Switching Putters. I need advice

[Cole]

I need some advice.

I have been using the odyssey dual force putter which is a blade style putter. I average about 29 or 30 putts per round. I am comfortable with the putter.
Recently, I have been given the opportunity to use the new Hybrid Rife putter. Rife is claiming that the roll from this putter to be allot more true, with less bounce of the putter face.

I have been using the new putter for a few days, and a just cant get comfortable standing over it. Putts arent as consistent. I think that it is mostly due to the fact that it is not a blade style putter, which I have always used. It looks kinda like the odyssey three ball. It is allot heavier.

I guess that I need some advice on what to do. Should I give the putter some more playing time? Or should I just accept the fact that I play the blade style putters better?
Really... I am at a loss. Not sure what to do.

[M2daRizzle]

rife makes blade style putters with the same rollgroove technology. If I were you I would try one of those.

[Hidalgo]

Putters are like women.....

You gotta like the looks,

It has to feel good in your hands,

It has to perform for you.

Seriously, my initial opinion of a putter usually is the right one. You said it didn't "look right"......odds are it never will. Give it a pass.

Higgy

[IcemanYVR]

Putting is hard enough... don't complicate it by using a putter that "doesn't look right"

[microcrayfish]

I had the same thing happen to me. Switch from a blade style putter to a Yes! mallet, their version of the groove technology appealed to me also, but I just couldn't get used to the style of putter. I ended up getting a Rife Antigua which still has the groove technology but is a blade style and couldn't be happier. You've got to be comfortable with your putter, if you feel that you putt better with a blade then play with a blade.

Check out the Antigua, Cayman or the Aussie blades from the Rife line and I think you'll be more than happy.

[TCCcaddie]

The shape of the putter isn't the only important thing to think about when getting a new putter. You should also look at the type of courses you are going to be playing. Don'y buy a Cameron or a putter like that if you are going to be playing a muni with slow greens regularly. You should buy a putter that suits your putting style and the type of greens that you play regularly. If the putter doesnt align well and look good to you at address is you surely shouldn't use. Try and find one with a weight and style that you like.

[Big Padrigo]

I don't think you can force yourself to play the putter better. I think with putters, more than any other piece of equipment, is something that you will either love or hate. I don't think there's much middle ground.


I used to play with a guy who had more than 20 putters. I considered him to be one of the best putters I've played with, not that he had a great stroke, but he made a hell of a lot of putts. Anyways he said that when he felt his putting was off he'd open his closet where all the putters lived, cast his eye over the whole bunch of them and just pick the one that looked the best at that moment. He'd then play if for a couple of months until his putting went off again, repeat...

[gogolfing]

I say ditch it and get something more appealing to you.

[ks8829]

go back to your original putter and practice your putting from long distances and within a 3 foot circle.

chipping, pitching around the green will also improve your putting if you get it close everytime.

[Dub]

Putting is hard enough... don't complicate it by using a putter that "doesn't look right"

Couldn't agree more!!!!

[bogeyhitter25]

Check out the Rife Island Series blade putters. And test the Hybrid 2-Bar somewhere. I plan on getting either of them in the next week or so.

[beachbreak]

I like the "what suites the eye" theory for putters, as well as irons and woods.

[MiniMoe]

I'll give you $20 for it right now.

[neudi]

Take the Rife...throw it away...grab your old putter...go to the putting green...and enjoy the feel you once had...hope that helped.

[Cole]

Thanks for the replies.
I gave up on the Rife, and brought back the Odyssey. Putted for a couple hours today after work.
Felt really good.
I now believe that there is not a putter that will shave any strokes off my putting totals. My Odyssey just feels too good.

I just need to work on my putting more. Been spending allot of time on lag puts. Feel really confident that I can two put from anywhere on the green.

Now I am going to start to focus on expanding my range for one putts.

Thanks again to everyone for the insight.

Cole