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Is a scoring improvement with a new putter just temporary?


sjduffers
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I am new here. I have read the forums for a while and finally decided to jump in... and share in the fun!  I made an introduction post in the Welcome forum so I won't repeat it here.

Anyway, here is my question: Having played for about 10 years, the first 2 or so with hand-me down clubs and the rest with my own clubs, including a Scotty Cameron Detour Newport putter that I received as a (very!) nice gift, I finally had the urge to change that putter and experiment a bit. I recently spent quite a bit of time, on several occasions, at my local box box golf store and tried a bunch of putters, in different styles (blade, mallet, counter-balanced grips, etc...) but always came back to one... and finally bought it.

It's an Odyssey Versa #2 (blade type, BWB) with an oversized Slim 3.0 Superstroke fat grip, one inch shorter than my previous one, at 34". I played 2 rounds with it since and already made 6 long putts (> 20 ft), 2 of them for birdies. I also made a lot more short putts (still missing one here or there, of course), to the point that I estimate that this putter saved me 8 to 10 strokes in just 2 rounds (29 putts total in each of these rounds).  In other words, I just love it!

So, is my experience with a new putter typical, kind of a honeymoon phase, or can I expect everything to revert to the means? I believe the shorter length and different grip allow for a better/smoother stroke, but perhaps I am just under the magic spell of new gear.  What is your experience in that matter? I know some people collect putters like parking tickets and some stay true to an old one, sometimes for 40+ years.


And Happy New Year to everyone.

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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So, is my experience with a new putter typical, kind of a honeymoon phase, or can I expect everything to revert to the means? I believe the shorter length and different grip allow for a better/smoother stroke, but perhaps I am just under the magic spell of new gear.  What is your experience in that matter? I know some people collect putters like parking tickets and some stay true to an old one, sometimes for 40+ years.

And Happy New Year to everyone.

Happy New Years and welcome to TST.

I've been there with a new putter that worked great for a few rounds, but sadly for me, the magic was temporary. However, the good news is that the putter did not perform worse than the one it replaced.

I have gone to a 4 putter rotation, (you can see the makes and models in my signature), the Ping's dated in the 1970's and Odyssey's in the 2000's. I will use one of the putters until I miss a number of short putts, lose the "feel," or think that it is time for a change. Last year I started with the 2-ball putter and ended the year with the B60. This year, who knows?

Best wished with your new club and draining many putts.

I love this game. :-D

Drivers: Bag 1 - TM R11 (10.5°); Bag 2 - Ping G5 (9°),
Fairway woods: #1 - TM RBZ Tour (14.5°) & TM System 2 Raylor (17°); #2 - TM Burner (15°) & TM V-Steel (18°)
Hybrid: #1 - TM Rocketballz (19°); #2 - Ping G5 (19°)
Irons: #1 - Ping i3+; #2 - Hogan Edge  (both 4-pw, +1" shaft)
Wedges: #1 - Ping i3+ U wedge (52°) & Ping Eye 2+ BeCu (60°); #2 - Ping ISI Sand BeCu (52°) & Cleveland CG11 lob (60°)
Putters: Ping B60i & Anser 2, Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball & White Hot XG #9, Lamkim Jumbp grips
Golf Balls: Titleist Pro V1, Bridgestone B330, Callaway SR1, Slazenger Grips: Lamkin Crossline
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I love this game! :-D

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I am convinced that all equipment has a honeymoon period. That being said, my Odyssey arm lock putter has been a game changer for me and has stayed steady for almost a year now (actually improving)

If you are comfortable with a putter, stick with it through thick and thin and overall it should pay off.

All other clubs should be replaced the second they piss you off.

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Chris, although my friends call me Mr.L

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If the club it replaced was not well fitted or suited to your putting style, then the improvement will be lasting. Other times the weight, balance, feel of the putter will temporarily block a mistake you were making and eventually the pendulum will swing too far to the other side and you'll be back with the same scores.

This sounds like a permanent improvement.

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All improvements are temporary.... :-)
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From my experience you get a honeymoon period for 2 reasons. 1 - focusing more on the club(s), probably more than you normally would. 2 - lower expectations since it's new equipment and you don't expect to do as well with it. Over time, it's the puttee, not the putter. What you want is equipment that suits you best and feels comfortable. I do very well with a 1967 Nicklaus blade putter, although my current putter is modern and better weighted (and works quite well as well). However I did used to have a Odyssey two ball and couldn't ever make it work long term. Didn't set up for me and ended up giving it away. Best to evaluate over a month or two.

—Adam

 

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Good luck to the OP and, personally, I've found that any new club (or ball for that matter) that I purchase comes with a honeymoon period. They usually last for about a month, then it to come back to reality. The only club that hasn't happened with is a new 5W I purchased last year, I just can't seem to mishit it but, unfortunately, there aren't alot of instances where I can use it. I do think a lot of the honeymoon effect comes from focus, I find a new club feels strange and, as a result, I tend to be much more aware of my swing, etc. Eventually I get accustomed to the feel/look of the club and revert back.
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I switched putters for a similar reason to you - I found that a shorter, 'blade' putter suits my preferred posture and stroke better. It's also lighter which gives me more feel, and has allowed me to groove a putting stroke that I'm comfortable with and is consistent. I had the same Super Stroke grips on both putters.

