Golf is definitely more fun when you are the best putter that you can be, whatever the technique employed and the putter used.
It’s all about confidence in your putting game and it is built from understanding the correct techniques and how these lead to improved putting. Of course, as Gary Player is fond of saying, “the harder one practices, the luckier one gets”.
While there are many types of putters, golfers should not overlook many additional options to improve their putting by trying different types and grip configurations, such as the belly putter, the tall putter, putting left-handed, switch putting, or any of many types of grip options – cross-handed style, the claw, ten-fingered grip, reverse overlap, or split-handed. And new oversized grips such as the Super Stroke are also now commonplace, even on Tour.
What is most amazing to this writer is the fact that as with all the other clubs in your bag that can be custom fitted, putters too can be custom fit, very inexpensively. Yet golfers either do not know this, or are too lazy and simply follow the herd mentality of buying off the rack.
This point cannot be over emphasized – getting custom fit by a competent club fitter will solve 90% of all your putting problems.
Recently, we reviewed these putters that can improve, both one’s putting and enjoyment, in a remarkably short time:
Nike Method Matter RTS M4-12
Tiger and Rory use Nike putters! That in itself is a testimonial to the great putters Nike has been turning out these past 5 years. Out testing group raved about this putter’s aesthetics, its feel and the RZN groove insert.
On this particular putter, the black club head is designed to stand in stark contrast to the ball, making it easier to position the club square at impact, while the single white alignment line extending back from the face can be targeted down the center of your intended line.
When stroking the ball, all-new RZN groove (Method Matter) insert gives a soft feel and smooth roll, while Nike’s patented “Return to Square” (RTS) system shifts weight from toe to heel to match the right model to your specific stroke, ensuring that the clubface is square at impact. There are two blades and two mallet styles available. The head weight ranges between 360g (32″-33″) and 345g (34″-37″).
www.nikegolf.com $129.99
Odyssey Works V-Line Versa putter
A powerful looking putter that performs admirably. The V-line is one of the hottest mallets in the professional game, and it is easy to see why.
Its Fusion RX face insert rolls the ball and reduces skidding. There is a marked difference if you have been using Odyssey’s former White Hot insert, but nothing that a few hours of practice won’t fix.
Therefore, if you are in the market for a premium mallet for 2015 that offers tremendous feel, fantastic alignment aid for short putts, ideal distance control for long putts, and great aesthetics in style and color, this is the winner.
The Odyssey Works line of putters are at the upper end pricing tier of putters at $179.99, if opting for a SuperStroke grip as well.
www.odysseygolf.com
Tour Edge Exotics DG v3.3 Putter
David Glod has outdone himself again! This gifted golf designer and marketer, knows his oats, whether it’s drivers, irons, fairway woods, hybrids , wedges or any other piece of golf equipment!
His latest iteration of putters, the v3.3, is a masterpiece that can be included with Bettinardis, Camerons, Edels and other “brand” names.
Of the three putters discussed herein, this in the only non-insert putter.
To deliver the ultimate in feel and touch, the putters are entirely CNC milled from a solid block of carbon steel. The milled X-grip face pattern provides unprecedented feel and control on the green and reduces skidding. The pattern grips the ball at impact and starts it rolling forward immediately off the face.
The responsive, pure feel and feedback of the face design translates to incredible accuracy and touch. In addition, each putter has a hand-rolled leading edge, ensuring that each stroke glides smoothly through the ball, even in the longer grass on the fringe.
Additionally, the three tour-inspired designs feature a high-toe profile which eliminates the tendency to raise the toe at address, causing putts to go left of the hole. Further enhancing the setup, the DG v3.3 putter features a True Temper stepless steel shaft that provides a clean appearance at address and a responsive feel.
The DG v3.3 is available either with a silver-bead finish or a black PVD finish.
www.touredge.com $249.99 – with exotics Winn grip $279.99 – with Superstroke grips.
Superstroke Grips- The Most Popular Putter Grips Ever?
The fascination with these grips, especially after Jordan Spieth’s Masters triumph, is simply off the charts! Jordan uses the Flatso 1.7 which is green and black on the white only.
Why, you may ask? Well, simply put, they work remarkably well for just about every type of golfer.
And who would have thought that the traditionalists of the game would play anything other than leather grips? Yet, today, shapes, sizes and materials are so far advanced.
In 2014 and 2015, five grips have captured both the imagination and market share of grips – none as much as the SuperStroke series.
Every time you turn on the TV, the black and white SuperStroke is on the majority of players’ putters. Ever since K.J. Choi placed a large black oversized grip on his putter, the trend began. From the original oversized grip that needed to be screwed in to the shaft, to the current grips now fitting as all conventional grips do.
SuperStroke has also introduced their new + Plus Series Grips with CounterCore Technology
“Back weighting is a tour proven technology, which when combined with a SuperStroke grip, can quickly promote a more repeatable, pendulum stroke, leading to less putts and lower scores,” said Greg Sabella, SuperStroke Vice President of Marketing.
The new + Plus Series putter grips feature game-changing CounterCore Technology, which allows players to add back-weighting to any putter, to achieve optimum balance. The +Plus Series grip has a proprietary threaded cap design. Players can quickly and easily install a 50g weight (sold separately) to instantly change feel and balance.
SuperStroke’s + Plus Series grips are available in two diameters in the Legacy Profile (2.0, 3.0) along with a 2.0 Flatso Version. Each of the grips is 13.75-inches long.
The + Plus Series grips retail for $29.99 and the 50g CounterCore weight is $9.99.
Generally, all SuperStroke grips will greatly eliminate wrist bending, increase shoulder rotation, which keeps one from taking the putter back too far inside, will reduce tension in your fingers, and most importantly, will help you develop great rhythm and tempo with your putting stroke.
Reports of golfers dropping 3-4 putts per round are not grossly exaggerated!
SuperStroke has a large line of oversized putter grips, which for some can be confusing, but most stores will have each size on a shaft top so you can see what works best for you. There are a variety of colors for most models.
The Right Mind for Golf
Though this is a putter article, I am including three products that will assist with not just your putting game, but your mind set, positive reinforcement techniques and confidence.
My new book, “The Right Mind for Golf”, endorsed by Tour players such as Retief Goosen, Bruce Fleisher, Shaun Micheel, Sam Saunders, Brenden Pappas and many others and their caddies, will help and take your mental game to the next level.
Using the “Keep it Superbly Simple” theory, this 94 page book is a fast and enjoyable read that cuts through the anecdotes and aphorisms so often found in books on the mental game. It even comes with a tear out laminateable positive reinforcement guide that is the same as the pros carry in their bags. It is succinct, to the point, ideal for use on the course and also fits in your golf bag.
$21.95 www.pgtaa.com or www.amazon.com
There are many great putters that can be found to match your taste, your putting style and your wallet. You can use putters that the Pros use, but unless you are custom fitted, chances are that you will never achieve the results you envision. Whichever putter you decide on, keep your head still and focus on speed and direction. This alone will improve your putting.
Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. Visit www/facebook.com/PGTAA to see all the latest mental strategies and equipment reviews. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers” and his previous book book, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf”, updated for 2011, is still in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s best seller list. His latest book, “The Right Mind for Golf”, is now in its 7th reprint.
