Need Advice: Scotty or 2 ball for beginner putter?

[very handicap]

I've started golfing for about 2 years and with proper coaching from the pro, my handicap has come down quite a bit. However, my short game is still far from desire and i'm a super lousy putter.

In a typical round of 18 holes, i average around 44 putts. That means i 3-putt around 8 holes. I know my problem is lag putt. I usually leave it 6ft or more short and result in 3-putt.

I currently have 2 putters: Odyssey 2 balls and Scotty studio select. Both are good putters and both cannot save my life. The number of putts is around the same in a typical round for me for both putters.

I am determined to get good at putting, and i'm reading up on Dave Pelz putting bible and doing a lot of putting practice on the putting green.

My question is, since i'm a beginner putter, and both putters score around the same, and according to Dave, i should stick to one and not toying with both putters. Which is the putter i should stick to?

My experience with both putter is this: Scotty seems to give much better feel on good putt that strike on the sweetspot and feedback for bad putt (off-center hit), it is not as easy to putt on a short 3 foot putt. On the other hand, the 2-ball does not give as much feedback on good and bad putt and the feel is not as sweet as scotty, but 3 foot putt seems to be a lot easier.

What is your view and recommendation? Should i stick to the scotty and persevere or take the easy way out and go with the 2 ball?

Once i make up my mind, i intend to sell the other one so that i don't get flicker minded and start switching back and forth again.

Your advise is appreciated.

[Shindig]

Here's the deal: are you doing what Pelz advocates? If you believe you are, and if you're doing it successfully, you need a center shafted putter. I don't know which style you have for those that you have; I believe there are center-shafted Scottys and center-shafted Odysseys.

[mcfc_nick]

personally i think you shouldnt worry about which putter to use, just choose one then get on your putting green and spend hours and hours on it

[very handicap]

Here's the deal: are you doing what Pelz advocates? If you believe you are, and if you're doing it successfully, you need a center shafted putter. I don't know which style you have for those that you have; I believe there are center-shafted Scottys and center-shafted Odysseys.

Yes, both of them are center shafted putter.

[senorchipotle]

Yes, both of them are center shafted putter.

pick whichever one makes you happy. i'm serious. if you're standing there cursing yourself for buying the putter you didn't really want to buy but relied on someone else's opinion, you're not going to be as confident with it. they both make great putters that roll the ball true, so whichever one floats your boat. corey pavin putts with a solid piece of brass, and i'm pretty sure he can putt better than both of us. well, at least one of us cause you could be a phenomenal putter for all i know. point is, it's not the gun, it's the cowboy.

[very handicap]

pick whichever one makes you happy. i'm serious. if you're standing there cursing yourself for buying the putter you didn't really want to buy but relied on someone else's opinion, you're not going to be as confident with it. they both make great putters that roll the ball true, so whichever one floats your boat. corey pavin putts with a solid piece of brass, and i'm pretty sure he can putt better than both of us. well, at least one of us cause you could be a phenomenal putter for all i know. point is, it's not the gun, it's the cowboy.

Senorchipotle,

Thanks. I guess i was just a little too brand conscious. One other problem i found with the 2-ball is that since the head is so big, one tends to get complacent and not paying enough attention when striking the ball (i found this out by using an impact tape). Hence, the ball is not consistently strike on the sweet spot and this resulted in some of the distance control problem that i'm having. With the scotty, it only has one line (instead of 2-ball), and so it makes one more careful and the consistency of hit is higher. Again, i'm toss between 2 putters that i'm having problem deciding.

[shades9323]

I think you should go with the 2ball. It should be easier to align. If you aren't confident over that 3 footer with the Scotty, get rid of it. And the putter doesn't let you get complacent, you let yourself get complacent. There is no reason for you to not concentrate on what you are doing on the green regardless of putter. It is a mental issue, not a club issue.

[Shripe]

I second these thoughts, however if personal opinion does actually matter on my end, I would recommend the 2-ball putter as well. I'm looking around for pretty inexpensive putters as well (to replace my chunk-o-metal nearly mini-golf style blade). Still looking around for good deals on the 2-balls, as I was demoing a couple at a par 3 course's shop and was recommended that one as a total beginner (used, was around $60 or 70 I think).

[acegolfer]

Go with 2-ball, which is more forgiving for off center hits. Scotty Cameron putters are very hard to hit unless you have a consistent putting stroke.

[TourSpoon]

You asked so here it is:

1). You make more 3 footers with the Odyssey so I would start using that putter because there is nothing like missing a 3 footer to put you into a foul mood and destroy putting confidence. I would practice those until you are 10 for 10 then move to 4 feet until those feel like 3 footers. I would then move to 6 feet and shoot for 8/10 and then to 10 feet for 7/10 etc. Just keep hitting those putts and get the feel for the putter. 2). If you don't like #1 then go to the OCD method and have a putting contest with each putter. Hit 5 putts each from 3, 6, 10, 15 feet and let the loser leave town. 3). Don't sell the loser unless you need the money. Sometimes it is good to have a back-up putter for different conditions. I like my Rossie for faster greens, but prefer my 990 for slower greens. Good luck and once you pick, leave the other one alone for a couple of months.