Putters. Is a heavy head the best for a putter?

[Swinglowandslow]

My present putter is 12 or more years old. It is an Odyssey white hot.
These new Star Trek Enterprise inspired 😊models intrigue me as to whether they have an advantage, and would that be a heavier head.
What are the views about whether a heavier head putter is easier to use?

 

[duncan mackie]

Depends...

There really really isn't a simple answer to that question.

First take putting lessons, then take advice from the professional giving them as to the suitability, or otherwise, of your equipment and the alternatives available.

 

[Imurg]

Larger headed putters aren't necessarily heavier.
I remember the Scotty Kombi - huge thing like a branding iron....no heavier than a normal putter.
As Duncan says, this is another question that you can only answer yourself with trial, error and practice

 

[ManinBlack]

My Cure putter has a seriously heavy head. When I first got it I rarely missed a short putt, the head seemed to swing itself. As I got used to the weight I think I started to manipulate the head & it's now not as reliable. Trouble is, if I try a normal putter now, it feels as if I'm putting with a bamboo cane with nothing on the end of it. Not sure what to do next. I'd be interested to hear your experience if you try a heavier putter.

 

[duncan mackie]

Larger headed putters aren't necessarily heavier.
I remember the Scotty Kombi - huge thing like a branding iron....no heavier than a normal putter.
As Duncan says, this is another question that you can only answer yourself with trial, error and practice

And there's heavy and head heavy as 2 completely different things as well. You can make a club feel head heavy by changing the length, or even the grip weight.
One warning about quick trial and error sessions - its easy to play around with lead tape in the short term but you start with a relative response rather than an absolute long term one ie a heavier putter may feel easier to keep on line, like it's making a better contact with the ball, like it's easier to transition etc etc but the same weight 6 months later may feel exactly like the previous settings to you.

 

[williamalex1]

My Cure putter has a seriously heavy head. When I first got it I rarely missed a short putt, the head seemed to swing itself. As I got used to the weight I think I started to manipulate the head & it's now not as reliable. Trouble is, if I try a normal putter now, it feels as if I'm putting with a bamboo cane with nothing on the end of it. Not sure what to do next. I'd be interested to hear your experience if you try a heavier putter.

Bill it's your head that needs manipulating

 

[ManinBlack]

Bill it's your head that needs manipulating

There's an awful lot goes on in there, I can tell you!

 

[jim8flog]

I have a putter that can have the head adjusted for weight by over 100 grammes (4+ozs in old money).
It has nearly all the extra weight in during the worst of winter and only about 10 grammes of it in summer with very fast greens if I want to extremely fast greens I can take out the plate and screws that hold the weights in place.

I would never go back to a putter that you cannot adjust the weight of.

So in essence to the question heavy putter for slow greens and light putter for fast greens for me, in that way I do not have to alter the way I hit the ball.

 

[Orikoru]

My putter is heavy, I found I prefer it as the natural weight coming through means you're doing less yourself, and me doing less is probably a good thing. Just bring it back and hopefully let the weight bring it through on line.

 

[Grant85]

Get a putter you like the look of and practice a lot.

I think tinkering with loads of different options is unlikely to be productive.

People often have success with something new because they concentrate more and it is quite easy to convince themselves it is successful even if it not really much different from what they were using.

 

[Robin Hood]

I was a below average putter, and tried all types.
THEN
I had a putting lesson, was assessed by the pro with his assistant watching and they both advised me to use a counterbalanced putter. I bought a Cleveland one, and it transformed my putting. I aim better, have a better tempo, but more importantly no yips.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's personal choice and the best option is to go somewhere that has a decent range and try different models and putter styles. If you can't find anything that beats what you have a simple lesson may be a cheaper option to improve your putting

 

[Swinglowandslow]

Very interesting and informative posts- thank you.
I have some small adhesive weights ( for model planes!). I'm going to play with em- they will fit the putter, ; and first off , one will go on the outer end of the putter on the basis that it may assist keeping the face straight through the putter swing? Any views on this?
Just something to try!😊

 

[fundy]

Larger headed putters aren't necessarily heavier.
I remember the Scotty Kombi - huge thing like a branding iron....no heavier than a normal putter.
As Duncan says, this is another question that you can only answer yourself with trial, error and practice

My weapon of choice for many years, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that

 

[Oldham92]

A putter is just a weight on a stick. Doesn't matter what shape, weight or look it has as long as it suits you

 

[Oddsocks]

From a personal point of view I find the new Star Trek putters easier to use on shorter putts or faster greens, the additional weight makes them feel more stable.

On slow greens I prefer a lighter blade style.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

I prefer to feel the weight of the putter in the head, rather than in the hands. The overall weight of the putter doesn't bother me as such.

Bought a enrvoll er6, which think it was called counterbalance(weight felt in the hands) and I really struggled with distance control, even after trying to play with it for months.

Changed the heavy grip to a lighter one and got it to feel like the weight was more in the head, and putting back to normal.

Did post a thread about it at the time. Find what works for you.