D Plane analysis

Add a new dimension to your practice

The putting stroke

A 3D motion

The ball’s starting direction and spin are set by physics. The D Plane, or descriptive plane, is made up of four key elements: face angle, dynamic loft, AoA and club path. At impact, when the face angle and path are both zero, the ball starts straight and has a zero spin axis, so there is no side spin on the ball.

The LSR custom template helps to train this when viewed from above. The face-on view, with the LSR rail or plane board together with SAM PuttLab, helps to train AoA and dynamic loft for an optimal launch and spin. A template trains path and face, and a rail or plane board trains the low point, AoA, dynamic loft, radius and arc. Together, they give us the full picture.

Path + AoAFace + dynamic loftD Plane
Drag to turn · angles shown 3×
Path 0.0°Face 0.0°AoA +2.8°Dynamic loft 2.0°Spin loft −0.8°Start line 0.0°Spin axis 0.0°Spin Top
From above
Path
and face
Plus swing direction, low point and ball position.
Face on
AoA, radius
and low point
Dynamic loft and spin loft are captured by SAM PuttLab.
From above

Path and face

From above, you can clearly see the path and the face during the stroke. A template shows both well. The LSR ZERO·ZERO custom template also shows the swing direction, low point and ball position.

From above: the ideal path, with the face square to the arc
Face on

AoA, radius and low point

Using the LSR custom rail or plane board, the low point is clearly marked, as is the impact position. You can also see and check your optimal radius and arc. If the radius gets shorter or longer during the stroke, it can hurt how the putter is delivered to the ball.

Face on: the swoosh tracks the head, just showing above it, back and through
Template + board or rail

The full 3D picture

We believe the combination of the LSR custom template together with the LSR custom rail or plane board shows the full picture. The template tracks the path, face, swing direction and low point. The plane board or arc rail helps you deliver the correct arc and plane through the stroke. It trains the low point, impact position, AoA, dynamic loft, radius and arc. The radius shows the optimal height of the stroke.

The last missing pieces of the D Plane are AoA and dynamic loft. SAM PuttLab captures these, for the complete picture.

Drag to turn
Optimize your putting game

Add a template and board combination to your practice routine.

Book your LSR fitting

My blog

Lag Putting Midrange

Lag Putting Midrange

Leapfrog Drill

Leapfrog Drill

Makeable Putts Drill

Makeable Putts Drill