Putter distance control

[Region3]

Every time a putter thread comes up I've noticed a lot of people say they have far better distance control with a hard (or no) insert.

When I was fitted for my putter it was recommended to me that I have a very soft insert for distance control, and I have to admit it has worked wonders for me.

The way I see it is this.
Imagine the hardest putt you ever need is 100 on a scale.
For a 30' putt with no insert you might have to hit between 12-15 on the scale to leave the ball within 2'. With a soft insert you might have to hit between 24-30 on the scale, thus giving you a bigger margin for error.

That probably sounds daft but that's how it is in my head.

What type of insert does everyone else find best for distance control?

 

[fundy]

Scotty milled face or Steel insert.

Have recently tried the Odyssey inserts and had all sorts of problems, the main issue for me is a lack of consitent feel. they feel dead on the short ones but get springier the harder you hit them making distance control far harder than it needs to be.

It may be partly that I grew up on very quick greens and hence struggle when having to hit the ball harder with the putter, but can't see me using anything with a soft insert again

 

[TonyN]

Inserts?

 

[Imurg]

I struggled with the White Steel Odyssey insert but got on well with the WHite Hot Tour insert - supposedly a little firmer. My Red X has a steel insert and although I'm not putting too well at the moment, pt's the best feeling putter I've owned.

 

[Mr_T]

I completely agree to me it makes sense, which is why the insert on mine is soft, I still struggle with distance control though, more often than not my putts are short

 

[One Planer]

Every time a putter thread comes up I've noticed a lot of people say they have far better distance control with a hard (or no) insert.

When I was fitted for my putter it was recommended to me that I have a very soft insert for distance control, and I have to admit it has worked wonders for me.

The way I see it is this.
Imagine the hardest putt you ever need is 100 on a scale.
For a 30' putt with no insert you might have to hit between 12-15 on the scale to leave the ball within 2'. With a soft insert you might have to hit between 24-30 on the scale, thus giving you a bigger margin for error.

That probably sounds daft but that's how it is in my head.

What type of insert does everyone else find best for distance control?

I've just switched from Taylormades' AGSI-c insert to YES! C-Grooves and it's done wonders for my distance control.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have an odyssey dualforce 554 with a firmer black insert which use to be great but at 35" now feels way too long. I'm tempted to get it cut to 34 and regripped and give it a go. I do find a solid face like the Anser stuggles on very quick greens (not Ascot) and I tend to get a bit timid on shorter ones. I found my odyssey #9 pretty good at Blackmoor and so maybe the firmer black insert is a happy medium

 

[kid2]

My distance control with a milled face seemed better than the 2 ball i currently use.
But its still only 3 rounds old so im not jumping the gun just yet...
Having said that within 10 feet the 2 ball is lethal for me compared to the hard faces...

So if i can take a rain check on your post Region ill touch base again in a few months and let you know how the odyssey is going.

 

[Imurg]

I guess the secret is to find a happy balance between the 2.
A putter that doesn't leave you 5 feet short from 30 feet but one that rarely misses from inside 6 feet - normally my Red X does this for me.

 

[Region3]

I struggled with the White Steel Odyssey insert but got on well with the WHite Hot Tour insert - supposedly a little firmer. My Red X has a steel insert and although I'm not putting too well at the moment, pt's the best feeling putter I've owned.

Odd. I was told at my fitting that the White Hot had the softest insert Oddysey make.

I've not checked that out though so could be wrong.
Maybe he meant it was the softest they had.

It's definitely softer than anything I've used before though. Every putt feels like a miss-hit.

 

[fundy]

The White Hot XG is the softest insert, the White Ice and Black Series are supposed to be about 20% firmer (though both are very soft imo), shame Odyssey dont do more of their putter designs with the milled face of the Black Series Tour Range.

 

[Tiger]

I used my mates 2 Ball when I first started. Distance control all over the show. Love my milled face though occasionally I'll stroke one a little too firm and shoot past the hole

 

[Imurg]

I struggled with the White Steel Odyssey insert but got on well with the WHite Hot Tour insert - supposedly a little firmer. My Red X has a steel insert and although I'm not putting too well at the moment, pt's the best feeling putter I've owned.

Odd. I was told at my fitting that the White Hot had the softest insert Oddysey make.

I've not checked that out though so could be wrong.
Maybe he meant it was the softest they had.

It's definitely softer than anything I've used before though. Every putt feels like a miss-hit.

The White Hot is soft but they did a Tour version - models like No.7 and No5, Rossie and a couple of blades. Has a bronzy finish to it. The insert in those is definitely firmer.

 

[jammydodger]

I've used a 2 ball for years and can say my distance control is one the best parts of my game when i'm playing well and concentrating on what i'm doing. 'No 3 putt Dave' they called me

Cant really comment on the milled face putters as i've never used one in anger for any amount of time. however I have borrowed a mates scotty on occasions when messing around on the putting green and I usually give it straight back as I thought it was awful.

 

[pokerjoke]

Because you have been fitted Gary,you seem now to understand the technology behind inserts[did you know this before your fitting.
I struggled initially with my Odyssey and went back to my Anser,then i struggled with my Anser,i then went and bought another Odyssey and sold the Anser.
I realised that i had never gave the Odyssey enough time.
Now with a lot of practice im ten times better.
Imo opinion it doesnt matter what putter you use,just practice a lot and you will get used to it.

 

[RGDave]

'No 3 putt Dave' they called me

I may have heard this before

I tried the strononmic insert back in the early days and even *won* an odyssey DF with black insert.

My favourite overall was the Fisher putter I passed on to Golfmad...lovely putter, just found it hard long-distance for accuracy.

I use a TM putter with an AGSI milled-type face and wouldn't want to use anything else. I DO like the Rife putters but the face design seems OTT and doesn't do much for me.

 

[Region3]

Because you have been fitted Gary,you seem now to understand the technology behind inserts[did you know this before your fitting.

I wouldn't say I understand the technology now. I only have the fitter's word that soft is better for me in the case of distance control, but it's hard to argue with the results. No doubt I've jinxed myself now and The Grove's greens will have my trousers down

 

[Aztecs27]

Because you have been fitted Gary,you seem now to understand the technology behind inserts[did you know this before your fitting.

I wouldn't say I understand the technology now. I only have the fitter's word that soft is better for me in the case of distance control, but it's hard to argue with the results. No doubt I've jinxed myself now and The Grove's greens will have my trousers down

Don't worry, after seeing how "well" I putt in the morning, you can take comfort in the fact that no matter how bad your putting is tomorrow afternoon, you'll know I'll be having a worse day!