Putters...Is it right for me or not?

[chrisronline]

Hey all,

I purchased a Odyssey 2ball putter a few months ago since I've been wanting one for quite sometime now. However, after using it for half a season, I'm not feeling it now. I've been putting pretty mediocre since June and had a 43 putt round this morning. I just don't feel confident with how far the ball will go or how it will roll so I end up missing things pretty badly. Is this an adjustment period that every new putter needs? Or should I start looking at putters? If so, how can I prevent from wanting a new putter next season? Is it possible to trial run putters? Or should I just pick a few I like by design and repeatably go to the golf store and try them and see which ones feels better over the course of a couple weeks?

For a little history, my first putter (and old one) is this cheap Walmart putter I got years ago so this Odyssey putter is my second putter.

[Varsity_Golf]

The only one who can tell you if the putter is right for you or not is you. Go to the putting green and WORK WORK WORK until you know for sure. Then maybe try to trade it at a sporting goods store or online.

[will54]

I'm guessing that you can't get used to the softness of the insert and maybe you should try some without them to see if that is the difference.

[dmnoland]

The moment the thought of a new putter has entered your mind it becomes time for a new one. Right or wrong, you have lost faith in your putter and you need confidence more than anything when putting. I am going through the exact same thing. My B60 has performed great for the last 17 years but somehow I got it in my head that something else would work better as confirmed by my findings in 8 hours over 3 days of testing nearly every putter available. Unfortunately for my bank account I have fallen in love with the Scotty Del Mar. Well right now I can't cough up the $300+ so I'll have to settle for the putter that came in second: Odyssey #9. Both putters consistently sank more putts than my Ping.
Outside of testing in the store, if your a "regular" or a member at a club that sells equipment the professional on staff may let you take a putter out to test for a round. That's how I ended up with my Ping. Also be sure to check Craigslist at least once a day. Lots of great deals but the really great ones don't last very long. I just scored a SKB staff bag case for $40 and 2 Big Bertha FW's for $15 each. It's a lot more cost efficient to buy used and experiment.

[ks8829]

43 putts for 18 holes is too many putts, time for a change, do you still have your other putter from Wal mart? If so, I would go out and play your next round with it and see how many putts you take.

Putters are 10% and the golfer is 90%, remember in putting distance control is the most important than the line. I would also considering practicing putting especially as a 10 handicap golfer.

[WUTiger]

Some of the putter makers have a fitting software available on their websites. You plug in your putting strategy, current problems, and a couple of physical features, and the software will recommend three putters for you to try out.

You could probably get a trade-in for your current putter if you find one you like better.

[chrisronline]

Thanks for the advice. I haven't been practicing my putting too much in the past couple weeks, but that's going to change. I think I'm going to look into getting an Odyssey model without the insert and see how I like the roll and feel.

Btw, any thoughts on how much my putter might be worth on the classifieds forum? I keep my clubs in top shape and it's only been used for around 7-8 rounds.

[shades9323]

  chrisronline said:

Thanks for the advice. I haven't been practicing my putting too much in the past couple weeks, but that's going to change. I think I'm going to look into getting an Odyssey model without the insert and see how I like the roll and feel.

Check your putter model on valueguide.pga.com to find out how much it might be worth.

Look into Cleveland classic putters for a low cost solid face putter.

[newtogolf]

  chrisronline said:

...I just don't feel confident with how far the ball will go or how it will roll so I end up missing things pretty badly. Is this an adjustment period that every new putter needs?

I'm having the same problem with my Rossa Ghost. I line it up right, but can't get the distances worked out. I'm sure my issues are more related to being a new golfer than the putter, but I did feel like my friends Ping Anser 2 was easier to control distance wise.

[chrisronline]

  newtogolf said:

I'm having the same problem with my Rossa Ghost. I line it up right, but can't get the distances worked out. I'm sure my issues are more related to being a new golfer than the putter, but I did feel like my friends Ping Anser 2 was easier to control distance wise.

I guess the same advice probably relates to you. If you used a putter you felt was putter than yours, then that thought will only grow in your mind and cause you to lose confidence in your stroke and putting. I'm fairly sure it's a mental block with this particular putter since I do have the thought in my mind that there is better for me.

