Long/chest putters vs. Conventional putters

[golfdude]

Would like to try a "longie"...

Dear Golfers
Posted a similar post on an european forum. Did not get mch feedback though. Maybe europeans are not into long putters....

I am quite a tall guy of 6.3 who is struggeling with my putting (and yes, I am probably looking for a Cinderella-cure). I have been playing golf for about 3 years (current hc of 12) always using an Odyssey Two-ball putter of 34". At moment I am considering changing to a chest high putter, blade or mallet, probably around 52" long.

To be honest I have never tried a long putter. That is way I am seeking your advice...
- Will a length of 52" suit me?
- What will I find most strange and different compared with my 34" putter?
- How about setup, allignment and ballstriking? Is there a different technique?
- What can i expect in terms of improvement (less putts) and maybe the opposite?
- And practically; How to transport the club in the bag? Maybe a silly question but such a long club would in my oppinion be more likely to break during f.ex. travel?

I am aware that the best is to try and get a feel - real-life. As I am living in Bangkok these type of putters are not easily available. So any help/advice would be mostly appriciated.

Regards

[reebus]

Length is all about what's comfortable to you. I'm six feet and use

a 48 inch model. I think that 52 may be a bit long. Ideally, you want

to anchor it at about your sternum. But that depends on how upright

you stand with it also.

 

Yes, transporting them is a pain. I've seen some that will "break down"

into two pieces, but mine fits in the travel bag, so I just take my chances.

 

You will find that the short putts are a little easier to make. Not fool-proof

though. These putters require a lot of practice to get longer putts "dialed

in".

 

Don't try to "convert" a standard putter to a long one. The lie angle

needs to be too upright (76 - 80 degrees) to do this. Plus the headweight

of a long putter needs to be really heavy. I always suggest a PING

B90 as a good first long putter to try. They can be had for under $50.00

on E-Bay and are a good, solid, long putter.

 

As far as set-up goes you're on your own. There are many different ways

to do this. My only suggestion is use a set-up that encourages the

straight back, straight through pendulum stroke you want to achieve.

 

Good luck on your foray into the "dark side" of putting.......

[Caligula]

Why not try a belly putter first? Easier to lug around, more available etc.

[Grimace45]

I am 5'10" tall and use a 48" Futura when I have the long putter in the bag. I have to agree with Reebus in every aspect. The key to mastering the long putter is practice, practice and more practice. I am not to the point that if my putting starts to act up, I can go to the long putter and not miss a beat.

[golfdude]

Guys- Thank you ever so much for your feedback.

 

I will be closely monitoring Ebay these days.

I see there are a few rife two-bar putters available. Also notice some good reviews on these. Anyone tried one? Will the mallet or the std be best with long shaft?

What about the Ping G2-C10 with long shaft? Any experience?

Reebus - Found the PING B90 at Ebay. "They can be had for under $50.00 on E-Bay and are a good, solid, long putter". Think that price level suits me better - probebly moreso since this attempt adapting to a long putter might turn out a huge failure.... and yes I will remeber the warnigs into the dark side of putting....

 

Thanks again and have a good golf weekend

[reebus]

Good luck!

[golfdude]

Reebus... or others...

Just a quick question from a newbee...

I see both the Ping's G2 and C10 comes in an I (Insert) model. What has that to say for a putter apart from "feel"?

 

Thanks again

[reebus]

Feel is about it. Believe me, you don't get a lot of feel with the "Ski pole"

shafts anyways.......