It is common knowledge that hitting the sweet spot consistently is important but greatly underappreciated how much this skill affects the outcome of the shot. When using a launch monitor most player's are surprised to find that the ball often goes a shorter distance when their swing speed increases. The reason for this is that the ball has not been struck in the center of the face. Hitting a ball an inch towards the toe can knock 20 yards or more off of your drive. The same fact is true about putting. If you can't learn how to hit the center of percussion of the putter you can never be a truly great putter because you can't master distance control or direction.
