New putters vs old?

We know modern drivers outperform old, especially when talking about decades of difference.

To that end do people think the same is true of putters?

I have a 2016 odyssey versa 7 which I like but it always feels too short (34").

I also have a circa 1994 Ping anser putter which I also like. The length/lie feels perfect (35") for my height but it always feels like the ball jumps off the face compared to the odyssey which has an insert. Alignment is also more difficult because it has no lines at all.

I was therefore wondering if gaming a 1995 anser is likely to cost me shots compared to the odyssey? Longer term I want to get fitted for an Evnroll but these are hard to find in the UK and seemingly impossible in L/H!

I guess another option is to get my odyssey extended but I dont know whether that would mess with the balance etc?

Interested to hear what people think...

I think just extending the odyssey would be a very cost effective experiment.

Many people on here will swear by the old anser style pings. Some people probably roll it very well.

Why not sell your current Odyssey and buy a "new" used one that is 35"?

Depends on the putter and how good your contact is.

I like Newport/anser style putters and don't miss the sweet spot, so new technology really doesn't do much for me. I prefer a milled head because I think they're more consistent, but my collection is made up of various putters that are 5-15 years old and I can putt equally well with all of them.

If you like the high MOI putters, or your contact is inconsistent (meaning you will benefit from the high MOI putters) then technology will make a difference, and the new tech will help you.

If an older putter of quality feels perfect in your hands, and you roll the ball well with it, no new putter will help your score. But if your putting is suspect and no putter ever feels good, the newer technologies may very well save you a few strokes here and there...

Depends on the putter and how good your contact is.

 

I like Newport/anser style putters and don't miss the sweet spot, so new technology really doesn't do much for me. I prefer a milled head because I think they're more consistent, but my collection is made up of various putters that are 5-15 years old and I can putt equally well with all of them.

 

If you like the high MOI putters, or your contact is inconsistent (meaning you will benefit from the high MOI putters) then technology will make a difference, and the new tech will help you.

This really is no different than irons, and specifically blades versus GI/SGI(high MOI) and even Players' MCB's or CB's and blade putters, specifically my fave design, the heel shafted blade, i.e., 8802 design.

If you look at Players' blades from 30-40 years ago versus today, there is very little if any technological advancement versus that which has taken place with MCB irons, whether they be Players'(Mizzy MP-25), or a current GI/SGI iron

Sure, they may have increased the blade size and they may have moved the muscle pad around however the axiom, "a forged blade is a forged blade" is as timeless as it is accurate.

The same can be said for the blade putter, be it Thrill's favorite design, the Anser, or my fave, the heel shafted blade, i.e., The Wilson 8802 design.

The same axiom can be used for a forged blade putter-

The top pic is the 2015 Miura hand crafted forged KM-008 and the middle pic is the putter that it was patterned after, my hand crafted forged Mac VIP Model 600, circa 1970's.

I had the predecessor to the 008, the KM-350, which was a slightly different design with a cavity center blade in the flange along with a sight line in the cavity and my 600 blew it away performance wise for me so I sold it for more than I paid for it.

Thank the good Lord for fan bois, lol

However, with blades, be they irons or putters, What goes around comes around.

I had the putter in the bottom pic, The Wilson 8802 in my bag for probably 32-33 years of the last 36 years(1976-2012) and the last 6 months of 2012.

I hope that all's well Bro?

My Best?

RP

With the exception of the Two Ball I don't think there's been any real 'improvement' in putters. The stroke is so short you really can use anything. Use something that looks nice, feels nice, lines up nicely, or you simply enjoy using.

There aren't the same parallels with say a Titleist PT driver vs the 905R.

I think you can putt with anything. And you can adapt to anything. It's whatever feels good and works. Best money you can spend on putting is a putting lesson in my opinion. I've had a couple, one at the start of the last couple of seasons and it makes such a difference. And practice!

Depends on the putter and how good your contact is.

 

I like Newport/anser style putters and don't miss the sweet spot, so new technology really doesn't do much for me. I prefer a milled head because I think they're more consistent, but my collection is made up of various putters that are 5-15 years old and I can putt equally well with all of them.

 

If you like the high MOI putters, or your contact is inconsistent (meaning you will benefit from the high MOI putters) then technology will make a difference, and the new tech will help you.

Agree here. Example is that there's no real "new" technology (other than better production techniques) in Spieth or Tiger's putters. They are consistent enough to not benefit as much from a high MOI putter, and I'd assume they prefer the feel of what they have to anything else out there. At the same time, the high MOI and grooved insert technology seems to really have helped someone like DJ. Defining better is really just whatever you get the ball started out rolling on line most often with.

To me, the most important thing is making sure you get fit for the right loft, lie, toe hang, etc., so the ball starts on line and is rolling as opposed to skidding. Most of the practice I do is with gates (one for the putter and one for the ball) and then slo-mo video on my phone to make sure the ball gets rolling right.

I like old(er) putters with a bit of character. The one I'm using now is 47 years old. It's too short, too light, and supposedly, way too hard to hit solid.

But I'm making EVERYTHING with it! Ha!

I just picked up a "used" Ping Anser 2 BeCu...still has the stickers on it. I can't imagine a new Anser-styled putter feeling any better than the old BeCu putters.

BTW, prolly won't bag this putter...

I just found this one at the Thrift shop for cheap....it was pretty oxidized but online it said use a little Ketchup all over it and then wash with soap and water an hour later. Turned out great! Feels really nice with a nice weight...I'll take it to the putting green and use it my next round....1986ish according to online...Made in USA which we know is a rare thing with modern putters.

Putting is such a 'feel' thing - you have to find something you like; be it 'Thrills' Ansers or Richard's 8802's, use whatever gets the ball in the hole. I personally am like an under 10's Football coach - every kid gets a go and I pick the ones that are working. :-)

Rob

Have they changed the recipe for 1018 carbon steel?

If an older putter of quality feels perfect in your hands, and you roll the ball well with it, no new putter will help your score. But if your putting is suspect and no putter ever feels good, the newer technologies may very well save you a few strokes here and there...

+1... but I personally favor a Bullseye... don't get much older than that...:)

It's the Indian, not the arrow.

I used a vintage Anser and love it. I find that the old bronze putters have an excellent feel on contact. I've tried steel and it just wasn't the same

[Ah]Tuttle[/choo!]

I have a really old Anser and when I hit my putts, they feel terrible. But more often than ever in my life, they go in the hole. 20 footers - 40 footers feel like they are going in and you just can't buy that kind of confidence. I've tried to replace it with something that feels better but it always ends up back in the bag. I guess some clubs are just meant for you and when you find one, it doesn't matter if it is brand new or 50 years old.

Interesting article and definitely a putter to keep your eye out for in those thrift shops....

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/jason-gore-uses-a-40-year-old-dollar1500-putter

I like old(er) putters with a bit of character. The one I'm using now is 47 years old. It's too short, too light, and supposedly, way too hard to hit solid.

 

But I'm making EVERYTHING with it! Ha!

What has improved more than anything in the last 40+ years is marketing and a company's ability to communicate with and acquire customers. Those pings from the 60s were great as are the modern putters from today's major manufacturers. The thing with putters isn't getting the latest technology but finding the needle in the putter haystack that helps you maximize your stroke.