So I borrowed a mates 2 ball putter

[brendy]

On a random game last sunday, I noticed my partner was using a different set of clubs. I mentioned to him and he said they were indeed his second set and he only kept them for winter or if he had visitors and they played golf.

Most noticeably he was using a 2 ball Odyssey RedHot putter which Ive never tried out as I have always thought classic shape scottys/pings were the best. I asked if I could borrow it for a couple of weeks and see how it went, he agreed as it wasnt really doing him any favours being sat in his spare bag.

I took it to work and practiced on my lunch hour with a cd and 20 feet of carpet, trying to stop the ball on the disc (impossible but its more about the intent than the result)
Yesterday was our captains day and right from the off I was holing putts I would normally have missed the putts left as I just ouldnt get my scotty through square and always pulled putts which was getting damn infuriating.
The two ball design just seems to instill a straight stroke which the narrow classic putter just didnt do for me. I even tried to intentionally tug the ball left, to achieve that I had to really turn my hands which was virtually invisible and undetectable with the scotty, perhaps its the extra weight of the 2 ball structure at the rear of the putter.

Time will tell, but I have already offered to buy the putter from him and he has agreed. My advice, anyone struggling with line and stroke at the moment with their putting, get hold of a two ball putter and give it a go, what have you got to lose?

 

[Cernunnos]

Nothing to loose at all if you are already having problems.

Not my cup of tea as all that happend to me is the two ball putter set up a dreadful occilation & destroyed my putting for over 6 months as up to then I had a great putting record. It was only after playing with a 2 ball style putter I ended up with the Yips.... Garrr.

Fortunatly touch wood & break a match that my putting is about back to where it should be with a proper blade.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've got the 2 ball blade and I think its great especially for lining up the 1-3 footers. That said I'm a purist at heart and have been trying to get back to using a more traditional blade. I took my Odyssey 554 dual force (black face insert) and took only 31 putts (including a 3 putt).

Its a tough call for me because my short putting is poor hence using the 2 ball (and the Rossa Spider) but my touch is better on longer putts with the blade. Not sure what will be staying in my bag long term but the 554 has earned another outing next week

 

[RGuk]

My advice, anyone struggling with line and stroke at the moment with their putting, get hold of a two ball putter and give it a go, what have you got to lose?

Hhhmmm.....until you take the 2 ball to a club-fitter or ask your pro to knock it about a bit......it's hardly the best bit of kit on the market......nearly all the pros have them 2-4 degrees upright.....they're just too flat.....unless you are a short-arse

 

[medwayjon]

My putting improved hugely since changing from a 2-ball to my TM Siena4.

imo putting is down to the brain a lot of the time so whatever stick works for any individual is the right one. I know guys who change putter every couple of months as their heads are screwed when it comes to putting.

 

[RGuk]

imo putting is down to the brain a lot of the time so whatever stick works for any individual is the right one.

I agree. Don't get me wrong.....I'm a big fan of Odyssey but I felt the need to play devil's advocate to brendys endorsement.

There is a common concern that putters leave the factory for average sized players. I guess that's 5'7-5'10?
I went to a Ping fitter (was going to buy a Karsten series) and once we'd tried the adjustable ping fitting club, it was clear that there was no way I could part with money for any of them, as they were all black dot. As it was, the pro C_F my existing Monza Corsa.....for free.....

My advice would be, if you have a putter you like, but something feels "off" with it, maybe have it adjusted for lie and length.

 

[DCB]

Firstly I do use a 2 Ball putter, but, I believe firmly that putting is all in the mind. Confidence in what you have in your hands leads to good putting. Some of the contraptions that have been on the market in recent times are unbelievable.

 

[brendy]

Nice to see posts across the spectrum, Putting I agree is totaly personal, I guess my post was to encourage those that were/are having doubts over the ball on the dancefloor. I think if something isnt working, try a new approach. I am a bit of a purist at heart also as I dont believe in "utility" woods, chippers nor square drivers but when it comes to modifications to an existing club, then so be it.
The putter I now have seems to suit my build and stroke (6'1"), not too heely nor toey and not too long or short, just right. You never know though, I could be posting again in 4 months time blurting the benefits of belly putters haha.

 

[brendy]

27 putts (11 and 16)today, something tells me this is now a great investment, im keeping the scotty for practice in my office so when I do go out onto the course I still feel the benefit of the 2ball balance and lack of face twisting on putting through the ball.
net 69 (par71) in our monthly medal today, drove well and putted well, par 3's and a 7 at Stroke Index 1 nearly killed my round early on though 4 birdies helped!, with the css due to rise, (everyone I heard from had a nightmare with the medal tees right back and pins in tricky positions) I might just nudge back into 8, fingers crossed.