Questions about custom fit putters?

[caniac6]

I've got a few questions about custom fit vs. off the rack putters. Was there a significant long term improvement in your putting? Was the improvement due to the putter, or improved aim, mechanics,ect. pointed out by the fitter? Was the new putter significantly different from your previous model? Was the cost of fitting, and the custom made putter worth it? Thanks

[WUTiger]

Are you talking about getting your existing putter custom fit, or getting a new, custom-fit putter.

Several years ago I bought a used Ping Pal putter made in the 1970s. I used it off and on for a couple of years, and then decided to get a fitting - I won a coupon for a free one at Golf Galaxy - cost about $30 back then. The fitter trimmed off 1" from the shaft (I knew it was too long), adjusted loft and lie slightly, and took it from D1 to D4 in swing weight. This combination improved my consistency of putting.

A year later, I won a new Ping putter plus fitting at the Golf Galaxy Christmas Party. This is the B60 which I use today. It has worked reasonably well - except for hot months and cold months with the flatstick. I think it might be a bit light in swingweight. Also, recurring trouble with missing shorter putts to the left and right. So, I got a WinnPro X 1.18" large grip yesterday, and this seems to have straightened out my line - it takes the hand wobbles out of the stroke. But, distance control will need work.

As for what custom putters offer, you can choose ones that: match your arc, accommodate dominant eyes, give you proper grip size.

Basically, it's like the rest of golf. If you work on your technique with a club that fits you, you'll get better results than if you just try clubs hit and miss until you find "one that works." Also, many fitters who are pros will give you a lesson with the new putter.

New custom putters can sometimes be a bust, such as the case of a local female club pro who bought her new amateur husband a putter for Christmas. She fitted it for him, and he seemed to be happy with it during the early spring. But come Memorial Day, she found the top-notch custom putter setting in the corner of the garage.

He apologetically told his new wife that the Christmas putter "just didn't work." He had replaced it with his old putter, which he had taken for a fitting.

[caniac6]

I am talking about a new putter such as Edel or some other custom fit/built putter.

[DrvFrShow]

Well, my custom fit SeeMore is sitting in the corner of my living room and my Odyssey two ball is back in my bag. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. I'd say try before you buy.

[Golfingdad]

I got a custom fit Edel about a year and a half ago, IIRC ...

Was there a significant long term improvement in your putting?

Yes.  I've improved, in my estimate, by perhaps a couple of strokes per round in the last couple of years.  HOWEVER, slightly before getting the Edel, I also took an Aimpoint class, and I also altered my stroke per this thread. It was a (probably fairly equal) combination of those three factors that lead to the total improvement.

Was the improvement due to the putter, or improved aim, mechanics,ect. pointed out by the fitter?

Whoops, kinda answered this above.  To elaborate, the most notable improvements from the putter itself was from aim on short putts up to about 6 or 7 feet or so.  I have so much confidence that I'm going to hit my line that I make a lot more of these than I used to.

Was the new putter significantly different from your previous model?

Not really, no.  My old putter was a Ping Pal (traditional anser style blade) and my new putter is generally the same, except with a massive amount of offset. (Just worked out that that is what I aimed best)

Was the cost of fitting, and the custom made putter worth it?

To me, yes ... but how do you really quantify this?  I play for recreation mostly, so how does one justify that $400 for a stroke off the handicap?

[rkim291968]

I've got a few questions about custom fit vs. off the rack putters.

Was there a significant long term improvement in your putting?

Was the improvement due to the putter, or improved aim, mechanics,ect. pointed out by the fitter?

Was the new putter significantly different from your previous model?

Was the cost of fitting, and the custom made putter worth it? Thanks

I had two rounds with custom fit Edel putter & Aimpoint lesson behind me.   Not good so far but I am still optimistic that it will help.   I will post an update after this weekend's rounds (Sat, Sun, Mon).

[David in FL]

.... I play for recreation mostly, so how does one justify that $400 for a stroke off the handicap?

Good god, let's not start asking ourselves that question! ;-)

[saevel25]

To me, yes ... but how do you really quantify this?  I play for recreation mostly, so how does one justify that $400 for a stroke off the handicap?

Because we are golfers damnit.

For me it was going from 3-4, 3 putts a round to maybe 1 every few rounds.

Aimpoint Lesson + Custom Fit Putter + Putting Lesson all for saving 3 strokes a round. Yes Please!

[Jakester23]

I had a gift card to golfsmith a few years ago and spent it on a putter which they fit for free (with the purchase). It definitely did help. The guy explained how the different necks work, toe hang quarter haing ect... During the fitting I found out I was using a putter 2 inches to long and wasn't standing over my putt. My eyes were well inside of the ball. I don't think the guy did nearly as good of a job as an edel fitting. What he did do helped quite a bit though. I will purchase an edel but at this point I'd rather have 9-10 months of evolvr.

[Tgb02]

Should I get fit for a putter then buy one and have it adjusted or buy a putter then get fitted and adjusted?

[Mac62]

Should I get fit for a putter then buy one and have it adjusted or buy a putter then get fitted and adjusted?

If you buy a truly custom-fit putter such as an Edel, you're fitted, buy the putter, and receive a putter which is custom built to your fitting specs.  No adjustments needed.

[Mr. Desmond]

To me, yes ... but how do you really quantify this?  I play for recreation mostly, so how does one justify that $400 for a stroke off the handicap?

I've had two divorces over that question... let's not go there.

Some women buy shoes ... or they go to sales for clothes they don't need and spend $500. "But I saved $500. Such a deal..."

I've got to find a woman who golfs...

Just received an Edel E-1 that was custom fit for $299 w/ pixl inserts and counterbalanced with time on a SAM. Can't tell you if it will save strokes. But the weight feels great in my hands ...