How Much Can Putter Technology Really Change?

[snowmangolf]

I know this argument can be made about any club in the bag, but thought it would be fun to hear what people think. 

 

I started golfing about 5 years ago and I’m slowly getting off the “everything new must be better” train. I know I know, probably about 5 years too late. 

 

I understand that there are certain style putters out there today that are using new materials/designs but at the end of the day… it’s getting hard to convince me that it really makes much of a difference. 

 

While I do believe that modern drivers and woods are definitely better than 10-20 year old clubs, I’m struggling to see that to be true with irons and putters. 

 

Thoughts?

 

 

[MattM97]

Like many other things multi-material construction to move the weighting seems to be the biggest thing in a lot of large OEM's are going after since MOI is still a big thing for putters. Add on face/groove technology plus more brands are looking into better shafts.

 

They're doing as much as possible while still making a putter look semi decent, yes a lot are ugly but there are a lot of people who set them down and feel like they could roll a golf ball through an eyelet on a needle. 

[cristphoto]

I'd say most every style has been tried over the years.  Slight refinements have helped (inserts, milled faces, user replaceable weights, etc.) but the basic designs that work survive.  For the past 30 years or so I've only used the Anser style models (various Pings and Scotties, and a few Taylor Mades).  Currently in the bag now is a 25-year-old Ping Scottsdale Anser in Nickel.  Works and feels great.  

Edited February 9, 2023 by cristphoto

[snowmangolf]

1 hour ago, cristphoto said:

I'd say most every style has been tried over the years.  Slight refinements have helped (inserts, milled faces, user replaceable weights, etc.) but the basic designs that work survive.  For the past 30 years or so I've only used the Anser style models (various Pings and Scotties, and a few Taylor Mades).  Currently in the bag now is a 25-year-old Ping Scottsdale Anser in Nickel.  Works and feels great.  

That’s kind of where I guess I was going with it! Blades in particular.. there’s really not much they can do that would be innovative at this point. 

 

I just picked up a good condition Anser 2 Scottsdale TR at Golf Galaxy today for $40. Last week I bought the new Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Seven S mallet and right now I’m leaning towards playing the $40 Ping this season haha 

[mkidding]

I think "traditional shape" technology wise, the Tri-hot 5k is pushing it close to the limit. There was an LA Golf prototype that seems to be interesting on that front to.

 

And odd shape... hmm LAB is definitely doing something interesting. Never used one seriously enough to judge tho.

[MattM97]

I will add for a lot of people the best thing for some putters is a proper loft, lie and length for the player and if the putter is made well ie milled to spec and sits perfect at address that can make a world of difference for a lot of people.

[5hort5tuff]

Some companies really do put effort into the technology side. 

 

Cleveland, for example, has their Frontline series. They have moved the COG way up to the front of the putter by having strategically placed weights in the face. Then their insert has their SOFT grooves which also help distance control on mishits.  They have removable weights on the sole. They also offer their UST All In shaft on the HB series. 

 

So...in short...there are developments being made all the time. 5 or 10 years ago, it would be difficult to find multiple tech features on one putter. 

[BIG STU]

3 hours ago, cristphoto said:

I'd say most every style has been tried over the years.  Slight refinements have helped (inserts, milled faces, user replaceable weights, etc.) but the basic designs that work survive.  For the past 30 years or so I've only used the Anser style models (various Pings and Scotties, and a few Taylor Mades).  Currently in the bag now is a 25-year-old Ping Scottsdale Anser in Nickel.  Works and feels great.  

Sometimes for some folks it is all about the feel---- Your statement echos that and I agree 110%

[Gohigh]

Technology isnt just for performance, as some technology aims to improve feel. 

 

Whether that improvement in feel yields performance gains for a player, thats up to the player. 

 

Any technology that claims to make a difference in performance for the player, not the ball, is obviously false as no technology can make a player a better putter by itself. 

 

But if such putter can improve on the player's setup, alignment, stroke, or confidence, then I would say the technology has helped the player play better. 

[jomatty]

LAB Golf and Axis one have real technology that changes the way a putter performs.  It’s not something that is going to be better for every single player, imho, but it is real technology that changes the way a putter looks and performs.  
 

[Phabs]

I think they’re still advancements to be made in face tech and definitely in shaft tech.  Pretty soon every manufacturer will offer an upgraded low torque shaft in every putter.   I think there’s some advancements in face milling tech that could be done to negate some of variance in strike location on the putter face.  I work in a shop with multiple 5 axis cnc’s and my brain is still trying to wrap itself around everything that’s possible with those machining centers.  

