J-Flex Putter, First Model Just Released!

[RickRunGood]

I've lurked here for a few months, but finally wanted to share this!

Over a year ago I partnered up with a mechanical engineer who had filed a patent for a new putter. The premise was based around his club being better than any other putter on mis-hit putts. We've spent the last year designing, testing, getting prototypes, testing, manufacturing, and testing some more! We just launched a few days ago and I am really proud of it so I wanted to share!

It's called the J-Flex and the company is Luke Ice Putters. Here's an image:

The big difference is the cavity between the clubface and the rest of the putter head.  This allows the face to flex very slightly on impact. The face then acts as a "rubber-band" and can correct mis-hit putts. With a conventional putter, hitting the ball off the toe/heel or with the clubface open/closed would cause a significant miss. This putter improves those mis-hits so that you don't go as far off the intended line.

When I show this, I always get the same questions, so I thought I could answer some here first:

Is this legal?

YES! We received preliminary approval from the USGA. To receive final approval, we actually need to manufacture the putter and send them the final version. The face flexes so little that you'll never see it with the human eye. Even this small flex makes a big difference.

What type of mis-hits does it correct?

There are two basic types:

1. A ball struck with an open or closed face

2. A ball struck off the heel or toe

How much of a difference does it make?

A big one. Independent studies are showing it can be as much as 20% more accurate with this putter as opposed to a conventional putter. For example, on a 10 foot putt, if you leave the face open 2 degrees, you will most likely miss the putt by 1.5 feet with a conventional putter. With this putter, it would be only a few inches.

What's next? Well, we are just a team of two and have ONE final product. We are hoping to have a small production run where we can send the USGA the final version for approval. Then, hopefully start a business!

I know we are crazy for trying to compete with the big boys in the golf industry. What they spend on marketing in a year could allow us to retire! I'd be happy to answer any questions or just tell me how nuts we are!

[mvmac]

Want to welcome @RickRunGood and Luke Ice Putters as a new sponsor on the site!

If you have any questions about the putter or their company, Rick (co-founder) is here to answer them. Also feel free to comment on what you think of the putter. To learn more about the J-Flex putter visit their Kickstarter campaign page .

@RickRunGood , I have one question, how do you line up the putter? Do you just aim the black insert?

[Jakester23]

Could you put a few more pics of the putter on this thread please.

[Golfingdad]

Cool! Welcome to the site! What does the putter look like at address?

[RickRunGood]

Want to welcome @RickRunGood and Luke Ice Putters as a new sponsor on the site!

If you have any questions about the putter or their company, Rick (co-founder) is here to answer them. Also feel free to comment on what you think of the putter. To learn more about the J-Flex putter visit their Kickstarter campaign page.

@RickRunGood, I have one question, how do you line up the putter? Do you just aim the black insert?

Thanks, great question! I grabbed a quick screenshot of the putter at address. As you can see, the lines of the fill help align your shot. As with a lot of things with this putter, it took me a bit to get used to, but after a round or so, I didn't think about it again:

[RickRunGood]

Could you put a few more pics of the putter on this thread please.

Absolutely. Here's a few more that I have handy:

[billchao]

Welcome, @RickRunGood !

Your putter looks interesting. How does the face flex affect long putts?

[David in FL]

Welcome! Can't wait to hear more, and follow your progress moving forward!

[nevets88]

Excellent stuff. How about misfits high or low in the face? I would guess there's some correction for that too.

[14ledo81]

Welcome!!!

Cool looking putter.

[RickRunGood]

Welcome, @RickRunGood!

Your putter looks interesting. How does the face flex affect long putts?

In theory, the longer the putt, the more affect the flexing face has on mis-hits.

If you leave the clubface open 2 degrees on a 3 foot putt, you still might make it, or not miss as badly.  That same error on a 30 foot putt would leave you missing the putt by a ton!

Our testing has shown that the J-Flex will improve accuracy up to 20%. So instead of missing a 30 foot put by 5 feet. You might only miss it by 4 feet. It ends up being a major difference over the course of a round. Also, those putts that normally lip out, would be more likely to actually fall in.  We certainly don't claim that this will negate ALL error, but definitely enough to make a difference.

[billchao]

In theory, the longer the putt, the more affect the flexing face has on mis-hits.  If you leave the clubface open 2 degrees on a 3 foot putt, you still might make it, or not miss as badly.  That same error on a 30 foot putt would leave you missing the putt by a ton! Our testing has shown that the J-Flex will improve accuracy up to 20%. So instead of missing a 30 foot put by 5 feet. You might only miss it by 4 feet. It ends up being a major difference over the course of a round. Also, those putts that normally lip out, would be more likely to actually fall in.  We certainly don't claim that this will negate ALL error, but definitely enough to make a difference.

That makes sense, thanks for the response. How about speed control? Does the face flex consistently that you get repeatable distances? How much do you lose on a mis-hit?

[RickRunGood]

That makes sense, thanks for the response.

How about speed control? Does the face flex consistently that you get repeatable distances? How much do you lose on a mis-hit?

Yes, absolutely. The flex is very very small, but even that tiny flex does a lot to improve a mis-hit. With that being said, the face has to be pretty rigid to get USGA approval. So the flexing is something that most golfers won't even notice, meaning that you'll find a consistent, repeatable distance on your strikes.

It just took me about a round to get used to it, but I would have to do that with any new putter.

[RickRunGood]

Excellent stuff. How about misfits high or low in the face? I would guess there's some correction for that too.

Correct! I don't have the numbers in front of me and it's not as large of a correction, but by nature of the face it corrects everything but a dead square, dead center strike. Which I know that I definitely need on the greens!

[billchao]

Yes, absolutely. The flex is very very small, but even that tiny flex does a lot to improve a mis-hit. With that being said, the face has to be pretty rigid to get USGA approval. So the flexing is something that most golfers won't even notice, meaning that you'll find a consistent, repeatable distance on your strikes. It just took me about a round to get used to it, but I would have to do that with any new putter.

Thanks for answering my questions. Looking forward to updates and wish you good luck for your endeavor!

[boogielicious]

Thanks for being a sponsor @RickRunGood !   I look forward to your release.

[Johnform]

Hi everyone,

I love the idea of the j flex putter by Luke and Rick. Does anyone know where I can get one?  Myself  and  my  son  are golf fans. I have invented products for  Motorola  and  other  big  companies. And I was  hired  by cultec  to  product  test  their  sporting  goods. So  naturally the j flex interests me. 

Can somebody point meof in the  right  direction please. Thanks

John