[DarkPrince]

Sometimes a new putter isn't the only option. Get checked/measured to see if you are using the correct lenth/lie combination at a golf galaxy or equivelent. I hated my putter since it was uncomfortable to line up all the alignment aids and still putt, found out my lie angle needed to be bent 4* flatter due to my height/arm length. I also had a new firmer grip put on it, a few days of putting practice later I have my lowest round score ever :P Although I'm still looking at new putters, this one just got a helluva lot better for merely the price of a grip since they adjusted my putter for free (which normally is $20 he just felt sorry he could only bend 3* out of it and not the full 4*). With an incorrect lie, if the heel is off the ground when you are comfortable, you'll push a put no matter what. If the toe is off the ground at address you will pull the putt no matter what, you might be compensating, but you will always pull it :P

[shades9323]

  newtogolf said:

I'm having the same problem with my Rossa Ghost. I line it up right, but can't get the distances worked out. I'm sure my issues are more related to being a new golfer than the putter, but I did feel like my friends Ping Anser 2 was easier to control distance wise.

It is the putter. I thought that thing was terrible on putts longer than 8 feet or so.

[mcgriff]

This is what I am doing and it is working.

I am basically a back and straight through putter so I found a mallet style (face balanced) putter works best for me. I did a little internet research to catch up on the latest and greatest features out there. I had things narrowed down to 6 putters...Rife 400 mid mallet, Odyssey Rossie, Yes Marilyn, Rossa mallet (forget model), Heavy Putter L3L something or other, and Ping Piper. I spent time with each putter so I could get the feel of them.

If a putter can not consistently knock in every single 3 foot putt in the store it isn't going in the bag. This knocked out the inserts. I had a real hard time keeping inserts on line with short putts. As I progressed to further distances things really became clear to me. Fancy alignment aids distract me big time. They are easier to line up, but if I took a little extra time with a single line aid I found I actually had more accuracy. The Heavy Putter and the Ping started to skid a touch at longer distances. This is a problem with my Bullseye so they were eliminated. If the ball can't hold the line forget it.

This left the Yes and the Rife. I could really go either way I liked each so much. What it came down to is I sunk more putts with the Rife. I haven't bought it yet, but I am real close to a decision.

Sorry for the long story, but this type of process might help you to identify what you need out of your putter. Putting is all you. You need to find a putter that takes itself out of the equation...that is, the thing goes where you hit it! Mentally this is a good process because you know that you have the right stick on the green. Also, get fitted!

[KingMe]

its definitely time to change once you've lost total faith in a club....and I'd try 1 of 2 things, either go with a model with no insert, or try a blade style putter. My first brand name putter was a mallet style putter similar to the 2ball, and I couldn't get it down, switched to a traditional blade and instantly improved drastically

[atthepin]

  newtogolf said:

I'm having the same problem with my Rossa Ghost. I line it up right, but can't get the distances worked out. I'm sure my issues are more related to being a new golfer than the putter, but I did feel like my friends Ping Anser 2 was easier to control distance wise.

Is the Rossa Ghost a RH putter? If you are thinking about selling it shoot me a PM because I am in the market for a Rossa Ghost.

[shades9323]

  mcgriff said:

If a putter can not consistently knock in every single 3 foot putt in the store it isn't going in the bag. This knocked out the inserts. I had a real hard time keeping inserts on line with short putts.

That isn't an insert issue, that is a YOU issue. The insert had nothing to do with keeping a putt on line. If you can't consistently knock in 3 footers with any putter you need practice/lessons, not a new putter.

[newtogolf]

  atthepin said:

Is the Rossa Ghost a RH putter? If you are thinking about selling it shoot me a PM because I am in the market for a Rossa Ghost.

Sorry, I'm a lefty.

[mcgriff]

  shades9323 said:

That isn't an insert issue, that is a YOU issue. The insert had nothing to do with keeping a putt on line. If you can't consistently knock in 3 footers with any putter you need practice/lessons, not a new putter.

I think you missed the spirit of my post entirely. But, I do appreciate your suggestion.