Buying a putter

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

It seems to me that we (and I'm using this term very loosely maybe it's just me) spend lots of time researching, testing and reading about irons and drivers before purchasing and then buy a putter based on a couple of half hearted putts on a blazing fast artificial green inside of a store. It just doesn't seem the same amount of attention is used when buying perhaps the most important club of your bag. How do you guys go about buying a putter? What do you look for? What is the purpose of having offset in a putter? Mine has offset but I'm not sure if I like that or not. I was putting with one (Scotty Cameron Circa 62 #3) without offset and loved the way it set up. Then again, I only hit a couple of putts on the carpet so I don't really know. Bascially I do know that I prefer a blade style putter (Not ready to go to one of those spaceships on a stick) and a shorter shaft, 33 or 34 inches.

[iacas]

It seems to me that we (and I'm using this term very loosely maybe it's just me) spend lots of time researching, testing and reading about irons and drivers before purchasing and then buy a putter based on a couple of half hearted putts on a blazing fast artificial green inside of a store. It just doesn't seem the same amount of attention is used when buying perhaps the most important club of your bag. How do you guys go about buying a putter? What do you look for? What is the purpose of having offset in a putter? Mine has offset but I'm not sure if I like that or not. I was putting with one (Scotty Cameron Circa 62 #3) without offset and loved the way it set up. Then again, I only hit a couple of putts on the carpet so I don't really know. Bascially I do know that I prefer a blade style putter (Not ready to go to one of those spaceships on a stick) and a shorter shaft, 33 or 34 inches.

Most people have preferences:

offset if they don't forward press, no offset if they do (typically) heel or center shafted mallet or blade metal or synthetic insert/face etc. That usually helps narrow down their choices. Then it's often a matter of the name, the looks, those little test putts (which do tell you the feel at least), and so on. Some people hit other people's putters on the course. Get thee to a golf shop on a golf course and hit putts on a real green.

[Thrdroc]

When i test putts on those little practice greens in the store i hit a couple balls off the toe and heel to see what happens if (more like when) i do that. I looked for something that didn't seem to go way off line so i could still recover and hopefully make the next putt.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Thanks for the posts guys. Helpful info. I have been strongly considering getting a new putter, perhaps a Cameron Studio. I liked one of the Circa 62's but read Don's review on it and it sounds like a lot of work to keep it clean. But while considering a new putter for some reason I have started to putt very well with my Never Compromise Milled Series putter. Funny how that works.

[king]

If you want near-scotty quality and such, but want to pay less, the Ping G5i and Taylormade Rossa series are excellent.

[GoingfortheGreen]

Thanks for the posts guys. Helpful info. I have been strongly considering getting a new putter, perhaps a Cameron Studio. I liked one of the Circa 62's but read Don's review on it and it sounds like a lot of work to keep it clean. But while considering a new putter for some reason I have started to putt very well with my Never Compromise Milled Series putter. Funny how that works.

The Circa 62 now come in a

Charcoal Mist finish that is supposedly easier to maintain....