What happens to the putter loft when achieving less forward press?

When achieving less forward press with the putter, the loft of the putter effectively decreases. Forward press refers to the tendency for players to lean the hands forward towards the target at the start of the putting stroke. This action typically lowers the effective loft on the putter at impact, producing a more downward angle of attack and potentially incorporating less loft on the ball, leading to a more controlled roll.

If there is less forward press, the hands remain in a more neutral or even slightly backward position. This position increases the angle of the clubface relative to the ground at impact, which means that the putter's loft is not being decreased as much. Consequently, the overall impact position can result in the ball being struck with a higher loft, promoting a higher launch and potential more bounce.

Understanding the relationship between forward press and putter loft is crucial for optimizing your putting stroke. By managing your forward press, you can influence the ball's launch conditions and roll characteristics, aiding in better control and accuracy of your putts.