expensive putters? are they worth it.

[CosmosMpower]

[quote name='Shootin' Better' post='1838070' date='Jul 22 2009, 11:19 PM']I have had a SC Newport 2 TeI3 ( sold on ebay), SC Newport (currently using) and just bought on the bay a Mizuno Bettinardi C-06 that I will be trying. Paid just over a c note for it, but it is brand new. The Newport has been my go to for a long time. I hope the Mizuno Bettinardi proves to be a great putter for the FEEL. I am missing that on the SC.

Can anyone say anything good or bad about the Honeycomb pattern on the Bettinardi's?[/quote]

As far as the FIT face on the BC's I will say they're very soft but still solid (not mushy) when you hit it on the center of the insert but for me it's very easy to miss the sweet spot of the insert and it feels a bit clanky/harsh if you do. If you're a skilled and consistent putter you will love it.

[jockr]

I have many putters and currently use a TP Mills that I bought used (rusty) for $112. I have others that cost much more but do not do it for me.
My feeling is that it costs a lot to play the game (most courses > $100/round) and if a putter makes more putts (more bets) then it is worth it over time.
If a $300 Scotty works for you and you stick with it for 3 years the cost is minimal.

[TwoFours]

[quote name='CosmosMpower' post='1838674' date='Jul 23 2009, 11:06 AM'][quote name='Shootin' Better' post='1838070' date='Jul 22 2009, 11:19 PM']I have had a SC Newport 2 TeI3 ( sold on ebay), SC Newport (currently using) and just bought on the bay a Mizuno Bettinardi C-06 that I will be trying. Paid just over a c note for it, but it is brand new. The Newport has been my go to for a long time. I hope the Mizuno Bettinardi proves to be a great putter for the FEEL. I am missing that on the SC.

Can anyone say anything good or bad about the Honeycomb pattern on the Bettinardi's?[/quote]

As far as the FIT face on the BC's I will say they're very soft but still solid (not mushy) when you hit it on the center of the insert but for me it's very easy to miss the sweet spot of the insert and it feels a bit clanky/harsh if you do. If you're a skilled and consistent putter you will love it.
[/quote]


Thats not the Betti that Shootin Better has though. He has the C-06 (I have the 34" version) I really like it. I switched from the Cameron Catalina because of the heavier head in the betti. I like the Honey Comb face, can't tell much difference though between that and a regular milled face but I've been putting well with it.

[finalist]

cast, forged, milled, inserts, necks, finishes, weight, center of gravity, sweet spot, grip weight, grip thickness, sight marking, 1 piece, 2 piece milled, and even the shaft of a putter all need to be considered.

If you want options within your budget then there are only a few select craftsmen.

[HoosierGolfer]

[quote name='loki993' post='1837265' date='Jul 22 2009, 05:58 PM']Ok, ive always kind of had a thing for scottys, but Have never been able to pull the trigger on one. I know a portion of putting is confidence and that expensive putter youre laying on the green instills it, I get that, but do they really make that much of a difference? Right now im using an old ping specify that was given to me, I think its a bit light but thats a different story. Kenny perrys using a ping craz-e that a guy from his club gave to him. so do expensive utters make a difference, now I don't think ill ever buy a tour scotty, there just insane, but the urge to get an OTR, especially on the used market does grab me from time to time. what do you all think?[/quote]
I have never been one to fall for the trap that expensive means better. I'm gaming a twenty plus year old designed by T.P Mills Spalding No.12 right now that I paid less than $20 for a couple of years ago. I fully restored it along with a Gripmaster leather grip and for me that is good enough and it is getting the job done better than any multi hundred dollar putter I currently own. I like the looks of a putter in perfect condition but the cost is not something that matters to me.
I guess it may not "Look Cool" but I know guys that look cool with their $500 putters but can't get the ball in the hole. To me, the "Cool" look is having your hand out to receive at the end of the round, not handing the others your money.

[WishICouldPlayMoreOften]

The cost of a putter matters at checkout and whether you can really afford it. That said, the two most important things about putters to me are 1) quality of materials - do I like the way it's put together and feels, including how it lines up/fits my eye and swing and 2) whether you can put the same center contact on it every time regardless of short swing for short putts or full swing for longer puts. I'd recommend getting a putter fitted before buying a new one. And if you're set on buying a new one, make sure the seller (if not online) includes fitting free of charge. Some say they won't, but if they have the ability to bend/adjust clubs like most course and retail shops do, then make sure you get it for free.

