Question:
snip With that I reckon I could learn to putt effectively with any lump of metal on the end of a stick- I supect that the feel for weight of shot can be learned very quickly for each new putter.
So I’m hooked up with these two guys, and one has a weird florescent orange shafted putter with this 1 1/2 tall mallet head … some type of molded plastic. The color looked familiar … sort of a flesh color. After looking at this thing for 10 holes, the other guy mentions that he’s a dentist. I asked the guy with the putter what he did for a living. He said orthodontist. My next question: what’s up with the putter? He says, I made it with the poly we use for false teeth. …mixed it up to the durometer I thought would be best, poured it into the mold I made, dropped in a couple of fishing weights, and here’s what ya get! He then says that he’s been pressured into making a couple for close friends who wouldn’t take no for an answer. I got to tell ya folks, it felt VERY GOOD! Talk about building a bridge between the ball and the cup<g. Agreeing with Michael’s comments on confidence, the putter could be a stick with a flat sided rock tied to the end. Anything beyond the basics is placebo-esque motivation. Steve snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Response:
In my experience, the feel of a putter seldom has much correlation to price.
That’s what I sensed before my original posting. There’s no technology in a putter- whatever the ads might say. Quite different from an iron or metal wood. I was hoping to get more anecdotes from players about what happened when they bought a new putter. For some it’s the start of a slippery and expensive slope moving from putter to putter as they increasingly search for the holy grail of the perfect putter. Seems to me that the ability to read a green is number one asset. With that I reckon I could learn to putt effectively with any lump of metal on the end of a stick- I supect that the feel for weight of shot can be learned very quickly for each new putter. I can’t see how any particular putter can give confidence- only results give that and it can die away just as quickly as it arises- the moral? Don’t blame the putter for poor results!! — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Response:
Okay, what the scoop? Does the 4* loft end up 0* when you place your hands ahead of the ball? Is that what it is all about an everyone should have a face angle that matches the hand placement?
Remember that a reason many people forward press at address is to avoid the tendency for the putter head to "flick" forward due to unwanted hand action at impact. So if you forward pressed by four degrees and then maintained that angle until impact, you would indeed be hitting the ball with a zero degree effective loft. Most people probably lose the majority of that forward press angle by the time they get to impact, though. That said, Dave Stockton for one believes that many people would benefit from more putter loft than they use. One of his reasons, as stated in his book "Putt To Win", IIRC, is exactly as you say. He teaches a slight forward press to initiate the backswing.
Response:
the one thing I learned was that most of the cheap putters are flat faced or near there. On the other hand most of the higher end putters are lofted. Funny that not many catalogs even mention it but most of the pros use a 3 or 4 degree lofted putter. Since I’m able to run a milling machine I made me a putter with a 4 degree face and now I’ll never use a non-lofted putter again.
Okay, what the scoop? Does the 4* loft end up 0* when you place your hands ahead of the ball? Is that what it is all about an everyone should have a face angle that matches the hand placement?
