SAM PuttLab is an analysis and training system based on an accurate ultrasound measurements. It analyzes the 28 most important parameters of the putting stroke and displays the results in easy to understand graphic reports. Discover your individual strengths and weaknesses for a better and more efficient training. It is recognized as the leading analysis and training system in the world today.
Within seconds the system gives you an individual feedback on your putting strokes. The analysis reveals even the smallest details of your movements and allows you to develop improvements and training strategies. SAM PuttLab utilizes ultrasound sensory analysis and therefore is far more exact than any other similar system on the market. Contact us today to try out the Sam PuttLab – The Ultimate Putting Training System available now at Rob Houlding Golf!
SAM PuttLab – The Ultimate Putting Training System
Alignment at Set-up & Impact
This report shows the alignment of the putter face at address and the second shows the putter face through impact. The dotted line exactly represents the calibrated target direction. A putter face 100% square to the target exactly results in 0 degrees.
The two bars on the right side of the graph show the Score rating for average alignment as well as the Consistency over the different putts. The bars are green for ratings above 75%, yellow for ratings between 50% and 75% and red for ratings below 50%.
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Putter Path Direction
This graph displays the path of the putter viewed from above during back swing (dotted lines) and forward swing (solid lines). The different putts are indicated by different colors, with the first putt at the top.
Impact Point on the Putter Face
This graph exactly shows where you hit the ball on your putter face. The horizontal and vertical lines in the middle of the putter face represent the geometrical centre of the putter which normally represents the sweet spot.
The two bars on the right side of the graph show the Score rating for the horizontal impact spot as well as Consistency over the different putts.
Rotation report
This graph shows the putter face angle at different positions in the forward swing: At the start of the forward swing (right), at impact (middle) and at the end (left) of forward swing. The red lines indicate the deviation of the putter angles from the square alignment. Face angles are shown under the putter face pictures
In the middle of the graph the face rotation for a fixed area of +/- 10 cm before and after impact is shown. The rotation inside of this fixed area is independent of the length of the putter path and allows to directly compare the rotation of putts with different path lengths.
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Path & Putter Face Relationship
This report exactly indicates how the putter face is aligned on the putter path around impact and shows the deviation from square alignment. For a natural stroke the path can be slightly arced, but the putter face will always be square to the path. Arc and rotation are then only a consequence of the tilted swing plane.
The vertical lines represent the putter face angle along the path in the displayed area. The different colors of the lines show how the putter face is aligned relatively to the direction of the path (NOT TO THE TARGET!).
Red line: The Putter face is open more than 1 degree on the path
Blue line: The putter face is closed more than 1 degree on the path
Black line: The putter face is aligned in between +/- 1 degrees on the path (this means it is nearly perfectly square).
The Face On Path angle is measured against the path direction for every displayed line, NOT against the target alignment. If the face is square on path at impact, then the ball is going exactly in the direction where face and path are pointing to. If the putt still misses the target, then the complete body alignment is off.
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Movement Dynamics
The description of movement dynamics includes speed (velocity) and acceleration within backswing and forward swing. Movement dynamics are not directly related to putting technique. Movement dynamics rather show the motor skill level and the movement strategies underlying movement planning and execution. Backswing and forward swing curves are separated and displayed in two graphs only for educational purposes.
Movement Velocity
Movement velocity is always zero at the beginning and the end of a swing. The maximum speed lies approximately in the middle of the movement (bell shaped profile). The speed curves should be smooth and regular for automated movement execution.
Acceleration
The acceleration signal directly corresponds to the velocity signal: Acceleration is change of speed over time. High acceleration means fast increase of velocity. Zero acceleration means constant velocity. Negative acceleration means decreasing velocity.
Impact
The moment of impact is indicated with a vertical stripe in the velocity data. In the acceleration curve the impact with the ball can be identified by a steep cusp because the impact decelerates the putter face for a short moment. As the data is filtered, the cusp is wider than in reality. The exact impact is at the bottom of the cusp.This can be key information for the player.
Backswing
Backswing duration is generally shorter than forward swing duration. The backswing starts smoothly. At the end of the backswing there is a sharp change from back to forward swing in the acceleration signal. Backswing and forward swing should not be two separate movements. This shows the typical characteristics of a committed putting technique. A backswing duration of 600-700 ms is in the optimal range.
Transition
The transition from backswing to forward swing is fluent without any pause. This is indicated a steep change from backswing into forward swing. This can be supported by a slight release of the putter at the top of the backswing. Hands and arms should be stable and firm but not stiff. Stiff limbs hinder smooth movement and do not provide proper feedback.
Forward swing
Forward swing starts approximately at the level where the backswing ended. So a committed begin of forward swing is preceded by a committed end of backswing and a steep transition. The acceleration profile allows identifying the putting technique of the player. For a swing putting technique acceleration starts at a high level and is then kept constant until impact. For a hit putting technique acceleration starts at a lower level, increases steeply just before impact (to more than double), and decreases steeply after impact. For the player shown in this graph, acceleration increases slightly, but indicates still a swing type stroke. Forward swing duration of 800-900 ms is in the optimal range.
Consistency
Automated movements should be executed each time in exactly the same way. In particular the acceleration signal is extremely sensitive to muscle action and shows all details of movement execution. This refers to the shape of the curves, to height and position of the peaks, and to duration of the movements. For this player the repeatability of the curves, the duration of the movements and the position and height of the peaks is very similar. This indicates a high degree of movement automation and a high skill level.
Rhythm & Timing
Rhythm and timing are generally guiding human movements. Consistent rhythm and timing are crucial for high consistency of the complete stroke. Proper rhythm and timing are the basic principles in skilled movement performance.
The graph shows the time of backswing, the time from beginning of forward swing to impact, and the time of the complete forward swing in bar charts. Time to impact is also marked with a horizontal line inside of the forward swing bar. The grey areas indicate the preferred range of the timings of the PGA Tour sample. The average time values are shown below the bars.
Backswing time
Backswing time should be generally about 100-200 ms shorter than forward swing time. Backswing duration of 600-700 ms is in the preferred range of PGA Tour Pros.
Time to impact
Time from beginning of forward swing to impact is approximately half time of backswing time (see 8.3) which would mean 300-350 ms.
Forward swing time
Forward swing time should be generally about 100-200 ms longer than backswing time. The putter swinging on its own has a cycle time of about 950 ms. Forward swing time is approximately in this range. Forward swing duration of 800-900 ms is in the preferred range of PGA Tour Pros.
The absolute times can differ between different stroke types, more aggressive (committed) players generally show shorter times and more cautious (anxious) players show longer times. However, rhythm and timing (the relation of the components) should then still be in a preferred range (see 8.3). In other words, the complete stroke can be somewhat slower or faster, but rhythm and timing are always the same range.
Learn more about how the putter effects ball and roll
Learn more about how the putter effects ball and roll
Loft and Rise Angle at Impact
This graph shows a horizontal side view of the putter path during back swing (dotted lines) and forward swing (solid lines). The different putts are indicated by different colours, with the first putt at the top. The physical horizontal ground is indicated by horizontal grey dashed lines.
The small black dot represents the starting point of the movement. The putter is smoothly lifted at the beginning of the backswing while moving to the right. Backswing in Tour players is generally flat which allows the forward swing to then come up through impact.
The average numerical value for angle of attack (Rise) at impact is shown beneath the curves in degrees. For this player the forward swing path is leading 2.9 degrees upwards through the ball. The numbers for each single Rise angle are displayed on the left side.
The putter path curves run very parallel. The backswing lengths are considerable consistent.