Putter Speed Control vs. "Line Control"

[sumadoggie]

So, I'm testing a couple putters: Evnroll ER2 and ER3. I have better line control (that is, I seem to set up to my line better) with the ER2 and better speed control with the ER3. Very few of my putts from 5, 10, 20 feet were off-line with the ER2. Between the ER2 and ER3, speed control was basically the same at 5 and 20 feet, but for some reason my speed control with the ER2 was a full 12" worse at 10 feet.

 

What would you choose and why?

[bladehunter]

i would choose whatever put the best roll on the ball assuming all those options fit your eye...... first i have to like what im looking at.. then it HAS to put a roll on the ball that is true.... by that i mean loft , lie , offset etc has to be correct....and i will also say that if an "ugly" putter puts a good roll on the ball it will start looking better to me quickly... I find that a putter that puts a true roll on the ball will be the one that gives best distance control and makes more short putts....

 

hope that makes sense.. in short get the one that gives you best distance control... chances are its rolling the ball the truest

[sumadoggie]

i would choose whatever put the best roll on the ball assuming all those options fit your eye...... first i have to like what im looking at.. then it HAS to put a roll on the ball that is true.... by that i mean loft , lie , offset etc has to be correct....and i will also say that if an "ugly" putter puts a good roll on the ball it will start looking better to me quickly... I find that a putter that puts a true roll on the ball will be the one that gives best distance control and makes more short putts....

 

hope that makes sense.. in short get the one that gives you best distance control... chances are its rolling the ball the truest

 

Thanks for the input. That's basically the input I received from a local pro. I'm definitely leading in that direction. Cheers!

[8thehardway]

If you must choose one, go with the ER2 (and work on distance control at 10 feet) because making your short putts are critical and being more off-line with 20-footers means the ER3 will bring in some three-putts. But to be 12" worse at 10 feet suggests that while results may be similar at 20 feet neither putter is providing great distance control. (I say this not knowing the actual numbers, nor the improvement over your current putter so I may be off base... it's just a hunch).

[Scottie68]

Would suggest looking into the spec differences to see what was working for you with each putter. Then not sacrificing, and getting the specs that fit you.

[VNutz]

All depends on your putting strengths and weaknesses and what you hope to accomplish. Nicklaus used to say that distance is far more important than direction. However, IMO it’s maddening to not be able to start your putts on line. I’d start with the er2 and see if you can learn a better feel for the speed with practice.

[sumadoggie]

So after a good bit more experimenting with the two, I'm sticking with the ER3 which had the best distance control originally. After a bit more practice, I was hitting the line just as well as with the ER2 and distance control was still better with the ER3 for some reason. ER2 has a 25 degree toe hang and ER3 has 30 degrees - would 5 degree of toe hang make a big difference in distance?

[VNutz]

Length and swingweights the same?