Concerns with cutting down putter for junior?

SE Gamer · July 27

After a few years of casually (at best) playing golf, my 8 year old has finally got the bug following some success in his first competition (Drive, Chip, and Putt). Bought a new driver for him shortly after as I discovered his "junior" Tour Edge driver was actually way too heavy. Thanks to some recommendations here, I ended up getting him into a Titleist TS1, cutting about 70 grams vs. his old driver. And that's only made him more enthusiastic about playing. As he saw immediate gains in distance, accuracy, and consistency.

Now he's wanting a new putter. Current one is a cheap Top Flite I got at Dicks a few years back. He likes mallets over blades. And was really hung up on playing the same brand that Scottie uses, lol. Fine by me. Putting is about confidence. So if that rationale helps him there, all good. Found a used spider in great shape for an absolute steal. But, I'll need to cut around 7" off it. Not concerned about the grip implications (i.e. core size being too large for the shaft). As I have a handful of options/solutions in mind if that were to be an issue.

So, beyond shaft diameter/grip core, are there any other things that I should be concerned with? Perhaps trimming the shaft that much will stiffen up the feel? Ultimately, I'm sure I can solve for whatever. And it won't hurt to just try it, and go from there. But if there are any pitfalls to be aware of in advance, that might help.

tatertot · July 28

Go for it ... like you said, it's all about confidence. If he really likes the putter, he'll spend more time with it. I still remember hundreds of hours spent putting in my room - and living room if I could get away with it - during winter months.

SE Gamer · July 28

4 minutes ago, tatertot said:

Go for it ... like you said, it's all about confidence. If he really likes the putter, he'll spend more time with it. I still remember hundreds of hours spent putting in my room - and living room if I could get away with it - during winter months.

Same. Didn't have launch monitors or nice putting turf growing up. But that didn't stop me. Still a small wedge sole mark in the basement ceiling at my parent's house. And I'm still the only one who knows how it got there. 😅

tatertot · July 28

8 minutes ago, SE Gamer said:

Same. Didn't have launch monitors or nice putting turf growing up. But that didn't stop me. Still a small wedge sole mark in the basement ceiling at my parent's house. And I'm still the only one who knows how it got there. 😅

When I was a wee one, we lived in the country ... we had a 25 yard by 75 yard "yard" near the house where my dad would cut a fairway and 2 greens on, 1 on each end. His only requirement was I not take divots. To this day, I can hit a full wedge and get it to stop without disturbing a blade of grass.

Still remember the day I put a ball through the den window when I was 12 ... I was sure I was a goner when my dad got home. He was an avid golfer, and just said these things happen. And try not to do it again.

Edited July 28 by tatertot

Hawkeye77 · July 28

It should feel lighter in the head I guess, only way to find out is try it. If he has fun with it that's all the matters. On the other hand, even though he's only 8 if the DC&P and doing well is going to continue I'd consider having someone who knows what they are doing help out with the balance, lie and so forth (and the Spider may be perfect) or find a putter already built for someone his size for a good fit since making more putts is the goal.

Edited July 28 by Hawkeye77

DArnie · July 28

Cutting down a putter will be fine. Might want to make it 1/2" or so longer than what he measures out. They grow really fast! Also, get an extra putter shaft for when it gets too short for him. Hard to find extensions that small but can be done with alteration. Usually, just easier to replace the shaft. Of course he'll probably find a new shiny putter in a couple of years though that he can't do without. My experience with my two boys.

SE Gamer · July 28

33 minutes ago, DArnie said:

Cutting down a putter will be fine. Might want to make it 1/2" or so longer than what he measures out. They grow really fast! Also, get an extra putter shaft for when it gets too short for him. Hard to find extensions that small but can be done with alteration. Usually, just easier to replace the shaft. Of course he'll probably find a new shiny putter in a couple of years though that he can't do without. My experience with my two boys.

Yeah, how quick they grow out of the stuff is why I think the used market is the way to go. Fortunately, I have a 3d printer. So I can get a little more mileage out of some clubs. As you indicate, it can be hard to find an extension that fits a junior or cut down shaft.

He actually has a US Kids putter from his 42" set that he kind of liked. But is a good 3" too short now. None of my shaft extensions would fit it. So I mocked one up in CAD and printed it. Printed in two halves for strength reasons. CA glued together and then "welded" along the seam with my soldiering iron. Then just a touch of epoxy on the tapered portion that slides into the shaft, and voila! Makeshift extension that took 5 minutes of design and cost about 10 cents in material.

Still had already ordered the TM Spyder and will plan to use it. But the weight of this US Kids one is a lot better (heavier head) than his Top Flite. So if the TM one proves to be a bust, the extended US Kids one will get him through the competition.

