[Yoda]

The Putting Arc is a good tool for the right arm stroke, notice I said good. The plane angle of the putting arc runs from the sweet spot of the putter THROUGH the right shoulder (thorasic area of the spine) and the plane is called by MR. Kelley the LEFT SHOULDER PLANE with its designation of X in the 3rd Edition.

The push basic stroke will travel on the ELBOW PLANE which is flatter than the LEFT SHOULDER PLANE. This means the the projection of this flatter plane angle on the ground will result in curvature in the arc of approach and arc of seperatiion. The difference in these two planes ranges from 5 to 8 degrees usually. This will not create an enormous diffence, possibly one in which we cannot even feel, however there is a difference.

[Bold emphasis added by Yoda.]

The Arm Action Only Putting Pattern of the 3rd Edition (12-5-0 / 3rd edition) gives us insights into Homer Kelley's idea of the "orthodox" Putting Pattern. In his own words, it has been "carefully assembled;" there should be no attempt at "personalization" until it has been "thoroughly mastered as written;" and then "only with Authorized Assistance."

And while the Push Basic Stroke most certainly can use the Elbow Plane, that Variation (10-6-A) was not specified.

What gives?



The Left Shoulder Plane of the 3rd Edition is established by the Zero #3 Accumulator Angle (Club in the cup of the Left Hand). Later editions referenced the "theoretical" Left Shoulder Plane but recommended that it is "far better" to consider it as Zero #3 Accumulator (7-13).

Finally, the Hinge Action Variation is Vertical Only (10-10-B) and not Dual Vertical (10-10-E). With Vertical Only Hinge Action, the Clubhead Covers the Plane Line, i.e., it remains in the Vertical Plane. This is compatible with the Zero Shift Left Shoulder Plane only because of the 3rd edition's definition of Vertical Hinging: "The Clubshaft is normally 'mounted' at an angle to the Hinge so that the Hands and Clubhead travel on parallel vertical planes." With Dual Vertical, the Clubhead Traces the Plane Line, i.e., it moves Three-Dimensionally Up, Back and In on the Inclined Plane.

With this Pattern, then, the Putting Arc will not work. That's because the Pattern presumes a Vertical Plane of Motion of the Clubhead and the Putting Arc presumes an Inclined Plane of Motion.

Summarizing, this Pattern requires that we use:

1. The Push Major Basic Stroke;

2. The Putt Minor Basic Stroke (motionless Right Shoulder);

3. The Left Shoulder Plane Angle (Zero #3 Accumulator);

4. Zero Shift (to or from the Elbow Plane); and

5. Vertical Only Hinging (with the Hands and Clubhead moving on parallel vertical planes).

How can this be done?

Geometrically, there is only one way:

First, position the Right Forearm parallel to the Plane Line. Then, use Push Basic Stroke -- keeping the Hands between the Right Elbow and the Ball -- to move it precisely along the line that it is positioned. The Right Shoulder will remain motionless; Hinge Action will automatically be Vertical Only; and there will be Zero Shift from the Left Shoulder Plane.

Players wishing to use Angled Hinging and the Elbow Plane need only position the Right Forearm to point at the Plane Line (and not parallel to it). Then, use Push Basic Stroke to Drive the Right Forearm along the line it is positioned, i.e., toward the Plane Line. Ergo...automatic Angled Hinging on the Elbow Plane.

And with this Customized Pattern, the Putting Arc works.