Going through Putters

[Ben]

18 years, 2 putters. I don't know how to do that math?!

I've never believed in swicthing around clubs, and am a firm believer that's when something is wrong with my game that it's my fault (mentally or physically) not my club. Especially in the case of a putter. Sure there's new technology to give you some extra yards in your drives. But a putting stroke is a putting stroke.

First one, Ping B60. Putter since 1995, Birdgestone Rextar that I won in Japan. I've actually done some shopping around for B60s on eBay, just to have it back in my arsenal because it is such a good putter to my eye.

And for the record, Scotty Camerons are overpriced pieces of doodoo! hahahaa.

[cmarkmyers]

Just starting out I have tried about every cheap putter I could get ahold of, even though I know it is me and not the putters missing all the shots. Still, I want one that feels just right and allows me to hang my arms comfortably straight down and lets me keep my wrists pretty neutral. So I started with the blade that came with my begginers set. Then a wierd looking cheapy from Dicks that looked like a Scotty Cameron Futura rip off (it was too tingy sounding). Then a Wilson Mallet (didn't like the center shaft, I tried the one with the heel shaft at Golf Galaxy but when I went back to buy it I grabbed the wrong one). Next was another Dicks cheapy, an Acuity (that I almost like due to the "T" alignment thing but the fit is not quite right. And finally I snagged a 33" Never Compromise. The feel is not great, but the fit is absolutly perfect. So time will tell...

[georgep]

I based my vote on the last couple years, but if it were averaged out I'd be at like 3.5 years to each putter. The rate has definitely been on the increase.

In high school, I picked up a cheap Wilson Black Max that lasted until I was in my mid thirties anyway.
Then, in (let's say) '98, I bought an Odyssey DualForce while on vacation in Myrtle.
I replace it with a Two-ball in '01 (The Dual Force wound up in my wife's bag).
Picked up an old Bobby Grace Payday off a used rack in '02 that got some limited play.
Found a used Scotty Cameron Platinum Laguna 2 that retired the Two-ball to my wife's bag in late '03 (it stayed there for about a year, but she went back to the Dual Force this year).
Bought a Yes! Callie Spring '05 that met an unfortunate end last Fall when a coworker used it to smack some nails (don't ask).
With the reimbursement money from the coworker (I "let" him buy the Callie, of course) I bought a Yes! Tracy II that in a short time has helped me get over the loss of Callie.

Still I'm eyeing the new Cameron Newport 2.5 and a few other toys. I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll be buying 4 putters a year by the time I'm 45.

[kinger22_2005]

I have 3 putters and it's almost embarassing. I have a Scotty Cameron Newport 2, Ping G5i Craz-E and a Ping G5i Tess. I switch putters depending on the greens of the course and how I am playing lately. I like it when my putter is hot and it happens often because I have the choice to switch putters.

[jeffgladchun]

2 putters in 4 years. Started with an terrible Odyssey blade-style putter and this year I bought my Scotty Cameron American Classic III blade, which I love.

[Chicagoland Nick]

I've used two putters. One handmedown from when I first started playing in 1973, then when my family went to Palm Springs in 1980 for a vacation we bought a Ping blade putter at the pro shop. I've been using that putter ever since - 25 seasons.

But I like some of the new blade putters, and am planning on buying a new one this spring. I figure that one will last me another 25 years!

[The Undaunted Duffer]

I've been using a PING Anser for two years, and I just bought a PING My Day this past September. Both used, but in ok condition. I tried a Scotty Cameron Coronado out the other day, SWEEEET! But just a little too rich for my blood right now.

[mediaguru]

I probably own 10 putters from tournaments, gear reviews etc. But my ping zing that I've had for years is FRIGGIN' MAGIC. I may quit the game if I lose that one.

[Thrash13]

I can't believe I never replied to this topic.

My ratio is about 1:3 I guess. I've had three putters in almost nine years of playing golf.

I started off with a Dunlop piece of junk from Wal-Mart. It was cheap and it put the ball in the hole....eventually.

I then moved on to a TearDrop putter, which lasted me four or five years probably. I never really got the feel for it, but I also never had the money to buy a new one.