Edited February 10, 2023 by Phabs

[Nels55]

2 hours ago, jomatty said:

LAB Golf and Axis one have real technology that changes the way a putter performs.  It’s not something that is going to be better for every single player, imho, but it is real technology that changes the way a putter looks and performs.  
 

 

I have modified several putters to be lie angle balanced as LAB calls it.  A balanced putter seems to be a game changer for me as my stroke is much better and my tendency to open the face through the ball is pretty much gone.  Kind of yip cure for me I guess.  As you mentioned it does not seem to be for everyone though.

[dhen9]

Although I think we're on the precipice of something I'm not sure you'll see revolutionary changes as the laws of physics and the tastes of the buying public put putters in a pretty tight box. I don't think the governing bodies will allow much of anything to happen to faces of putters. I also think the buying public has spoken regarding head shapes and sizes (Doc17, ER Zero, Lab). Sure you see them here and there but you still see derivations of heel/Toe weighted blades and mallets that are seldom more than 5" from face to back skirt. Just a few years ago pushing weight away from the face was state of the art, Kombi, Sabertooth, Rings of Saturn and now.... put as much weight on the perimeter but also place it as forward as we can get away with for MOI. Putters have far more constraints than striking clubs as the ball is in near constant contact with the playing surface and friction from turf and gravity have more direct effect on the ball, especially at the speeds of putts. I think multi material putters will aid in putting a resistance to twist in the club and use of softer feeling but stiffer materials in the shaft will aid as well. Putter improvements will likely come at the fitting level as hi-res hi-speed visual confirmation fitting will show golfers what 1° and a few milliseconds of skid is really doing. 

[Ghostwedge]

Does it matter ? Take the most technically advanced blade putter made and a $40 used beat to H Anser to the practice green. If you roll in  more putts with the Anser then that's your putter. Savor it and cover it. 

[KodakkuSensei]

Yeah, tech wise not much going on with putters, though getting a good fitting session on your putter can make a night and day difference. My putter was modded to a 74 degree lie and a 4 degree loft with a 35.75 length, which is not something you can pick off from a shelf.

[Jifmoli]

Here is an article that may help:

https://pluggedingolf.com/when-should-you-replace-your-golf-clubs/

 

A few years back I played with one of those copper putters that had 'patent applied' on it - I looked up the number and it was from 1965. Had nice weight and played as well as anything much newer I have used. I think largely putter tech is over rated. Weight only for me is important.

 

[philly2kuk]

For me, a putter that suits you and you’re confident with is worth any amount of money. Whether that’s a bargain bin special or a limited Scotty, ping, etc.

 

It’s your most used club, so that’s more important than tech for me.

[jomatty]

5 hours ago, Ghostwedge said:

Does it matter ? Take the most technically advanced blade putter made and a $40 used beat to H Anser to the practice green. If you roll in  more putts with the Anser then that's your putter. Savor it and cover it. 

It matters if you roll more putts in with the most technologically advanced putter and have to ask yourself if you want to spend a small fortune on it.  At that point it comes down to how much better is it?  If the Anser is best than you are in luck and don’t have to make a decision!

[kmay__]

Putter itself I agree not much to improve tech wise, but the faces... The varying groove thickness idea like evnroll I can appreciate, transfer more energy to the off center strikes which can tend to not travel as far as a center strike, sound logic. And the SIK face, with the 4 different lofts milled in, so when your strike varies and is more up or down at the ball, the idea is you'll still present the same loft.

 

Those are the 2 that stand out to me as actual game improving tech. And I guess the 3D printed putters as well where you can really throw the weight out towards the toe and heel, has to improve MOI..... what real measurable effect that has.... I don't know. 

[Barracuda]

No torque putters really made a difference for me. I'm gaming axis1 HM, if you don't get distracted by looks, it's a game changer

[golfinbrad]

I'd say it depends on how you define "Tech".  Today, there is such a wide variety of putter options (shapes, weights, faces, alignment lines, etc.).  I think the term Tech often gets confused for meaning something new or innovative  Used as more of a marketing term.  There is only so much you can do with a putter.  If a 30 year old putter fits and you have confidence in it, you have no reason to change.  However, that would not make for a good marketing slogan.

[Medson]

A few tech moments in the last 10 years. At least, this is how I remembered. 

 

- Grooves are all the rage in early 2010s. When Tiger switched from his Scotty to the Nike putter, it felt the sky is falling.

 

-  Ping's variable depth grooves in mid 2010s. Bobby Grace also did something similar earlier. 

 

- Odyssey's Versa alignment. If I remember correctly, Odyssey guys said the whole Versa color scheme is an accident. They were experimenting multi material construction. To highlight the different material, they paint the putter different color during the presentation to executives. The multi material did not move forward, but the different color scheme got a lot of love. And Versa was born. (God, I hope I did not make this up. This is almost 10 years ago)

[a009938]

Roll a LAB and you'll understand "old" technology vs "new".

