Putting instructors have long talked about the advantages of maintaining a smooth, pendulum stroke and in allowing the larger muscles of the shoulders and back to swing the putter instead of any wristy motions involving the smaller muscles in the fingers, forearms, and wrists.
Unfortunately, some would say, the traditional putter does not do all that it can to suit the proper putting stroke. Those “some” have banded together to form a company and a line of putters known as “Heavy Putter.” With putters weighing 90% more than traditional putters, Heavy Putters seek to help players eliminate the twitchiness of the smaller muscles and to smooth out strokes.
Do they work? I’ve spent a few weeks putting with the B3 mallet style Heavy Putter, and my opinion is set. Read on to see what I think.
Design and Technology
The Heavy Putter reputedly has several advantages, including:
- The heavier mass engages large muscles and disengages small muscles, which promotes a pendulum stroke with less deviation in path.
- The higher balance point encourages lighter grip pressure which creates a smoother stroke, more solid contact and improves distance control as well as a consistent end over end roll immediately after impact and a more consistent putter release through impact and a more constant acceleration throughout the stroke.
- A heavier mass increases head stability throughout the impact zone improving putting accuracy and a higher moment of inertia (MOI).
- The Heavy Putter’s personal fitting system optimizes the putter’s performance for the individual golfer.
In other words, “heavy = good.”
Industrial art or your putting savior? While I appreciate the clean lines and austere approach to design, the Heavy Putter B3 may simply be too cold. How can a putter that looks like this ever get hot?
At this point, I should make one thing clear: the Heavy Putter’s additional weight is not just in the putter head but also beneath the grip. A 250 gram metal slug sits beneath the grip of every model. This makes the entire putter heavier while maintaining what feels like a fairly normal swingweight.
Look and Setup
I prefer heel-shafted mallets, and the B3 model seemed right up my alley. With a two-ball-like alignment system, a wide face, and a low, swooping sole, the B3 looks more like a piece of industrial art than a putter, but nobody can likely claim to have seen anything similar. While the look is somewhat reminiscent of some recent Bettinardis, the stark austerity of the design lacks the flair of a Bettinardi. And that’s fine – I’ve never been one for form over function.
At setup, the putter rests comfortably on the ground. This putter demands that you set it flat on the ground and does all it can to help you get there with a fairly flat sole (12″ radius) and, of course, the increased head weight. I found that the two-ball (or rather, ball-and-a-half) holes can be somewhat distracting on greens with minor imperfections. Unlike the Odyssey Two-Ball line, which has solid white circles with which to aid alignment, the lack of material in the circular alignment aids forced me to rely on the putter face for alignment. Odyssey’s alignment aids, like golf balls, are white and thus easier to align with a golf ball. Heavy Putter claims that these holes – their “Surround Sight” technology – helps to improve sweet spot contact more than putters with lines or a dot. I don’t buy it.
At address, the holes distracted me from aligning the putter to the ball. I found myself using the face rather than the ball-and-a-half alignment system.
While conventional putter heads weigh between 330 to 350 grams, the Heavy Putter heads weigh 450 to 550. Each Heavy Putter comes with two stainless steel 45-gram weights, two aluminum 20-gram weights, and two copper tungsten 70-gram weights that can be adjusted by allen wrench to change the head weight of the putter.
The green grip, a solid green and rather undecorated affair, feels harder than I’m used to on a putter. It sits reasonably well in your hands, and due to the weight of the putter, further back in your palms instead of in your fingertips.
Performance
In several practice sessions prior to taking the Heavy Putter on the course, one thing became immediately apparent: it’s tough to practice with the Heavy Putter. After fifteen minutes practice putting, my arms and wrists would tire. Stroking the putter and, perhaps more importantly, carrying it around the putting green will tire you out a good bit more quickly than conventional putters. With the grip in the weight, carrying the Heavy Putter near the shaft neck does nothing to limit the effort required.
With the lightweight aluminum weights installed, the putter felt too light. The stainless steel weights were just under my normal putter’s swing weight and the heavier copper tungsten weights were just a bit heavier. I putted equally with both of the heavier sets and found little to distinguish their performance.
On short putts, the Heavy Putter performs as advertised: it allows players to create a smooth, pendulum stroke using the larger muscles of their shoulders and back. My first few short putts barely got to the hole, though. The putter felt as though it was so heavy you’d barely have to touch the ball to put a powerful hit on the unsuspecting dimpled sphere. Once I developed a truer sense of head weight and not overall putter weight and began giving short putts my normal stroke, they got to the hole quite nicely.
Unfortunately, short putts are all that the Heavy Putter is good for. On mid-length putts, the head feels surprisingly flimsy at impact, even on putts struck on the sweet spot. Nearly every putt feels like it was mis-hit. A solid metal putter shouldn’t feel hollow or flimsy, but the unusual weighting in the Heavy Putter managed to make this chiseled metal monstrosity feel worse than a lead pipe on the end of a shaft might feel.
I cannot criticize the Heavy Putter’s attention to detail. If you’re a fan of industrial design, the putter is truly a work of art. Just be sure to admire this putter from afar.
Not only was the impact flimsy, but the feel was quite harsh. I’ve grown accustomed to putters with German Stainless Steel (GSS) inserts, polymer inserts, or the Rossa AGSI inserts, all of which serve to soften the feel of impact and to promote smooth roll. The Heavy Putter not only looks like a cold, hard putter, but the ball feels as if it was struck with a cold, hard putter at impact.
I’d be willing to overlook the unusually flimsy feel and the harsh feel at impact if the putter worked outside of 25 feet. Lag putting outside of 25 feet is largely a matter of feel, and that feel has been built upon throughout my entire career. With the Heavy Putter, I simply couldn’t get the ball to the hole. Originally, I thought my problem was similar to the one I had with the short putts: expecting the ball to explode off the clubface.
So I convinced myself that it wouldn’t, and I found the true problem. On long putts, the heft of the Heavy Putter simply prevents your arms from swinging through as quickly as normal. It’s as if you’re swinging the putter head through molasses. Even when I made myself aware of this fact I still had trouble getting the ball to the hole.
