How much improvement is there, really, from a $100 putter to a $400 putter? Is it pure marketing, or is there truly a technological improvement that effects your game?

[bunta]

17 hours ago, BHI 99 said:

Better is better. I’’m the cheapest skate there is, but don’t think you’re going to sell me s*** and pretend it’s Shinola. 
 

Just don’t fool yourself in thinking you bought what you didn’t. 

 

what is Shinola ?

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, nsxguy said:

Only a 40% increase,,,,,,,, in 20 years ?

It was actually $275, I believe.

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, bunta said:

what is Shinola ?

I believe that in that context, it refers to a now defunct brand of shoe polish.

It used to be a fairly common saying.

Edited December 23, 2023 by Ger21

[BHI 99]

8 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

To get out of this hole you dug yourself into dig up stupid.

Nice try sugartits. 

[philly2kuk]

Does a £400 putter make you instantly a better player? No it doesn’t. You need to be fit for the right putter for you then put the practice in, whether that’s £20 or £400. A well fit putter is worth any amount of money in my opinion, as it’s the club you use the most a round.

[jomatty]

There is so much that goes into finding a putter that is perfect for an individual.  Sometimes that putter costs $50 and sometimes over $1,000.  Not only can performance specifics/technology of the putter have an effect on performance but a different things give different people confidence. Confidence in putting is worth more than all the No torque, sweet face, descending loft tech you can pack in a putter.

If putting with a 6K circle T, or 2k custom helps someone’s confidence and helps them putt better, or better yet, enjoy the game more than I will always be glad they found something that works for them.  It is not for me, but those that judge harshly have an element of jealousy imho.  Those that are happy, have confidence and putt well with an older Ping or one of the Odyssey White Hots should consider themselves lucky,  I would never suggest my dad change from the old 2 ball he uses.  He has bought Scotty’s and other putters, including newer 2 balls and keeps coming back to his gamer that gives him confidence.  
For me, I’m always intrigued by new tech.  That makes spending around $500 on a LAB and $250 on an Axis1 worth it.  It is fun for me, and I believe helps some.  Is it a game changer?  No.  Do I like it and think it helps?  Yes, a little bit.  Hard to quantify but I do think it saves strokes over the course of a season, but it is hard to quantify.  Maybe .5-1 handicap stroke over a season.
It also brings up the question of what is improvement and how much are you willing to pay for it.  Often times people will post about drivers and say “I’m not spending $500 for an extra 5-6 yards”.  That is so personal.  Is it worth it to spend $500 on a putter that might drop your handicap by a stroke or so at most by the end of the season.  I would say yes but many others would argue that is a waste of money.  We both are right.  

[Feelingofgreatness]

Going from $100 to $400 with lower you putts per round by about 3

[MachineHack]

I didn’t come here expecting to see so much hate for Cleveland putters lol.

 

the front lines roll the ball really nice, is the fit and finish as nice as a Scotty or Ping? Nope but it will put a solid roll on a ball and improve your putting. Does that mean Scotty’s and Ping (or whatever expensive putter) is a rip off? I don’t think it particularly matters. The fit and finish is nicer with them and that’s the extra cost you’re paying for in a lot of cases. 
 

Personally I think the biggest mistake being made out there is that there’s a one putter for all courses solution. 

[PARETO]

Lots of varying opinions here. Interesting. Like us all, I enjoy a good mid week wonder around the putter section at (insert golf big box shop here). Once in a while something from that putter section follows me home. Only to be sold on in like 3 weeks. I’ve never been fitted for a putter. Nor will I ever. To me, putting is less science and more art. If I like looking at it, and want to practice with it, I’m good to go. Putters need to make you love to putt. If that’s a $50 zing2 from the late 80’s loaded with some sole lead tape, or if that’s some branding iron looking face balanced $700 2023 gizmo - that’s up to the player. 
Me? I’m 50 now and am loving putters of a certain vintage. Putt like a kid they say. So I choose putters I had back then. 2005 DiMarco Ping AnserF Ti ISO. Ping Zing2 lead tape edition. Ping Karsten MyDay from the same lead tape era. I need to procure a BeCu Anser2 I think to aid the efforts. 
Also it should be known that an off the rack Cleveland Front Line won me an impromptu putting contest once in my local big box putter section. Beat 3 guys who all grabbed Scotty’s. 

[goalie]

11 hours ago, PARETO said:

 I’ve never been fitted for a putter. Nor will I ever. To me, putting is less science and more art. 

Ironically, the people at ECPC agree with you, and basically said anyone can be fit into almost any putter.  But, in the end, you actually are fit for loft and lie, and how the ball starts rolling does (in my case) significantly improve.  

 

Getting the red part (the pic is how I was putting with a stock putter, not adjusted to me) to green when the ball starts rolling has been HUGE for me this year.  

 

The artist probably matters........

[Nickb333]

A couple folks eluded to this but none actuality came out and said it. There is no significant difference between a $100 and $400 putter. $500+ is where the magic starts. 

[MattM97]

1 hour ago, goalie said:

Ironically, the people at ECPC agree with you, and basically said anyone can be fit into almost any putter.  But, in the end, you actually are fit for loft and lie, and how the ball starts rolling does (in my case) significantly improve.  

 

Getting the red part (the pic is how I was putting with a stock putter, not adjusted to me) to green when the ball starts rolling has been HUGE for me this year.  

 

The artist probably matters........

 

Get loft, length and lie then have fun with the rest. 

 

1 hour ago, Nickb333 said:

A couple folks eluded to this but none actuality came out and said it. There is no significant difference between a $100 and $400 putter. $500+ is where the magic starts. 

 

$1000+ is where the black magic starts. 

[Pepperturbo]

Worth is a subjective measure that depends on the person's resources, level of interest in golf, and how good of a green reader they are. 

 

I am a respectable reader, so my putting stats are equally good; seldom 3 putt.  However, some buddies use putters that cost less than $100 and they 3 putt rather often.  My wife uses an Odyssey Black Series i #7 that I purchased new for nearly $200 in 2008.  She's a better putter than me but wouldn't spend $100 on a putter.

 

If someone is not good at green reading, it doesn't matter how much the putter costs, it's NOT going to make up for someone's inability to read greens if he's not making many putts.

 

[vman]

You can get a Ping PLD in the UK now for a smooth £2000 with the full fitting experience…..ouch.

[MattM97]

23 minutes ago, vman said:

You can get a Ping PLD in the UK now for a smooth £2000 with the full fitting experience…..ouch.

 

Was 2200 when they first released the program there so better than before lol. 

[Greenie]

I don't think the cost of a putter has anything to do with how well a person putts. Finding a putter that suits your eye, has a feel that you like, and gives you good speed control is most important IMO. That may come in an expensive putter or a cheap putter for the one putting.. The rest has to do with how well one putts to begin with where it comes down to reading greens and getting the speed right.

 

I have used my Ping G2i Craz-e putter I bought new around 2004 for most of my rounds over the years. I have owned a Scotty and a Bettinardi (which I loved) to mention a few really nice putters I have owned. I have always come back to my G2i Craz-e. The only putter I would say I putt better with is an old Slotline S.A.M. putter I bought at a yard sale back when for $5. I gave that putter to my buddy when I got my G2i and he has been using it to this day. 

 

Earlier this year stupid me left my putter in the basement after a new grip install. I showed up ready to play without a putter. I used my friends Slotline putter I gave him and I putted lights out with it. I went on Ebay as soon as I got home and bought one for $12 + shipping. I've been gaming it for the most part since buying it and refinishing it. Neither putter I play is worth that much but they work for me.