Smooth Faced Putter

[Robenco15]

Going to be sending my Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 out to NorCal putters this winter for a refinish and am deciding what else I want done to it.
 

The milling is already very light and while I was originally going to have it remilled light, have been thinking about getting it smooth. I like the look of it (along with a smooth sole), but have never used a smooth faced putter.

 

From what I understand a soft ball feels better off the face than a harder ball, which is fine because I use the AVX, but curious if anyone here uses a smooth face or has used one in the past and if you have any opinions one way or the other on it. Thanks so much!

[drscott266]

A Smooth face should feel firmest of any type of milling. 

[A.Princey]

Shouldn’t change much, the micro milling that’s already on there is mostly cosmetic. 

[MattM97]

A very light or scratch milling should feel the same if not very similar to a smooth face.

 

Also remember the putter design and weight placement play a factor as well. A putter with a very thick cavity will feel softer than one with a lot of mass milled out. 

 

I have a smooth face and sound slot that is very soft because of the cavity thickness. Another smooth face with an audible click on impact I like and a very light fly mill that clicks on long lag putts. 

 

To me all enjoyable to others not so much but couldn't be a huge difference for you. 

[Robenco15]

Thanks for the replies and insights guys!

[Yoshifan151]

I love smooth putter faces, much better feedback on a mis-hit. Hit it in the middle and it still feels good.

[Robenco15]

5 minutes ago, Yoshifan151 said:

I love smooth putter faces, much better feedback on a mis-hit. Hit it in the middle and it still feels good.

Sold

[Phabs]

This feels super close to a smooth face. 

[Robenco15]

2 minutes ago, Phabs said:

This feels super close to a smooth face. 

So may as well be

[Phabs]

29 minutes ago, Robenco15 said:

So may as well be

Face is micro milled 

[Robenco15]

6 minutes ago, Phabs said:

Face is micro milled 

Yeah I see that. Difference between that and smooth is probably nothing 

[DrJACOB]

After experimenting with deep milling on a few putters and realizing it was more for looks.  It does change the sound (ie sound+vibaration=feel) but I prefer a smooth face.  Not any advantage performance wise that I notice.

KJ 

Edited August 23, 2022 by DrJACOB

[Robenco15]

6 minutes ago, DrJACOB said:

After experimenting with deep milling on a few putters and realizing it was more for looks.  It does change the sound (ie feel+vibaration=feel) but I prefer a smooth face.  Not any advantage performance wise that I notice.

KJ 

Yeah I definitely do not like the look of deep milling. Think the smooth face with the smooth sole will look really good and still perform how my putter currently performs. 

[Medson]

The milling on Studio Select is already very light. I don’t think going with a smooth face will change much. 

[rukahs]

Here's my latest smooth face putter. To be honest I noticed no difference from the milled putters I have (example being the Newport in the background). 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Probably comes down to sound and a bit of vibration. Ive hit pings recent smooth face versions and i personally didnt like the feel and sound. That could just be a ping thing though. The roll seems the same though.

[JDTex]

I like the smooth face milling for sound and feel reasons. My hearing isn't great so I like the added audible feedback from a smooth face putter. I have liked the feel of some insert putters but can't hear the strike and ends up being a deal killer. 

[kb7]

Smooth face putters are my favorites! I roll a smooth Mack Made and typically play a ProV1X and do not find it too clicky or firm. 

[2Down]

On 8/23/2022 at 8:55 AM, JDTex said:

I like the smooth face milling for sound and feel reasons. My hearing isn't great so I like the added audible feedback from a smooth face putter. I have liked the feel of some insert putters but can't hear the strike and ends up being a deal killer. 

Me too. Not the best ears in town and I don’t wear my hearing aids on the course anymore after losing one looking under a bush for a ball.  The bush’s branches kinda swept it from my head I think.  
 

So, I agree, my current gamer and those on the bench are all smooth faced and I’m thinking your right, I hear/feel them better.   

Edited August 25, 2022 by 2Down

[pmcuk]

Put me down as another fan of a smooth face. I love a crisp click to a putter. 

[LeftyMatt24]

Can the milling be removed to make a milled face smooth? 

[Phabs]

30 minutes ago, LeftyMatt24 said:

Can the milling be removed to make a milled face smooth? 

Yes but at a cost to headweight. 

[LeftyMatt24]

1 minute ago, Phabs said:

Yes but at a cost to headweight. 

Thank you. My milling is extremely light almost as if it’s smooth. I just like the look of a smooth face. I guess I’d need to request them to weight before and after and add some lead tape on bottom. 

[AlohaPineapple]

2 hours ago, LeftyMatt24 said:

Thank you. My milling is extremely light almost as if it’s smooth. I just like the look of a smooth face. I guess I’d need to request them to weight before and after and add some lead tape on bottom. 

had a carbon steel scotty newport remilled before and it lost about 5g

Edited March 28, 2023 by AlohaPineapple

[LeftyMatt24]

6 minutes ago, AlohaPineapple said:

had a carbon steel scotty newport remilled before and it lost about 5g

Thank you. Where did you send it? 

[AlohaPineapple]

29 minutes ago, LeftyMatt24 said:

Thank you. Where did you send it? 

 

BOS golf, they did a great job.  the remill was part of a refinishing restoration

 

 

[AMBRJA02]

Smooth Face - Normally a firm feel