Anyone still using a counter-balanced putter?

[jten9]

I've been using cb since 2020, during covid I decided to experiment... Bought 2 inexpensive used (and identical) Cleveland Classic Black belly putters and converted them, to test side by side. I normally play 33" putters. Both putters have a 400g head, 3° loft, lie adjusted to 70° (orig. 72°).

 

I converted one to my standard length of 33" w/ a heavy grip: Superstroke Pistol GT 1.0 grip (10.5" long, 1.14" diameter, 82g, 75g counterweight installed (152g grip ttl)), ~654g ttl weight.

 

2nd putter was shortened to ~36.25" (to match hand position of a 33" standard putter). Superstroke Tour XL 2.0  (13.75" long, 1.18" diameter, 77g, 50g counterweight installed (127g grip ttl)), ~664g ttl weight.

 

Both putters feel similar, with similar overall weight which I thought would make an ideal comparison between "standard" length and extended. On the longer putter I'm using the Superstroke 13.75" instead of the 17" grip, as my eye doesn't really like the super long grip.

 

I've found I like the longer putter which puts the concentration of weight just above my hands, and therefore I've had the longer one in my bag ever since. I do like the shorter standard length better than non-cb putters, but I find the longer shaft with weight above my hands really stabilizes my back swing in particular, compared to shorter standard putters.

 

As an aside, I bought the 2 Cleveland putters really cheap for testing, and thought if I liked the feel of counterbalance I would buy something "better". Well, they both feel and play really well so they're now my #1 and #2. Nice bonus since I paid the same for just both grips as I paid for the putters.

 

Obviously ymmv 😀

[Misc1600]

I’m really liking the Winn 15 grip vs SS versions 

[ae1985]

I just put a counterbalance superstroke grip on my anser. 

[JLo_73]

Just extended my Mizuno to 37.5" and added a Winn Long 15 inch CB putter grip...first round this morning and it was amazing.   Rolled so many more putts pure.  Historically been a decent putter but really intrigued by this move....

[Bob M]

Over the weekend I ordered a Seemore PVD FGP at 34.5" with an additional 10-gram head weight and gripped with the Seemore 120-gram long grip as a Hovland adjacent counter balanced putter experiment. I've learned that I putt better with a blade and have been previously fitted for putters at 33" so the plan is to grip down a couple of inches and see how well it works. If it is an epic failure, all I need to do is regrip with a standard grip and move on, so the risk is pretty low. 

[ShortSticks]

I am in my 3rd year with the Counter Balance putter set up and I have settled on a 2-ball TEN at 36.5" with WINN CB grip. I had the 2 ball ELEVEN set up the same, but I just did not make as many as I make with the 2 ball TEN. Sean Toulon said the 2 ball TEN is the best 2 ball they have ever made and I would agree.

 

I also have a 34" 2 ball TEN that I play some days when I want to play a normal length putter and it can be hot and cold. Played the last two weeks with it and had 25 putts one week and 39 the next. With the 36.5" CB putter I usually have 28-32 putts. That is why I like the Counter Balance set up more overall. Yes, it looks weird in the bag and I may not make as many bombs with it, but I do not miss as many short ones and tend to 3 putt much less with the CB putter. YMMV.

 

[Hoodman22]

Have a 38” Nike Drone 2 that’s been in the bag for 4 years now. Love the length and the straight sight line. Have several other putters but this has been the most consistent one so far. It’s not the most attractive, but has been effective for me.

[Boricua Golf]

I re-shafted my SC Futura X5 with the BGT Stability shaft and added a SS (Flatso 1.0) grip with a 25g weight insert, it's working great so far...

[vman]

I have an Odyssey 11 2 ball with a 385 gram head and a 15” Winn grip 35.5” length. 

[KGolfCT]

I play a Scotty Cameron X7M Dual Balance at 38 inches. It's the most stable putter I've ever used, just rock the shoulders and it's automatic, never goes offline.

 

One guy said it looked like a spaceship, another said it looks like a jack hammer, and my pro just shook his head and walked away.

 

Then I shot a 71, 1 under par. Haven't had a 3 putt in ages. Shape really doesn't bother me, just looks like a fang style putter with the bar connecting them.

[Double-par8]

@ShortSticks looks like you have 2.5 inches between your preferred short and CB putters. Think that’s a good length difference? TIA

[ShortSticks]

On 2/9/2024 at 11:15 AM, Double-par8 said:

@ShortSticks looks like you have 2.5 inches between your preferred short and CB putters. Think that’s a good length difference? TIA

I normally play 34 inch putters. When I started experimenting with the counterbalance set up I started at 38 inches but quickly realized at my height (5'9") that the butt end would sometimes get caught in my shirt or hit my belly so I shortened to 37" then 36.5" . This length seems to work the best for me but YMMV.

Edited February 14 by ShortSticks

[PatG]

This may be a dumb question. The majority of CB users on tour seem to be pairing it with a single bend face balanced putter. Is there a reason for this?

 

Additionally, I am thinking about going the Hovland/Wyndam route (36"?) with my current gamer (hydroblast slant neck.) 1.) Is that a good idea with the slant neck? 2.) Is there a consensus on head weight and length? Typically play 35".

[BHI 99]

I wondered the same about the DB. I’m currently using a 35” (normally use 34”) 7CH with a 13” SS3.0. Mini counter balance I reckon, but she’s smooooth.