The Heavy Putter’s face is CNC milled to produce an attractive pattern. Unfortunately, impact feels harsh.
I can adjust my golf swing or putting stroke to accommodate one or two little things – a new grip, a different stance, etc., but when I find myself leaving 40-foot putts five feet short two weeks into using the Heavy Putter exclusively, well, something just isn’t adjusting itself. No other club you use around the greens is as heavy as the Heavy Putter, and since putting is such a “feel” aspect of the game of golf to me, the Heavy Putter simply throws off my feel. Simply put: I couldn’t make myself adjust to it.
One final note for those who carry their clubs: the Heavy Putter is heavy. If your bag is already heavy enough – even if you’ve done all you can to carry as little as possible – the Heavy Putter will almost assuredly push you over the edge. An extra pound or two in your bag won’t kill you, of course, but it can make finishing 18 holes feeling as fresh as you used to a challenge.
Extras and Specs
The Heavy Putter comes with a lightweight (hardy har) neoprene headcover with a springy jaw that clamps around the bottom of the putter. It worked reasonably well but, as you can see to the right, “dingied” up fairly quickly. The allen wrenches and additional weights (mentioned above) let you change the weight of the putter head.
Unfortunately, the Heavy Putter doesn’t come with someone to carry it around for you. On the plus side, if you do opt to use the Heavy Putter, that line you feed your wife about “good exercise” will never have been more true!
The Heavy Putter is available in two main models, the “A” and the “B” series. The A series is a blade style putter and the B, as reviewed here, a mallet style putter. With three neck configurations for each, you can choose the best putter for your stroke. Each putter comes with 3.5° loft and a lie of 72°
Conclusion
Despite several positive reviews and test results that seem to speak for themselves, Heavy Putter’s achievements remain squarely on the Nationwide and PGA Tour side of things.
With a 12″ radius sole curvature, the Heavy putter should rest fairly flat for players with a wide variety of stances.
I don’t hate the Heavy Putter – it is what they says it is, after all – but there’s no way I would put the Heavy Putter in my bag again. The concept is sound in theory, but practice doesn’t bear out the results I’d expect to see.
The Heavy Putter may be a great training aid, but I cannot recommend it to anyone for use in their bag. You’d be better served finding a putter in which you’re confident and simply improving your stroke. Eliminate wrist hinge and excessive small-muscle movements by eliminating your wrist hinge and small muscle movements. Don’t expect a putter weighing two pounds to do it for you.
Hi Erik,
thanks for the info on the Heavy Putter. I’ve been considering a putter change, but it sounds like the HP isn’t the way to go. I don’t like the idea of having to make so many fundamental adjustments. I’ll keep looking.
Thanks for the review. A great read, very comprehensive, unbiased and objective and saved me from making a wrong purchase. Will go for the Scotty Cameron Futura Mallet instead. Love reading your articles with their twist of humour at the end
I bought one and have good days and bad days. Can’t say I’m saving any strokes and I do carry my clubs and like the bag light so I don’t know why I spent so much to buy this. Well actually I do know – it worked brilliantly in the store where I hardly have to touch the ball to get it to the hole.
I like it on short putts and have sunk some very long ones but it’s a struggle to hit the ball more than 30 feet and how hard to swing it is always guesswork for those longer putts. I’ve discovered that letting it swing loosely in my hands does help. Since the damn think was so expensive, I’m going to make it work.
One warning – don’t accidentally hit your ankle with this thing as it leaves a nasty divot. Ouch!
Thanks for the post, I have very heavy, concrete hands, and have never had any feel with the putter, one reason I always stay at a 9-10 handicap. Decided to try this putter, figured why not, Iv’e tried everything else.
At 1st I was always short on everything. Played around with the grip and for me, found one that worked quite well. It’s all in the back stroke, once I started taking longer back strokes I started making puts.
Hi, all!
It seems I’m the only one who’s happy with his Heavy Putter… 😀
I own a B1 model (center shafted) and in my opinion it makes the ball roll quite well and straight to the hole. OK, perhaps it doesn’t work as well in long putts, but it gives me the confidence in those short putts and this is exactly what I need.
Quite frankly, how many putts do you usually make longer than 10 yards with any putter??
Regards from sunny Spain
Joaquin
I’v used the Heavy putter for a month now. It was instant sucess at the retail stores astro green, and it has been a lot of getting use to at the real deal, but I am putting better than I ever have. I’v noticed with any putter, if I take it back slow, I would stay on line better and the heavy putter makes that decission for me if dont try to control it. At the end of the season, the handicap will tell all
I tried one today @ Golfsmith, I use a fairly heavy old Slotline Big Mo’ putter normally. This thing feels like lead but I was actually able to roll it to the hole quite well. My problem was alignment. The 1-1/2 ball alignment aid was useless. Merge this thing with a Ram Zebra and they have a winner!!!
This is further proof that putting is a matter of individual taste and feel.
I recently purchased a B3-M, which turned out to be a terrific decision.
Unlike you, I feel very confident with putts of 25 feet or more and find that my distance control is improved. And, from 15 feet in, I am sinking many more putts.
I also tried out a couple of Scotty Camerons, a Newport 2 and a center shafted mallet. I had gone to the course with the idea of buying a Cameron, but after experimenting with the three putters it wasn’t even a tough decision.
I am very happy with the purchase and would recommend the putter to anyone.
BTW, I am 58 years old and have played golf for many years, with a current index of 3.8, in case anyone wonders about my skill level.
P.S. One last comment………I struggled at times with short putts, because I would decelerate (exspecially the downhill left to right). The added weight has helped tremendously with the problem of deceleration and I find those putts muc easier to convert since the purchase.
IT RULES
I have used the Heavy Putter B3-M for more than a dozen rounds by now and find it to be far and away the best putter I have ever used, and I’ve used a lot (Scotty Camerons, Pings, Odysseys, Bettinardis, you name it).
