From Scotty Cameron Newport 2 to ?

[letsgolf]

I've been playing the SC Newport 2 for maybe 15+ years and this is the first year I've seriously considered making a change to a putter with higher MOI. I'm missing too many short putts (3-5 foot range) and I can feel that I'm not contacting the ball with the center of the putter face. I'm also suffering with lag putting because of inconsistent contact. Any of you out there play the SC Newport 2 or something similar and switched to a higher MOI putter? If so, what feedback or advice or recommendations would you offer?

[Golf64]

SC makes mid mallet putters you could look at. The new TM FCG looks promising!? Maybe time for a putter fit?!

[DREWZER300]

I would consider the length and weight of the putter, as well as the grip you are using. Those things can greatly have an effect on strike consistency more so than the style of putter you are using.

[ani5009]

Completely agree with what the other posters have said above, consider getting a fitting because they will most likely cover the length and weight of the putter you are using currently, along with the grip itself I believe. FWIW, I just switched from a Bettinardi BB1 that I've used for many years into a Taylormade Spider X after a quick fitting with my pro and I haven't rolled it this well in a long time. Part of it for me is the alignment options that a Spider (or other mallets) provide, I think it gets me set up better and I can just make my stroke without worrying about anything else.

[letsgolf]

Very interesting feedback on the grip and something I'd not considered. I just had it replaced at the beginning of the year with a different (but similar) golf pride grip than the previous SC grip.

[kb7]

Definitely look in to it. You can hand me two of the same putters with different grips and I'll hit two very different putts. Find what works for you. If you've been on the same putter for 15 years and this is the first time you've had serious issues I would examine my putting setup and stroke (as well as any changes to the putter) before changing putters.

[kennyFpowers55]

Moved from np2 that I’ve played for 10+ years to a futura x5 with a weld/slant neck (got caught up in the craze). I make a lot more 8-12 footers with it.

[nchesher]

FWIW I just switched from a Newport 2 to Evnroll ER5B and it's been a great change.

[Kentendo]

I made the switch and came back. Like you, I played Anser 2's and Newport 2's for a lot of years. I went to an Odyssey 7 because I was missing short putts and it made a big difference in that area. It lost its magic after 2 seasons, and I went back to a blade this year. This has been the best putting season of my life.
I think a switch can do wonders. If nothing else, it's good to get a different look. Definitely keep your Newports, but there is no harm in trying a high MOI mallet.

[sociojeje]

Also recommend Evnroll. ER6 and ER10 are also great high moi putters. I personally like ER6 better and that's why I bought one. But I only tried ER10 with plastic wrap. Anyway, ER10 feels a bit too springy compared to ER6. 

[bcc69]

Newport style Camerons have been my main putter for a long time.  Recently, I've been in a major slump with the Newport Buttonback.  I was missing 3-5 footers and lost all confidence.  I went to Roger Dunn and saw the new Special Select Fastback 1.5. I usually play a 34" putter, but i noticed the 33" Fastback felt good in my hands.  My putting has never been better since I made the switch.   Confidence is back up and my index went from a 6 to a 3 now.  

[letsgolf]

On 8/11/2020 at 7:48 AM, letsgolf said:

I've been playing the SC Newport 2 for maybe 15+ years and this is the first year I've seriously considered making a change to a putter with higher MOI. I'm missing too many short putts (3-5 foot range) and I can feel that I'm not contacting the ball with the center of the putter face. I'm also suffering with lag putting because of inconsistent contact. Any of you out there play the SC Newport 2 or something similar and switched to a higher MOI putter? If so, what feedback or advice or recommendations would you offer?

UPDATE:

OK, so I happened to have a lesson the day after my original post so I asked my pro if I could get a putter fitting and lesson in lieu of a full swing session.  Admittedly, the thought of a putter fitting or lesson seemed a bit out there to me, but I was desperate!

