Putting down the hammer...

shanx · April 24

Been playing heavy headed putters for years now. Started with a 350gm Anser/Newport type, then a 365gm Piretti, then an adjustable weight Newport 2 (used very heavy weights in it), now a 375gm Scotty Mid Sur chopped to 36".

On mid speed and slower greens, all is good. On faster greens, a different story. Distance control and shorter putts are trickier as I have a tendency to "hammer it" through breaks. I tend to be very tentative too, leading to bad form..

I bought a few lighter headed putters recently, been putting them into play. Feels like I am putting with a twig, but results have been better, getting a better feel for distance..

Anyone go to a lower weighted head recently?

Sean124 · April 24

I used some heavier heads for a while but right around 350g is my current sweet spot.

The funny thing is heavy was better on faster greens for me and my best round ever was a 64 with a 35” Mid Sur.

Edited April 24 by Sean124

iteachgolf · April 24

Pretty much all studies that have done show that lighter putters improve speed control and give better results on longer putts

Unteachable · April 24

7 hours ago, shanx said:

Been playing heavy headed putters for years now. Started with a 350gm Anser/Newport type, then a 365gm Piretti, then an adjustable weight Newport 2 (used very heavy weights in it), now a 375gm Scotty Mid Sur chopped to 36".

On mid speed and slower greens, all is good. On faster greens, a different story. Distance control and shorter putts are trickier as I have a tendency to "hammer it" through breaks. I tend to be very tentative too, leading to bad form..

I bought a few lighter headed putters recently, been putting them into play. Feels like I am putting with a twig, but results have been better, getting a better feel for distance..

Anyone go to a lower weighted head recently?

One of the things I figured out through trial and error and my pld fitting.
I played mostly 365 gram putters for years but I now putt much better at 350 grams

jda · April 25

More control with lighter putters. Better feel/feedback and more gradient with differences in speed. I never understood the argument that you cannot make shorter putts with lighter putters.

I like something in the 330-335g range, but up to 350g is fine. It is crazy to me that 350g is considered light now.

To be fair, I did most of my good damage with Zing 2, Santa Fe (90s era) and Studio Designs 1.5. I don't know the weights of these, but they feel sub 350 to me. ...so maybe I just like what I was good with.

If you get to like the lighter putter for more feedback and feel, try out a smooth face or one with only slight milling... yet even another level.

cmrl1986 · April 25

340g or 350g is what I played for years. I switched it up last year to a dual balanced setup with a heavier head and I feel like it gives the best of both worlds. I get a smoother stroke with the heavier head but still a light enough feel to be good with distance control. You may want try it out next time you're in a golf store.

StoutKing · April 25

My best lag putting has been with Rossie 2 (super light), Newport 2 2008 (around 340g) and recently DF3 (no idea what weight).

shanx · April 25

I played my last round with an old Ping B60, rolled it pretty good on "growing in" punched greens.

It took me a few holes to get used to the lower weight, it was a very odd feeling at first. I noticed that faults with the stroke seemed easier with the lighter head, a few odd "figure 8s" happened during the round..

shanx · May 15

Well that didn’t last..

Snagged a Cameron Studio 2.5, always wanted to try one. Feels awesome, great stick, but I have no clue where the head is during the stroke. Its just too light!

Going back to the hammer..

Sean289 · May 15

I play my putters at 35 inches. If the head weight gets above 350g, I struggle with distance control. It’s most likely become a mental thing at this stage.