Will a Scotty Cameron or "Premium" putter help my putting?

[twinke masta]

I currently have a no-name (Bel-Air Hi-Roller ??) putter and every putt I make with it seems to go a different direction and I feel like the shaft may be too long as well. The putter I have is identical to a PING Anser type but it is really old and most of the surfaces are worn out.

Are there any putters that will really help you with your putting, lining up shots and making your stroke smooth?

I am willing to spend around 100$ for a good putter like that, new or used. I am currently looking at the Futura & Detour putters from Scotty Cameron and they seem to be really good beginner putters, but what do I know? Thanks

[kregan]

You can find a ton of putters on ebay but first you have to find something that is comfortable and fits your eye.

What I did was go to a golf store and test out the putters. I really like the look and feel of the Yes Marylynne putter.

[wrx_junki]

If you have trouble keeping your stroke straight then I'd suggest a 2-ball putter. Try one of the Odyssey 2-ball putters.

[Marinemike]

I have found that a putter is such a personal thing. It's not about price or name. Try out every putter you can get your hands on. All major golf shops have a putting green that is lined with putters.

I guarantee you that as you try them out you will find one that makes you say "woah...This one is good!" It may be the $60 one or the $300 one. I've written this on here before, but that's I got my Monza Spider. For months before I got it I said "Man, that thing is ugly. Who would ever want to putt with that?" Then I just pretty much by accident picked one up at PGA Superstore, and poof, it's perfect.

So go try out about 30 or 40 or 400 putters. You'll find one that fits you.

[mkoreiwo]

I agree with Marinemike... A putter is very personal, and there are so many, and so many similar, it all boils down to trying them out and getting one that A) works for you -most important, and
B) what you really like... I think there is a lot of psychological voodoo going on when it comes to us hackers and putting, that if we actually believe a putter is better, well, then we will put better with it...

[shankapotamus]

I agree with Marinemike... A putter is very personal, and there are so many, and so many similar, it all boils down to trying them out and getting one that A) works for you -most important, and

There is, it's called confidence.

[julius06]

I have found that a putter is such a personal thing. It's not about price or name. Try out every putter you can get your hands on. All major golf shops have a putting green that is lined with putters.

I couldn't agree more. The name on the putter doesnt matter nearly as much as how you feel with it. I have a newport 2 that i swear i couldnt hit water with if standing on a cruise ship.

[Zeph]

There is, it's called confidence.

Which is what matters. Any putter can work if you have the confidence in using it. This is why I don't use an old, cheap putter. I don't like it and don't believe in it. If an expensive putter will make me better, if only because of a psychological difference, then why not.

[La Costa Golfer]

....it will improve your putting if you spend more time practicing with the premium putter.

There is the discussion that a cheap putter being the same as a premium. Whatever works....if you can hole it...why not. At the same time, a premium putter does have some qualities which you will not find in others. For instance, there is a different 'feel' of having a 'milled' (it is a solid block of metal that is 'carved' or 'milled' out) versus a 'cast' (melted metal poured into a mold which can create harsh spots) putters. Also the quality assurances and tolerances are tighter.

Another big thing is that a lot of people spend all their money on drivers when they should be investing their money in scoring clubs (putters and wedges). Think of how many times you putt in a round. Also how many opportunities to lower your score by making putts.

If you are looking for a premium milled putter, you can purchase a Bettinardi at budgetgolf.com for $80 (normally sells for $300...but it is a closeout) after using the '1overpar' coupon code and receiving a gift certificate. In case you aren't familar...Bettinardi putters are extreme premium putters that are considered by many to be superior to Cameron's. I own both Scotty's and Bettinardi's....and currently I game my Bettinardi.

[twinke masta]

Thanks guys I am gonna head to dicks soon and test a few putters, hopefully have a clue of what feels the best in my hands :)

[La Costa Golfer]

Thanks guys I am gonna head to dicks soon and test a few putters, hopefully have a clue of what feels the best in my hands :)

My recommendation is to buy only after putting on "REAL" greens. Don't just putt on astroturf and carpets!

Find an on-course pro shop and test them out on the greens.... You won't get a sense of what it can or can't do without game conditions. That is where you might be able to better sense what a premium putter can do.

[twinke masta]

My recommendation is to buy only after putting on "REAL" greens. Don't just putt on astroturf and carpets!

Yeah thanks, I am very interested in the Bettinardi putters and will test them out next week at a pro shop. Thanks

Btw are the Mizuno Bettinardi's made in the USA?

[La Costa Golfer]

Yeah thanks, I am very interested in the Bettinardi putters and will test them out next week at a pro shop. Thanks

The Mizuno Bettinardi's are manufactured in Tinley Park, IL....just south of Chicago.

They are created in the Bettinardi facility that not only create the ultra premium specialty putters ($500+) ...but also defense/aerospace products. (A little known fact....Scotty 'off the rack' putters are NOT manufactured within Cameron's putter studio. Rather Scotty uses a third party contractor). I personally contacted Bettinardi customer service and they assure me that the Mizuno Bettinardi's are indeed crafted in their own facilities in the USA.

[twinke masta]

The Mizuno Bettinardi's are manufactured in Tinley Park, IL....just south of Chicago.

Thanks, any particular model you think would be good for a beginning putter, i am about 6'1", 195lbs with +1/2 in on my irons.

I am gonna order these soon before they run out of stock

[GaijinGolfer]

An expensive putter with a fancy name in it wont make you sink more putts. A high-end putter may give you more congfidence and that may help you sink more putts, but the fact is that a putter is a putter.
Finding one that suits your eye and that you feel comfortable with is much more important than buying a Cameron.

[squaddie]

It can't hurt buying a premium putter, as it's a club you will use on a majority of holes.

However, if you buy a premium putter and plan to drop over $100 then make sure you are properly fitted for it, as in, having the right shaft length and the correct lie angle for your height and arm length.

Having a quality club will help with putting, but it's just as important to have a reliable putting stroke, consistent setup routine, and a good eye for reading the greens.

Reading greens may be the most important factor. From the televised PGA tournaments over the past few weeks I've seen over 2-dozen cases where tour pros with Cameron putters missed putts within a few feet, because they didn't read the green properly at that short of a distance. It's also possible a few of them yipped their stroke due to being careless.

[mkoreiwo]

There is, it's called confidence.

Duh! LOL - When I read that I laughed - that about sums it up. Doesn't really matter what is is (well - you will find differences - and hopefully pick what you putt best with if you're smart, ignoring the name on the putter), you gotta just believe in it.

[La Costa Golfer]

Thanks, any particular model you think would be good for a beginning putter, i am about 6'1", 195lbs with +1/2 in on my irons.

Selecting putters is an individual preference...and not predicated by your height and build.

However....as a wild guess without any knowledge....give the C-05 Bettinardi model a shot. It is a mallet putter and if you are starting off...the thicker top line might be helpful for alignment and to gain confidence of stroking a larger mass. Also because it is 'face balanced' where it doesn't have 'toe hang.' [I'll explain that if you would like...just shoot another note here]. If you want a Tiger Woods type putter...try the C-02 blade putter. I myself use a C-06 face balanced 'S-Shaft' putter now. I have an arch and not a 'straight back-straight through' stroke. Normally arch pendulum putters want toe hang.....but I can putt with either. So that is an example that it is an individual thing in selecting a putter. [fyi...I am a decent putter in that I average 27 putts with a 7 index handicap]. [btw...thinking of your question whether the Mizuno Bettinardi's are made in the USA.... They are as I indicated. But I wonder how many cheap putters are actually made in the USA]