I absolutely disagree with Erik Barzeski’s criticsm of the Heavy Putter. I find it performs superbly on both long, medium and short putts and that it is very comfortable once you get used to it, which took me a little time on the practice green and a couple of rounds of competitive play. This putter is a wonderful innovation, and I’m puzzled by why more people, including pros, aren’t using it. Chris Gaul
Love it-have had several 27 putt rounds-highest 33 in just over 6 weeks with the putter. Takes a little getting used to but rolls the ball beautifully-long and short putts.
Are you kidding? This thing’s the greatest thing to happen to my putting game ever… and I’ve been playing nearly 25 years.
Respectfully, I’m sure this putter, like others, is not right for everyone. BUT, and that is a big BUT, I love mine. I have the A2 and it is great. On shorter putts of 6-10 feet, I make about 5 out of 10 of them, and barely miss from 5 feet out.
As for longer putts, sure, its takes some time and practice to get used to the heavier weight, BUT (there’s that word again), like anything else, you get used to it. Played with the heavy putter all season and I almost never 3 putt anymore (maybe 1x per round, and that’s if I’m putting poorly).
Although the weight kit does help, I would only adjust the weights on the putter if I were putting in early season on a shag rug (i.e. hairy green) or at Augusta. Other than than, I think the weights are fine.
Actually, the hardest putts to make with the Heavy Putter are the short 3 footers; you have to get used to gripping down the handle so you can get a swing going.
As for the design…who cares? I have the a putter and it looks like most others in its class.
The headcover keeps popping off mine, and I have to make sure its there at the end of the round; so, if you want a complaint about this equipment, there’s mine.
All in all, I know others who play with this and they also rave about it. It takes a little practice (probably a season) to get used to, and then I think every user will like it.
One problem, now that I’ve used the heavy putter, I’m sure it will be nearly impossible to go back to a regular one.
One last comment, for those who complain about lugging around the extra “weight” of the heavy putter, try to take 3 or 4 extra golf balls out of your bag and see if it lightens up the load.
I love the HP its the real deal and does what it says i’ll do.
I purchased my B3 in june (traded in my Ping Craz E)…since then I’ve dropped my handicap 4 strokes. I putt with much more confidence (long ones and short ones). I don’t regret the decision at all. I wouldn’t be suprised to see these showing up on the tour more frequently. I was so pleased I wrote the company. I received a very nice hand written letter from their CFO along with a hat. I like the fact that a small company can produce a unique product and compete with the big boys. Thanks Bettinardi!
I think this is the best putter I’ve used thus far.
You rarely miss putts that are within 3-4 feet. If you do miss them, it is because you did not align properly or because the green is in poor condition.
I agree with a person who said “how many putts do you really make that are around 30 feet?”. If you are putting 30 feet putts often, then I think you will need more than a heavy putter. Maybe get closer to the flag? Improve your approach shots maybe?
I would like to thank Erik for his candid review of the Heavy Putter. I was very close to buying one because I thought it would improve my short putts. But you can’t make short putts if you can’t use the putter to get close to the hole. I think his last statement is the best advice. And one that all of us frustrated golfer should remember. Good equipment is important, but for the average golfer proper technique and practice is the best way to improve.
Hello everyone. First off, let me start by saying just because one person didn’t like it, DOES NOT mean you won’t either. I’ve read a lot of people thanking Erik for his review because they “almost” bought one. If you don’t buy something because someone else doesn’t “like” it, then you’re selling yourself short. Obviously the putter does most of the things it says it does. In order for them to advertise for things, some if not most of it HAS to be true. Now, I’m not going to sit here and claim you’ll take off at least 4 strokes a round. But I am telling you that no matter what anyone else says, you need to try it.
Take a look at the pros. They don’t all play one driver, one iron, one wedge or one putter. Tiger uses the Nike Driver, while Sergio used the Taylor Made and Bubba uses the Ping. If Taylor Made was the number 1 driver on tour, why doesn’t Tiger use it? And it’s not because Nike pays him more, because we all know any other company out there would pay him just as much if not more to have him. And Tiger wants to win, and if he can’t win with what he’s got, he’ll switch.
Don’t listen to one person’s bad review, go out and try it for yourself. And don’t try it with any expectations, whether they are good expectations or bad ones. Just go out there and play with the club like you normally do.
And about the guy complaining about it wearing him out on the course, give me a break. Unless you weight 450 pounds and are 3’4”, then don’t complain about a 900 GRAM, yes GRAM, club being “too heavy”. It’s called the Heavy Putter for a reason. Also, if it’s wearing out your hands and wrists, that means it’s improving your strength. And wrist/hand strength is one of the most important strengths in the game, it’s why Tiger can hit a 6 iron 200 out of shin high rough. And, the other thing is, if you are getting tired from using this putter, you must be hitting 50+ putts a round. Swinging a putter over hole once or twice isn’t going to kill you, and practicing isn’t going to kill you either.
M.O.I. (Moment of Inertia) is one of the MOST important specs when it comes to putting. For every .25” off center you hit your putts, that equates to an avg. of 6 feet short!!! YES, six feet. That’s why we as amateurs are inconsistent. One putt we hit short and off center, and end up3-6 feet short. The next hole we compensate for it, and hit it center and we’re 6 feet past the hole. The twisting of the club head IS LESS with this putter. Which results in more consistency on off center hits.
Sorry for the long review, but I don’t like how just because one guy didn’t like it, you think you won’t either. Go out there, and try it. You should be doing that anyways.
I don’t agree with that. We don’t have an infinite amount of time to try every product, and reviews help us to narrow our focus.
No, no, wrong, wrong.
Clearly you’ve not even bothered to read the review.
And as always, I would advise people to use exercises designed for that purpose, not “carry around something heavy for awhile.” What you end up with is instead a putter that discourages practicing your putting.
