How do I know what putter to buy?

[Jakester23]

I purchased a new set of clubs this year with the exception of a putter and wedges.  I have spin milled vokey wedges which I'm very happy with but I'm looking to replace my putter.  I like blade putters I had a mallet when I started but struggled with gettting my putts on line.  About 8 years ago I purchased a odyssey white hot putter which I'm pretty good with inside of 20 feet. I don't like the weight of this putter for anything outside of 20 feet the head is way to light and I feel like I have to take a huge swing with it.  My friend recently purchased a odyssey I don't know which one but right behind the sweet spot it has a weight its a blade and I like the feel of it much better.  I was leaning towards something without a face insert I don't know why I just like the idea that the whole face is made out of the same material.  Any help would be great and price isn't really important its the most important club in my bag.

[Jakester23]

I also don't know how I should know if I should get one with a straight shaft or an offset mine now is offset so was the mallet I owned.

[Jon Robert]

You can't get a putter to work for you because someone else recommend it.

That being said I've thought about this quite a bit and in the final analysis it does make sense.

For slow non championship courses (you are an amateur and play the same courses) Then a lighter weight putter works better.

If you play fast hard championship course then heavy weight putters work better.

I think it is because lighter putters need more umph to get the ball going and thus it keeps going, and the extra movement is large enough  to also aid straightness.   I suppose light would work on fast greens but the little bit extra movement might also impart more chance of error, A long straightness imparting stroke might be too much for distance control.  I know, I know.................................................

I have a Ping Doc 17 I think it weirdly enough is both light but heavy or vs vs

[DufnerDip]

Putters are really weird. The reason there are so many is cause not one putter would work for every single golfer. People actually draw and fade their putts and they make putters that work for both. All the different shafts and angles the shaft goes to the club head and how you have to stand to make the putter sit flat. Easiest way is go to a golfsmith or edwin watts and just mess with a bunch of putters and see which one feels right and gives you a good roll. I have the Ghost Tour putter and want to buy some lead tape to make the head a little heavier. I love the putter and I get a great roll out of it and square it up every single time. I have a dark mark right smack in the middle from where I hit it so its really consistent and works well for me. Just wish it were a tad bit heavier.

Best of luck to you they're fun to mess with but its like women, theres a putter for everyone.

[Jakester23]

I hear you on the you can't get a putter cause of what someone else tells you but I was wondering if someone could tell me what the difference is between the offset shafts and the straight. Or why on mine has a offset and the shaft is in front of the club head and why some offsets the shaft goes straight into the putter. I guess I just would like someone to tell me where to start on a style/type and who each is designed for.

[Motown88]

The best advice is to just go to a local golf store and try out a couple...see what you like best and go from there.  You don't need to buy the most expensive one to be good, find one that is right for your game.

[DufnerDip]

Originally Posted by Jakester23

I hear you on the you can't get a putter cause of what someone else tells you but I was wondering if someone could tell me what the difference is between the offset shafts and the straight. Or why on mine has a offset and the shaft is in front of the club head and why some offsets the shaft goes straight into the putter. I guess I just would like someone to tell me where to start on a style/type and who each is designed for.

some people have a natural push or pull to their putts, the offset or lack thereof is designed for these purposes. just find one that suits your swing the best

[gwlee7]

The putter will run up to you out of the litter of other putters, and then lick you in the face.  A good putter picks you, you don't pick it.

[lumpuckeroo]

If at all possible, get some putters out on a putting green, that's the best way to find the one.  I find putting on the surfaces in stores isn't a real good indication of how a putter will perform on the course.  It might help you decide if you want, face balance, straight shaft, center shaft all of those variations, but once you narrow it down to a couple of putters, see if you can get them on real grass.

All that being said, there are a lot of putters out there that are blade style putters and no face insert.  I would suggest looking at Scotty Cameron, Ping, Yes, Nike and Odyssey.  Be patient and enjoy the process, nothing more enjoyable then getting a new putter!

[TourSpoon]

I have an Odyssey White Ice 2 ball lined blade with the adjustable weights. Here is what it looks like. This is a really good putter that you can get for a decent price.

