can a putter make you better at putting?

[pingpongping]

I just bought an old 'arnold palmer blade chrome putter'. My reason behind it (other than it being pretty cool, and me wanting a new putter) being that it would promote a confident stroke to be able to use it, therefore making me better at putting?

 

[One Planer]

In the words of Foxholer:

No!

It may give you more confidence (... Which is a good thing) to hole a putt, but ultimately if there are flaws in the stroke, a new putter won't rectify those.

 

[Foxholer]

In the words of Foxholer:

No!

Actually, in this case, I'll pinch a post from a different thread.

A definition of 'better' is required.

There's a subtle difference between 'putting better' and 'better putting'. A different putter can sometimes overcome/compensate for bad technique or even simply suit the style better. So you can 'buy' something that will make/let you 'putt better'. Becoming a 'better putter' takes application and practice!

Blade style putters do look lovely - the Betti BB2 is just a thing of beauty! - but do promote/require a certain technique/style - to counter the torque/leverage of the relatively heavy ball some distance from the club CofG. A SBST action conflicts with Blade putters!

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I would say yes.

But that is on the belief that this Ping thing, where they say different putters are suited to different types of strokes is correct.

If, say, you have a very arced swing, but are using a putter not ideal for that, you will get better if you switch to a putter that suits that.

That's my belief anyway! Whether Ping are telling the truth or it's marketing, who knows. I haven't actually been fitted for one, so maybe I don't believe it that much!

 

[ger147]

I just bought an old 'arnold palmer blade chrome putter'. My reason behind it (other than it being pretty cool, and me wanting a new putter) being that it would promote a confident stroke to be able to use it, therefore making me better at putting?

Only if it's a Scotty Cameron

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I would say yes.

But that is on the belief that this Ping thing, where they say different putters are suited to different types of strokes is correct.

If, say, you have a very arced swing, but are using a putter not ideal for that, you will get better if you switch to a putter that suits that.

That's my belief anyway! Whether Ping are telling the truth or it's marketing, who knows. I haven't actually been fitted for one, so maybe I don't believe it that much!

I was one of the lucky ones who was fitted at FoA with Ping & GM, and I'd say that it does work.
As my putting from closer in has proved towards the end of this last season. I used to miss left quite often, because I was hitting the ball with a closed club face. Now it's closer to square and I hole out much better.

 

[One Planer]

There's a subtle difference between 'putting better' and 'better putting'. A different putter can sometimes overcome/compensate for bad technique or even simply suit the style better. So you can 'buy' something that will make/let you 'putt better'. Becoming a 'better putter' takes application and practice!

I agree to a point.

However.

If, said player, has a fault like excess body/hip movement through the stroke, no putter in the world will fix that.

 

[brendy]

I have said it before and I'll say it again, the two ball putter will make you a better putter.
Sounds like a pretty strong statement I know but if you remember to make a practice stroke above the ball using the EXACT stance/setup as you will when putting the ball you will get better. The two ball putter leaves a glancing white swish in your eyeline as you make the practice putt and it will give you a better idea of where your putter is heading than any Scotty/Nike Method/TM etc ever will.

I used to be pretty poor at alignment, but since getting my oddy a few years ago, my putting has come on fantastically. Yes you still need to stroke the ball, read the green etc but it really helps if you are getting the ball off on the intended line in the first place.

 

[Rooter]

The right putter might, its all about confidence for me (after a repeatable technique) so if you are happy, the putt has more chance i think.

 

[Qwerty]

Are we talking about holing out or putting in general here? If its putting in general then the answer is yes.
I know I'd be far more consistent at lagging the ball close to the hole with a forgiving Ping Anser as opposed to an unforgiving Bullseye.

Ive had a couple of Scottys in the past (newports) and Ive found them far less forgiving than my current Ping (Even though its the same Style Head) I think a lot of people don't think of forgiveness when considering a new putter, but it certainly helps if you want to lag the ball close consistently.

 

[Birchy]

The question is a bit more tricky to answer than it seems I reckon. If you currently have a putter that suits your putting style then a new putter isn't going to make you any better imo.

If you currently have a putter that doesn't really suit how you putt then a new one will likely make you better.

I think a lot of peoples putting problems will stem more from reading the green and pace though. You need to be good at both these and understand the link between them to be a good putter imo.

 

[Robobum]

Of course a putter will make you better at putting - as long as its right for you.

"Right" is different for everyone though, for you it may be down to looks, for me it may be about how it sits etc etc

Try loads. Keep trying more - there is a Billy Baroo out there for everyone

 

[Scotty_Tom]

if its a really expensive Cameron then yeah!!












*runs

 

[Foxholer]

make a practice stroke above the ball using the EXACT stance/setup as you will when putting the ball you will get better.

No you won't! You will end up getting penalties! Think about it!

2-Ball wasn't a bad putter, but didn't quite sparkle for me - even when I found the correct length. Their continued use by lots of Pros has to mean something though.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

You can have a putter that is better suited to your putting style but if your technique is flawed no putter will make you better. 3 things make up putting....being able to read the line, being able to read the pace and being able to hit the ball on the chosen line at the correct pace. The club doesn't come into any of those three things.

 

[brendy]

No you won't! You will end up getting penalties! Think about it!

2-Ball wasn't a bad putter, but didn't quite sparkle for me - even when I found the correct length. Their continued use by lots of Pros has to mean something though.

Drawing a blank here, how can you get a penalty from a practice stroke in mid air? Am I missing something?
Regarding the 2ball, I have cut mine down about 2 inches and use a Winn jumbo grip (not quite superstroke proportions), not to take the wrists out of it, I just like the thicker grip.

 

[Scotty_Tom]

You can have a putter that is better suited to your putting style but if your technique is flawed no putter will make you better. 3 things make up putting....being able to read the line, being able to read the pace and being able to hit the ball on the chosen line at the correct pace. The club doesn't come into any of those three things.

surely the club would have something to do with hitting the ball on the chosen line?!

 

[Foxholer]

Drawing a blank here, how can you get a penalty from a practice stroke in mid air? Am I missing something?

Exact (as you stress) stance/setup would have you hitting the ball on the (practice) swing. Anything else would not be 'EXACT' would it!

Proud, occasionally, to be a pedant!

 

[Robobum]

No you won't! You will end up getting penalties! Think about it!

........

Now this I've got to hear:blah:

 

[BoadieBroadus]

No you won't! You will end up getting penalties! Think about it!

I got what you were driving at straight away, even if no one else did...