Again, you’ve clearly not read the review. An extra 1.5 pounds in your bag – if you carry and walk – can matter, but the comments made in regards to getting “tired” were regarding practice sessions, not hitting 50+ putts during a round.
Now you’re just making things up. How could I possibly be six feet short on a three-foot putt? Ah, I can’t – thus exposing the flaw in your numbers.
Furthermore, I disagree that MOI is one of the most important specs when it comes to putting. Feel is up there, as is length, loft, and lie angle. MOI? Good putters hit the sweet spot, and most people are better served learning to putt better than to buy something that helps a little more than other putters when they miss.
I bought my HP “B” last week. I heard from the golf shop that I am only the 2nd one to buy here in the Philippines. What can say, its great! You just basically align the putter and hit it. My short putts are almost perfect. It took me a few rounds to get the putter adjusted to the long putts (but who doesn’t with any putter). Oh well, my target really is to putt the long ones close and finish it with a perfect short putt. For that, this putter accomplishes my objectives!
I bought a heavy Putter B3M a couple weeks ago and I really like it. After reading a bunch of different reviews I thought this thing was going to weigh 50 lbs or something. Yes it’s heavier than normal putters but I didn’t find it to be that heavy. I like the look and feel of it. I used to have a little loop on my backswing but now it’s pretty much straight back with this thing. I’ve heard some people say this putter would not be good on fast greens, but actually that’s the best type of greens to putt with it. When you are on slow greens or have a long uphill putt you really have to make a big swing, which I find to be the putters only drawback.
Hi everyone,
I purchased the B-3 and have played around with it for a some time now both on the course and on the practice green. I am still adjusting to this putter, but so far I feel like my putts have beem more consistently hit on center, which I needed. My distance putting has always needed work, and this putter allows me to adjust the length of my back-stroke without taking the club off the line of the putt. That was the selling point for me. The weight of the putter will help to keep the putter on your line of stroke.
For me personally, when I judge the line correctly and allign myself well, I am getting the lag putts closer to the hole and putts within 10 feet are being made more consistently. I am 3-putting much less now (my goal is always 2 putt or better on every hole) and that takes off strokes right there.
For those who use more of an inside-to-inside arc in the putting stroke, this may not be the putter of choice, due to the weight and the physical nature of the putting stroke. With a heavy putter, it will have the tendancy (momentum) to stay on the line you start through on rather than an arc. This may lead to off center hits, and putts that miss the line you intendend. My putting stroke has always been straight back and straight through….I use it more like a pendulum and keep the putter on line better with the extra weight.
On the other side of things, with the extra weight, I do think some “feel” has been lost in terms of whether or not I have made a good stroke and hit the sweet spot, but the weight helps the putter from twisting on you if you are off center, and as long as your line is good, the putt will be closer to where you aimed. Again, I base this off of a pendulum stroke and not an arc-type stroke, so that (I feel) needs to be taken into consideration when experimenting with this putter.
I do feel that the oringinal review was maybe a bit overly-harsh, and what we don’t know is this person’s putting style…which can be a huge influence in how he feels the putter works for him. It’s just like my view of this as well…an opinion that can be taken into account, but it is not the be all end all. If you get the chance, go try it out and see for yourself, but keep in mind what your intent is for trying, your putting style and stroke too… They all play a major part in whether or not you like this putter or any putter for that matter..
Steve
Even thought I do not currently use a Heavy putter I have had one in the bag and IMHO it’s a spectacular putter as long as you realize a couple of things:
1). This is NOT a feel putter. I know many golfers out there putt with feel, and do not control the distance of their putts with backstroke length but with varying “force” applied to the putter instead. One just cannot putt this way with a heavy putter, it goes against the very design principle of the putter. Of course I am in the Pelzian camp that the putting stroke should be more mechanical, i.e. using backstroke length to control putts but that’s a different argument for another time.
2). Many golfers will flip at the ball on longer putts to get more “oomph”, and the heavy putter eliminates this flipping having many people heave their long putts short. It also eliminates the ability of people to make popping style strokes (like Alan Doyle’s comes to mind).
🙂 I HAVE USED THE HEAVY PUTTER MODEL B3 FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND I AM VERY HAPPY WITH IT. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE TRIED 6 OTHER PREMIUM PUTTERS. THIS ONE SUITS ME THE BEST. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED MY SPEED CONTROL WAS MUCH IMPROVED. ALSO, THE HEAVY WEIGHT MAKES IT EASIER TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING ON LINE. I TRY TO KEEP MY HANDS LOOSE AND PUTT WITH A STRAIGHT BACK AND THRU PENDULUM MOTION.
Heavy putter is the best $170 i have ever spent. For 2 weeks i could not make 4-8 foot putts. I am a 4 handicap but because of my putting was shooting high 70s on days that my long game was phonomenal. It really does what they say it does. It makes your stroke better. Some reviews i read before getting the putter said that it was sketchy from outside 30 feet and real solid on short putts. Personally i like it just as good if not better on the longer lag putts. First round i played with it i dropped 4 birdie putts outside 20 feet and shot 2 under with not one 3-putt. If you are struggling with putting dont just get another putter that just looks cool and gives you confidence for a couple weeks. Get Heavy putter it actually makes you better.
I HAD 26 PUTTS WITH MINE YESTERDAY. IN THE TWO MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS PUTTER I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ROUNDS WITH LESS THAN 30 PUTTS. IT WORKS FOR ME ON BOTH LONG PUTTS + SHORT PUTTS.
I have tried the Heavy Putter on several rounds. It is a good putter, but I do think it is a tad to heavy, and the alignment isn’t for me. I did find a putter that is a tab lighter, and has a two ball, with a line, alignment aid on it. Instead of 2 lbs, it is 1.5 lbs., and I honestly think it is smoother, and feels a lot better. Much easier to aim too. It’s called the Heavy Smoothie putter, and you can buy them for around $40 on Ebay. They’re awesome, and come in many different styles, custom made too. Save the money, and buy one of these. Fantastic!