[me05501]

On 2/9/2023 at 9:08 PM, 5hort5tuff said:

Some companies really do put effort into the technology side. 

 

Cleveland, for example, has their Frontline series. They have moved the COG way up to the front of the putter by having strategically placed weights in the face. Then their insert has their SOFT grooves which also help distance control on mishits.  They have removable weights on the sole. They also offer their UST All In shaft on the HB series. 

 

So...in short...there are developments being made all the time. 5 or 10 years ago, it would be difficult to find multiple tech features on one putter. 

 

Odyssey did the same thing between their 10 and 11 series. The 10's had weight way back and the 11's have weight way forward. 

 

Assuming these companies employ actual engineers, and own all the latest testing and analysis gear, the idea that they suddenly discovered that a completely opposite approach to weighting was the way to go is pretty funny to me. I'm sure it didn't go down that way. More likely the guys in marketing said "the 10's didn't sell enough, we need something different this year."

[Barracuda]

On 2/10/2023 at 3:06 PM, Medson said:

A few tech moments in the last 10 years. At least, this is how I remembered. 

 

- Grooves are all the rage in early 2010s. When Tiger switched from his Scotty to the Nike putter, it felt the sky is falling.

 

-  Ping's variable depth grooves in mid 2010s. Bobby Grace also did something similar earlier. 

 

- Odyssey's Versa alignment. If I remember correctly, Odyssey guys said the whole Versa color scheme is an accident. They were experimenting multi material construction. To highlight the different material, they paint the putter different color during the presentation to executives. The multi material did not move forward, but the different color scheme got a lot of love. And Versa was born. (God, I hope I did not make this up. This is almost 10 years ago)

When I think grooves from 10 years ago, yes!  If the first one that pops in my head.

[me05501]

On 2/13/2023 at 8:45 AM, HighHooks said:

Been using Axis1 for about 4 years when Justin Rose switched, and after stumbling across this video. Their CG patents separate them from everyone else.  Basically proves what they claim in this video about point of zero twist being exactly where the line is on the putter and having consistent ball speeds through out the entire face...They've been talking about Perfect Balance / Torque free for over a decade. Others have tried to copy. They also have the patents to put the CG on the Center of the striking face and others (Odyssey, Cleveland, TaylorMade) are now talking about moving CG forward. 

 

 

 

 

 

There's a ton of interesting ideas in the putter world, but so many times the best tech results in a design that a lot of golfers just refuse to imagine themselves using. 

 

Here's another one that might work incredibly well but is just too odd-looking for most of us:

BioMech AccuLock ACE Putter… A More Natural, Efficient Putting System – BioMech Golf

[BHI 99]

Tiger Woods is using “Exhibit A”. 

[roundersmitty]

I have tried;

-torque balanced

-stability shafts

-sik face

-Evnroll face

-SeeMore rst 

These all haven’t helped me that much

 

Odyssey stroke lab weighting and Sacks Parente ultra low balance point have helped me a lot more.  When I can feel the head more I can create a tempo with proper pace. Sacks Parente heads are all high moi for off center strikes and cg in the right place to avoid sidespin. 

[Soloman1]

We've been conditioned to choose between a gecko with a British accent, an emu or some middle-aged woman with a ray gun to buy car insurance.

 

Why? Because they're all about the same.

 

There is no objective testing to measure putter performance. There is no evidence that putter A is better technology than putters B, C or D. Why? Because subjective branding, marketing and influencer effect is better for sales. It's easy to say something is high MOI without a shred of evidence to show it. Especially if measured testing might show isn't any better.

 

Just one example is that you can measure the effect of MOI by measuring ball dispersion with robot testing of impact at different locations on the face. That would clearly show which putters have the highest MO and be very useful to people, but here, watch this emu.

 

There are other measurable tests to compare performance and technology, such as how much bounce and skid, distance until true roll, how much backspin off the face, etc. Never see it, do you? They are real indicators of performance, but here, watch this gecko.

 

The only thing tested is the size of marketing budgets. You want us to test your putter? Pay us X thousand dollars, and we'll have some people write their feelings and put you on the "Hot List."

 

Many golfers are like women and handbags. Ooooh, Tiger has this brand; Kim Kardashian has this brand. And they'll rationalize their decision until death that it's better.

[BHI 99]

4 minutes ago, Soloman1 said:

Many golfers are like women and handbags. Ooooh, Tiger has this brand; Kim Kardashian has this brand. And they'll rationalize their decision until death that it's better

But what if the Hokey Pokey is really what it’s all about?