New Putter

[medwayjon]

On saturday I putted like an arse as the 3 forumers who were with me will acknowledge.

Yesterday was even worse, I had 2 24" birdie putts which I missed, I had zero confidence over any putt whatsoever, I have usually been mustard with anything 5ft or so in but it has all gone to pot. It really is distressing as I was always a decent putter for a high handicapper and now, it is like I have never picked a putter up before.

I have made a rash decision and that is that my putter must be replaced. I dont think there is actually anything wrong with it necessarily but my faith in it has diminished and whereas I used to adore it, I now want to launch it when it misbehaves.

I think taht perhaps a mallet style putter may be the way to go again, I loved my 2-ball odyssey and think maybee it was the poseur in me that plumped for the gorgeous looking siena 4 from TM.

I dont fancy putting lessons as I have had them before and didnt do much for me, I reckon putting is so individual that we all do it slightly differently anyways.

Any advice before I part with my hard-earned?

 

[dangermouse]

Even in my limited experience & ability, I find that putting comes in streaks - if you get a new putter today, you will probably putt badly the next few times out, before improving (obviously because you have "got used" to your new putter!!!) Then in a few weeks/months, you will be having the same thoughts when you have missed a few, and will either buy a new one or go back to the old one, and the cycle starts again.

If you were knocking them in a few weeks ago, and are using the same putter and balls, then it is only the pillock who connects the two who can have changed! If you are leaving them short or knocking them miles, then conditions may have an impact too, but probably not from two feet.

Lessons might not be the way to go for you, but either practice or rest seems to do the trick for me (and god knows which is the right one to choose at any given time!).

If they dropped in the past, they will do again, regardless of the putter. As a high handicapper myself, I find that the quality of the kit has little bearing on how well I play, and this is more true the shorter the shot - only better players really get the best out of top kit around the greens in my experience.

 

[GB72]

I actually feel that the putter has a lot to do with it. Was doing OK with my Benross Pure Red but recently have been given the loan of a mate's Oddyssey Sabretooth as he could not get on with it and wanted to see if I was interested. Thing is I am just not getting on with it. I will probably sink a couple of wonder putts a round but short and mid range are not getting anywhere near the hole in comparison with my old putter. Needless to say that it is probably going back to my mate and the Benross is coming back out of the cupboard.

 

[USER1999]

I can't really advise, as I have 3 scotties. If one misbehaves, it gets benched for a while, and another gets to come out to play.

If you do get another one, keep the old one, as you may yet come back to it.

There is something to be said for a mallet on slower winter greens.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I take it you like putters with inserts in from the models mentioned above. Try the Ping CRAZ-E head which is an old design but still used a lot on tour and is one of the best mallets available. The new i series insert is meant to be very good as well so should offer nice feel and decent forgiveness. Reasonable price to.

http://www.americangolf.co.uk/golf-clubs/golf-putters/ping-i-series-craz-e/

Failing that I am sure you could pick up a G5i CRAZ-E for less than £50 now and it really is a great club- surprisingly despite being superseded this is still the putter of choice for pros like Gregory Havret (first one that came into my head).

 

[andiritchie]

think kenny perry uses one too and it made him a few quid this year,everytime i used one it went well just would not stump out the cash for it

 

[CP1]

Just to add to this I was putting really badly with my nicklaus GB86 and dunlop mallet head. So I thought new putter. And since I am tight I bought a 2 ball Onyx putter for £3 on ebay brand new!! i tell you what, I have never putt straighter than i have with this thing so it not paying £100 for a putter that counts roll on next game!!

 

[flandango]

Hi Jon

I recently brought the odyssey #9 and it's awsome. My putting was never that bad but there were areas to improve.

I didn't get on with the mallet style putters first time round but was tempted by the TM monza spider centre shaft.
Beautiful feeling putter and easy to align.

I also spend hours each week putting but i'm sure you do aswell!!!

Just my opinion mate. Happy hunting

 

[medwayjon]

Went down to the shope tonight and saw my mate who works in there.

He is a pga pro and rather than take my money gave me a putting lesson. After 20mins I was banging them in again with confidence so ended up not buying a new putter, infact it made me realise just how good mine actually is.

Looking forward to using it again on wednesday now!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I have more confidence with either my odyssey 2 bal (blade style XG2) and especially my Rossa Spider. Whether it is the alignment aids or the fact that are simply bigger I don't know but I have more confidence over a 3 footer with these than my blade style putters.

Jon, can you tell us what your pro worked with you on. Wasit posture and alignment or something different

 

[medwayjon]

The pro worked on my takeaway and follow through.

Apparently I was taking the putter away far too wristy and quitting on it before I had hit the ball.

After a while I was really putting them positively again and probably getting 9/10 from 6ft.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have a habit of taking it away on the inside and then closing the blade after (hopefully) impact. If you get a chance have a look at the Eyeline training aid. Ideal for taking it back and through straight and with a mirror for eye and shoulder alignment

http://www.118golf.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=201

 

[HTL]

Great result mate and saved yourself a few quid!