I tried the B3 model . I did not like it, however, i love the A3 model. It had much more feel than the mallet. I have been putting with it for 1.5 years and love it. 😛
Thanks for your review; the most misleading thing in the adverts for the putter is the statement that it will “reduce or elminate” the yips.
The yips is a mental problem; it requires a mental solution, not a mechanical one.
All golf, not just putting, is an enterprise requiring feel, which can be restated as the ability of the golfer to control distance and direction. The heavier the club, the more the force applied to the ball will vary in proportion to variable effort. Distance (ballspeed) control would be best with a very LIGHT putter.
i’ve been using the Heavy Putter for 1 week. And i absolutely love it. Just setting up with it gives a sense of confidence.
however, a change of putter is not the only thing that needs to be done in order to shoot better scores. Coaching on ur set up, ur stroke, alignments is still critically important.
although i cant say that i’m hitting less putts with the heavy putter, the second putt i have, is always an easy tap in. So all i have left is to learn to read the greens better.
I am new to golf, I picked up a club for the first time in my life the middle of last season. I have been “testing” that A3-M & B3-M models at my local retailer every time I visit for at least 6 months, which is like 2-3 times a month, I think the salesman was really starting to get fed up with me.
I have been using a TM Rossa Mezza Monza for the last year. I have been doing ok with it, but I felt like it was just too light in my hands. It just felt like there was nothing in my hands, as such it would walk all over on the back swing, and I would REALLY have to concentrate to keep it going on line, it wiggles way to much if I try to stroke it with a light touch. To combat this I have to tense up to keep it together, and this ends up with poor putts, and talk about lack of “feel”, forgetaboutit.
From the first time I picked up the HP it felt right. From 10’-12’ feet away on the “test†green at the store I hit 50-60%, and it is a WAVY plywood deck. At 4’ 80-90%. So I finally bellied up to the bar and bought one today, the A3-M blade model. I have to agree the junk on the back end of the B3 unit did nothing for me to help alignment. I found it more distracting then anything.
On the practice green in my basement I am hitting 6’ shots 4 out of 5 times. This is at least 30-40% better than with my TM. I have an inside-square-inside stroke. If I stroke straight down the line I always push the put left. I am taking out on the course for the first time this week, and I can’t wait.
Hi Guys,
I am a 56 year old female. Until arthritis set into my hands last year I maintained a handicap somewhere between 5-7 for the past 10 years. My yippy putting caused by spasms in my right hand took me to an 12, even using a left hand down grip on my favorite Oddesey 2 Ball. I have been using the same model Heavy Putter reviewed in the article for only a month and I have gone down to a 10.2. I do not notice any problems with long putts. I also can tell anyone who thinks that all yips are mental has not experienced the unwelcomed hand spasmsthat Arthritis can cause. This putter has helped me to eradicate the effects of such spasms. I look forward to being back in single digits again.
Just bought a B-2 heavy putter and I’m still up in the air. I definately like it on the shorter puts….3-10 feet but I’ve struggled with distance control on the longer ones. I’ve also struggled on the faster greens. I shot +2 with it 2 weeks ago but I had 34 putts and 6 bogeys. I think my problem is more setup/alignment related however and I’m gonna stick with this thing for awhile longer because it definately smooths ut the stroke. Jay 6hdcp
I recently purchased the A3 model and so far I love it. I have been playing golf for a year now and am currently a 9 handicapp. My first putter was an Odyssey 3 ball (because my Uncle owned one and it was the only one i had tried), which I soon realized I hated. I moved onto the Scotty Newport 2 which I still like, but have issues with at times. I then moved onto the Seemore FGP which is also a great putter, but neither of the Scotty or the Seemore give me the confidence my new Heavy Putter does. Obviously its not for everybody and the fact that the reviewer didn’t like it just confirms that. In my opinion nobody should buy equipment without trying it for themselves first.
I have used this Heavy Putter for 2-3 years. I love it. I am consistent with it round after round altho I have had back surgery and can only play 1-2 times a week. I won a club championship with it while hitting 4 greens and sinking over 120′ of putts for par. I am about to purchase a new one with the darker surface as opposed to the bright steel look.
Try it and you will make more putts than ever before…….no more putter getting off line on the back swing. And once you set the alignment for each putt and set the putter on the green IT WILL NOT MOVE TO ANOTHER ALIGNMENT while you are getting ready to begin the stroke with a last look for distance.
Jerry
Let me start by saying I’m not a good putter. I don’t enjoy that part of the game and it shows. Maybe I don’t enjoy it because I’m so bad at it and failure just continues to reinforce the belief. I’ve even practiced! I’m not too bad on the practice green, but that’s where it stays.
It got so bad that I was thinking of giving the game away. Several 3 putts and the occasional 4 in a round was just too painfull.
Anyway, I purchased a HP several weeks ago and the turnaround has been great. I’m still not what you could call a good putter, but now I don’t miss the 3 footers, I’m a real chance from 10 feet and the longer putts won’t be far away from the hole. I’ve found that the required pendulum stroke gives me far better control of distance and is a great aid against decelerating the clubhead as it approaches contact.
Just today I had 32 putts in a round with NO 3 putts! Pretty ordinary by most standards, but a big improvement for me. Another 3 or 4 could have gone in with a bit of luck, so I would have to say that this putter has meant a big improvement for my game and has put the fun back into the game for me.
I was in Atlanta late Sept. 07 for a big tournamet. My putter head had been damaged by the airlines, and I had to take in to the PGA superstore to get repaired. I asked if there was any they could fix it before I played and they said no. So I asked if I could get another putter fo the tournamnet while mine was being fixed. The guy said that icould take any out of the used rack for the day and I could return it the following day and get my putter back for the rest of the tourney. Well I get to the tourney with this putter (BM-2M) and was stroking the ball well. I asked what the greens were rolling out on the course and the super said 13.5 on the stemp. My heart sank with the thought of rolling this heavy putter on lightening fast greens. Wel,l eleven putts on the front, three for birdies and no bogies. I dropped them anywhere from 7 to 27 feet. I finished up with thirteen on the back, 4 birdies, one bogie.
