The report summarizes the major developments in professional golf at the end of 2025. Central topics include the ongoing rivalry between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, as well as LIV’s decisive format change beginning in 2026. Key tournament results are also highlighted, including Adam Schenk’s victory in Bermuda, Matt Fitzpatrick’s playoff win in Dubai, and Nelly Korda’s dominant LPGA season.

LIV’s Move to 72 HolesStarting in 2026, all 13 individual LIV events will be played over 72 holes. This shift is viewed as a strategic attempt to increase legitimacy and finally secure OWGR recognition. The adjustment aligns LIV more closely with global 72-hole stroke-play standards while maintaining shotgun starts and full team scoring.

OWGR ImpactThe format change directly addresses a core OWGR criticism: 54-hole events did not meet the criteria for maximum ranking points. With 72 holes, a LIV event could theoretically award up to 24 points, similar to established tours. This would be crucial for players such as Rahm and DeChambeau, whose rankings have declined sharply without points. The new OWGR Chairman, Trevor Immelman, may play a key role in evaluating these changes.

Despite the improvement, structural issues remain: no cuts, a fixed 48-player field, and a retained team component. These factors still diverge from the open, merit-based systems used by major tours. Rory McIlroy called the change a “cool update” but doubts it fully resolves the OWGR challenge.

Effect on Possible PGA–LIV IntegrationThe format shift occurs while negotiations between the PGA Tour and PIF remain completely stalled. Since the 2023 framework agreement, no progress has been made. The PGA Tour continues to reject any model that allows LIV to remain a standalone league. The move to 72 holes is seen as a gesture of concession, but the “souls” of the tours remain far apart: individual merit vs. team spectacle, performance-based earnings vs. guaranteed contracts.

Impact of Major Tour Wins on Status and LegacyTour victories continue to play a major role in shaping careers:

• Adam Schenk’s win in Bermuda earned him a two-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into Signature Events, The Players, and the PGA Championship.
• Nelly Korda’s third win of the season strengthened her lead in the Race to CME Globe.
• Matt Fitzpatrick’s playoff win over McIlroy in Dubai was described as a “legacy-defining moment.” McIlroy simultaneously secured his seventh Race to Dubai title, surpassing Seve Ballesteros.

Future Structure of Professional GolfThe ongoing stalemate between the PGA Tour and PIF reinforces a fragmented golf landscape, with parallel schedules, divided player pools, and fewer direct head-to-head matchups. LIV’s structural changes narrow the gap but do not resolve governance issues required for full unification. Analysts expect a hybrid system to persist for now.

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This report explains how putter head shape and hosel design affect aiming, face control, and ball roll. It outlines how blades, mid‑mallets, mallets, and high‑MOI heads match different stroke types, and how hosels—such as Plumber’s Neck, Slant Neck, Double Bend, and Center Shaft—control toe hang, offset, launch, and face rotation. The goal is to help golfers select a configuration that matches their stroke mechanics and visual tendencies.

I. Influence of Putter Head Shapes

A. Aiming and Alignment

• Putter heads mainly influence how easily players align the face:
• Mallets: Strong visual guidance with multiple sightlines. High‑MOI versions (e.g., Spider X) add contrasting colors and frames, ideal for players needing structure.

• Blades: Minimal alignment guides; require precise visual discipline.

• Center Shafted: Promote symmetry and help players who struggle with setup.

• Mid‑Mallets: Offer moderate alignment support.

B. Ball Roll and Stability

Head size and weighting determine stability (MOI):

• Mallet / High‑MOI: Extremely stable, resist twisting, and promote early true roll.

• Blades: Lower MOI, more feedback but less forgiveness on mis-hits.

• Center Shafted: Often face balanced, minimizing rotation for straight strokes.

II. Influence of Hosel Designs

Hosels determine toe hang, face rotation, and offset, all of which influence stroke type and launch consistency.

A. Rotation Control via Toe Hang

Toe hang decides how much the face naturally opens and closes:

Straight Strokes:

• Double Bend, Center Shaft → Face balanced (no toe hang), minimal rotation.

Arc Strokes:

• Slant Neck, Hosel-less/Post Neck → High toe hang supports strong rotation.

