WELCOME TO THE QUESTION AND ANSWER PAGE

  IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE L2 OR THE LATERAL LINE SYSTEM THAT YOU DO NOT SEE HERE, PLEASE GO TO THE BLOG PAGE AND SUBMIT IT AND WE WILL PLACE IT HERE ALONG WITH THE ANSWER.

QUESTION----WHY IS THE L2 SO HEAVY?

ANSWER----THE WEIGHT OF THE L2 GIVES THE HEAD A MUCH LARGER SWEET SPOT AND M.O.I.[ MOMENT OF INERTIA], WHICH STABILIZES THE STROKE AND ALLOWS THE GOLFER TO COMFORTABLY LOOK AT THE TARGET KNOWING THAT A CONSISTANT CONTACT WITH THE BALL WILL BE MADE. THIS WEIGHT ALSO ALLOWS FOR A SLOWER, SMOOTHER TEMPO WITH A BIGGER STROKE FOR LONGER PUTTS THAT WILL STAY ON THE LINE.

QUESTION---WHY IS THE GRIP SO LARGE AND HEAVY 

ANSWER---THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE L2 GRIP WORKS TO BALANCE THE OVERALL CLUB M.O.I. THE WEIGHT OF THE L2 HEAD , ALTHOUGH HEAVIER THEN MOST PUTTER HEADS, MOVES SMOOTHLY BECAUSE OF THE GRIP WEIGHT. THE GRIP SIZE ALSO WORKS TO TAKE ANY FINGER, HAND OR WRIST OUT OF THE STROKE. THIS CREATES A "DEAD HANDS " STROKE WHICH MEANS NO MORE YIPS.

QUESTION---I NOTICE THE LIE ANGLE OF THE L2 IS NOT 90 DEGREES. WHY NOT HAVE IT STRAIGHT UP OUT OF THE HEAD? WON'T THAT MAKE FOR A MORE PERFECT PENDULUM STROKE?

ANSWER---THE USGA HAS A RULE THAT REQUIRES THE LIE ANGLE TO BE A MINIMUM OF 80 DEGREES IN ORDER TO BE CONFORMING. THE LIE ANGLE OF THE L2 IS 79 DEGREES TO INSURE CONFORMITY.

QUESTION---WHY THE FLAT BOTTOM ON THE L2?  WOULDN'T A ROUNDED BOTTOM ENABLE A GOLFER TO TIP THE CLUB TOWARD THE TOE TO UPRIGHT THE SHAFT AND CHANGE THE LIE ANGLE?

ANSWER---THE L2 IS A CLUB DESIGNED TO HELP YOU BY GIVING YOU A " ZERO" REFERENCE POINT TO SET UP ON. THE FLAT BOTTOM, ONCE SET BEHIND THE BALL, STAYS THERE WHILE YOU LINE UP TO THE CLUB. A CLUB WITH A ROUNDED BOTTOM CAN EASILY TWIST DURING STANCE PREPARATION. IF YOU GO TO SUCH EFFORT TO LINE YOUR FACE DOWN THE AIM LINE, YOU WANT TO BE SURE IT REMAINS THERE. YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO BE THE SAME DISTANCE FROM THE BALL WHILE YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR STROKE. A ROUNDED BOTTOM WILL LET YOU MOVE CLOSER OR FARTHER FROM THE BALL WHICH IS NOT HELPFUL UNLESS YOU PLAN ON CHANGING YOUR ENTIRE POSITION IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME. ALSO, KEEP IN MIND THAT THE USGA DOES NOT WANT A CLUB WITH A 90 DEGREE LIE ANGLE. IF A CLUBS DESIGN INTENT IS FOR YOU TO USE IT IN A NON-CONFORMING WAY IN ORDER FOR YOU TO USE A PARTICULAR STYLE, THE CLUB AND YOU WOULD NOT BE WITHIN THE RULES OF THE GAME.

QUESTION--ISN'T THE "LATERAL LINE STYLE" SIMPLY SIDE SADDLE OR FACE ON PUTTING?

ANSWER---NO IT ISN'T. SIDE SADDLE AND FACE ON PUTTING TAKE A POSITION THAT PLACES THE BALL FARTHER OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR FEET. SIDE SADDLE HAS THE GOLFER LEANING FORWARD AND DOWN CLOSER TO THE HEAD. FACE ON STYLISTS TALK ABOUT USING THE FINGERS AND HAND OF THE STROKING ARM FOR BETTER TOUCH. THEY ALSO PROMOTE RUNNING THE CLUB UP YOUR STROKING ARM AND INTO YOUR ARM PIT. THIS TO ME IS ALLOWING YOUR STROKING ARM WAY TOO MUCH POTENTIAL INFLUENCE ON THE STROKE. IT HANGS DOWN LIKE AN ELEPHANT TRUNK THAT CAN MOVE IN A 360 DEGREE DIRECTION. BUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT THE SIDE SADDLE AND FACE ON STYLES DO NOT WORK WELL FOR LONG DISTANCE PUTTS. THE BIGGER STROKE REQUIRED FOR A LONGER PUTT IS NOT STABLE ENOUGH TO DEPEND ON SWEETSPOT CONTACT WITH THE BALL WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE CUP. THE MAIN REASON FOR FACING THE HOLE IS OUR USE OF BINOCULAR VISION WHICH IS NEEDED MOST FOR DISTANCE PUTTS. SIDE SADDLE PUTTING HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THOUGHT OF AS DEADLY FOR PUTTS 10 FT. OR LESS. THE LATERAL LINE STYLE WITH THE L2 PUTTER SWINGS THE SAME, CLOSE OR FAR.  

