Custom Putter Fitting Questions

[jowlar]

I have some questons for clubmakers or anyone that has been fit for a putter.

How important is putter fitting as compared to irons or woods? Will properly fit putter inhance alignment?

for clubmakers
What components company make a quality putter that is suitable for fitting? How much customization can be done with an oem putter such as scotty or ping? What should one look for in a good fitting?

I have reached sort of a plateau in my golf game, in that I did not improve very much the past season. I am considered a very good ball striker but putting is keeping me from lower my handicap.

[gas_can]

I have some questons for clubmakers or anyone that has been fit for a putter.

jowlar,

Putter fitting is the most vital in the bag. If your putter is not fit for you for loft and lie it is impossible to achieve solid contact and put a proper roll on the ball. Much of the hopping and skidding golfers see is more because of improper impact caused by lie angle misdirection and too much / too little loft. Any milled putter is very easy to bend with the proper equipment, but it has to fit you. A good teacher or trained fitter can look at your setup and stroke and determine the best way to bend your putter to fit. The plumber's neck newports are very easy to bend for both loft and lie, it shouldn't be a problem at all.

[jowlar]

jowlar,

Sounds like you have done some fitting. Do certain style putters (ie mallet, blade, face balanced) fit players better? Or can any style be fit to a players specs?

[Everardo]

I have some questons for clubmakers or anyone that has been fit for a putter.

Considering the putter is used on approx 50% of your shots during a round, I say it is extremely important. :)

[gas_can]

Sounds like you have done some fitting. Do certain style putters (ie mallet, blade, face balanced) fit players better? Or can any style be fit to a players specs?

Typically, common convention holds that people with arcing or gated strokes do better with putters with some toe hang (heel shafted blades).

People who prefer straight back straight through tend to fit better into face balanced putters. However, there are examples of players who have been very successful crossing those generalizations. The key is to find a putter you like, get fit, and practice. I've taken a couple of lessons with Stan Utley and the best piece of advice he gave me was to always adjust your putter to fit your stroke rather than adjust your stroke to fit your putter. All putters can be bent for loft and lie, even double bend shafts. I know personally that because of my impact dynamics and setup I need a putter that's two degrees flat 69 degrees and with a degree more loft to accommodate my forward press. Making those adjustments has made a tremendous difference in the quality of roll off the putter.

[RangeHound]

Check out http://www.coutourgolf.com I have been frustrated with my putting for several years. I went to this ToddSones school and instantly saw a difference. If you can't go, at least chech out his website. Gives you some real insight on how to fit a putter.

[andre112]

I went to retail store to get my own putter fitted. They just gave me a ping putter with adjustable lenght and lie to play with. I found out that I push or pull when the lie was too flat or upright.
They didn't charge me anything though.

[Gapwedge]

Typically, common convention holds that people with arcing or gated strokes do better with putters with some toe hang (heel shafted blades).

How much modification can be done to an old Ping PAL putter. My hands are forward throughout the swing and I am betting the standard 3* lie is not enough and should be more like 4-5* just guessing. I am not sure about the loft. I definitely deloft when I putt. I live in Arkansas and I am not sure we have club fitters as knowledgeable as I am finding on here. Do you guys have an association that you may be able to find someone in my area?

[golf_junkie27]

Do you guys have an association that you may be able to find someone in my area?

Go to Fittingworks.com. They'll give you a list of all the fitters in Arkansas and what type of fittings they provide. Hope this helps.

[Gapwedge]

Go to Fittingworks.com. They'll give you a list of all the fitters in Arkansas and what type of fittings they provide. Hope this helps.

Thanks. That helped.

[gas_can]

How much modification can be done to an old Ping PAL putter. My hands are forward throughout the swing and I am betting the standard 3* lie is not enough and should be more like 4-5* just guessing. I am not sure about the loft. I definitely deloft when I putt. I live in Arkansas and I am not sure we have club fitters as knowledgeable as I am finding on here. Do you guys have an association that you may be able to find someone in my area?

Gapwedge,

Old Ping putters, especially the manganese bronze ones are very brittle and as a result can snap at the hosel if the club maker isn't careful. Very minor adjustments can be done, but there is a risk of damage. A new putter forged or cast from stainless or carbon steel will have a much better chance for bending. A good place to look for clubfitters is through Professional Clubmaker's Society. However, this is just a start, you can't really know about a club maker until you work with him or her. Also just because someone is a PCS member doesn't mean they are experienced and do quality work. Caveat Emptor as always. Good luck.

[jowlar]

Gas_can, you have provided valueable information in this thread and I for one appreciate it. Hence, you are my new hero. You wouldnt by chance live near Alabama.

[SirMilton]

Gapwedge- Joe Brooks at Brooks Golf in Jonesboro, AR just fitted me for a new PING Half Craz EL. The difference between out of the box and fitted to me is night and day.

PING has the specs on most vintage putters on their website; they also have specs on everything they have in stock, including vintage putters.

I think most putter buyers "self fit", as they are trying out different putters when they buy at a retail store. Buying what someone else likes is a mistake; buy what feels right and works for you.

However, I noticed a lot of pros (Furyk, Harrington and Creamer for 3) use the Odyssey two ball white hot putter. I tried it, loved it and my wife loved it enough to buy it too and has cut her putts per round by about 1/3 with it. Its ridiculously easy to line up.

[Gapwedge]

Gapwedge- Joe Brooks at Brooks Golf in Jonesboro, AR just fitted me for a new PING Half Craz EL. The difference between out of the box and fitted to me is night and day.

Thanks. I will look him up. That is only a hour or so away. I am also going to visit Central Arkansas Golf Academy in Conway Wednesday and I will ask about their putter fitting. Appreciate it.

[Gapwedge]

Gapwedge,

Since I have been playing golf for 44 years (54 now) I truly know about Caveat Emptor!! (the hard way). I only use the Ping PAL as a back up putter. I have so much feel with my Acushnet Bulls Eye blade that I am reluctant to stop using it for now. I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

[jowlar]

Anyone ever been fitted at a Golfsmith retail store? I called the store in Birmingham and they said that provide putter fitting but couldnt tell me what process they use. B'ham is a 2 hour drive for me and I dont want to waste a golf day if they are just going to measure me for length, I want loft and lie measurements as well.