Putters themselves have little impact on holing a putt if you can get the right read, make a solid contact and smooth stroke, and get the speed right.

I love some of the looks of the more expensive putters, but I've had the same TM Rossa putter for years now because it works for me. I did have it fitted and adjusted to my swing so I don't mis-hit putts. If I miss, it's almost always the read. BTW, I got my TM for free from a guy who was on his 5th new putter of the season - he didn't like it and was about to toss it into a lake so I told him I'd happily take it off his hands. I've played with him once since then using that same putter - trust me, his attitude towards putters has changed.

Unlike drivers and other full swing clubs, putter science and materials have such a slim margin of difference that most of the better putters simply don't switch once they get a putter that works. There are tons of touring pros who don't switch very often so I'm amazed at how often us amateurs fall into the buying craze that a "new" putter creates.

I really wanted a TM Itsy Bitsy Spider, but not after demo'ing one on a course. There was nothing wrong with the putter - it just wasn't even worth $1 more than my regular putter.

[mavstaff]

It's not the putter, it's the golfer !!!

My father, who is 62 (and shoots mid 70's) plays with a putter that looks like it an old broom with a rusty a** piece of metal on the end can out putt anyone with a $200+ putter. And yes I will put my money where my mouth is!!

-PL

[MMB1500]

My Byron DH-89 was worth every penny.

[stage1350]

I owned and gamed a lot of DASS Bettinardis and found that I prefer the feel of Carbon Steel putters over stainless. So, for me, I don't need to spend the premium to get the feel that I prefer. Let's me breathe a sigh of relief that I never plunked down a stupid amount of money for something with GSS stamped on it.

Quite frankly, given my druthers, I'd prefer to have a putter milled from Beryllium Copper. I still love the feel of my Cleveland Designed by BeCu.

[greengolfhippo]

I have 24 Camerons, 4 TP Mills workshops, a couple of 8802's and a 8813, a few MacGregor ironmasters plus about a dozen other putters. The putter I am using now and the one with the best feel and making the most putts is a Sunset Beach model made by LeMont. It 351 grams with a special one of a kind mill pattern. Had 26 putts today and shot 76. I beleive it was less than $200.
So go with what feels right with you and gives you confidence. No one putter is right for everybody and cost should not matter.

[Shootin' Better]

[quote name='CosmosMpower' post='1838674' date='Jul 23 2009, 10:06 AM'][quote name='Shootin' Better' post='1838070' date='Jul 22 2009, 11:19 PM']I have had a SC Newport 2 TeI3 ( sold on ebay), SC Newport (currently using) and just bought on the bay a Mizuno Bettinardi C-06 that I will be trying. Paid just over a c note for it, but it is brand new. The Newport has been my go to for a long time. I hope the Mizuno Bettinardi proves to be a great putter for the FEEL. I am missing that on the SC.

Can anyone say anything good or bad about the Honeycomb pattern on the Bettinardi's?[/quote]

As far as the FIT face on the BC's I will say they're very soft but still solid (not mushy) when you hit it on the center of the insert but for me it's very easy to miss the sweet spot of the insert and it feels a bit clanky/harsh if you do. If you're a skilled and consistent putter you will love it.
[/quote]

My C-06 just has a honeycomb face, no insert. I was just curious how the honeycomb feels.

[jockr]

[quote name='Shootin' Better' post='1840036' date='Jul 23 2009, 11:07 PM'][quote name='CosmosMpower' post='1838674' date='Jul 23 2009, 10:06 AM'][quote name='Shootin' Better' post='1838070' date='Jul 22 2009, 11:19 PM']I have had a SC Newport 2 TeI3 ( sold on ebay), SC Newport (currently using) and just bought on the bay a Mizuno Bettinardi C-06 that I will be trying. Paid just over a c note for it, but it is brand new. The Newport has been my go to for a long time. I hope the Mizuno Bettinardi proves to be a great putter for the FEEL. I am missing that on the SC.