Slight Arc:

• Plumber’s Neck, Short Neck → Moderate toe hang for balanced rotation and feedback.

B. Offset and Launch Control

Offset influences hand position and shaft lean:

• Plumber’s Neck (moderate offset): Encourages forward shaft lean and consistent launch.

• Gooseneck (maximum offset): Hands more forward; enhances loft and visual squareness.

• Slant Neck (minimal offset): Harder for players needing strong visual structure.

Summary of Hosel Influence

Hosels control shaft lean, launch angle, skid phase, and overall roll.

Face-balanced designs limit rotation; toe-hang designs encourage controlled release.

III. Matching Head & Hosel to Stroke Types

1. Straight Stroke

• Head: High‑MOI Mallet

• Hosel: Double Bend / Center Shaft

• Why: Maximum stability, minimal rotation.

2. Slight Arc Stroke

• Head: Mid‑Mallet / Blade

• Hosel: Plumber’s Neck / Short Neck

• Why: Balanced feedback and moderate rotation.

3. Strong Arc Stroke

• Head: Blade
• Hosel: Slant Neck / Heel Shafted / Hosel‑less
• Why: Maximum toe flow and feel.

Special Needs

Alignment Issues: Spider/Jailbird + Center Shaft or Gooseneck

Feel Players: Compact Blade or Mallet + Flow Neck / Hosel‑less

Key Relationships

• Hosel ↔ Toe Hang ↔ Stroke Path
• Face-balanced = straight stroke
• Moderate toe hang = slight arc
• High toe hang = strong arc

The hosel provides the rotation the stroke requires—like a key fitting a lock.

Additional Insights

• Golfers typically use the putter 30–40 times per round, far more than any other club.
• Maximum toe flow comes from Hosel-less/Post Neck designs.
• Best head shape for arcing strokes: Blade (strong arc) or Mid-Mallet/Blade (slight arc).

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In the world of golf instruction, few equipment variables are as underrated—and yet as influential—as the Lie Angle and Head Weight of the putter. While concepts like alignment, grip, green reading, or tempo are commonly discussed, these two technical parameters operate quietly in the background, often determining the success or failure of a golfer's stroke.

This look into putter fitting explains why customizing both Lie Angle and Head Weight is not just for professionals—it’s a foundational step for any golfer seeking consistency, confidence, and results on the green.

Lie Angle: The Hidden Determinant of Direction and Contact

Lie Angle is the angle between the shaft and sole of the putter. Most putters are built with a default angle (e.g., 70°), but unless that matches your setup and posture, it can harm your stroke.

A misfit Lie Angle affects:

• Face angle at impact – which controls up to 92% of start direction.
• Launch consistency – poor angles lead to heel or toe strikes.
• Turf interaction – when the sole doesn’t sit flat, it twists on impact.

Example:

• Too upright (toe up) → closed face → pulled putts.
• Too flat (heel up) → open face → pushed putts.

Even a 1° error can cause a miss from 8 feet. Yet most golfers have no idea what their lie angle is—or if it suits their dynamic stroke.

Putter Head Weight: The Engine of Tempo and Roll

If Lie Angle is the steering system, Head Weight is the engine. It determines how your stroke flows and how efficiently energy is transferred to the ball.

A well-fitted head weight promotes:

• Smooth, stable tempo
• Consistent energy transfer
• Early true roll
• Improved distance control

Too light = twitchy, handsy stroke.

Too heavy = sluggish feel and timing issues.

Systems like Puttalyze, Quintec, and SAM PuttLab help identify your ideal specs and remove guesswork.

Most Golfers Are Unaware of These Specs

Ask a golfer their lie angle or head weight, and most won’t know. Even skilled players often adapt to ill-fitted gear, resulting in:

• Wrist compensation
• Face angle inconsistency
• Distance control issues

The outcome? Putting becomes unpredictable—despite good technique.

Fitting Unlocks Natural Performance

When Lie Angle and Head Weight are fitted correctly:

• The putter sits square and flush.
• The stroke becomes repeatable.
• Launch and roll are consistent.
• Confidence builds fast.

You eliminate compensation and unlock your stroke’s natural flow. It’s the fastest way to turn putting from a guessing game into a scoring weapon.

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