What did I learn (some of this is a bit embarrassing):

1. I'd never heard of face balanced, toe hang....etc.  That's why there's so many different types of shafts?  ha never knew that.  Thought they were cosmetic.  Turns out my SC Newport 2 was slight toe hang while what the eye mirror test showed that I would do best with a face balanced putter.
2. Length - It's official, I have gorilla arms.  Been playing a 34" putter, need 33".  Arms hang so much more comfortable. What a difference an inch makes.
3. Grip - rotating my left hand about 30 degrees counterclockwise with the grip against the palm seems to greatly stabilize the wrist movement.
4. Grip (part #2) - the larger grip that came with the club just sits so much better in my hands.  Further stabilizes the wrist and putter movement.
5. Ball position - I always heard the ball needs to be forward in the stance, but not as far as I was playing it.
6. Shoulders - hips were set up square to the target, shoulders were a bit open.

What putter did I select and how?  Of course I tried MANY.  Scotty Cameron's Odyssey, Bettinardi, Cleveland, TaylorMade....etc.  I really liked a few of them early on and thought I'd had it narrowed down to two.  Two things I definitely wanted - higher MOI and a great sight line.  After nearly an hour of the lesson and fitting, there was one putter that was consistently better than the rest, and it wasn't one of the two I thought I'd end up with.  This putter fit so good in my hands, like I'd been putting with it for years.  I really liked the looks.  A definite increase in size, but didn't look like a spaceship.  Maybe the best sight line of all putters I tested.  So easy to line up putts.  Putt after putt was dropping with this one.  The ball roll in that first foot was extremely smooth.  Overall, the Taylormade Spider X navy was just a great fit for me!

Ok, I'll own up to one more learning.  I was not really familiar with the Spider putter from TM (or most of the other putters I tried).  When I got home I wanted to read up on the putter I'd selected and was flabbergasted at how popular this series has been for TM.  I feel really good about the selection given it's popularity, because it's clearly a putter that has worked for many.  And I also feel good that I wasn't biased anyway in my selection.  I know I picked the best putter for me.

Only one round so far, but the results of the lesson and new putter were immediate.  Shot my low round of the year both on ball striking and putting.  I've had several very good ball striking rounds this year but putting let me down each time.  Not this round.  My putting finally came through both in a couple of nice birdie putts as well as some really nice lag putts on big greens.

I want to sincerely thank those of you who offered such good advice.  Putter lesson?  Putter fitting?  Who knew?

My advice to others, don't make the same mistake I'd made for so many years and assume there isn't much to gain by getting fit for your putter and taking a putting lesson.  Played the same putter for 15 years and made a lot of putts, but I would have made more had I done this sooner.

[BigtimeHC]

@letsgolf Congrats on the low round! Love the spider but the Toulon Las Vegas H7 was a little more consistent for me. Beware of the honeymoon phase ending though and stick with it. I went through a couple of weeks of average to poor putting after the initial love fest and tried to branch out with even worse results. Got the Touly back in the bag and she's better than ever! Saw a Faxon quote one time and he mentioned to find the "wand" and stick with it, no matter what. Should have listened! Would've saved me $300

[letsgolf]

4 hours ago, BigtimeHC said:

@letsgolf Congrats on the low round! Love the spider but the Toulon Las Vegas H7 was a little more consistent for me. Beware of the honeymoon phase ending though and stick with it. I went through a couple of weeks of average to poor putting after the initial love fest and tried to branch out with even worse results. Got the Touly back in the bag and she's better than ever! Saw a Faxon quote one time and he mentioned to find the "wand" and stick with it, no matter what. Should have listened! Would've saved me $300

Thanks!  I’ve experienced the dreaded honeymoon issue in the past. It usually starts with me reading a bunch of awesome reviews claiming “this” club is the best ever, and I convince myself it’ll work for me and head to the bay. 3-4 weeks later scratching my head wondering what went wrong? Lol

 

it could happen but I’m hanging my hat on the lesson correcting some flaws and being fit for the club that works best for me. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

[BigtimeHC]

@letsgolf love it, here's to your new "elder wand"!