Am I a fool for considering a putter with no face/groove technology?

[KDMullins]

I’m jonesin’ for a new putter. I’m torn between buying a putter I think is pretty but doesn’t have any real face/groove technology (Toulon Portland or Atlanta) and a couple of models that do (Ping Vault 2.0 Anser or Evnroll 1.2). I’m aware of testing that’s been done that suggests the Anser and/or Evnroll technology will keep the ball closer to the hole on marginally mis-hit long putts. Frankly, I’m not sure I buy it, and as misguided as it might be, I wonder...if this was shown to provide such a benefit, why doesn’t Cameron, Bettinardi, Lamb, Toulon, whoever, take advantage of a similar technology? It would be easy enough to mill.

 

Thoughts?

[Maximilian]

No, you would not be a fool for considering a putter without any "technology" in the face.

 

I've had all kinds of inserts, grooves and millings of variable depths and could get used to all of them (I prefer the feel of some over others though), accept for the Evnroll putter I had. Absolutely hated the grooves. They are so deep right in the sweet spot that the ball comes off so unnaturally slow. I could never get a feel for distance with it. The head weights on them or super heavy to help counter the slow roll off the sweet spot, but for me it just made it even worse.

 

I've had no problems with Ping's TR grooves, but I highly doubt they ever saved me a single stroke.

 

Getting the right loft for you on any putter is very important for getting a good roll though.

[Maximilian]

Just wanted to add that I didn't intend for my last post to just be a negative review of my Evnroll experience. It was a quality putter and other people like them, they just didn't suit me.

 

I do think there are many other factors that are much more important when choosing your next putter though. But if a certain type of face gives you an added confidence boost, it's all good!

[Z1ggy16]

IMO if you hit center of the face often enough, you don't need any tech in your putter. If you were good enough you could put with the handle and still hole putts. However, if you've gotten fit and see that your strike location is all over, over the long term face tech may help you lower scores.

 

For me, I've been fit a few times and my strike location is very consistent, but face angle and path tend to be much less predictable for me. So in my personal case, alignment, weight, lie, length etc are going to be much more beneficial than face milling. Only place face milling may help would be on very long putts when strike consistency suffers. I've found though that putter head shapes and alignment styles tend to not really come in these brands. I don't really mesh well with anser style putters with rear flange lines due to be lead eye dominant, so for me it's a little tougher.

[MattMo]

It’s been my experience that “groove technology” negatively affects the feel of the putter. I guess it just depends what’s most important to you.

[BrianMcG]

It only worked for 200 years or so.

[jslane57]

Jordan Spieth doesn't use groove technology on his putter. I'd only say you're foolish if you buy a putter you don't like due to some technology claim that may or may not help..

[Sean2]

A friend of mine putts with a 76 year old bullseye. Works for him. :-)

[Baitkiller]

I dunno but that old B60 has made few million $$ in puts.

[Sean289]

You're absolutely not a fool. I have put my Redwood Anser to the test against nearly putter out there and it always comes out on top. It has no groove or face technology, just a solid, milled putter with excellent feel(for me). I don't notice any less forgiveness and it does not perform any worse on mishits compared to milled and insert putters that have supposed grooves and technology that are meant to keep the ball on line.

Tiger, Jordan and Rickie have all used their old faithful milled blades for years and probably won't change any time soon. While I know the pros will inevitably have less mishits than us mere mortals, I still think if there was indeed conclusive "technology" I think that the best of the best would be using it as well. I am not saying that the grooves and technology don't work, but for me, it made little to no difference.

[Guia]

Don't be taken in with grooves and milling. Ping Anser has won a lot of tournaments without any embellishment. If you like the way a putter looks and feels you will putt well with it.

[tokeyb]

+1 on the loft being more critical than the milling. When that sh*t starts rolling right away, it makes a difference!

[Rob McHugh]

Loft, length and lie are the key - groove technology, meh.