The mallet putter ( TM Spider ) I used to have was a great club. I've just found a putting stroke that I like and that club no longer suits my eye for it. I was trying to 'force' a putting stroke to match the old putter for too long ( since I'm cheap... ). My newer putter ( a 34 Yes! Callie ) sits perfectly. Like you, I tried a lot for balance and feel, and kept coming back to it.

I was just using the wrong club. It's not a lot different to having irons fitted for lie and length, but probably more impactful.

I don't see the improvement going away, per 4Aces post. It's not like you were swapping like for like.

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Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. I went out today and once again had 29 putts with no 3-putts, although I didn't make any over 20ft and none made were for birdie.  Still, it's the third time playing with the new putter and the third time I have 29 putts: I'll take that all year, thank you very much!

I like the idea of a 4 putter rotation: I found some really old ones (including a bullseye copycat) in the garage that older family members may have used at some point long ago: maybe I should regrip them and try them if (or when) this honeymoon ends... but I am not in a hurry! :-P

I think that GangGreen nailed it when he mentioned increased focus due to the strangeness. But Meisce has a point: this new putter is a better fit for me, as the first one was a nice gift and I think that I adapted to it, not the other way round.  We'll see... I'll report back later.

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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I like my Super Stroke grip and like to think that it improved my putting, but it's likely a placebo effect. I figure if I just make the putter nice and comfy to hold I'll be more likely to make putts anyways since I'm comfortable over the ball. The Scotty Cameron grips, though likely high quality in their own right, are much to firm for my liking. I like the little squish.

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Lemme see your putting stroke & I can accurately answer.


Do you want me to upload a video? Let's see if I can figure this out...

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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I like my Super Stroke grip and like to think that it improved my putting, but it's likely a placebo effect. I figure if I just make the putter nice and comfy to hold I'll be more likely to make putts anyways since I'm comfortable over the ball. The Scotty Cameron grips, though likely high quality in their own right, are much to firm for my liking. I like the little squish.


I agree. I had long replaced the grip from my Scotty, with a midsize Winn that was a little squishy as well.  But this is definitely better.  Just today I made another long putt for birdie (about 30ft). I did 3-putt from about 80 ft though as I misjudged the pace on the first and misread the break on the second putt with about 8ft left...

After 4 rounds with the new putter, I had 29 putts 3 times and 30 putts once.  Thank you, thank you very much (in my best Elvis voice)! :dance:

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Lemme see your putting stroke & I can accurately answer.

Do you want me to upload a video? Let's see if I can figure this out...

The Member Swings section would be great for that.  I've posted my putting to my Evolvr instructors and they helped me out.  They had me tweak my posture at set up.  That being said, I was fitted for my putting stroke and it corrected my aim at set up.  Perhaps your new putter helps your aim.

I am testing out a Super Stroke 3.0 on my putter this off season.  I will write a review after I have a few rounds in.  I previously used a midsize pistol.

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

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I don't change putter often, 2 years ago I made a change, I went away form a Scotty Cameron plat Newport II that I thought I liked. I went with a longer and with a rather radical head design of a Taylormade spider. I noticed right off that the ball rolled better and once dialed in began making putts consistently in the 8-12+ foot range. Of course the ones I miss still had a chance of going in, or were close. My 3 putts became an anomaly.

well that was two years ago and over 120+ rounds later I see no reason to change even today.  The putter is longer so I stand a little taller, my grip is looser and my feel is enhanced due to the ball rolling better  The heads mass contributes to this and with highest MOI slightly off center putts go approximately the same distance

so for me that new car smell lingers even today!

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so for me that new car smell lingers even today!

Good to hear!

But sadly, I think my honeymoon phase may be over: for the last 2 rounds, i had 33 and 35 putts, both higher than my long term average of 32.5. I am still rolling the ball nicely, but had trouble with the pace a bit, and was burning lots of edges.

Both rounds had quicker greens than I normally play as it's being drying out in NorCal for a few weeks now after the big rains.  The former round (at Eagle Ridge in Gilroy) had huge undulations and multiple tiers that the sadist Johnny Miller likes to incorporate in his designs, and the latter round had unusually difficult pin placements (some bordering on impossible for the greens speed). I am sure that those things had something to do with it, but we'll see...

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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Perhaps I just spoke (wrote) too soon.  Another round yielded 27 putts with no 3-putts and a birdie from about 40ft.  Granted, most of the 1 putts were after a chip, but they were anywhere from 1 foot to about 15 ft.  Still that gave me a decent scrambling stat for the day. :-D

Philippe

:callaway: Maverick Driver, 3W, 5W Big Bertha 
:mizuno: JPX 900 Forged 4-GW
:mizuno:  T7 55-09 and 60-10 forged wedges,
:odyssey: #7 putter (Slim 3.0 grip)

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Note: This thread is 3360 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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