When I graduated college two years ago, my in-laws bought me an Odyssey White Hot putter, and I am doing ok with it. I don't really like to tinker with my golf equipment much like some of you, but I am wanting to get my hands on a Scotty Cameron putter. That's probably the only thing I want in 2006.

[under_par]

8 putters in 2.5 years.
Gauge design Japan is the best out of all the putters I tried

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I "voted" 1:2, but I think it's probably more like 1:4. I just got a Yes! Natalie off ebay and haven't used it yet except in my living room. For the last 15 (or so years), I've been using a Ping Anser, a Ping Pal and an Odyssey DF990. Many years ago I had a white w/black stripes Ram Zebra and I vaguely remember (probably from '90 or earlier) having a black Titleist blade (sort of similar to a Ping Pal or Anser), an Acushnet Bulls Eye and a Wilson 8813. Possibly (probably) even others, but none except Ping Anser, Ping Pal, Odyssey DF990 and Yes! Natalie since the early '90s.

[silkysmooth]

putting is the key to confidence in golf. So that's what I go for in a putter. If I'm having issues with my putting stroke, I'll practice until the sun goes down, but I won't switch putters.

I was fit with my Scotty last year, and it drastically changed my confidence on the greens. My lie and loft were off by a few degrees, and now the pure roll is absolutely perfect with my stroke, so I won't be switching anytime soon.

I prefer blade putters, so much like Tiger, I don't plan on getting a newer one anytime in the near future. He's had his newport FOREVER, and it shows because he is very confident in it.

So my challenge to each of you is this, if you are having issues with your putter, go get "fit" with it at your local shop...you will get back that confidence you once had with that particular putter, and it will last much longer in your bag!

Happy trails!

[ezmoney5150]

I'm not sure if I voted right but I've had 5 putters in 13 years of playing.

Ray Cook Billy Baroo 93'-'94
Ping J Blade 94'-97'
Odyssey Dual Force Rossie 2 97'-04'
Odyssey 2 Ball Putter (35") 04'-05'
Odyssey 2 Ball Putter 05'-Present

Would the two two ball putters count as one even though one is a belly putter???

You know truck drivers and math are like kryptonite to Superman.

[mybloodinvt]

i had (and still have) a ping zing 2 for 10 years until i switched to a scotty last season. i have quite a few putters, mostly various bullseye models, and a old odyssey mallet, but none have ever made it into the bag for a round; only the ping and the scotty. putting is mostly about feel and confidence for me, so when a putter feels good and i have confidence in that putter, it stays in the bag.

[diesel]

Putters are the only thing I seem to keep for a "long" time. I had my Odyssey for around 3 years before I got my Scotty. Might be getting a rather old Scotty Studio as well that I'd send in to be restored.

[Fourputt]

3 putters in 30 years. I only change when I find something that feels better, and that doesn't happen very often. I don't change when I start putting badly, I go to the practice green and figure out what I'm doing wrong... believe it or not, that works. I've tried most of the putters that I can actually stand to look at in Golfsmith. I hate a mallet, and some of those strange things out now look they'd be better used for branding cattle.

I've found a couple that I like as much as I do my 7 year old Odyssey DF992, but none that feel better, and that's my only real criterium for changing. I like my putter, it works for me, and I'm sure not going to spend $300 on a Cameron that basically feels the same as my $84 Odyssey.

[allin]

Actually it is three putters in 24 years, but one was a exact replacement of one that broke when I threw it ahead of me towards the green when I chipped. It landed straight up and down and broke at the hosel. I have played a Ping anser forever. I do have a Hogg putter which I use when the greens are slow. Thats it. I do experiment with grips, anywhere from oversized to really oversized.

[chingali]

I've been using the same putter for about the last 15 years, previous to that I went through about 15 of them in 10 years, some only lasted a round or two and others lasted a year or two. Im always picking up new putters and borrowing them for a putt when I see something nice but I like the old one too much. I've putted well with it and I've putted poorly with it but over the years I have built up a lot of trust with the thing so it's staying.

Unless I find something else that I REALLY like