Changing Putters: Good Idea or Bad?

[redranger]

Hey guys,

I've been using a Taylor Made Rossa putter for about a year now. No real complaints about it, except I don't really like the aesthetics of it. I bought it since it had decent feel and it was on sale.

Lately, I've been thinking about buying a Scotty Cameron after I putted with my mom's. The feel was undeniably softer and I just felt more confident with it.

I know some people claim that changing putters is a bad idea if you've already developed a feel with your current putter since it'll just mess around with it.

What do you guys think?

[Arsenal8807]

I say go for it. If it feels better to you and you feel more comfortable with it then go for it!

[shades9323]

Only one way to find out. Is your current putter not working?

[ks8829]

why not? thats why we all have a collection of putters, I know that I have between 6 - 8 putters and have two favorites. Just remember results are more important than looks but its nice to have both and one last note....... there is a honeymoon period for all equipment especially putters.

[msd3075]

A few words of warning though...

Once you start purchasing additional putters, you won't be able to stop. I currently have 8 putters (5 SC's, 2 Odysseys, and 1 Ping); I had 10 a few weeks ago before I sold two of them. It's an "addiction" that won't stop once you start.

That being said, if you are looking into a Scotty Cameron, you might want to go check out the forums at The Cameron Collector to get some info on different models and to check out the classified to get a good deal on an older GIP (grip in plastic) model or a barely used newer model. In my opinion, a lot of the older models are better than the new Studio Select or California models you can buy new, but that is just my opinion since I like the feel of carbon steel over the current stainless steel that SC uses.

As for switching putters in and out of your bag regularly, there isn't a right or wrong answer. Some people keep the same putter for decades, and some people (like me) swap them in and out between rounds. It just depends on what works for you.

[lumpuckeroo]

As for switching putters in and out of your bag regularly, there isn't a right or wrong answer. Some people keep the same putter for decades, and some people (like me) swap them in and out between rounds. It just depends on what works for you.

I would agree, don't think there is a right or wrong answer, just like there is not a right or wrong putting style. If you like trying new styles, lilke I do, then feel free to experiment with different putters.

I don't think putters are different then other piece of equipment, the old adage, "It's Indian not the arrow" hold true here also. I just had 3 of my best 9's putting ever, I had a 11 putt, 12 putt, and 13 putt in 3 different rounds and used 3 different putters.

[Hokie2k5]

I have like 6 putters and just mess with them all the time trying to find whichever is "hot" at any given time. Changing putters is a mental thing anyway, I just like to change the look up every once in awhile because I think it just helps my confidence a little.

[dbuck]

Different strokes for different folks, pun intended.

Some people change a lot, some never. Try as many as you can before making a change, then commit to it for a while, would be my only caveat.

I am not a frequent changer. The two in my sig have been around a long time; the old Wilson over 30 years. The Ping is comforting on strange greens, long puts, and when I haven't played in a while. When I am playing regularly, the old Wilson is my go to. I still look though, all the time. I have just never run across one that was more comfortable to me than these two. Now if I ever run up on a steal on a Scotty Napa California.....

[redranger]

Thanks guys. I will definitely go try some putters and look into some older SC's. I didn't know people had so many putters.

Hopefully I just pick one putter and work on the game and not the equipment after this one. Not enough cash as a student to buy a new putter too often. :)

[Golfwolf]

Changing putters is ok for some people, others will say it is makes it difficult to be a consistent putter. I change whenever I feel the urge, I have 13 putters at this time. It is important to use a putter that feels right to you and is visually appealing. For me a putter has to have both of those qualities.

[tristanhilton85]

I think that aesthetics play a larger role with putters than any other club. Pretty much any putter out there will get the job done if used correctly whether it be a traditional looking Ping Answer, something wild like the Scotty Cameron Detours or Futura, or anything in between. Putting is all about feeling comfortable over the ball and knowing that you can put the ball in the hole with the club in your hands. That gets harder to do when you don't like the way that your putter looks and makes it easy to loose confidence in your club.

So my advice would be go ahead and look for a new putter, and buy something that you absolutely love. If you end up getting a few more down the road that you love as well, that is great as it is nice to be able to change putters in and out depending on how you feel or if one putter happens to be "hot" at the time.

Personally, I bought a beat up Scotty Cameron Laguna Two for $75 on eBay, and then sent it to the custom shop for restoration and customization. I absolutely love the way that it looks and feels.

[zeg]

My personal feeling is that it's better not to, simply because I think that equipment tinkering is not a helpful pursuit. There are so many variables in technique that adding the decision of which putter is going to fit today will just lead to second-guessing out on the course. If something doesn't fit, then obviously you need to fix it. But just switching putters because another one might be better? Not a good idea, IMO. If you're missing putts, it's probably your stroke, not the putter.

That said, I did recently switch putters. The reason is that after having my old mallet putter for about a decade (3 or 4 years of active golfing or less in that time), I found that I just couldn't control distance effectively so I wanted to switch to a blade-style putter. Also, I found I was most comfortable gripping way down on the 35-inch shaft of the old one, so I got a 33-inch shaft.

Anyway, that's just my opinion. Obviously a lot of people, even a lot of pros, disagree. However, it seems to me like most of the big names don't change their putters very often...

[Grndslmhttr3]

I only HAVE one putter so I can't change, though sometimes I use my dad's original Anser. I love those and will probably get one myself some time.

[Bryan SD2]

I used a Ping Anser 2 from about 1987 up until a few years ago. Nearly 20 years. The Scotty Cameron that replaced it should be in the bag until what, 2030? The lone exception (used for one summer in about 1995) was a heel shafted Bulls-Eye (like a Cameron Napa or Wilson 8802). It is still my favorite style. A Cameron Napa could make its way into the bag someday, but I have no reason to drop $300-$400 on a putter right now.

[ks8829]

The 80 20 rule may apply to putters and that equipment is 20% and your putting technique is 80%

[FHopper]

I prefer the Rossas I own to the Scottys I have tried, but my Geo Lowe is still a great putter. I do not understand the aesthetics issue, Scottys are the nastiest looking things out there, goofy icons and colors make them look ridiculous to me.

[Bug Bunny]

Hey guys,

I would definitely change. . . . why do I say that? Cause I have putted with a Taylormade Rossa Monza for just under a year, love the feel, but just too busy addressing the ball. So the other day a guy offered me $100 for it. So I ordered a Scotty Cameron California Monterey. It will be home today when I get home from work!!! I'm like a kid on Christmas!!!!!!!! GO FOR IT!!!!!!

[mheier]

I changed from aa Odyssey White Hot XG 330 mallet to a Cleveland Classic 4 putter and I have to say that it has helped me out a lot. I have been 2 putting a lot more.