I went back to the PGA superstore and told him he could keep my putter (two-ball) and put it the used bin, and i payed my $99 and walked out the door. The club is definetly not for every one, but for those of you who can weild it, it is a mighty club. I suggest it for those on bermuda who have a tendancy to leave putts short and in general get whippy with the lighter putters.
It will not wear you out practicing though. I suggest quit holding it like your choking it, and just swing the club. And if the 1.5 pounds is to much extra in your bag, try taking out some of those candy bars, beer cans, the extra clubs that exceed the number 14, the extra bottles of water, and all the other things that you think you need, but never use.
“Rockstar”
Glad for the somewhat negative review… I don’t want more people learning about this putter.
You know, you also have to ask… Perhaps the reviewer has a poorly structured putting stroke… Maybe he never learned right…. Maybe indeed he has the best putting technique ever… But I doubt it. Who knows? I’ve never seen him swing a club.
So basically, there’s things about the putter that will NOT work as well if you are swinging incorrectly… because you are still swinging incorrectly! And that includes many pros on the tour who are simply fundamentally not swinging well.
Because there’s more to a putt than just a pendulum swing… (If you truly want to eliminate all motion in the legs and body, there’s a bit of a relaxed right hand-wrist-mostly-elbow bending back and straightening forward piston motion that should subtly be incorporated into your swing. Tiger does it… it’s super subtle, but it’s there!)
But that being said… this putter, if swung correctly and married properly with good technique, puts the ball on right line more often. And physics actually dictates it has to! Period. ‘Nuff said.
Well, I do Believe this is ONE GREAT Idea… Just keep your grip as light as possible and let it do its thing. As for the alignment issue, I took a Sharpie with a sharp point and Put two lines on the back of the 1/12 balls and it does help.
The reviewer has a very good putting stroke and putting is one of the strengths of his game. 😛
Thanks for your comments guys. At first when I read the reviewers comments, I got a little nervous because I just spent $200 yesterday at Golf Galaxy for the B3. For a moment I envisioned another club going into my used golf club collection in the garage and the feeling of another $200.00 bucks going down the drain. (Actually Golf Galaxy gave me $47.00 for my Rosa, so it was more like $150.00) Then I read all the other reviews and I felt releaved. I bought the Heavy putter because I do miss those 2-3 foot putts more than a player of my experience should. I have watched 2 guys in my club sink more putts than the others I play with. I asked one of the guys if I could give it a try and the ball rolled much truer than with my Taylor Made, Rosa putter. Anyway my tee time is in about 4 hours and I can’t wait to put my new 1.5 lb girl friend to the test. If she works as expected, we should be married for a long long time. I will write back and report to you how our first couple of dates go. If we do decide to tie the knot we are planning an April wedding at Augusta. What the heck, all kinds of folks are getting married these days! Why not me and my Heavy putter! Besides, I like girls with a little meat on the bone anyway!
I also agree with many of the replies on here about loving this putter. I recently made the switch from the traditional old school 8802 to the B3 and it was the greatest improvement that I had in putting in a long time. The extra weight just feels wonderful and gives you that confidence that you will make a good stroke. It keeps your mind off of it and allows you to concentrate on your target. I have also made more putts from within 10FT. Longer putts takes some getting used to but as always with this game it comes with practice.
I purchased the Heavy A3M model, and I definitely prefer it over the mallet style that I tried. The very first time I took it to the practice green, I was sinking putts from everywhere. Everyone who has tried it out thinks it is an outstanding putter, and three or four people I know have actually gone out and purchased one. One guy seriously wanted to trade me his brand new Rife 2-bar that he thought was the s*#t until he tried my Heavy.
I also have a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 which I really like. Both my Cameron and Heavy are 34″ and both have the Cameron Baby T grip on them. I did not like the soft lime green Winn Grip that came stock on the Heavy putter. The comfort and style wasn’t for me. I really would like to be able to say that I putt better with the Cameron, but the truth is that I make twice as many putts with the Heavy. The only thing I do not like is that it is so heavy. It really does make my forearms sore and weighs down my bag. Other than that, it putts dead on line. Controlling distance isn’t a problem either with the A3M. I could see where longer putts could be a problem with the mallet design that was reviewed.
I didn’t purchase the Heavy Putter because I was having a problem with my putting stroke. I bought it because of it’s accuracy and outstanding feel. However, it will definitely improve your stroke regardless.
Let me add my 2 cents worth. I have played for 40 plus years and at this point am a 2 handicap. I have struggled with putting for 39+ of those 40 years. I have purchased probably $10,000 worth of putters–just about every Cameron, TaylorMade, Mizuno, Bobby Grace, and Odyssey putter ever made plus many others. Always looking for feel and accuracy. Then I tried the Heavy Putter (blade version). BINGO! Solid impact on the ball, ball consistently tracks to the hole, alignment easy and consistent, short (4 feet and under) are gimmes, and long lags are within the 3 foot target circle virtually every time. I am a feel player who keeps obsessive track of greens in regulation, and total putts per round every round. My putting strokes per round have dropped by 2-3 strokes on average over the past 6 months. Interestingly, as my putting has improved, so has my short game in general and my scoring average as well. Since last year, when I was a 6 index, I’ve dropped to a 2. The only equipment change has been the Heavy Putter. I no longer practice putting 200 balls per day at home on the oriental carpet. I spend no more than 5 minutes pre-game on practice putting. And, I no longer have interest in buying putters in an effort to find the magic bullet–the Heavy Putter IS my magic bullet. As for feel, the putter material is relevant but the selection of ball is far more important–want softer feel, get a softer ball, period. I play either a Titleist Pro V1 or a Bridgestone e6. Soft as butter and phenomenal feel on the putter face. By the way, not all Heavy Putters are the same, at least to me. The only model that works for me is the blade. Tried the mallet and some of the other styles of which there are several. None produced the results of my model. Hope this helps. Look for over a hundred used high quality and high priced putters on eBay in the coming weeks!