Response:
I would say that finding a putter that you really like is important regardless of cost. A nice balance is usually pretty important to most people, and you will find that nealry all of the really expensive ones have great balance. However, you can find cheaper putters with good balance too. In my opinion, the most important part of a putter is the user’s ability to correctly line the face to the hole. Here’s where lines and style come into play. Let’s face it, no matter what the cost, if you cannot line it up properly…you are not going to be consitent. Finally, ask yourself what kind of feel you like (soft, hard), can you hit the sweet spot with regularity AND do you get feedback when you DON’T hit the sweet spot. The putter I have really compensates for a mis-hit, but also "plinks" (titanium sound) when I mis-hit. I consider that the best of both worlds for me. Finally, I would add that you should pay attention to how the ball rolls off the putter according to your putting style. You will want to avoid putters that help you skip the ball. One final thought on putters. Are you happy with your putting stroke? Do you plan to change it when you get a new putter? If so, all the testing in the world might not help you if the machanics of your stroke change and make the new putter ineffective. Cheap or expensive, a putter has to fit your style…and that’s all there is to it. -Chris
Response:
the one thing I learned was that most of the cheap putters are flat faced or near there. On the other hand most of the higher end putters are lofted. Funny that not many catalogs even mention it but most of the pros use a 3 or 4 degree lofted putter. Since I’m able to run a milling machine I made me a putter with a 4 degree face and now I’ll never use a non-lofted putter again. — <=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<= <= Homepage http://www.atomic.net/~scooter <= <=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<=<= – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick? New to the game 12 months ago I spent a fortune on a set of Callaway graphite irons, made to measure and have been delighted with them and also with their 2,5 and 7 woods but have kept the old putter from my starter set. (Handicap down from 25 to 19 over the period). The local pro reminds me I take more shots with the putter than any other club but he wants a sale of course! Instead of blaming my putter on a bad day I blame myself. I’d be interested to start a discussion on putters- and to hear from those whose game has been transformed by using a new putter and those who think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick. — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick? New to the game 12 months ago I spent a fortune on a set of Callaway graphite irons, made to measure and have been delighted with them and also with their 2,5 and 7 woods but have kept the old putter from my starter set. (Handicap down from 25 to 19 over the period). The local pro reminds me I take more shots with the putter than any other club but he wants a sale of course! Instead of blaming my putter on a bad day I blame myself. I’d be interested to start a discussion on putters- and to hear from those whose game has been transformed by using a new putter and those who think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick. — Michael Clements
A putter is a lump of metal on the end of a stick. However, the design characteristics of different putters may be better suited to each individual’s stroke tendencies. I’d say the variables of "face-balance," "heel shafted," "center shafted," "offset," and such tend to match up with each individual’s stroke. If, for example, your natural stroke is more of an "square-to-open-to-square" stroke (like the hinging of a door), a heel-shafted putter might better suit you. Or if you’re more of a "square-to-square" stroker of the putter, a more center-shafted model might better suit you. As for whether it’s a Scotty Cameron or a Ping or an Odyssey or a Wilson or whatever, or even if it’s a putter you’ve stolen from the local Putt-Putt miniature golf course is pretty irrelevant. If the "feel" of the implement provides you with the kind of positive feedback (or lack of feedback) you’re seeking (or you’re comfortable with), the name stamped on the sole is not important. What IS important is **performance**. Randy
Response:
I was in the market for a new putter for i found the one i was using, an old brass brosnon wasn’t doing much for me on the green. After taking a different grip, i found i was coming back in the swing straighter so as it came into contact with the ball i was putting with more control and straightness that ‘felt’ better.I’m happy with it now. Nothing flash. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would say that finding a putter that you really like is important regardless of cost. A nice balance is usually pretty important to most people, and you will find that nealry all of the really expensive ones have great balance. However, you can find cheaper putters with good balance too. In my opinion, the most important part of a putter is the user’s ability to correctly line the face to the hole. Here’s where lines and style come into play. Let’s face it, no matter what the cost, if you cannot line it up properly…you are not going to be consitent. Finally, ask yourself what kind of feel you like (soft, hard), can you hit the sweet spot with regularity AND do you get feedback when you DON’T hit the sweet spot. The putter I have really compensates for a mis-hit, but also "plinks" (titanium sound) when I mis-hit. I consider that the best of both worlds for me. Finally, I would add that you should pay attention to how the ball rolls off the putter according to your putting style. You will want to avoid putters that help you skip the ball. One final thought on putters. Are you happy with your putting stroke? Do you plan to change it when you get a new putter? If so, all the testing in the world might not help you if the machanics of your stroke change and make the new putter ineffective. Cheap or expensive, a putter has to fit your style…and that’s all there is to it. -Chris
Response:
I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick? New to the game 12 months ago I spent a fortune on a set of Callaway graphite irons, made to measure and have been delighted with them and also with their 2,5 and 7 woods but have kept the old putter from my starter set. (Handicap down from 25 to 19 over the period). The local pro reminds me I take more shots with the putter than any other club but he wants a sale of course! Instead of blaming my putter on a bad day I blame myself. I’d be interested to start a discussion on putters- and to hear from those whose game has been transformed by using a new putter and those who think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick. — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Response:
I have to disagree with you on this one. I just bought a new putter and it has definately knocked at least 3 strokes off of my game. I am a little ashamed to say how much I paid for it but who can put a price on the happiness gained on draining a 15 foot putt for a sandie? They say that if you can putt, you can putt with a 2 x 4 but what do you do if you can’t putt? I guess you buy a $170 putter! Matt
Response:
think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick.
