Putter

I won my putter in a hat draw at a scramble nearly 20 years ago.  My brother seems to think I need a new one.  He seems to buy a new one every time you turn around.  He has offered me one of his "old" ones several times.  But I have yet to like one of them any better than mine.

I admit that my putter looks and feels like something 20 years old.

Has putter technology really changed in the last two decades?

I will also admit that I need to putt better, but I don't know that its the equipment as much as the operator.

I will also freely admit that I consistently putt better than my brother does, even with his shinny new putters.

If there is a "be all end all" putter out there he has yet to find it.  Is there a putter I really need to be looking at?

I am cheap, no I mean it, I am cheap.

I been to Dicks, but nothing jumped out that I would pay for...

What is your putter of choice?  Links with pictures are good for me.

If you want a putter fitted for you, go with Edel Putters. Right now the most in depth fitting process for a putter.

Here is mine, http://thesandtrap.com/t/65459/my-edel-putter-fitting/198#post_981505

In the end go with a putter that fits you. I know a guy who putts with a putter that is about 15 years older than I am, its an old Bullseye putter, and he can putt very well.

Seagullplayer, I think you're going to find that putters are the most personal thing in golf... some players use a Ping Anser blade style and putt with no problems... others use an extended belly putter anchored and putt well...

It's subjective. It's what YOU find you like in a putter.

I've had 3 putters now in the 20 years I've played golf (off and on)... a Tom Weiskopf Northwestern blade putter that I got cheap at Kmart or some place like that in the late 90's because I needed a putter... I replaced it with a Jack Nicklaus Bear Tracker blade style putter I picked up several years ago in a golf shop because I hated the Northwestern I had and it was shiny. I can't putt with it and have just replaced it with a Yes Golf Valerie mallet style.

So far I like it but it hasn't putted in anger on a course yet so... I know it's my ability or inability that keeps me averaging around 2.8 putts per hole but I think I can align this Valerie better than the Bear Tracker. Plus it's 35" so I don't have to bend over as far to putt...

If you're looking for a good cheap putter consider eBay and Ray Cook putters from a reputable source... they're going for around $30 shipped if you win the auction... I picked up a Ray Cook M1 limited edition in blue for my 14 yo son and it looks like it's a good putter... mallet style, large head, good momentum of inertia, headcover... I think my son will like it.

But there's no be all end all putter... there's the one you're confident with, that you're able to putt with, like the looks of, and want to purchase.

Where do you think your putting is failing you?

Good putting consist of 3 things:

1. Hitting your intended line (AIM)
2. Hitting it the right distance (WEIGHT)
3. Knowing where and how far to hit it (READ)

Depending on which of these three points is weak you may or may not benefit from a new putter. How well do you putt on a perfectly flat surface like a carpet at home? That would be the first test, if you can putt really well on your carpet at home, then chances are the putter's is fine and you just need to get better at reading greens. If you can't putt worth a damn on a flat, level surface, you need a putter that you can either AIM better or control DISTANCE better or BOTH.

I agree about the Edel putter, but it is his friend who is looking for the "be all end all" putter. I can do 1 and 2, but 3 (reading greens) is a nightmare for me. I'm thinking of new glasses. Seriously. I primarily play 3 courses with different types of grass on the greens.

I agree about the Edel putter, but it is his friend who is looking for the "be all end all" putter. I can do 1 and 2, but 3 (reading greens) is a nightmare for me. I'm thinking of new glasses. Seriously. I primarily play 3 courses with different types of grass on the greens.[/quote] Not to be a broken record but AIMPOINT bro. I also find Aimpoint helps with 1 and 2 simply because once I make my midpoint read my minds is free to focus purely on speed and line. No doubts ever.

Pretty much same here. Aimpoint makes reading greens really simple.

UPDATE

I played nine rounds with my brother last night and we discussed this issue again.

Just to get it out of the way, I again out putted him.

He brought a couple of his putters along for the ride and at the last hole we putted around.

What I like about my putter (its a Wilson of some sort) is its weight.  Nice heavy head on it, I "feel" it

gives me more control.  I also like the thick grip, but it is getting in bad shape.

He seems to think that most of today's putters are lighter to provide more feel. (I like heavier)

In the end I think my brother stated the best course of action;

"You just as well buy a new grip, cause you are too cheap to buy a better putter."

Thanks for the advise guys and the link.  Now to find a grip I will pay for...