DArnie · July 28

15 minutes ago, SE Gamer said:

Yeah, how quick they grow out of the stuff is why I think the used market is the way to go. Fortunately, I have a 3d printer. So I can get a little more mileage out of some clubs. As you indicate, it can be hard to find an extension that fits a junior or cut down shaft.

He actually has a US Kids putter from his 42" set that he kind of liked. But is a good 3" too short now. None of my shaft extensions would fit it. So I mocked one up in CAD and printed it. Printed in two halves for strength reasons. CA glued together and then "welded" along the seam with my soldiering iron. Then just a touch of epoxy on the tapered portion that slides into the shaft, and voila! Makeshift extension that took 5 minutes of design and cost about 10 cents in material.

Still had already ordered the TM Spyder and will plan to use it. But the weight of this US Kids one is a lot better (heavier head) than his Top Flite. So if the TM one proves to be a bust, the extended US Kids one will get him through the competition.

Sweet! Well done! Never thought about that.

I have my own repair shop so keeping the boys and other juniors fit was always fun. I learned that buying good quality heads was the way to go and then either add extensions or replace shafts was usually best. One of my sons went from a R shaft to X shaft in under six months. Can get expensive but usually had other kids needing shafts too so could recycle them. Some parents were buying new clubs yearly! Each their own.

SE Gamer · July 28

1 minute ago, DArnie said:

Sweet! Well done! Never thought about that.

I have my own repair shop so keeping the boys and other juniors fit was always fun. I learned that buying good quality heads was the way to go and then either add extensions or replace shafts was usually best. One of my sons went from a R shaft to X shaft in under six months. Can get expensive but usually had other kids needing shafts too so could recycle them. Some parents were buying new clubs yearly! Each their own.

Thanks! I might be a little apprehensive about a 3d printed extension in a driver (i.e. something you'll really be swinging with some velocity). But for a putter, it's a great option. And ultimately should be pretty easy to remove if needed. I also blow all my grips on with an air compressor. Makes it a lot easier to avoid waste if mistakes are made, or adjustments needed.

Growing up we didn't have a lot of money. But back then Golfsmith was a thing. So my first real set was one where my dad bought all the components. This was long before youtube tutorials, so he just kind of figured it out as he went. Got a lot of mileage out of that set. And he built quite a few other sets and clubs over the years. Very fond memories, and working on my own son's clubs is a cool way to remember him.

jda · July 28

Just make sure that he head does not feel like it is too heavy on the shorter shaft. You can remove the weights if you need to - they don't need to be in the head. You can also grind down or drill out materials to get a lighter weight.

Other than this, if the kid likes it, then you are good.

I know that the kid is only 8, but there are some slight concerns with using mallets when kids are learning. They often tend to use the alignment lines on the head instead of squaring the face. Please make sure, as he grows, that the face is square and not to use the lines on the head - this can lead to problems with the path and stuff. The face needs to be square to the line - this is the important part. We have tons of issues with HS kids who have non-consistent paths that have the clubhead follow their putting path which leads to them inconsistently striking the ball with the face open, closed or whatever. We make them practice with light mallets - like older Ansers or Zings where all that they have is the face and they get better almost instantly. Anyway, a long ways off for you, but might be good to know. Of course, if the path is perfect all of the time (like most pros), then none of this matters.

SE Gamer · July 29

12 hours ago, jda said:

Just make sure that he head does not feel like it is too heavy on the shorter shaft. You can remove the weights if you need to - they don't need to be in the head. You can also grind down or drill out materials to get a lighter weight.

Other than this, if the kid likes it, then you are good.

I know that the kid is only 8, but there are some slight concerns with using mallets when kids are learning. They often tend to use the alignment lines on the head instead of squaring the face. Please make sure, as he grows, that the face is square and not to use the lines on the head - this can lead to problems with the path and stuff. The face needs to be square to the line - this is the important part. We have tons of issues with HS kids who have non-consistent paths that have the clubhead follow their putting path which leads to them inconsistently striking the ball with the face open, closed or whatever. We make them practice with light mallets - like older Ansers or Zings where all that they have is the face and they get better almost instantly. Anyway, a long ways off for you, but might be good to know. Of course, if the path is perfect all of the time (like most pros), then none of this matters.

Weight was another thing that I considered would be an adjustment. Fortunately his US Kids mallet has a good bit of weight to it. So shouldn't be a significant shock/change. Will definitely keep an eye on stroke and everything. We've got 25 feet of putting turf in our one living room. So it's easy to find time to practice, while also allowing me to be able to monitor and provide feedback.

Ultimately, I'm in the camp that putting is far more about confidence than anything else. So as long as he's getting the basics down (i.e., proper face control, pace, etc.), I'll be happy. Plenty of players with ugly strokes manage to sink a lot of putts. While others with objectively sound strokes can't putt worth a damn. Still, definitely will continue working with him and keep an eye out for any detrimental habits.