Good luck.
Yes, i must agree with this review. I’ve been using the HP for about 6 months now. I’m a better from 12 feet and in, but i’m significantly worse from 25ft and out. I really do like the putter, but overall my performance has decreased and i’m now in the market for a new putter. 😥
Have been playing for over 40 years and have always been a half decent putter. I purchased the B3 Model 2 yrs ago and my putting has gotten better. I have tried many brands of putters over the years but it is a nice feeling to be standing over putts of various lengths and thinking that they are going to go in. That is the feeling I get with the Heavy Putter. I like the magnetic headcover as well. I really do not understand why I do not see more golfers with these.
After reading the Heavy Putter review and the comments made, I decided to buy the A3M Putter by Heavy Putter last November. In my case, upon using the Heavy putter, I was having a hard time on the short putts but had an easier time with the long putts. I needed to review my putting stroke, focusing on using the bigger muscles for the short putts and the employ the smooth rhythmic stroke (which I do on the long putts), and also trusting the whole motion do its work on the ball rather than trying to over-control the stroke (which resulted to last second correction by the wrist). I am putting better now than ever before. I am positive that this putter can make me finally break 80 this year. I continue to recommend to my friends this putter. Out of the 75 guys in our golf club, I am the only one who uses it (so far).
Great to see that this thread is still active. I have owned an original b1 for two years. After keeping this putter on the shelf for the past 11 months, the b1 is back in the bag. The roll is pure, the stroke is thoughtless. I only wish there was a way to fill in the circles.
Regarding the comments about long putts, when I have a putt longer than 20 feet or so I putt with my 8 iron. Practicing this evening from about 20 yards, I hit eight balls then retrive and start over. For the last five or six rounds there were at least four balls within 4 feet and useally one or two within 1 foot.
I don’t know if its “legal” to put with an 8 iron, but using it for longer putts gets me closer to the hole than with a regular putter.
Erik,
After using this putter exclusively for an entire season, I have formulated a few opinions different than yours:
1: I didn’t feel the putter tired me out any more than a regular weighted putter, even during extended practice sessions. I’m also 6’4″, 250lbs and been weightlifting far longer than I’ve been golfing. I also work with my hands in a physically demanding job enviroment. Both factors, I’m sure, helped contribute to a different experiance. (putters are very personal)
2: The extra weight wasn’t noticable in my carry bag. I walk every round,(unless I’m playing with one of my buddies who is handicapped) and I seriously cannot tell the difference between carrying my Circa 62 or my hp. I’m sure the extra pound or so adds up in some equation, but its negligible in my opinion.
3: The feel issue. The difference in feel is substantial, I agree. The reason I bought and played the hp was different than yours, however. You were reviewing it, I was trying to substantially change my feel and stroke. Putting, as you said, is one of your strengths, so changing your putter so drammatically doesn’t make sense to me. I’m around a 7 handicap right now,(will be going down 🙂 ) much higher than yours,(around scratch, right?) so our perspectives are also different. If you are a great putter with a regular weighted putter, this will be a big jump and commitment.
Also, the A3M blade style feels solid every time. ( Just a side point, as this is a review for the B-3)
That all being said, I don’t think the Heavy Putter will “only drag my putting game down,” its improved it quite a bit. I think it dragged your game down.
People who are looking into trying one of these should consider the different perspectives Eric and I share. His putting stroke and sense of feeling are tuned better and ingrained deeper than mine. His handicap is much lower. Also, I’m a phsically bigger individual.
I hope my experiance helps.
Whatever plunges your toilet. lol 🙄
😮 I tried this putter @ the pro shop and instantly fell in love with it. I was tempted to buy the B-3M but hesitated @ $199.00. Looked on Ebay and found it new with cover and weight kit for $89.00 and free shipping. It should be here this week.
I now have 3 Heavy Putters, and I think they are great. I just purchased a Mid-Weight, so the jury is still out with that one. However, I have a B1-M long belly and a deep face, and they work very well. I agree that it will take some getting used to, but the deceleration problem I have, especially on short putts, is a thing of the past. If you use a Heavy Putter, just feel the head of the putter (which is easy due to the heaver weight) and stroke the putt rather than jerk the putter. It practically swings itself. 😀
It does not upset me very much when I miss a 30′ putt, but it sure sucks to miss a 2 footer. So even if you are correct about the Heavy Putter on long putts, the short Putt accuracy make it all worthwhile.
This review seems pretty definitive… but any chance for a review of the new mid-weight Heavy Putter?
I’m curious to see if it is an improvement at all.
I have taken a ‘gamble’ and bought the ‘Stealth’ design HP. My very first putt on the course was a 33ft side hill putt that rolled so purely and canned in for a birdie.
I am now into my 5th round with it and absolutely love it !
2 things of note are, as every one says, the shorter putts of 10 foot or less are almost ‘gimmes’ – feel so confident in its roll that I seems hard too miss.
Secondly, I did find I was over borrowing the line on longer putts. The putter seems to roll the ball straighter and thus it does not take the borrows my other putters … I can now almost take dead aim and let my baby work for me 😉
Like another poster remarked, i also have a manual job and have strong arms and hands, so the weight is NOT an issue as the initial review stated.
The HP range is superb and in particular, the model i have with its thinner face has all the feel I want…. buy one and enjoy knocking shots off your round.
oh – I forgot to say that 2 players in the top ten used heavy Putters in this years Welsh Open….
quote; Boccieri Golf announces that its technologically-advanced Heavy Putter was used by Ignacio Garrido and Fabrizio Zanotti, who placed third and 10th respectively, at last week’s Celtic Manor Wales Open on the PGA European Tour.
