Buying a new putter

**BamaBleach** · 06-01-2004

I'm thinking about buying a new putter and I thought I would get the opinion of some fellow golfers. But before I start to research what putter I want, I need to figure out how much I want to pay.

I'll start out by admitting that I have never paid more than $25 for a putter but have paid $300+ for a new driver. I was just wondering if there is anyone else like me who has a hard time shelling out $200 for a putter but will pay almost twice that much for a new driver. I understand the importance of putting when if comes to shooting a good round of golf, but how much importance should be given to the actual putter one is using. It just seems easier for me to justify paying more for a driver than for a putter, even though I use my putter more during a round than I do my driver. My major concern is that I'm going to go out and spend $200 on a Scotty C putter and still be an average putter. My problems probably have more to do with my stroke and less to do with the blade in my hands but if a top of the line putter will help my game than I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

By the way, I'm using a Rossie I right now so it's not like I'm using a 20 year old Dunlop that I got from a yard sale.

**collegegolfer** · 06-01-2004

If you don't shoot near par I wouldn't spend $200 on a putter...actually, I shoot plus/minus 4 strokes of par most rounds, and I still wouldn't pay $200 for a putter. The thing about putters is feel and how you swing them. Length is important...easier to control and 33 or 34 inch than a 35 inch. So take that into consideration...you can always cut them down, but do it a little at a time, because you can't glue it back on! Then there are the 2-Ball, giant ugly Nike putters, and putters that look more like a wizards magic wand than anything else. To be honest, it's all about feel. In fact, I have known guys that play $25 putters and they are par golfers...why? because they like the feel and that's really what's important in a putter. Yeah, they might be made slightly different if they are cheap or not be perfectly balanced blah blah, but if you like the feel of it and so forth, get it. Personally, I play a Ping G2 Anser that I bought with a gift certificate from a tournament. It's 34 inches and I got the oversized interlock grip on it to keep my wrists out of play more. Putters are pretty much all personal preference...before that I played a putter I got at a garage sale. A Ray Cook Classic Plus IV, I believe (my dad uses it now) and I paid $5 for it. I cut that one down to 34 inches as well. Do I putt better with my Ping? No, not really. Sometimes I just find a new putter can kind of boost a round...or you just get sick of looking at the same putter. But I keep track of my stats and I putt the same as I always have. So, good luck and I wouldn't spend an arm and a leg...because then you wouldn't be able to golf at all. Haha.

**scottie31** · 06-01-2004

"But I keep track of my stats and I putt the same as I always have"

What kind of stats do you keep?

**mike 34** · 06-01-2004

putting has got to be one of the "easiest" things for golfers to be good at. It is preety darn uncomplicated. Learn a good set up, pre-shot routine, good stroke and develop a feel for all different lengths of putts. If you are not doing that first, then an expensive putter won't do much if anything. Get a Dave Pelz putting book and practice his tips and drills. Do you balance your time on the range with how much time you spend putting ? Most people only practice putting for a few minutes before a round of golf, but they spend 2-3 nights a week at the range hitting balls. If you can learn some proper putting fundamentals and spend one hour a week putting balls, then I am sure you will make progress.

**dorkman53** · 06-01-2004

I went through several putters over the past few years. Then I finally got around to taking some lessons. The first lesson was on putting. I changed my stance, my backswing, the body mechanics of my swing, and THEN I got a new putter to match the new "straight back, straight through" stroke I've been using. (Bobby Grace MOI (now MacGregor), 33" center shafted. I am now putting the best I've done my whole life, but I could have just kept changing putters every so often and never really improved. True, putting is subjective, and not everyone will end up with the same technique. But I was doing things mechanically that were clearly counter-productive, and these were remedied. Am I a "great putter"? Absolutely not, but I make far more one and two putts and far fewer three putts than I used to. It's definitely worth 2-4strokes/round.

**corysold** · 06-01-2004

I agree with CollegeGolfer, putting is all about preference. I use a cut down, 31 inch, lead tape all over the head, $9.99 Play-it-again Sports special. It looks funny when I use it (I am 6'3"), but it gets the job done. I am by no means a great putter, but I have demoed and used some other putters and have not had any better results. So, if a 200 dollar putter has the feel you are looking for and works for you, by all means buy it. But don't think a 200 dollar putter is going to make you a better putter than a 10 dollar putter, only practice can do that.

**victory** · 06-01-2004

Yeah, putting is definitely a matter of personal preference. You'll find there are people who can putt great with their $20 putter and others who will not touch anything other than a Scotty Cameron. Go with whatever you like. For me, feel is important and the sight lines, too.

**WDRAM** · 06-01-2004

Ya gotta try the Doc 17. I recently bought a new putter myself, and after spending a good hour - hour and a half at Golf Galaxy, I really become a fan of the thing (34"). I'm still waiting to write a full review, but it has a very solid feel to it, and classic lines that I like.

I used to have a SC milled Bullseye, which I liked at first (33"), but really started to pull putts a bit more than I would have liked.

**collegegolfer** · 06-02-2004

Answer to Scottie: Fairways, greens, and putts. Once in a while ups and downs and sand saves if I'm extra bored. I just do it so I have something to work towards and I don't get into the lazy frame of mind that I sometimes fall into on the golf course. The one where you're on the green and you think "how did I get here?" because you've been thinking about having to fill with gas, how much gas costs, then what you're going to do tonight, etc. I rarely 3 putt...but there have been a few times where I've 3 putted numerous times in a round...I mean, Phil Mickelson 5 putts so it's not like it doesn't ever happen. But from my last tally a while ago I'm averaging under 2 putts a round, don't remember exactly what I figured it at, but my goal on the course is to 2 putt outside of 15 feet and make the putts about 15 feet and in...of course the 15ers are a little out there, but there's no reason not to come very very close on them. Some days I can't miss, others I lip everything out, yet others I wonder if I'd be better off using a wedge to putt. But, it happens to everyone.