Getting fitted for a putter

**timastyle** · July 7, 2009

Is getting fitted for a putter really worth it? What is the process?

**PiKapp23** · July 7, 2009

Typically there isn't much too it. They just try to make sure you get the correct length for your stance and try to make sure the lie angle is correct (usually they want the sole of the putter to be flat on the ground in your stance). I know some places also look at the specific hosel/shaft configuration that works best for you as well (although I've only seen that done once).

As for the question of "Is it worth it?" that's a bit subjective. A putter is a very personal thing as is the putter stroke. The correct length and lie are important, but there are people who like the toe of their putter to be a little high and some like putters that are too short (look at Jack Nicklaus). I always felt it wasn't worth it, but many do. I think the most important thing is to find a putter you like the look and feel of that works best with your stroke. Most golfers consider the length when they buy, but don't really pay attention to the hosel configuration. For example, I have realized that my stroke works best with a center-shafted putter, but it took me several putters to realize this. I can not use a putter with a plumber's neck at all and dislike any putter where face is behind the shaft more than just a few millimeters (likewise, I dislike when the face is ahead of shaft as well). The same config doesn't work the same for everyone (hence why there are so many), so find what you like and what you seem to stroke the ball with best. If a putter fitting helps give you more confidence in your putter then by all means do it.

**Beantown Beancounter** · July 7, 2009

Just had that done with my 2ball and the set up of the putter not only fits my eye well but makes the stroke feel that much more natural. I would recommend it even as a high handicapper I feel I can tell the difference btwn the fitted putter and previous ones I have had.

**LBlack14** · July 7, 2009

Heck NO! Go try a bunch and fit yourself. Put that money towards the putter.

**tricky** · July 7, 2009

I currently use a Rife Antigua, and easy self fitting is one of the advantages that I perceive with Rife putters. Firstly get the length of shaft recommended for your height (I'm six foot tall, so I use a 35"). The putters have an alignment aid - a notch in the top of the face, and a line on the visible rear face of the putter. When the notch exposes the full length of the line, then the putter is aligned. In order to fit this to your stance, you need to take up a normal, comfortable, athletic, stance. Chances are the notch and line wont be correctly aligned, but many models are provided with a tool for altering this lie guide to suit your stance - the Rifge website tells you how to adjust the alignment aid . Although the Antigua doesn't come with a self bending tool, it can still be bent to the correct fitting (I actually trapped my putter head between two wooden slats in a garage shelf while I gently adjusted the shaft, but a non marking vice would be ideal). Once this is done, you can ensure that you take up a consistent stance simply by ensuring your alignment guide is correctly aligned every time you take up the putting stance.

I love my Antigua. I've also seen some cheap two bar models for sale at the moment (I think they must be end of line models) - I couldn't resist, and I've just ordered one today (I want to try a putter without offset, as I'm left eye dominant, and also want to try the bars as an aiming aid). I paid £95 (UK pounds) delivered. I think this is a bargain for a top end milled and fitted putter - even if it's me doing the fitting.

**timastyle** · July 7, 2009

I know the Cleveland VP Milled also has a dual axis alignment aid and I've been wanting to try it out, but haven't been able to find a store nearby to. Dick's offers a fitting for $20 and I thought it may be worth it.

RangeHound · July 8, 2009

If you would get fitted irons or a driver why wouldn't you get fit for the club that can easily make up 50% of your strokes. Try http://www.coutourgolf.com as a good reference site.

**timastyle** · July 8, 2009

If you would get fitted irons or a driver why wouldn't you get fit for the club that can easily make up 50% of your strokes. Try

You do make sense, but looking at the description and reviews of the Cleveland VP1 Milled, for example, it says that the dual axis alignment aid is designed in a way where you are lined up directly over the ball to help with the setup to the ball and aiming. If that is in fact true and not just a marketing scheme, wouldn't changing the lie of the putter throw that off?

**Shindig** · July 9, 2009

I know the Cleveland VP Milled also has a dual axis alignment aid and I've been wanting to try it out, but haven't been able to find a store nearby to. Dick's offers a fitting for $20 and I thought it may be worth it.

I'm curious what a fitting at Dick's would entail. I doubt it's by a golf specialist, even if his name-tag says he is. Maybe I'm just cynical about the every-sport stores.

Near you, there is at least one GolfSmith that I know of, one golf course with a good pro-shop (and big real putting green outside), and at least one Roger Dunn. I suggest going to a golf-specific store for the fitting. My putter is a hand-me-down, but if I get a new one, it will be after being fitted by a golf-specific store.

RangeHound · July 9, 2009

You do make sense, but looking at the description and reviews of the Cleveland VP1 Milled, for example, it says that the dual axis alignment aid is designed in a way where you are lined up directly over the ball to help with the setup to the ball and aiming. If that is in fact true and not just a marketing scheme, wouldn't changing the lie of the putter throw that off?

I understand your point....however you can twist, bend, and contort you upper body to make the marks line up....what are your arms doing? I have been to Todd Sones Coutour fitting school, several times. All my issues have had little to do with head and a lot to do with what happens with the arms.

Go to his website. Not saying his putters are the best because most high qaulity putters can be adjusted just the same.