    Question--  I enjoyed your site. I would like to try the method but in
reviewing the multitude of sites devoted to face on and side saddle
putting there was a site that sold the Resso putter by Sandy Reeso. He
had a lab setup with laser that he claimed proved that no sidesaddle
putter should have anything but a zero loft angle. Any loft on the
face would provide a 1.5 inch direction error for a 20 foot putt.
This result has something to do with the rule requirement that long
putters shafts have to come off the putter head by no more than 10
degrees relative to vertical. Is there anything to that?

                     

Answer--The loft of a club face would not effect direction. face loft has more to do with the roll of the ball. As for the lie angle, the 80 degree minimum applies to any putter. But the secret to an accurate putt has to do with stroke direction, face direction, speed of the ball, sweet spot contact, and green reading. The order of importance is from stroke direction as the least, to green reading as the most.

 When it comes to looking at the cup instead of the ball while putting, a big, heavy , stable putter is the key to success. The L2 is the best club on the market for this.

QUESTION--WHY CAN'T THE L2 PUTTER WORK FOR THE OTHER STYLES OF PUTTING IF IT IS SO WELL BALANCED WITH THE EXTRA M.O.I.?

ANSWER-- THE BIGGEST REASON IS THE WEIGHT. WHETHER YOU KNOW IT OR NOT, THERE ARE SOME LITTLE MUSCLES MOVING THE CLUB DURING THE OTHER  STROKES, ESPECIALLY THE CONVENTIONAL ONE. LITTLE MUSCLES ARE WHAT WE GO TO FOR EXTRA CONTROL, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE UNDER PRESSURE. THEY ARE OUR PRECISION TOOLS. SHOULDERS AND ARMS,[THE MORE STABLE MOVERS AND THE ONES WE TRY TO USE], ARE THE TEMPO MUSCLES BUT NOT THE PRECISION ONES. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, ASK YOURSELF WHY THEN HAVE SOME OF THE GREATEST GOLFERS TO PLAY THE GAME STOPPED PLAYING COMPETITIVE GOLF BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PUTT ANYMORE? BECAUSE WHEN THE STROKE IS SMALLER AND THE PRESSURE IS ON, FINGERS HANDS,AND WRISTS COME INTO PLAY, WHETHER WE WANT THEM OR NOT. COMBINE THIS WITH THE ACCOMPANYING ADRENALIN FLOW AND THE YIPS BEGIN. THE L2 IS TOO BIG FOR LITTLE MUSCLES TO FINESS. THE BIG LATERAL LINE STROKE IS NOTHING BUT SHOULDER AND ARM,  SO THE BIG CLUB IS ACTUALLY EASIER FOR THEM TO FEEL.

 QUESTION-- Why use the Lateral Line style instead of a side saddle or face on stroke?

 ANSWER-  The Lateral Line style of putting has been developed for the L2 putter. This style allows for the added weight of the L2, and more closely resembles an actual pendulum machine then any other "facing the hole" putting motion in use.  Supporting the weight of the L2 with the left hand, [for right handed golfers], and using your left arm as the anchor for the stroke, is critical in creating a constant swivel point. The SIDE SADDLE AND FACE ON STYLE  do not work well with a heavy putter with a flat bottom like the L2. They depend on being able to tip the putter on the toe in order to get an upright or 90 degree lie angle. This may aid you in a stroke line but it will not help you make sweet spot contact while you look at the cup which prompts you to look at the ball instead. Without the ability to look where you are going, especially for long or lag putts, why bother facing the hole?

 QUESTION--Doesn't the shaft need to be vertical in order to perform a true pendulum stroke? I see many "face on" golfers use a straight up shaft when they putt.

 ANSWER--No it does not. In fact not only is it not necessary, it is really not desired. Because of the anchor hand position and the natural hanging of the stroking arm below the shoulder, the lie angle is actually needed. It is also considered to be a non-conforming postition by the USGA to tip a club on the toe with the intent of applying a less then 80 degree lie angle. In the published rules, the USGA states that a club with a 80 degree lie angle and a rounded bottom or sole is acceptable. The reason it is acceptable is because it renders the club head ineffective. The balance will be distorted and the sweet spot diminished. I guess they figure if you want to try it that way, go ahead but it won't work well.

QUESTION-- How can you get your eyes over the line when the club is off to your side as you claim?

ANSWER-- When performing a Lateral Line stroke, it is the mechanics of the stroke and the hand position that will assure the club head goes down the line. Your binocular vision ability is for distance judgement, not direction control. When you get too close to the line with your body, which is necessary if you are to get your eyes down the line, you will get your hip in the way of your backstroke. Anything that limits backstroke ability will produce a "hit" when more backstroke is needed but not possible. Also remember that the L2 design is such that the head will stay down the line for you and will keep the face square so that proper direction is assured. 

QUESTION-- I have tried heavy headed putters before and I don't have any feel with them. What would your comment be on this?

ANSWER--Touch and feel should mean what your mind perceives and how you transfer that to the action of stroking the ball. The most sensitive touch and feel parts to our body are our hands and fingers. These are generally thought of as the parts we should not use when we putt. This is because they are the little muscles and joints where the adrenalin will flow to when the pressure is on. With a shoulder motion , a tempo "pendulum " stroke, and a heavy well designed putter, you don't need to control the putter, just guide it and enjoy.

QUESTION-- I tried looking at the hole while I putt, but it is too foreign to me. It makes sense but I find it uncomfortable.

ANSWER-- The biggest reason for the discomfort is our inability to actually trust the club. Putters have always been light with not much margin for error. When the mindset is to control something, looking at it only makes sense. The L2 weight and design, along with the Lateral Line stroke do there part to make ball contact consistant and easy. Controlling becomes "guiding". It takes a little faith and practice but it is well worth it.

 

 

TO COMPARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LATERAL LINE SYSTEM AND ALL OTHER METHODS

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  WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES