Thinking of dropping the long putter

[Kreth]

What should I look at this winter?

Well, golf season is pretty much over here in upstate NY, so I have all winter to look at options. I've been golfing for about 5 years, and gaming a Golfsmith LS-74 long putter for most of that time. Short putts are money, but I'm streaky on the mid-length putts, and lag putting is pretty much a crapshoot (distance control). The polymer insert is kind of clicky, so I think I'd like something with a bit more feel.
Some models that look nice to me:

1. Odyssey Sabretooth
2. Odyssey #1, both the XG and Black
3. Odyssey #7, again, both XG and Black
4. LUX Topsail
5. Ping Anser
   

What else should I be looking at? I don't have a real preference as to blade vs. mallet, although I do prefer the look of a rounded/melted style of blade vs. square. I'm primarily looking for something with a better feel, to help my distance control, and good weighting to help with forgiveness.
I don't have a problem with used gear, as long as it's in nice shape, but please, no BST links just yet. I'm probably not going to be ready to pull the trigger until after the holidays.
Oh yeah, and I'd like to keep it under two bills. I'm a newly married man, planning to upgrade several other clubs in my bag for next season, and I need to run any purchases by my CFO. ;)

[Bomb and Gouge]

The Sabertooth rules!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pinehurst1999]

You have to find the newest version of the Bobby Grace DCT with the insert...what a great feel. The owner of the local golf shop here had dropped his Ping Long-putter of 4 years for the DCT. Great control and it is an insert that is moderate hardness.

[Kreth]

You have to find the newest version of the Bobby Grace DCT with the insert...what a great feel. The owner of the local golf shop here had dropped his Ping Long-putter of 4 years for the DCT. Great control and it is an insert that is moderate hardness.

The two Anser-style models look nice. Did they fix the loose head issue that I read about in some of the reviews?

[mfreeman]

i would take a look at the heavy putter. you are going to notice a big difference in overall weight going to a short stick. the heavy putter may be a nice transition giving you some good overall weight in a short stick.

[Kreth]

i would take a look at the heavy putter. you are going to notice a big difference in overall weight going to a short stick. the heavy putter may be a nice transition giving you some good overall weight in a short stick.

Well, my long putter had a 350g headweight, so I'd probably like to go at least that high. I'm a little concerned though that the heavy putter may cause similar distance control issues as what I had with the long putter.

[Pinehurst1999]

You have to find the newest version of the Bobby Grace DCT with the insert...what a great feel. The owner of the local golf shop here had dropped his Ping Long-putter of 4 years for the DCT. Great control and it is an insert that is moderate hardness.

The two Anser-style models look nice. Did they fix the loose head issue that I read about in some of the reviews?

I was not aware of any loose head issues...perhaps that was a part of the initial DCT what involved the removable face.

[Kreth]

I was not aware of any loose head issues...perhaps that was a part of the initial DCT what involved the removable face.

Yeah, I was looking at the original DCT 1 and 3 models. I found the DCT site, and the new models look nice.

[sandwedge59]

Noooooo dont do it ......... it would be a mistake , try a different long putter , i tried to change back at least 3 times and i always went back to the long putter , it just turned out to be a short term fix but the same bad habits that resulted in a change from short to long in the first place always re-appeared after a few rounds back with the short stick.... unless it would become non conforming by the USGA i would not be changing again .. .. but good luck with whatever you choose

[nsduff22]

If you can remotely stand looking at it, I recommend the Sabertooth. Yes, she's funky looking, but.....

 

IT IS SOLID. It's the most stable putter I've ever tried. It is hard to get that thing off line. If you're used to an insert anyway, I'd start there. The biggest problem I had with it is distance control. I just can't seem to hit it hard enough with the XG insert. It's a little too soft for me, but if you play fast greens, it's the ticket. Bettinardi's new BC5 comes in a short and mid length. If you like a center shaft, that's a good looking putter too.

 

Good luck with the decision. Let us know how it turns out....

[Kreth]

Noooooo dont do it ......... it would be a mistake , try a different long putter , i tried to change back at least 3 times and i always went back to the long putter , it just turned out to be a short term fix but the same bad habits that resulted in a change from short to long in the first place always re-appeared after a few rounds back with the short stick.... unless it would become non conforming by the USGA i would not be changing again .. .. but good luck with whatever you choose

Actually, I didn't go to a long putter to correct any issues. I won it in a raffle at a company golf outing my first year golfing, and it was nicer than the putter I had, so I started gaming it.

 

If you can remotely stand looking at it, I recommend the Sabertooth. Yes, she's funky looking, but.....

 

IT IS SOLID. It's the most stable putter I've ever tried. It is hard to get that thing off line. If you're used to an insert anyway, I'd start there. The biggest problem I had with it is distance control. I just can't seem to hit it hard enough with the XG insert. It's a little too soft for me, but if you play fast greens, it's the ticket. Bettinardi's new BC5 comes in a short and mid length. If you like a center shaft, that's a good looking putter too.

 

Good luck with the decision. Let us know how it turns out....

I think that's the major complaint I've seen with the XG line, the insert being too soft. That's why I'm also looking at the Black series #1, and the Black i series #7. I'm thinking either a firmer insert or non-insert may help with distance control.

[Kreth]

Has anyone tried both the LUX Topsail and one of the other putters listed in my OP? The Topsail is the only one I don't think I'll be able to get my hands on to try out.