#195 Keys to Better Putting Setup: Henrik Jentsch

This excerpt from a podcast featuring Henrik Jentsch of the Golf Academy 360° focuses on the essential elements of an ideal putting setup. Jentsch emphasizes the importance of proper alignment of the feet, knees, and hips from the front view, along with the vertical alignment of upper body features. He also discusses weight distribution, recommending that most of the weight be slightly on the lead foot. From the rear view, he highlights the alignment of the knees, hips, and shoulders, with a particular focus on square forearms to ensure consistency in the putting stroke. He recommends using alignment rods and mirrors to check positioning.

Henrik Jentsch highlights some fundamental principles for an ideal putting setup from both the front and side perspectives.

From the front view, Jentsch emphasizes the following aspects:

Lower body alignment: Feet, ankles, knees, and hips should all be roughly aligned in a straight line.

Stance width: The stance should be relatively narrow, as the putter is the shortest club in the bag. Feet, knees, and hips should be about the same width apart.

Vertical alignment of the upper body: The pant zipper or button, shirt buttons, nose, and cap logo should be roughly aligned vertically. He wants to avoid any twisted motion in the setup position .

Shoulder position with a cross-handed grip: With a conventional grip (right hand low), the right shoulder should be slightly lower, creating a slight rightward tilt. The nose, shirt buttons, and pant zipper should line up.

Ball position: The ball should be slightly inside the lead heel.

Weight distribution: Most good putters have slightly more weight on the lead (left) side — approximately 55-45.

Mirror check: Use a mirror to verify setup position and ensure all these points are aligned.

Eye line: The eyes should be directly over or slightly inside the golf ball, but not beyond it.

From the side view (down the line), Jentsch considers the following key points:

Alignment to the target: Knees, thighs, hips, and shoulders should ideally be parallel to the target line. Alignment rods can help with this.

Forearm alignment: He places particular importance on having the forearms parallel to the target line. Although his shoulder tilt is slightly more pronounced, his forearms remain parallel. The best setups he sees always have the most parallel forearms .

Eye line: The eyes should be parallel to the target line. His own eyes are slightly inside and behind the ball.

In summary, Henrik Jentsch stresses that for an ideal putting setup, the key from the front view is proper body alignment, balanced weight distribution, and vertical upper body alignment. From the side view, the focus is on keeping the forearms parallel to the target line and maintaining full-body alignment aimed at the target.

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