Questions for those with a Studio Select Newport 2

[deronsizemore]

I have a Newport 2 Mid-Slant. The sole of the putter seems to be slanted so that if you set it on a hard surface like hardwood floor or ceramic tile, the putter leans backward slightly. Because of this the putter shaft does not line up vertically unless you press your hands forward slightly. If you press forward slightly then, the putter doesn't set correctly because the sole isn't touching the ground fully (although on a soft surface like a green you don't notice).

Also, to me, the face just seems to set closed at address. Does it look that way for anyone else or am I just crazy?

Assuming the above is true and that the putter naturally sets with the shaft leaning backward, that would add loft, wouldn't it? Scotty Cameron is an advocate for getting the shaft vertical at impact which if everything I've said is true so far, a vertical shaft at impact would effectively remove loft and it would have less than the recommended 4 degrees.

[Divot Tool]

. . .Assuming the above is true and that the putter naturally sets with the shaft leaning backward, that would add loft, wouldn't it? Scotty Cameron is an advocate for getting the shaft vertical at impact which if everything I've said is true so far, a vertical shaft at impact would effectively remove loft and it would have less than the recommended 4 degrees.

I believe it would add loft thus causing the effective loft when soled on a hard surface to be greater than 4°. The true loft is measured from the vertical axis. The design of the putter head is such that, when the putter head is set up @ 4° of loft to vertical the sole of the putter would not be touching the ground completely as the back end of the flange would be elevated.

I have a Bettinardi C-03H which is a more or less an Anser (Newport) type putter. It exhibits the same characteristics when soled on a hard surface. Keep in mind that some of the greatest putters of the game (i.e. Dave Stockton, Ben Crenshaw) had some amount forward press effectively negating this added loft. Whether they used it as a trigger for their putting stroke is another argument. The select is nontheless a slick putter.

[deronsizemore]

I believe it would add loft thus causing the effective loft when soled on a hard surface to be greater than 4°. The true loft is measured from the vertical axis. The design of the putter head is such that, when the putter head is set up @ 4° of loft to vertical the sole of the putter would not be touching the ground completely as the back end of the flange would be elevated.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm seeing. Obviously Scotty Cameron knows more about putter design than I do, but it doesn't make much sense to me why he would make the sole of the putter slanted so that when you sole the putter, the loft increases and the shaft sets away from the target.

I know it's all between my ears but as I address a ball with this putter now, my mind is all over the place. I just can't seem to get comfortable.

[mikelz]

I have a Newport 2 Mid-Slant. The sole of the putter seems to be slanted so that if you set it on a hard surface like hardwood floor or ceramic tile, the putter leans backward slightly. Because of this the putter shaft does not line up vertically unless you press your hands forward slightly. If you press forward slightly then, the putter doesn't set correctly because the sole isn't touching the ground fully (although on a soft surface like a green you don't notice).

My Newport is sitting in the corner. I cannot line it up consistently.

Alignment is the biggest problem with my game. I can't blame it entirely on the putter but I can say it doesn't help me any. I'm using an Odyssey two-ball now. I know I'll hit the hole from five feet in with that one.

[Dub]

I believe I have the same putter you do.

There is a difference with the SSN2MS at "natural" address vs the 2-ball and various Red X mallets I've owned. The main difference is the mallets can be set down behind the ball and the putter is lined up beautifully with no manipulation on my part.

The mid slant is a differnt affair. It does look funky at address when I simply plant it behind the ball and make no adjustments. This is the big difference that I love about this putter.....I address the ball and give it a nice forward press and it magically is square . I hold this foward press angle and steady myself. This angle ensures the putter head is moving back before my hands and gives the illusion of the top of the putter striking the ball first.

I've never, ever, rolled the ball as well as with this putter. There is no skid or bumping....just a nice overspin that rolls true.

I enjoy the mid slants so much, I'd love to have one of every version Scotty made....just for kicks. The balance and feel of this current Select is really nice. I can see gaming this one for a long time.

Good luck with yours.

BTW, how do you like the red cord grip on it?

I love these grips. I think I'll use the same grip for every old Scotty that I have refinished.

[Dub]

My Newport is sitting in the corner. I cannot line it up consistently.

I can relate.

I was getting so bad that a year and a half ago I cut two inches off my 2-ball and put a grossly oversized grip on it. I hunched down over the ball and putted much, much better from 15' and in. The testy 5 footers were "no fear" putts. The problem I had was with lag putts (something I'm forced to do more often than I care to admit). I just lag putt better with my mid slant. It is also a lot more easy for me to practice putt now standing upright vs the crouch I used to have. Alignment improved drastically when I stood more upright and got a better view. I use the alignment line as well as the entire face of the putter as my aiming guide. From 15' and closer I'm getting almost as confident as I used to be with the shortened 2-ball. Putting.....it's the game within the game for sure. So many ways to get it right....and so darn many ways I can screw it up.

[deronsizemore]

I believe I have the same putter you do.

