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.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu

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).

• www.Golf247.eu

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.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu

A putter shaft’s length, weight, material, and balance point play a decisive role in how a player moves the putter and how the ball launches, skids, and transitions into true roll. Shaft length shapes posture, eye position, and the geometry of the stroke. If the shaft is too long, the eyes shift inside the target line and the stroke becomes more arced. If it is too short, the player bends forward, creating excessive shaft lean that reduces dynamic loft and increases skid. The ideal length supports a neutral lean and produces a launch between 0.75° and 2.5°, the zone that consistently delivers early forward roll.

Shaft weight sets the rhythm of the stroke. Heavier shafts calm the wrists, stabilize the face, and promote a more controlled tempo with cleaner energy transfer. Lighter shafts provide sensitivity and feel but can encourage hand action and variable rotation rates. Weight distribution is equally important. A head-heavy setup enhances head awareness, adds momentum at the bottom of the stroke, and helps players release the putter naturally. However, it may cause over-rotation or inconsistent start lines for players with unstable hand paths. A grip-heavy or counterbalanced build reduces hand manipulation, stabilizes the stroke, and often leads to a flatter face angle at impact and an earlier transition to true roll—especially valuable on fast greens or under pressure.

Material choice influences feedback and stability. Traditional steel offers rigidity and predictable feel. Carbon and composite shafts reduce weight and improve vibration dampening, while advanced multi-material stability shafts minimize torsional twisting and maintain face integrity through impact. This produces tighter skid ranges, more centered strikes, and a more consistent roll pattern.

Together, length, weight, material, and balance form the performance foundation of a putter. When fitted correctly, these elements create a stroke with repeatable tempo, stable face control, and an optimized launch—delivering the direction, roll quality, and distance consistency required to putt at the highest level.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu

Putter loft—the face angle relative to vertical, usually 2°–4°—plays a decisive role in how the ball launches and rolls. Its goal is not to lift the ball but to raise it slightly from its green depression and start smooth forward roll as early as possible. Wrong loft—too little or too much—causes skidding, bouncing, and loss of distance and direction control.

Function and Ideal Range

Loft controls launch angle and determines when the ball transitions from skid to roll. The ideal launch angle is narrow: 0.75°–2.5°. Too little loft (<1°) keeps the ball in its depression, producing long skid and “wobble.” Too much loft (>4°) lifts it too high, causing hop and bounce. The result in both cases is unstable roll and inconsistent pace.

Dynamic Loft and Fitting

The effective loft delivered at impact depends on stroke mechanics:

• Forward Press / Shaft Lean: De-lofts the putter; requires more static loft.
• Ball Back in Stance: De-lofts the face; needs more static loft.
• Green Speed: Fast greens → less loft; slow greens → more loft.

Correct fitting measures dynamic loft at impact, not just static loft. Tools analyzing launch, skid, and roll phases help match loft precisely to each golfer’s stroke.

Roll Dynamics

Optimal loft achieves three effects:

1. Lift – Raises the ball cleanly from its “nest.”
2. Launch Control – Creates ideal launch (0.75°–2.5°) without hop or dig.
3. Early True Roll – Minimizes skid and ensures consistent direction and speed.

Performance Consequences

• Too Little Loft: Ball skids too long, may dig on soft greens, loses distance and line.
• Too Much Loft: Ball hops, loses stability, and veers offline—especially on fast greens.

Analogy: Putter loft acts like a ramp angle. Too shallow (low loft) scrapes the floor; too steep (high loft) makes the ball bounce. The ideal ramp gives a clean, immediate roll.

Summary

Correct loft—typically 2°–4°, fine-tuned to stroke and green conditions—produces an efficient launch and early pure roll. The smallest deviation outside the 0.75°–2.5° launch window disrupts accuracy, pace, and feel. Proper loft fitting ensures every putt starts true and rolls consistently toward the hole.

• 📺 The Explainer
• www.Golf247.eu

Many golfers — even professionals — use putters that do not fit their posture, setup, or stroke. Most players have little idea how much loft their putter has or whether its length matches their body mechanics. Yet putting is the most decisive part of the game for saving strokes. Consistent performance requires a putter precisely matched to the golfer’s biomechanics, setup, and stroke style.

A professional putter fitting evaluates 28 parameters grouped into three key domains: Setup & Alignment, Roll Dynamics, and Stroke Control & Stability.

1. Putter Length, Posture & Alignment

Putter Length defines posture, eye position, and stroke path. If too long or too short, it breaks mechanics and alters alignment. Correct length supports proper eye positioning over the ball, ensuring accurate aim and consistent motion. Lie Angle also affects how the sole rests on the green—critical for centered contact and consistent roll.

2. Loft, Shaft Lean & Roll Dynamics

Loft controls launch angle and determines how quickly the ball begins to roll. Together with Shaft Lean at Impact, it defines the dynamic loft delivered to the ball. The ideal launch angle lies between 0.75° and 2.5°, producing minimal skid and early true roll. Poorly matched loft and lean create bouncing or backspin, destroying roll consistency.

3. Weight, Balance & Stroke Stability

Head Weight, Swing Weight, and Counterbalancing influence tempo, feel, and control. Proper weighting steadies the hands, enhances rhythm, and refines distance control. The Acceleration Profile of the clubhead directly affects pace consistency.

4. Putter Design & Face Control

The putter’s balance must match the player’s stroke:

• Toe Hang suits arc strokes with natural face rotation.

• Face Balanced favors straight strokes.

• Torque Balanced designs stabilize the face during motion. Combined with grip size and shape, these features ensure the Face Angle at Impact stays within ±1°, the tolerance needed for precise start-line control.