For what its worth, I have tested hundreads of putters, and out of that found only two that feel right for me (and help me one putt the majority of my shots under 20 feet). one is a 30 year old brass bullseye putter that I bought as a teen. The other is one I bought this year, which is no longer being made (but can be found at some k-marts!..yep..a cheap putter! $30)..a dunlop FZ-300 with rubber (balanta) face insert. This is the one that Fuzzy Zoeler uses, and continues to use even after dunlop screwed him out of his $2,000,000 endorsement contract over that tiger crap.
Response:
I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick?
No club is going to magically make you a better player. *But*, a putter that’s well-balanced and *feels good to you* is going to boost your confidence and make the most of your particular abilities. — "We don’t want to be associated with a randy penguin. Well, we do, but it’s not politic." -Linus Torvalds
Response:
I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick?
I don’t think its the putter itself thats going to take 3 strokes off your game, but its your confidence. A new putter may have a good feel, touch, or even look to it that inspires confidence in you and enables you to putt better.
Response:
I use to use a cheap old Dunlop $20 putter and now I’ve been using my dads $80 putter. I was actually a horrible putter but since I’ve switched I’ve knocked at least one put off of every hole. The biggest part is that I’ve been nailing long puts like they’re no problem. I think a putter can make a big difference for some people. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick? New to the game 12 months ago I spent a fortune on a set of Callaway graphite irons, made to measure and have been delighted with them and also with their 2,5 and 7 woods but have kept the old putter from my starter set. (Handicap down from 25 to 19 over the period). The local pro reminds me I take more shots with the putter than any other club but he wants a sale of course! Instead of blaming my putter on a bad day I blame myself. I’d be interested to start a discussion on putters- and to hear from those whose game has been transformed by using a new putter and those who think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick. — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Response:
Matt is right, the people that can putt well can do it with several different putters. The ones that have something to gain are the ones who don’t putt well. No piece of equipment can replace practice and experiance, but their are putters on the market that can give you more of an edge by decreasing the effects of miss hits. There are also several that help a great deal with alignment by having more anlonger alignment lines on them. B Terry Natural Touch Putters
Response:
A putter is a putter is a putter. The putter that is right for you is one that has… -The right feel. Some putters have a softer touch, some a harder. What is your preference? – The right length. Simply being able to consistantly grip the club naturally in the same place, which would need to fall on a comfortable place on the grip. – The right balance. A putter must swing like a pendulum. This would be hard to do with a putter that feels awkwardly balanced, with your grip. Anyone who claims the putter has taken strokes off thier game has found one that is more in thier comfort zone. Consider these factors, and nothing more. Price is a non-factor when attributing putter quality. SS "The spiders thread of revolution has come undone. Ashamed, I dream twisted shadows of what once I held as destiny." -TL Skaggs
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been trying out dozens of new putters on the carpet of the local proshop and am unable to decide! Most seem OK- as does my current cheapo putter- but none (irrespective of price) feels as though it would magically cut out 3-putts or increase the frequency with which a long putt drops. Is there some truth in the theory that anyone can get used to any putter- isn’t a putter simply a lump of metal on the end of a stick? New to the game 12 months ago I spent a fortune on a set of Callaway graphite irons, made to measure and have been delighted with them and also with their 2,5 and 7 woods but have kept the old putter from my starter set. (Handicap down from 25 to 19 over the period). The local pro reminds me I take more shots with the putter than any other club but he wants a sale of course! Instead of blaming my putter on a bad day I blame myself. I’d be interested to start a discussion on putters- and to hear from those whose game has been transformed by using a new putter and those who think anyone can get used to any old lump of metal on a stick. — Michael Clements (Note Email Address is not correct to foil spammers!)
Yup….just a lump of metal, of course that lump of metal has to make you feel like you can nail a putt from anywhere. IMHO putting is 80% or more mental, confidence is the key. If you think you can drain the putt with a $9.95 K-Mart Blue Light Special, you probably can. In my experience, the feel of a putter seldom has much correlation to price. I currently use a flange ’cause it "feels good" (my wife won it in a chinese auction) — address