New Putter - Stan Utley's Technique

[socalsharky]

I am looking to improve my putting this year, and I am intrigued with Stan Utley's methods. I picked up his Art of Putting book, and like the ideas. I have read a lot of posts on the thread from the reading room, and it seems that lots of the better players here use this type of stroke.

The putter I currently use (in my sig) is a face balanced mallet. My stance is more crouched over the ball with a rocking of the shoulders. It seems that Stan favors toe-weighted blades, using a turning motion.

Anyway, to cut to the chase, I think I need a diffferent putter to really give Stan's methods a chance. I am looking for recommendations for this new putter, preferably from those who use this type of stroke. I have looked at the Odyssey white ice, the various Ping Ansers, the Rife Antigua, and of course the Scottys. I would rather not spend $250-300, but I will if it provides a significant benefit.

[James_Black]

Ping anser is probably your best bet.
They're not too expensive.

But do you want to buy a brand new putter just to try out a new technique?
You could probably pick up a toe-weighted blade for around $10. That's what normally comes with a beginner set.

[socalsharky]

But do you want to buy a brand new putter just to try out a new technique?

As of right now, I am committed to an extended period using this technique. I have used a friend's putter on the practice green, and that was enough for me to know I want to get serious about it.

[James_Black]

As of right now, I am committed to an extended period using this technique. I have used a friends' putter on the practice green, and that was enough for me to know I want to get serious about it.

The anser is a really nice putter.

It's cheap too. I don't see the point in paying 300 dollars for a blade putter, they're all the same really.

[James_Black]

also check out YES! putter's.
A few of my old pro's used the blade version of them. I haven't tried the blade version but I like the mallet version.

[DavidFehertysBike]

I used a ping anser for years - i didnt start using a scotty until last year. You cant go wrong with either the classic or karsten series ansers. Both can be had for under $100.

[enis750]

im gonna plug RIFE here
the roll grove face technology thingy is no joke - its works and works well
putting has been a struggle for me, but my last 4 rounds it has increased a tonne
partial due to practice, but i know this putter helps and i dont hop it anymore
and they are relatively cheap

[Shindig]

Cleveland has milled putters for $70 for one style, $90 for another. Adams A7 has a few styles at $70. I'm sure these can be ordered custom in the Utley specifications (68° lie,5° loft).

I had mine changed a few months ago and have had some of the best putting of my (admittedly short) playing time lately.

[socalsharky]

Cleveland has milled putters for $70 for one style, $90 for another. Adams A7 has a few styles at $70. I'm sure these can be ordered custom in the Utley specifications (68° lie,5° loft).

Shindig-- Which Anser do you have? How tall are you? Did you have a shop bend it for you? I am a little concerned with losing my alignment aids when I switch to the blade. I currenly have a 2-ball, and I think that putter really does help with my alignment. Do you have any such issues?

[Shindig]

Shindig-- Which Anser do you have? How tall are you? Did you have a shop bend it for you? I am a little concerned with losing my alignment aids when I switch to the blade. I currenly have a 2-ball, and I think that putter really does help with my alignment. Do you have any such issues?

I'm 5'8 - 5'9; the putter is too long for me, and I do grip down. I intend to pick up a 34" putter with the same loft/lie that I have the Ping bent to before too long. I have $90 worth of scrip due to some recent tournaments, and I'll probably spend it later this month on one of the putters I mentioned above.

I don't know the Anser model that I have, but it has a single line alignment aid. I couple that with the line on the ball that says "B330 RX" and I think I do alright. A few months ago, I realized that my then-current putter (a Fisher Touch blade putter) had very little loft. I loved the putter, but I was making near nothing and the ball was skipping, so I figured I'd give the Utley specs a try. Roger Dunn bent the Ping for me, but was unable to bend the Fisher (I forget exactly why). I had the Ping re-gripped, and have been putting much better since. As for how I got the putters: The only two putters that have ever been mine are the Ping and the Fisher Touch -- I had started with my grandfather's old Dunlop Andrews about four years ago, and that's the only mallet-type putter I've ever used. But it didn't have so much as an alignment marking, and I wanted a "modern" putter, if I was to actually play instead of the range and an occasional par-3s course, so I picked up the Ping at a RD tent sale about four years ago. I knew nothing of putter fitting at the time; I just liked the look. When I wasn't putting well with it, a friend let me borrow, and later sold me, his Fisher. Neither had been fit for me, although the Ping works a lot better with the Utley specs. I don't know how close you are to Santa Ana, but just off the 55, not too far from the 5 or 405, is RD Santa Ana. They have a HUGE selection of putters, and I'd suggest taking a look at the blade putters and seeing which alignment aid(s) look good to you. If you're more in south O.C., there's another HUGE selection of putters at the GolfSmith extreme near the Y-interchange. And, of course, if you find yourself in my neck of the woods, or when I get to O.C. next if you're free, and we're at a practice area, you're welcome to give my putter some time on the practice green.

[tim31x]

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