Putter Headweight

[apocalypsem3]

Poll

Just a poll

[502 to Right]

I wouldn't call 330-335 for a 35 inch putter "light"--I'd call it normal.

 

I truly don't understand the fixation with 350 gram heads on this board, unless you're playing a short stick. I wish we could get the true headweight and length of every tour player there is so we can prove or debunk the belief that most pros use a 350 gram or heavier head.

 

I tried some 350's (I use putters 34.5 inches in length) and simply found them too heavy. They felt really nice stroking 6 footers in my living room but on the green they are tough to gauge for length. For me, proper distance control is the key to better putting.

 

Looking at Scotty Cameron's website and his write up about overhauling Brad Faxson's putters, it's clear that Faxon uses a relatively light head. The swingweight on his gamer is D3.5 and he uses a 36 inch putter. Based on those stats, his headweight is probably 310 grams or lighter. I've seen reasonably good evidence on this board that Tiger's putter is 315 grams at 35 inches.

 

Personally, I prefer the range of 335 to 340 at 34.5 inches. The 5-10 extra grams of weight helps make up for the -1/2 inch shaft and it feels very comfortable to me--smooth but not too heavy.

 

I'd be interested in hearing why people on this board are using 350 gram heads at 35 inches. Don't get me wrong--if you've taken that kind of putter to the greens and it works best for you--all the power in the world to you. But, I've got a feeling a lot of people are playing that weight because they think that's what the pros play.

[apocalypsem3]

Darn. I am not quite sure how to reset the poll. Above poster's idea would have been better "using range of weights". For now, this will have to do.

[ShortSticks]

34" @ 350g is perfect for me. :drinks:

[apocalypsem3]

Can people feel the difference in 5g in headweight? I was trying out some putters and I couldn't really feel the difference within that range when making a stroke.

[502 to Right]

Can people feel the difference in 5g in headweight? I was trying out some putters and I couldn't really feel the difference within that range when making a stroke.

 

 

I can feel 5 or more, but less than 5 is really guessing on my part.

[502 to Right]

Most of us probably don't putt on greens that are high on the stimpmeter. The closest I came was at Harding Park (WGC American Express - site of the John Daly choke) a few weeks before the WGC event. Now those were fast greens. One typically doesn't find that at munis, which I proudly support and play on. For tour level greens, one doesn't need a heavier putter because a tap will roll the ball on its intended line a long ways. However, more often than not, we play on bumpy and often unmowed greens that are much slower - thus, the need for heavier putters that hold the ball on the intended line.

 

 

You raise some relevant points about green speeds. I was most recently playing a course with very steep greens and I was thinking a 350 gram head would have been a disaster.

 

However, the issue remains what the most popular weight is for pros. Certainly they play on some fast greens. I get the impression on this site that most people think pros mostly play a 350 gram head, and I wonder if that is really true.

 

The question was asked of Bob Bettinardi when he did his audio chat here a year ago and he answered the question indirectly by saying that pros use all different kinds of weights and mentioned some examples (I believe Phil M was one, where some players were using something like a C-9 swingweight putter).

[Beavs17]

Mine is 360g @ 33.5" with 75 grams of back weight. Works perfectly for me...the back weighting took this from a good stick to an exceptional one for my stroke.

[MCCA]

I wouldn't call 330-335 for a 35 inch putter "light"--I'd call it normal.

 

I truly don't understand the fixation with 350 gram heads on this board, unless you're playing a short stick. I wish we could get the true headweight and length of every tour player there is so we can prove or debunk the belief that most pros use a 350 gram or heavier head.

 

I tried some 350's (I use putters 34.5 inches in length) and simply found them too heavy. They felt really nice stroking 6 footers in my living room but on the green they are tough to gauge for length. For me, proper distance control is the key to better putting.

 

Looking at Scotty Cameron's website and his write up about overhauling Brad Faxson's putters, it's clear that Faxon uses a relatively light head. The swingweight on his gamer is D3.5 and he uses a 36 inch putter. Based on those stats, his headweight is probably 310 grams or lighter. I've seen reasonably good evidence on this board that Tiger's putter is 315 grams at 35 inches.

 

Personally, I prefer the range of 335 to 340 at 34.5 inches. The 5-10 extra grams of weight helps make up for the -1/2 inch shaft and it feels very comfortable to me--smooth but not too heavy.

 

I'd be interested in hearing why people on this board are using 350 gram heads at 35 inches. Don't get me wrong--if you've taken that kind of putter to the greens and it works best for you--all the power in the world to you. But, I've got a feeling a lot of people are playing that weight because they think that's what the pros play.

 

 

I agree i belong to a private club and we can run the greens at what ever we choose, normally it's 9-10. So i really don't know why everyone is caught up in .350gm heads. I'm sure not all pros are really using a putter that is .350. pros want feel considering most of their greens are 11 and above.

 

mcca

[tpgrrr1]

I have a 350 gram Bettinardi in play now. I prefer a short putter 32in. so 350 is fine for now. I also have a 370 gram 32 in. Bettinardi in the closet waiting to be activated :yahoo:

:ok: :crazy: :drinks: ;) :fool:

[dags27]

I prefer the 350 to 365g headweight, i play short putter at 32.5inch.

[RobotDoctor]

I agree that the fixation with weight alone is simply not the only weight issue that should be looked at. The swingweight, IMO, is more important. I like a D0 - D1 weighted putter for 33.5 inches. I do not really know what that translates to raw head weight. I do know that this weight produces the best results for me when putting both in terms of control and feel.

[sync71]

My headweight on my putter is 340grams..and it feels perfect.

[Ezgolfer]

Why most circle T newports are 350 gms? At least 90 percent plus.This is my personal experience of browsing ebay, bst forums etc for last 3 yrs.

A heavier head feels more consistent at least to me.I play a 33/350 ss newport 2. Ihave 340 and 330 gm putters in the same make.