Why is a higher MOI beneficial for less skilled players when using a putter?

A higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) is beneficial for less skilled players when using a putter because it provides better forgiveness on off-center hits. In golf, a putter with a high MOI is designed to resist twisting when the ball is struck away from the center of the clubface. This means that even if a less skilled player doesn’t make perfect contact, the putter will maintain a more stable and straighter path, helping the ball to travel on a more accurate line towards the hole.

Forgiveness in this context refers to the club’s ability to minimize the negative impact of mishits, allowing players to have more consistent performance even when their technique isn’t ideal. This can significantly boost confidence in new or less experienced golfers, as they are less likely to be penalized severely for slight errors in their stroke.

While increased speed of the putt, added weight, and alignment can improve aspects of putting, these factors are not as directly related to the performance advantages provided by a higher MOI in terms of forgiveness. Hence, the characteristic of better forgiveness makes a high MOI particularly advantageous for less skilled players who are still developing their putting skills.