Can anyone say anything good or bad about the Honeycomb pattern on the Bettinardi's?[/quote]

As far as the FIT face on the BC's I will say they're very soft but still solid (not mushy) when you hit it on the center of the insert but for me it's very easy to miss the sweet spot of the insert and it feels a bit clanky/harsh if you do. If you're a skilled and consistent putter you will love it.
[/quote]

My C-06 just has a honeycomb face, no insert. I was just curious how the honeycomb feels.
[/quote]


The C-06 has the Honeycomb face and not the Fit face. The newer ones have the fit face.

[divot46]

I don't think the expensive putters are worth it. But I never had $200-300 to spend on a putter either. I don't have any issues with those that do spend a lot on one. I've tried out Camerons, etc, and don't see enough difference from my old Never Comp Z/I Sigma to justify.

[Sawgrass]

Full disclosure: I know next to nothing about putters, but . . .

My putting was the worst part of my game for a long time. I finally went to a pro for a putting lesson, and she told me that my form was fine, but my putter was too light, and the "forward press" kind of way I held the club de-lofted it, and I was hitting my putts into the ground. She said a 5 degree loft would be good for my stroke.

I was fortunate enough to win a few bucks at a member guest, and that, coupled with the pro's advice, encouraged me to get a new one. I kind of liked a Cameron I saw, and I probably wouldn't have paid that much if not for my winnings, so I took the plunge.

I can't say if it was the adjusted specs or the higher-quality Cameron that did the trick for me, but I now own a putter that I really like to look at, and which puts my ball in the hole more than any other putter I've tried. So for me it has been great fun to own a more expensive putter.

As they say, your mileage may vary.

[liwanra]

It depends on your financial situation. To be honest not really, like other posters stated the best putters I seen are using some cheapo brand putters and mostly everyone I see that has a scotty cant putt. It basically eye candy, dont believe the hype when they say ohh its sofet and the feel is unmatched, the only feeling I want is the excitement of hearing the putt fall in the hole. Thats not to say I would not play one but only if I can get one for dirt cheap. Simply put its not going to make you putt better but can make you happier knowing you have one.

[Tiptx1122]

It's really up to the person using it, if it makes you happy and you make your fair share of putts with an expensive putter than it well worth it. This is the one club in your bag your going to use the most and the one that is going to help you to score so why not get what you want, thats if you can afford it and it doesn't break your bank account. 

 

I have putted well with the $300 and under putters but when it comes to a Lajosi, Piretti, Bryon there is just no comparison when it comes to feel, craftsmanship but it's so important to know what suits your game the best, I love mid-mallet and a blade style putter over the bigger mallets and then when talking about all the different milling and neck styles WOW, 

 

I feel that more people who are not sure what style exactly they want will pick one of the rack cause it putted so well in the store before they even think about custom ordering something that they would be much happier with. 

[circa3182]

Nothing like reviving an old post 🙂

[Medson]

11 hours ago, circa3182 said:

Nothing like reviving an old post 🙂

I don’t know if expensive putter is worth it, but bumping a 12 year old

thread definitely is. 🙂

[roundersmitty]

11 hours ago, circa3182 said:

Nothing like reviving an old post 🙂

Shows that the search function does indeed get used 🙂

 

my putters I would call “mid range price”. Picked up many used otr scotties for 200-300 which I used are resold for the same price.  My most recent purchases for gamers was my Toulon Las Vegas H7 2years ago for 250usd mint condition and just ordered a Odyssey RSX 7 from CPO for 215usd.   I think both purchases are great bang for the buck and worth it.  Going a step up to something like a SIK fitting or National Custom would be 3-5times the price but probably also worth it if I could afford it. 

[T-MAC]

Just like 12 years ago,  people are still wondering if expensive putters are worth the $$$.
Of course, "expensive" means different things to different people.  Dropping $4,000 on a 009 would be considered expensive to most people.  But a lot of folks don't want to drop $400 on a putter because they think that is too expensive.
Putt with the putter style / head that YOU feel is best for YOUR stroke.  Once you find that head style and get the correct spec's, I'm sure you can find that head offered by several companies (or at least close) and at several different price points.  Go with what you can afford.

[GSS ONLY]

And yes I know that’s a tour rat. Which has an 009 head. All my other putters are at my Pops house bc he is a hoarder. The GSS insert in the tour rat is NOTHING like my all GSS. Like a snowflake every putter feel is different. I used to be obsessed with beached putter bc I played with Larry Mize and he put on a show. 

[1s1k]