putter analysis and testing

[icehole714]

I am trying to find a third party to do some analysis on a putter for me. Tabulating accuracy and results against a standard baseline. Does anyone know of a testing facility?

[dchoye]

Have you tried SAM putting labs?

[iacas]

I think he wants a lab to test a model of putter, not a golfer hitting putts.

But I don't know that for sure…

[icehole714]

Correct, i need a 3rd party who can do independent testing.

[icehole714]

I have spoken to them, but they were only looking to sell me a hardware and software . I need an independent tester.

[FooFader]

may i ask why? Is it to check if your current putter is faulty or to see which putter is from these tests "best" etc?

[icehole714]

It's for a concept I am developing. I built a prototype, did my own testing, filed the patent work and have preliminary USGA approval. I need independent 3rd party testing to validate my testing and design to see if I can take this concept to market.

[iacas]

It's for a concept I am developing. I built a prototype, did my own testing, filed the patent work and have preliminary USGA approval. I need independent 3rd party testing to validate my testing and design to see if I can take this concept to market.

Good luck.

[FooFader]

It's for a concept I am developing. I built a prototype, did my own testing, filed the patent work and have preliminary USGA approval. I need independent 3rd party testing to validate my testing and design to see if I can take this concept to market.

Sounds pretty cool, any chance of a photo?

[icehole714]

I guess it won't hurt. The patent is filed already. The idea is customized face plates. Preference of the user. Softer material is more forgiving.

[FooFader]

So the screws can be undone to fit different faces? Interesting idea, i could see it working but currently looks like your product is still very much a prototype. Do you think people would switch faces depending on conditions?

[icehole714]

Yes, this is a fabbed prototype. The CNC program is currently being quoted. It will be a finished product in a couple weeks. You could change for different play conditions, but it is geared Moe towards the level of golfer. A novice golfer can use a softer material that is more forgiving (about 15% with some materials) when the ball is hit in error. A majority of missed putts is from the face angle being off. Usually, a recreational golfer is somewhere between 2-5 degrees off. The softer material mitigates against that error. In a straight line putt, over 6', this prototype is up to 15% closer to centerline than a conventional putter. This was done on a pendulum fixture. A more experienced golfer can give up the additional forgiveness for more feel in a harder material.

[rightdraw]

Did you do any market research into this design before creating the prototype? It is a little different but there is similar putters out there that allow you to change out the insert in the putter. I think the brand is STX putters.

As to the original post I don't know any independent testers but good luck.

[dhanson]

Google'd "independent golf club testing" and found a couple.

http://www.rankmark.com/golf-club-test/

http://www.golftestusa.com/

[JoePete]

You can also try Golf Laboratories in California

http://www.golflabs.com

They have been around for a while. Most of what they have done is club and ball testing, but I am willing to bet they have a set up for putters as well.

[newtogolf]

Did you do any market research into this design before creating the prototype? It is a little different but there is similar putters out there that allow you to change out the insert in the putter. I think the brand is STX putters.

As to the original post I don't know any independent testers but good luck.

Callaway had one too, the Flip Face.  I'm guessing it didn't sell well since they discontinued it.  In the Callaway putter you chose between two different faces by rotating the head 180*.