 

I have some rare Camerons where the Pros asked for the face to milled smooth. and there have been MANY majors won with putters with no groove technology.

 

Just my 0.02 cents worth :-)

 

Rob

[BIG STU]

I mostly put with vintage putters as in no groove no inset-- I do have 2 grooved putters a Yes! Dianna and a Nike Method #3--- for some reason I do not have a insert putter-- The ones of those I have tried in the past have no feel for me. I will say it can be subjective as in when and where one learned their game and feel. I learned in the pre Ping days when we had balata balls and either a mallet head , Bulls Eye or 8802 style putters. Like Z1ggi said if you hit the center of the putter you do not need that stuff. Now I will admit in the front line set I carry a 97 Santa Fe but it has no milling etc. Now when I practice or play vintage golf I use one of my numerous 8802 styles, Bulls Eyes or OLD TP Mills as in Spalding putters. To each their own makes no difference to me as to what one uses. I can just give MHO as in to what works for me

[Srixon-Ian]

For me I have issues with distance control on the tech putters, mainly due to the softness of the sweet spot. I don't get much tactile or audio feedback. I have putted much better since switching to a smooth milled face.

[Sean289]

For me I have issues with distance control on the tech putters, mainly due to the softness of the sweet spot. I don't get much tactile or audio feedback. I have putted much better since switching to a smooth milled face.

 

+1

[SwingMan]

If you don't hit the ball on the sweet spot, some putters will help with off-center hits - they don't lose as much energy.

 

Otherwise, if you set up well, and hit the ball on the slight upswing without much loft, you should be fine.

[used balls]

no need for anything that claims to produce a quicker roll... as long as the face is flat and you can square it up at impact is really all that matters. might need to play with lofts to really dial it in

[Sean289]

BUMP

 

I have found this to be true as of late. I have moved back to my no frills milled PING Karsten Anser. It is giving me as good results compared to other putters with supposed face tech or grooves.

[Mitchell]

Use whatever helps you start ball on your intended line at proper speed. Personally, have quite a few putters from which to choose, yet keep going back to an old Ping Zing2 BeCu with a bit of lead tape. That old putter has paid for a lot of rounds, beverages, and meals.

[PreppySlapCut]

I haven’t seen a benefit, but I’m going to have a head-to-head on TrackMan this week between an EvnRoll and my Scotty.

[Guia]

As long as the putter face is consistent it makes no difference.

[OspreyCI]

I moved away from using inserts for many years and now my putting is better than ever.

[Sean289]

I haven’t seen a benefit, but I’m going to have a head-to-head on TrackMan this week between an EvnRoll and my Scotty.

 

Let us know how you do. I would be interested in knowing the results.

[pkshooter]

My experience is that tech & forgiveness in putters is much much less important than tech in other clubs. Marketing and mind games might make you think you need tech in your putter, but I personally don’t believe that is the case.

[citizenfore]

I’ve had the best two putting summers ever these past two years since I got more into some of the classic golf clubs. My go to putter for any set up I play is now an older Ping Kushin. Maybe it just fits my eye, but it’s become the leader in the rotation....actually shut any rotation in the putter slot down to be honest.

[puttingmatt]

You just need to find a putter that will give you confidence,

That said, I am making lots of putts with the Evnroll ER2.

Good luck in your search

[Beaver17]

My gamer is a TM M5 Nubbins which replaced a Ping Zing Isopur, so yeah, needless to say I prefer face technology in my putters.

[Golfer4Life]

This is my regular putter. Call me a fool 1/2, lol.....I think it depends on what you want to feel at impact. I don’t mind inserts, but this has been my putter for the last ten years so I now exactly how it sounds and feel on a good and a bad putt.

[Golfer4Life]

You just need to find a putter that will give you confidence,

That said, I am making lots of putts with the Evnroll ER2.

Good luck in your search

 

I have heard good things about this putter. I hope to try one soon.