[Jakester23]

I've been looking online for the last few days won't get a chance to go try out some putters til sat or early next week but I was just wondering if the Scotty Cameron's are worth the money? The seem to be like $200 more then any other brand and if anyone has one can you let me know if they are worth that much extra money.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Jakester23

I've been looking online for the last few days won't get a chance to go try out some putters til sat or early next week but I was just wondering if the Scotty Cameron's are worth the money? The seem to be like $200 more then any other brand and if anyone has one can you let me know if they are worth that much extra money.

I owned many Scotty's when I knew little.

They were purdy.

I would say you want a putter that points where you aim it. I know, you're saying, I just point it at the hole and it is aimed there. Au contraire. Most point it left and right of the hole on a straight putt, and way above or below the hole (loft).

Once you find a shape you can aim correctly, I'd suggest something in SeeMore, especially for beginners, because of their rst system. Go to www.seemore.com and learn about their sighting system. I'd also get the Pat O'Brien DVD they have for $20. It sets you up in a neutral posture and alignment.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck.

[Jakester23]

Honestly putting has been something I've always done pretty well with most different putters. I bought the one I own now because my friend at the time had just bought one like it and I did good with it one time on the course. The problem I seem to have with it is its so light that I can't judge speed with it on long putts.  Before I played this weekend I spent like 20 mins on the putting green and still didn't like how it was from that distance.  Earlier this year I putted around with my friends ping and another friends odyssey which were much heavier and I loved how it was from outside of 15-20 feet. Close ones were difficult for me to judge speed but I know with practice that could easily be fixed. I also lwouiked how it seemed the club head was easier to keep square with more weight. I would like someone to tell me what the difference is with offset and straight shafts or why you should choose one over the other.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Jakester23

Honestly putting has been something I've always done pretty well with most different putters. I bought the one I own now because my friend at the time had just bought one like it and I did good with it one time on the course. The problem I seem to have with it is its so light that I can't judge speed with it on long putts.  Before I played this weekend I spent like 20 mins on the putting green and still didn't like how it was from that distance.  Earlier this year I putted around with my friends ping and another friends odyssey which were much heavier and I loved how it was from outside of 15-20 feet. Close ones were difficult for me to judge speed but I know with practice that could easily be fixed. I also lwouiked how it seemed the club head was easier to keep square with more weight. I would like someone to tell me what the difference is with offset and straight shafts or why you should choose one over the other.

Well, that can be quite complex. Some of it has to do with aim, and some with balancing of the putter face and your stroke.

Tough stuff.

You can go by trial and error; or get fit by a pro.

It took me years to finally get fit and I can't tell you how many putters and too much money that I wasted. Wouldn't want anyone to do that.

I went to Edel and got fit. Once you have a solid setup that is consistent, get fit. I haven't spent a dime on a putter since I bought an Edel 3.5 years ago.

[David in FL]

The putter will run up to you out of the litter of other putters, and then lick you in the face.  A good putter picks you, you don't pick it.   :smartass:

This is VERY close to the truth!!

[Jakester23]

Thanks for all the input I'd like to go get fitted but does anyone on here think the people at golfsmith or golf galaxy know what there doing or a better question I guess would be where would I go to get fitted. I live near Milwaukee Wisconsin if anyone has got fitted in this area I'd like to know where and what you thought thanks.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Jakester23

Thanks for all the input I'd like to go get fitted but does anyone on here think the people at golfsmith or golf galaxy know what there doing or a better question I guess would be where would I go to get fitted. I live near Milwaukee Wisconsin if anyone has got fitted in this area I'd like to know where and what you thought thanks.

Generally, I'd say no - but you never know.

Get something like a SeeMore triangulator to see if you are aiming where you think you are aiming. They are about $10.

[Jon Robert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakester23

Thanks for all the input I'd like to go get fitted but does anyone on here think the people at golfsmith or golf galaxy know what there doing or a better question I guess would be where would I go to get fitted. I live near Milwaukee Wisconsin if anyone has got fitted in this area I'd like to know where and what you thought thanks.

Try the south side of the Airport http://www.gastrausgolfcenter.com/about.html