.
It truly is a coin flip in performance. Most testers were one to three putts better depending on the breaking putt. Some were better on right-to-left and some were better on left-to-right. A 50-50 split at its finest.
However, there are specific data insights that suggest the greatest performance benefits come on a right-to-left breaking putt for right-handed golfers.
During your next round, track how many right-to-left and left-to-right putts you have and see how your performance stacks up. See if you excel at one versus the other. Maybe, you end up performing around 50-50. Or maybe you see a substantial performance difference in one of the two scenarios.
Jim R
5 months ago
If I hit the same putt 20 times in a row, I would know the speed and break pretty well after a ball or two, regardless of the break direction. That’s what you’re testing. On the golf course, I hit one putt and don’t have the advantage of practice putts.