Key Biomechanical & Technological Measurements

Advanced systems like Puttalyze or Quintic measure essential data:

• Face Angle at Impact: must stay within ±1° for directional accuracy.

• Launch Angle: ideal 0.75°–2.5° for optimal roll.

• Impact Location: determines energy transfer and roll consistency.

• Face Rotation Speed: should remain below 15°/s.

• True Roll Point: distance where pure roll begins.

• Acceleration Profile: affects tempo and pace.

Biomechanical factors — Posture, Eye Position, Distance from Ball, and Forearm-to-Shaft Plane — dictate how naturally the body works with the club. Matching these elements ensures the putter complements rather than conflicts with the player’s motion.

Why Loft & Length Matter Most

When asked, most golfers — including pros — don’t know their putter loft. Many also play with the wrong length. Yet Loft controls the roll, and Length determines posture and stroke path. A mismatch in either creates inconsistency and visual misalignment.

Ultimately, fitting these 28 parameters transforms putting from guesswork into a precise, repeatable system. When the setup matches your biomechanics, you achieve a natural, confident stroke — the foundation for holing more putts under pressure.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu

AI Golf Chat revolutionizes traditional golf coaching and academy operations by shifting from intuition-based instruction to a data-driven, automated, and personalized ecosystem. Developed by PGA Professional Henrik Jentsch, the system combines biomechanical measurement, instant swing analysis, and smart communication tools to elevate both coaching precision and academy management.

Transforming Coaching Methods

Traditional golf instruction relies on observation and feel. AI Golf Chat replaces this with objective data and measurable performance feedback.

• Precision and Data-Driven Instruction: Using 3D motion analysis with 36 tracking points, it provides biomechanical feedback in real time—eliminating guesswork. Coaches and players can visualize exact body positions, rotations, and movement patterns.
• Personalized Training: The system creates customized training plans based on each golfer’s biomechanical behavior, accelerating learning and building trust.
• Engagement and Retention: Students see their progress through visual data, turning training into an engaging, goal-driven journey. They can also upload swings remotely for annotated feedback and voice comments from their coach.

Optimizing Academy Operations

AI Golf Chat professionalizes academy management by improving structure, transparency, and efficiency.

• Automation and Efficiency: Acting as a digital assistant, it automates scheduling, follow-ups, and performance reports. These tools have reduced administrative time by up to 40%, freeing coaches to focus on teaching.
• Data-Driven Management: Leaders can monitor player progress, coach performance, and profitability through live dashboards that track swing consistency, weight shift ratios, and improvement curves.
• Consistency and Structure: The platform helps establish consistent, data-supported teaching standards across the entire academy, ensuring a unified coaching philosophy.

Measurable Benefits

AI integration brings clear, quantifiable results:

• Efficiency: Up to 40% less admin time and higher teaching capacity.
• Retention: Students stay motivated through visible progress, personalized plans, and automated communication.
• Revenue Growth: Academies expand their product range with online lesson packages and scalable digital services.

Leadership Strategies for Integration

Successful implementation depends on leadership that combines clarity, education, and accountability:

• Define measurable goals and align them with academy vision.
• Provide internal training for biomechanical analysis and data interpretation.
• Use transparent performance metrics to motivate coaches and players.

Core Function

AI Golf Chat serves as a complete performance ecosystem that unites technology, biomechanics, and human expertise. It analyzes swings, tracks development, automates communication, and delivers precise, personalized instruction. Ultimately, it turns every coaching session into a measurable, data-backed experience that improves results, builds loyalty, and drives sustainable growth for modern golf academies.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu

The week of November 3–9 delivered high drama across the major tours as the 2025 season neared its conclusion. Ben Griffin triumphed on the PGA Tour, Aaron Rai edged Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff on the DP World Tour, and Nasa Hataoka claimed the rain-shortened TOTO Japan Classic. Behind the scenes, LIV Golf announced its most significant structural reform yet—expanding to 72 holes from 2026—in a clear bid for Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

Tour Recap

• PGA Tour: Ben Griffin captured the World Wide Technology Championship in Cabo San Lucas by one stroke, his third title of a breakout 2025 season featuring 11 top-10s and a Ryder Cup debut. The fall finale, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, follows next week.
• DP World Tour: Aaron Rai won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Rolex Series) in a playoff, locking his spot for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai (Nov 13–16).
• LPGA Tour: Nasa Hataoka prevailed at the TOTO Japan Classic, winning a playoff at –15 after the event was shortened to 54 holes.
• Asian Tour: Yosuke Asaji won in playoff fashion as well, extending the global “playoff fever.”
• Challenge Tour: Season concluded the prior week with the Rolex Grand Final.
• PGA Tour Champions: Quiet week ahead of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship (Nov 13–16).

LIV Golf & OWGR Developments

LIV Golf wrapped its season and shifted focus to 2026 reforms. Its new 72-hole format marks a decisive step toward OWGR recognition and alignment with established tours. CEO Scott O’Neil confirmed “very close” progress with OWGR and revealed positive talks with new PGA Tour chief Brian Rolapp—hinting at thawing relations though no merger is planned. LIV also renewed its multi-year partnership with Trackman for broadcast tracking technology.

Emerging Stars

Besides Griffin’s surge, South Africa’s Casey Jarvis earned his maiden Sunshine Tour victory at The Hyundai Open. Thai amateur Fifa Laopakdee won the Asia-Pacific Amateur in Dubai, securing a 2026 Masters invite.

Summary

While traditional tours served the “appetizers” ahead of their season finales, LIV Golf focused on rewriting its playbook—transitioning from a 54-hole outsider to a 72-hole contender seeking full legitimacy within the global golf order.

• 📺 The Explainer

• www.Golf247.eu