Putting: do you prefer a soft or firm feel?

[ateupwithgolf]

What are the pros/cons?

I have always purchased a putter based on setup and looks, but don't typically pay attention to feel of the metal or insert. Recently, I purchased a Seemore mFGP and at the same time my first dozen Srixon Zstars. It is without a doubt the best feeling combination that I have personally tried. My previous gamer putters have been a 2ball blade white steel, and a Yes Tiffany. I can say for sure that I like a soft feel now. My comparison ball was a B330 which felt very harsh by comparison.

I would like to know if there is some typical characteristics of preferring a soft ball/putter insert? Does this necessarily mean you have to hit the ball harder to get your putts to the hole? Does the contact time on the face increase with a softer ball, or is this purely a tactile thing in your hands? What are your ideas? Thanks.

[Seufari]

I prefer a soft feel. I grew up playing a balata with a carbon steel putter. Everything made today feels like rock-flights...

[rebby]

[quote name='Seufari' date='23 April 2010 - 09:30 PM' timestamp='1272076218' post='2397406']
I prefer a soft feel. I grew up playing a balata with a carbon steel putter. Everything made today feels like rock-flights...
[/quote]

+1, I don't like insert putters though. Go figure.

[scottland]

Soft with feedback. I like metal insert putters, i.e. Tei3, but hate composite inserts. Carbon steel and copper are my favorite putter materials.

[chickenpotpie]

I've been playing various insert putters up until recently. I switched to a Machine Copper M2A with VMax grooves that felt very similar. Then, on a whim, I picked up a Bettinardi BB32, and am just rolling it so pure! It's still soft but has a crisper feel which really helps me dial in my distance.

[puttingmatt]

It really is personal preference on soft or firm feel. I am using the
Odyssey tour black # 4, and the Taylormade TP black ball. With this
combination, It gives me great feedback and a semi soft feel. I have
been rolling it pure, with this set up. I seem to warm up to various
green speeds quicker with this set up. If you are going to purchase
a new putter, make sure you take your game ball with you, This will
aid in your search. Good Luck!

[doc k]

The ball has a lot to do with the feel of the putter face. The Srixon line are in my opinion one of the best in that category. The Bridgestones also are close, especially the E5 and E6.

[Ima3putter]

I prefer a softer feel.

[moymoiboy]

I think a softer feel is better cause you can get more feel for longer putts and it just feels better. I have a yes callie and i absolutely hate the feeling. Its like rock hard feeling and its hard to get feel out of it.

[Man In The Miura]

Feel is such a personal preference. It seems like a softer feel is preferred by many, but I wonder if it provides the most feedback.

Consider a supercar like a Lambo, or any car geared toward ultimate performance. Hard as a freaking rock. You can feel every pebble in the road. Difficult as a daily driver because they are so dang stiff. But the hard feel is what feedback is all about.

It seems to be the opposite with golf feel. When I putt a Top Flite vs. a Titleist ProV vs. a Srixon Lady Soft Feel, there is a clear difference in feedback. IMHO, the hardes ball actually tells me the most, but lacks other characteristics that are favorable.

I think the key is to find a setup that gives you the amount of feedback you need while maintaining a feel that actually feels good.

[daydreamer]

prefer soft. I use a Byron 008x copper putter. I like the feel of it. I've improved my putting tremendously with it.

[BlkNGld]

Prefer a soft feel but with a click at impact.

[funkyfedora]

I like soft... Callaway Tour i(s) and my 303 SS Byron feel amazing.

[leoh923]

I prefer a putter/ball combination that feels firm. Having said that, I have never gotten the concept of feel as it relates to control. Once you "feel" the putter strike the ball, it is already on its way to the hole, and you no longer have control.

[7464]

I find it interesrting reading through this post how people would say "I prefer soft"...what does that mean exactly? What is soft to you may feel hard to me...or am I crazy? I have tested it with friends at my local EW...using the same putter we cannot always agree on which ball feels softer...to me that means that soft/hard is a person to person thing based on the feeling sensations you have in your body.

But now back "On Topic" I prefer a certain feel...not sure if it is soft or hard as I described above but I know what I am looking for and I would call it "soft" to me. When I am deciding on a putter or a ball I keep one or the other constant...meaning if I am testing balls then I use my putter...if I am testing putters then I use my current ball...that is how I arrived at where I am today in using the Srixon Z Star amd PING Redwood putters (own an Anser and Piper S)...this combination is the best feel I have found and the ball works in other aspects of my game...

[bbfifas]

I like a firmer feel with a nice click at impact. I think its better for distance control. With a too soft putter I get no feedback I guess.

[mshills]

Soft feel from a non-insert putter is a myth. It's all about the ball, not the putter.

[WilCox]

"If you are going to purchase a new putter, make sure you take your game ball with you."

+1. Good advice. Couldn't agree more.

"Soft feel from a non-insert putter is a myth. It's all about the ball, not the putter."

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I think it's a combination of the ball and the putter and any carbon steel putter will have a softer feel to me over a stainless steel. I don't care for insert putters.