By Ed Travis
One of the basic truths about golf is even when a putt is hit online with the correct speed it sometimes doesn’t go in. Don’t ask why just accept it and move on. This doesn’t mean however we can’t improve our chances by training ourselves to produce a stroke that will raise the odds.
Dave Hamilton of The Putting Arc renewed our acquaintance recently and sent me the current version of their very simple aid to teach ourselves a square-to-inside-to-square-to-inside stroke. In other words, an arc that returns the putter face to the proper line so all you must do is create the correct speed.
The principle behind the Putting Arc is the stroke, is not, as many believe, straight-back and straight-through but an ellipse due to the tilt of the spine at address and rotation of the putter around the spine. 
When a normal putting setup is used with an alignment rod pointing on the target line the putter must be manipulated to keep it going on the correct line. That’s certainly possible to do but it is much easier to simply turn the shoulders and let the putter move naturally.
That’s the beauty of the Putting Arc. It promotes a natural motion which means with a little practice it is relatively easy to ingrain.
Notice we aren’t going at length about a particular putting stance, grip, or other unnatural position that may be uncomfortable. Place your eyes directly over the ball, with shoulders parallel to the line and the Putting Arc will produce the proper stroke. An important point is to remember the putter face is not travelling perpendicular to the target line, but perpendicular to the arc.
Although this is all based on a very complicated mathematical equation, The Putting Arc makes it simple for us mere Golfaholics. Once your mind accepts the proper turn, it’s just a matter of repetition.
The first session with the Putting Arc quickly showed I wasn’t always setting up parallel with my spine properly centered and I wasn’t on the correct plane. It also caught me every time my head moved or there was a little flip in of the hands.
The plan is to continue working with the Putting Arc to improve my consistency.
There are three basic Putting Arc models including one, the MS-3D ($69.95) that has a mirror to check alignment of the eyes and shoulders plus it can be used for the putter heel or toe.
Prices start at $35.95 for the 21-inch T3 Travel Size and we especially like the MSIII ($59.95) that can be easily carried in the apparel pocket of a golf bag. Find all the details and order information at ThePuttingArc.com.