Continuing the streak of strong showings for Heavy Putter users, both players ranked among the top-20 in “putts per GIR.” Garrido, a 37-year-old Spaniard, relied on the B1-M model to shoot three rounds in the 60s, including ten one-putt greens on Sunday for his best finish of the season. Zanotti, one of the hottest players on the European Tour, is coming off a recent runner-up performance at the Open de Espana. ; unquote
also, rafa Echinique has also finished 2nd and 5 th in consecutive PGA Tour events in the past fortnight…. The HP revolution is on a roll …LITERALLY !
Bought it, used it, loved it.
This club has helped me improve my putting 100%. From 5ft in I am putting the ball in the hole 95% of the time and from 10ft out I very rarely 3 put.
The extra weight allows for greater control and smoothness of stroke but like anything in life practice breeds improvement. I would recommend this putter without hestitation.
Never got my weights with my putter last year, or the allen wrench. Lost a weight am now at an impass.
Please help, Barry
Bought a used B3-M today and dropped 3 out the first 5 putts from 21′. The other 2 were dramatically short. It truley is all in the solid-smooth backswing. Considering adding some sight lines but even on the first day it inspires confidence from every distance. It forces you to use a longer backswing for more distance because it is slow to accelerate. Packs a wollop but has amazing touch and roll.
This putter looks awesome. It might be Heavy Putter’s best yet!
I purchased the blade model second hand after reading the reviews and I have to say the reviews are right on about how it makes you a better putter 3-5 feet out, really gives you the confidence that you are going to make everyone of those putts.
I also found it improved my putts 5-15′ out but had to really consentrate on not forcing the longer putts. I found that if you kept a light touch and let the putter swing, it kept a straight pendulum and stayed on target but with the longer putts an easy swing would leave me short on every long putt that was more than 15′ out.
I had to adjust my grip in order to compensate for the longer putt and then I was able to be more consistant. Overall I like the way the putter gave me the ability to feel confident over shorter putts, I feel that with practice I can get a better feel for the longer puts and if I can get within 3-7″ I can make the second putt.
I had no idea more weight could give me this sort of consistency, I’m toying with the idea of replacing my 15 gram weight in my scotty Cameron with 40 or 50 grams weights and maybe using a bit of lead tape to make my Scotty a bit heavier, but thatst just an idea….we’ll see what happens, but basically, I like the heavy putter and will continue to use it for a few rounds to see what kind of results I get after a few rounds.
Since 2001, I was using a heavier than normal putter of 585 gr. by S.E.L.
I tried the B3 yesterday. Out of 9 balls, from some 15 feet, 3 went in the cup and the others were within 12 inches away.
Need not to say that I bought the putter. That’s the putter I’ve been waiting for. :-))
Picked up the B3M recently at Golf Galaxy for $69 and could’t be happier. I wanted a heavier putter for stability. Added lead tape to my Ping Ug-Le, which has been a great putter, but wanted something even heavier. The B3M is perfect. Putts roll exactly where you aim, even on most mis-hits. I agree that long putts take a little adjustment to make sure you hit it far enough. Took about 30 minutes on the practice green to get that pretty well set. Ten footers and under were great from the very first putt. Love the look and feel. And I find the slot and ball alignment aids very helpful, not distracting like the Odyssey 2 ball models. Balso love the grip. Not a fan of Winn grips overall, but this one is perfect for this putter, especially with the mid-size. I feel unusually confident with this putter and plan yo enjoy it for a lomg
Howdy:
I love the Heavy Putter! I have no problem with longer putts and have dropped my score considerably by making many more 10ft and under putts. Smoothed out my stroke and much more confident and consistent with Heavy. As for extra weight in bag???? Cmon! I find that comment very bias!! Possibly significant if you are 12 years old or under. Ill carry three of them in my bag for the sake of improvement to my game but to each their own!
Hey Erik,
I bet you wish you never reviewed this putter! Lol. To each their own, I use a Toulon Long Island putter with 50 grams in the grip. I love my putter and will from this point on always use a milled face putter. No more inserts for me. I must say that heavy putters have changed the way that all manufacturing is being done in today’s putters, like heavy putters or not they have changed the way putters are being made. Thanks for your review and have a good one;)
Todd, I’m not sure what you mean, and I stand by what I said. Everyone’s going to be a bit different, but… the Heavy Putter, IMO, was and would still be too heavy for most people.
For the past seven years or so I’ve used a 33″ putter with a 60 gram counterweight, and a 370 gram head. The Heavy Putter I reviewed here has a 250-gram counter-weight and a 450-550 gram head.
P.S. My putter has a “Pixl” insert, and my problems with the Heavy Putter had nothing to do with the face. The feel has more to do with the overall design than the face.
P.P.S. You can get a Heavy Putter for $30, brand new. The brand never really went anywhere. Flash in the pan.
Well here we go, LOL… Purchased the B3 Heavy Putter in 2007’ish used… It’s 2020 now!!! Here’s what’s changed since 2007… 2 wives, two homes, 4 cars, son grown and moved out, 1 Associate’s Degree, 1 Bachelor’s Degree, changed careers 3 times… It’s crazy that my B3 Heavy Putter is the ONLY consistent thing in my life… I refuse to sell it, trade it, or pawn it… Hell, I left my last drug addict wife with two things in hand… A suitcase full of clothes and you guessed it, my B3 Heavy Putter. I took the train from Germantown, MD to Union Station D.C., bus to BWI and flight to Atlanta where I live now… B3 for Life!!!!
I remember reading this review about the Havy Putter a few years after it first came out. It still reads like a hit piece and somebody took a pee in Eriks cornflakes that morning.
All these years later I still switch back and forth between 2 Boccieri putters, and two others that I converted to heavy putters. And like the person from last year mentioned, they have been a constant in my life.
An easy way to backweight is to cut your shaft 2in shorter and buy a 2in shaft extension. Before you install the extension put a cork in it and poor in pre weighed number 9 birdshot. This should give you an idea about how much volume the shot takes up and adjust the cork accordingly so the lead will be towards the top of the shaft. Now pour in a small amount of bird shot at least taking up a half inch of space and melt it with a heat gun. Repeat that in till all of the shot is melted in the shaft. Grip it. Have fun.