**timastyle** · July 9, 2009

I'm curious what a fitting at Dick's would entail. I doubt it's by a golf specialist, even if his name-tag says he is. Maybe I'm just cynical about the every-sport stores.

One can argue the point that the salespeople that do "fittings" at Golfsmith and Roger Dunn are not qualified either. When I went to go get fitted at Golfsmith for my irons, the guy seemed like he was just confused and wasn't providing any useful information. He was just going through the motions he was told when he started.

The closest Roger Dunn by my house is around 45 minutes away (even though it's only 17 miles away. traffice on the 405 freeway is a nightmare). Which golf course were you referring to with a good pro-shop? Were you speaking in a general sense? Out of curiosity, even though your putter was a hand-me-down, why wouldn't you still get it fitted?

I understand your point....however you can twist, bend, and contort you upper body to make the marks line up....what are your arms doing? I have been to Todd Sones Coutour fitting school, several times. All my issues have had little to do with head and a lot to do with what happens with the arms.

I'm not sure I understand your question of what my arms are doing. When I putt, I try and have my shoulders do the work with my arms locked.

**Shindig** · July 9, 2009

One can argue the point that the salespeople that do "fittings" at Golfsmith and Roger Dunn are not qualified either. When I went to go get fitted at Golfsmith for my irons, the guy seemed like he was just confused and wasn't providing any useful information. He was just going through the motions he was told when he started.

I haven't gone to GolfSmith except to occasionally look at merchandise. The only fitting I've ever got that I trust is the iron fitting from Mizuno. But I've never asked my teaching pro about fitting, either.

The closest Roger Dunn by my house is around 45 minutes away (even though it's only 17 miles away. traffice on the 405 freeway is a nightmare).

Yeah, I was thinking of the West LA office. I suppose you could take PCH/Sepulveda up, but that's not much better most hours.

Which golf course were you referring to with a good pro-shop? Were you speaking in a general sense?

Lakes in El Segundo was on my mind; their pro shop always seems well stocked when I'm there. Not as well stocked as, say, a GolfSmith, but they've got a good variety of clubs in there.

Out of curiosity, even though your putter was a hand-me-down, why wouldn't you still get it fitted?

I putt well with it, although I am doing what I call the "AK Putting Grip". I just don't want to risk making a change to a putter that works at the moment.

**ballhog** · July 9, 2009

I would suggest bypassing all the extra work that was mentioned above by some and just go to dicks or the PGA store or somewhere similar where they have an adjustable fitting putter such as the ping that i tried and just see what feels right for yourself, there honestly shouldnt be any cost or long process involved in seeing what feels good for your putter stroke.....

**timastyle** · July 9, 2009

I haven't gone to GolfSmith except to occasionally look at merchandise. The only fitting I've ever got that I trust is the iron fitting from Mizuno. But I've never asked my teaching pro about fitting, either.

The West LA office is the one I was referring too as well. I may stop by there one of these days when at a meeting for work around there.

The Lakes does have a few putters there, but I had never thought about asking them to use the putter on the actual practice green. Do they let you do that? I was there a week or so ago and they had a hole set up in the shop to try out the putters. I guess I always assumed that they wouldn't let you try out putters there. I tried out one of their pros for lessons, but really didn't get the greatest impression of him. I had a thread going about it a week ago. What's the "AK Putting Grip"? How does that one work?

**timastyle** · July 9, 2009

I would suggest bypassing all the extra work that was mentioned above by some and just go to dicks or the PGA store or somewhere similar where they have an adjustable fitting putter such as the ping that i tried and just see what feels right for yourself, there honestly shouldnt be any cost or long process involved in seeing what feels good for your putter stroke.....

Ping has an adjustable putter? What? Where?

Do you mean an adjustable putter for getting fitted?

**Shindig** · July 9, 2009

The Lakes does have a few putters there, but I had never thought about asking them to use the putter on the actual practice green. Do they let you do that? I was there a week or so ago and they had a hole set up in the shop to try out the putters. I guess I always assumed that they wouldn't let you try out putters there. I tried out one of their pros for lessons, but really didn't get the greatest impression of him. I had a thread going about it a week ago.

I've seen them let people take the demo irons and woods to the range, so I don't see why they wouldn't let you try a putter. It's certainly worth a shot.

Sorry I missed the thread re: lessons. I'm going to go look for it.

What's the "AK Putting Grip"? How does that one work?

I'm exaggerating a bit here - I don't know how AK holds his putter. But mine is possibly too big for me, so I put my hands down about halfway on the grip. I call it an AK grip after how AK holds his other clubs.

**timastyle** · July 9, 2009

I've seen them let people take the demo irons and woods to the range, so I don't see why they wouldn't let you try a putter. It's certainly worth a shot.

Here is the link of the thread re: lessons:

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25838 And you are right. It doesn't hurt to ask them to see if you can demo the putter out on the putting green. I'm actually going to the range there after work today and will ask them if it's possible to demo a couple of them.

**ballhog** · July 9, 2009

Ping has an adjustable putter? What? Where?

yea, exactly, it is only for getting fitted, but its not like getting fitted for other clubs, all you do is adjust the height and the lie until it feels good to you, then find a putter that fits those dimensions, this whole "get fitted" thing people are taking a little far, its not that complicated, esp. for a putter....

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Getting fitted for a putter

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