Counter-Balanced Putters - Anyone Fancy a Little Debate

[One Planer]

I had a cracking little debate with a few folk on Twitter last night.

Fundy, Rooter, Jimbob, and Alex from Orka Golf were a few of the folk involved.

I enjoyed the debate so much, I thought I'd bring the topic up on here.

The long and the short of it was simple:

Are they work looking at when changing putter? Or are they just another gimmick?

I'll admit to being interested in them. Interested enough to consider investing in one.

Alex from Orka (Cracking bloke BTW) sees them as a gimmick and, I suppose, a passing fad.

Others praised their attributes and swore by them.

Now, I've used a counter balanced Ping Senita and found it uber stable and, to be honest, I holed more than I missed. The only thing that put me off at the time was the price tag

As I said earlier, I'm becoming more and more interested in this style of putter and will, more than likely get one just to scratch the itch after trying the Ping.

Whats your view on the bridge between anchoring and the conventional stroke? Passing fad or step forward?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Have tried the "longer handle" ones recently and they felt awkward - didn't like the gripping down

On Sunday Blue in Munich showed me the ones he had counter balanced by weighting a normal putter - they felt perfectly balanced , weight was very good in the handle.

Think the grip down ones may work but the ones BIM let me try where far more comfortable

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have an Odyssey Tank #1 I got at a demo day at my club. To be honest, I putted OK with it but I'm happier with the #9 model (milled face) and I've not used it much. My pro currently has it. Is it a fad? Not so sure. Do they help? Again not sure. Certainly didn't feel any particular eureka moment since getting it

 

[Imurg]

I've had a swish with a couple of the longer c/b ones and having a few inches of grip sticking out beyond my hands looked and felt awkward and as a result I didn't hole much.
I found a 34" c/b in DG the other week that simply felt like a heavy putter... A bit more stable maybe.
I have acquired a 2-ball belly putter and I'm going to cut it down and try a few grips on it.
The head is 50g more than normal so I might just stick a normal weight grip on and try the heavier head...
Some of the Pros swear by them so there must be something in it even if they are being paid to play polished poo - to quote someone...:fore:

 

[garyinderry]

It is no passing fad, neither is it new.


People have been counterbalancing clubs for decades. Fans include big jack and young Sergio. they even did it with irons and drivers.


I am a big fan of counter balanced putter. They feel rock steady and swing smoothly.

 

[Swinger]

Old Tom Morris did a bit of it too!

 

[Blue in Munich]

It is no passing fad, neither is it new.


People have been counterbalancing clubs for decades. Fans include big jack and young Sergio. they even did it with irons and drivers.


I am a big fan of counter balanced putter. They feel rock steady and swing smoothly.

Agree with all of that. What I'm not a fan of is the "one size fits all" approach that manufacturers are adopting of longer putters and heavier grips. Find a putter you're happy with then take it to a pro who knows what he or she is doing.

When I got mine done, the pro I used had a set of weights that plugged into the drain hole at the top of the grip. You hit a few with each, you tell them what you feel, they watch the roll and the swing. You gradually eliminate the ones that don't suit. In my case it came down to between the 90g & 110g choices. When we went inside, there was a 100g one so went for that. Fitting and the weight inserted was around the £40 mark. If you fancy it, Phil Wright at Coombe Wood comes highly recommended.

Alternatively I'd recommend trying any of the original Heavy putter range that come as ordinary lengths.

 

[Ethan]

Horses for courses. I have one, a Tank No. 1 and it is pretty easy to use from short to medium distances, less so from longer. I think the idea works for the average player who needs a smoother and more consistent stroke. Not my favourite looking putter, though.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Have one myself, not sure I would ever go back.

As for the gripping down option you do not have to have a longer one you can just use a normal length putter counterbalanced.

Pretty sure a friend told me Keegan has been using one.

Further to this I have knocked 6.5 off my handicap since I had one......

 

[Piece]

Having tried one, I think they are here to stay. I can see how they would work for some people, but they aren't the solution for all bad putters. I'm not changing as I'm happy with my current stick.

 

[patricks148]

One of the guys i play with has just switched to one. He's off scratch and i would say he was a good putter, but he didn't.

We played on Monday and he sank pretty much every put apart from two, both for eagle from 30 feet and im not sure why either did not go in. Both rolled over the hole.

if its works for you, its good.

 

[Wooky]

I use the Ping Scotsdale Pick me up.(the model before the Senita)
I absolutely love it, the weight is evenly distributed & it feels well balanced.
I picked it up really cheaply, it just felt right in my hands from the word go.
It putt so much smoother with it & it produces a lovely roll.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

I bought one a year ago. 34" standard length tank #1. The fact it is still in my bag speaks volumes. Whether I needed a counter balanced putter, or just a putter with a heavier head I don't know...but it's so much better. Extremely confident over short putts, and distance putting is much easier. Don't think I will change it for a long while yet

 

[Soft hands]

I'm just about sure I'm going to get a counter-balanced putter most likely between Odyssey Tank #7 or the Taylormade Daddy Long Legs.

Has anyone used either or both of these?

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I'm just about sure I'm going to get a counter-balanced putter most likely between Odyssey Tank #7 or the Taylormade Daddy Long Legs.

Has anyone used either or both of these?

I have a #7 Tank, when I got it I was tied between this and the spider blade, both felt great.

I love the #7 head though so stable through the swing and easy to line up, it is big though so may not be everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Dan2501]

http://www.mygolfspy.com/mgs-labs-counterbalanced-putters-vs-standard-putters/

Putting is so personal though. It's literally what works for you, if a counterbalanced putter works, then stick with it, and the same the other way. You just have to find the putter that gets you the best results.

 

[CMAC]

I know a guy of 20 who has one and cant putt for toffee.

2 pals off 14 also are poor putters and buy any fad goiing including this one.

Been around for years as stated, however if they were that good over conventional there would be no conventional putters.

Putting is an individualistic as handwriting- no two are the same or work the same.

 

[garyinderry]

IBeen around for years as stated, however if they were that good over conventional there would be no conventional putters.

.

the vast majority of people who take up golf don't learn to putt using a counter balance putter. some people try it and fall instantly in love with it. others, shy away as it FEELS so different to what they have used in the past and a third group neither know nor care about it.

 

[peterlav]

I'm just about sure I'm going to get a counter-balanced putter most likely between Odyssey Tank #7 or the Taylormade Daddy Long Legs.

Has anyone used either or both of these?

I changed from conventional to a Taylor Made Daddy Long Legs halfway through last season, absolutely love it. Smooth and steady as a rock from inside 10 feet, for longer putts it does take a little getting used to.

 

[Lanark_Golfer]

My putting stinks, think I'll need to give one of these a go, needs a miracle right enough :lol: