Newby: How can I start to make sense of all the putter shapes out there?

[12iron]

Hey y'all.

I'm a complete newby at this (1 visit to the range so far, first lesson is next week) and I'm going to be down in Knoxville at the Play It Again Sports there tomorrow. I was thinking about picking up a used putter to add to my 7 iron (which is a Ping Rapture v2).

There are so many different types of putters out there! How do I even begin to narrow it down. I've read the threads that say "just putt with them all and take home the one that feels right" but there must be more than that. Any advice?

-12

[BigAl5150]

How about good luck?

Seriously though, find one that looks pleasing to your eyes at setup and feels good when you're rolling putts. In my opinion, with putters it really is that easy. If it looks good and feels good, you'll have the confidence to sink putts. Getting fitted for a putter is a good idea as well for the correct length/loft/etc.

Alan

[mlf16507]

Make some practice putting strokes at store and have someone watch you(hopefully a golfer), If the stroke goes straight back and forth with face ALWAYS looking at hole, you need a face balanced putter(hold putter about a foot from head and if face keeps looking towards the ceiling,it is face- balanced)   If your putter goes back on an inside arc and comes forward on inside arc (toe opens going back and closes going forward(like a full shot) then the toe should hang down ). http://thesandtrap.com/products/ping-karsten-series-anser-mens-putter t   t toe  down putter.......                                  Face balanced putter--. http://thesandtrap.com/products/ping-karsten-series-anser-mens-putter

After you determine what type you need,then let looks and cost guide you!

As I have told all my pupils over the last 37 years of teaching golf,ALWAYS LEAVE THE PRICE TAG ON THE PUTTER.  If the price tag is still on putter, it thinks you will take it back if it misbehaves. When the price tag comes off, the putter might misbehave and iut knows you have no recourse!!!

[12iron]

Originally Posted by mlf16507

As I have told all my pupils over the last 37 years of teaching golf,ALWAYS LEAVE THE PRICE TAG ON THE PUTTER.  If the price tag is still on putter, it thinks you will take it back if it misbehaves. When the price tag comes off, the putter might misbehave and iut knows you have no recourse!!!

That is hilarious! Should I keep a few putters next to each other to encourage a little jealousy?

-12i

[1par2win]

Originally Posted by mlf16507

Make some practice putting strokes at store and have someone watch you(hopefully a golfer), If the stroke goes straight back and forth with face ALWAYS looking at hole, you need a face balanced putter(hold putter about a foot from head and if face keeps looking towards the ceiling,it is face- balanced)   If your putter goes back on an inside arc and comes forward on inside arc (toe opens going back and closes going forward(like a full shot) then the toe should hang down ).  http://thesandtrap.com/products/ping-karsten-series-anser-mens-putter  t   t  toe  down putter.......                                  Face balanced putter--.http://thesandtrap.com/products/ping-karsten-series-anser-mens-putter

After you determine what type you need,then let looks and cost guide you!

As I have told all my pupils over the last 37 years of teaching golf,ALWAYS LEAVE THE PRICE TAG ON THE PUTTER.  If the price tag is still on putter, it thinks you will take it back if it misbehaves. When the price tag comes off, the putter might misbehave and iut knows you have no recourse!!!

That's pretty funny and some good advice! But technical considerations aside I suggest picking up an inexpensive putter that you like the looks of. As you mentioned how do you make sense of what is out there? Only experience and trying out different models over a period of time will you be able to narrow it down. So I wouldn't worry about picking up the "wrong" putter at this point. Get something that "feels" right and is easy on the wallet. And don't forget to get a putting lesson too!

[RayG]

Right- it's all about feel and comfort at first.Find something you like the looks of and 'feels' right. Developing the stroke will take some time. Putting is probably the strongest part of my game, and have played some 'challenge' rounds against my friends. They tend to need a fighting chance against me and on the odd 9 hole outing I have to putt with a hammer. Yup, a regular Carpenters hammer. But because my putting is the strongest part of my game, I will still rarely 3 putt and take about the same number of putts as usual. So the moral is that it isn't always the tool, it's the operator.

[12iron]

Alright. I went to Play It Again Sports down in Knoxville and picked up a dunlop putter for $8. I tried everything that was less than $40, and this was oddly the one I kept picking up again and again. We'll see.

-12i