I'm finding that it does look a little more square to me when I forward press a little at address (although as I said, this seems it would go against Scotty Cameron's recommendation of 4 degrees of loft at impact). If the putter has 4 degrees of loft on the face and you forward press, it has to de loft it slightly. When the face is square to the target line though, to me, at address it seems closed. I'm not sure I can ever get used to that feeling that I'm aiming left (even though I'm not). I feel like it's aimed left so I try to make compensations in my stroke to hit it back to the right (or straight in my mind) and then everything just falls apart at that point. It's just the weirdest thing to me because I debated for about six months on what putter to buy and got this one because it seemed to set up great and I felt I had a lot of confidence with it, but somewhere along the line that flew out the window and I'm considering getting rid of it. I feel like Vijay missing 2 footers all the time. Forgot to respond to your question about the cord grip. Yes, I love the red cord grip and it played a big part in why I ended up choosing this putter over some others that I tried. It just felt better in my hands.

[Dub]

I'm finding that it does look a little more square to me when I forward press a little at address (although as I said, this seems it would go against Scotty Cameron's recommendation of 4 degrees of loft at impact).

I've found the 4 degrees to be excellent....the forward press takes it down a bit (probably equal to other putter manfs.).

I can't really explain it well....only that it sets up and rolls wonderfully for me. I'm sure my "feel/thought/whatever" that I'm striking the ball with the top of the putter may be delofting it even further. It does seem counterintuitive....but heck, it's working. I hate it for you that it's not working out. The good news is you can sell or trade it and pick up any number of other wands with the proceeds. One thing that really helped my putting was Stan Utley's putting book. It's a small book that just took root in my head. His method really helped. Maybe you can give it a read and see. His method is spot on for the wand you have right now, I can assure you. Putting is such a fickle endeavor. One of the guys I played with yesterday uses an eon old gooseneck brass putter. He was lights out with that thing. I've tried 'em and couldn't hit a ten foot wide hole with 'em. Fickle indeed.

[deronsizemore]

I've found the 4 degrees to be excellent....the forward press takes it down a bit (probably equal to other putter manfs.).

I've actually read the majority of Stan's book (along with every other putting theory out there).

I hate it too, believe me! I'm going to be taking some putting lessons here soon so we'll see what happens after those go down, but at this point I'd putt with a wooden stick if it gave me confidence standing over the ball. That's all I'm looking for, is confidence in the putter at address. Right now I've lost it with this one. Putting definitely is a game in and of itself and one that seems you can never master.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Ive noticed that as well, but i dont see it as an issue. With the offset, the club works just perfect for me. I just drop that bad boy down and through the ball and i get a good roll most of the time. I get a sensation of delayed realese when i stroke the ball well with the studio select.

[deronsizemore]

Emailed Cameron. Got this response:

There is sole-relief designed into the putters so that the back portion of the putter will not grab on your backstroke. With a 4 degree loft, the putter will sit square at address on a green. If you are placing the putter on a hard, flat surface it will want to sit open because of the relief but you will want to do this on a green only. If you increase the loft of the putter, it will want to sit open at address on a green and if you decrease the loft it will want to sit closed. Ultimately you will want the putter to have 4 degrees of loft at impact as this is what Scotty has determined through extensive research and working with Touring Professionals will get the ball out of the depression it sits in and rolling right away. Therefore, if you have a forward press you will want to increase the loft and if your hands are behind the ball at impact, you will want to decrease the loft.

[deronsizemore]

Following up on this thread.

The last two days I've been practicing the last couple days and I think I've caught on to what my problem has been all a long. With the sole relief of the putter, the shaft wants to lean backward just a little (confirmed by Cameron). I just assumed this was the way the putter was intended to set up. The last couple days though, I've been forward pressing slightly at address. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not a forward press in the general sense because my normal setup has the shaft leaning slightly away from the target. So, when I feel like I'm forward pressing, this actually gets the shaft in a vertical position at address (I actually used a level to confirm the shaft was vertical). Although it feels odd for me to do this (starting to get used to the feeling) I've been putting much better. Contact has been a lot better and distance control seems to be a lot more consistent. Hopefully I can see some putts start to fall.

[Dub]

Keep at it, man.....you will get it.

Just stay steady and make a good stoke....then listen for the ball to drop in the cup. It's the most addictive golf sound I can think of at the moment.

[onlyatthemuni]

On 9/22/2009 at 2:11 PM, deronsizemore said:

Emailed Cameron. Got this response:

 

I have a California Monterey that I sent back to Scotty Cameron Custom shop for all sorts of customization and a refinish. I made a special note that the putter sets up funky on hard surfaces. Noted that the handle leans behind the putterhead when set up square on hard surfaces. Anxiously awaited my putter to be perfect. Everything was beautiful except the “sole relief” as described by Scotty Cameron was not changed at all.

 

The weirdest part about the whole thing, I work at a golf course, and we stocked the exact same putter. So just for shits and giggles I set the two putters next to each other (supposed to be identical, right??) The putter we had for sale had no reverse handle lean or no said “sole relief” and set up perfectly. I’ve been rattled by this ever since.