Can a putter shaft be too stiff?

[ChaosTheory]

Yes, another LAB thread.  I think the stock steel shaft on my Mezz is very stiff, intentionally so as I understand it.  For me as well as many others, feel and distance control are compromised on this putter.  And like me, many people think they feel light.  I think it’s likely all due to shaft stiffness.

 

 I demoed a Mezz with the BGT Stability shaft, and it was even more of the above.  
 

I assume a putter shaft can be too stiff, right?  
 

I get the engineering attraction to removing variances.  But maybe these ultra stiff shafts are too much of a good thing.

Thoughts?

@labgolf

[5hort5tuff]

For me...the stiffer the better, especially on putts over 15-20 feet. I love it. I don't care about feel that much because the heads I use already feel nice.   I will say, there is likely a perfect combo for each person, based on testing, and that's likely not the stiffest shaft for each person. 

 

I don't think the Mezz will ever feel as nice as beautiful carbon anser style putter...however it is very subjective. Up to you. 

 

I don't understand why a putter with no torque needs a low torque shaft as well. Interesting isn't it.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 01:04 PM by 5hort5tuff

[snowmangolf]

14 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

For me...the stiffer the better, especially on putts over 15-20 feet. I love it. I don't care about feel that much because the heads I use already feel nice.   I will say, there is likely a perfect combo for each person, based on testing, and that's likely not the stiffest shaft for each person. 

 

I don't think the Mezz will ever feel as nice as beautiful carbon anser style putter...however it is very subjective. Up to you. 

 

I don't understand why a putter with no torque needs a low torque shaft as well. Interesting isn't it.

 

 

 

If I had to guess, no torque in your putting stroke has nothing to do with no torque when the ball is struck off center. Low torque shafts will prevent the head from twisting and keep the ball more on line.

[Phabs]

Not in my experience.  It’s more about individual feel than anything… what seems stiff to you may not to me. 

16 hours ago, 5hort5tuff said:

 

I don't understand why a putter with no torque needs a low torque shaft as well. Interesting isn't it.

 

 

Marketing. 

[ChaosTheory]

On 6/15/2024 at 7:59 AM, 5hort5tuff said:

 

 

I don't understand why a putter with no torque needs a low torque shaft as well. Interesting isn't it.

 

 

 

Yes it is.  Over my years in club making I have seen all sorts of ideas and practices that place the highest priority on, "since we can measure it (and maximize or minimize it), then it's very important."  I can't imagine that a normal flex putter shaft in my Mezz would introduce enough new variability to matter in the real world.  But it might give me the distance feel I'm looking for, which would be good.

 

I might buy a backup LAB and a normal shaft and put them together and start tinkering.  I like the putter and it's reduced my scores.  But there is room for improvement as far as how it fits my stroke.

Edited Sunday at 03:18 PM by ChaosTheory

[ChaosTheory]

11 hours ago, snowmangolf said:

 

If I had to guess, no torque in your putting stroke has nothing to do with no torque when the ball is struck off center. Low torque shafts will prevent the head from twisting and keep the ball more on line.

 

That makes sense.  My counter-thought is that Odyssey and Cameron and the rest also know that (if it really is the case), but elect to use a little more flex in order for the putters to give the expected feedback during the swing and transition.  If so, then it is a matter of priorities.  From using my Mezz vs regular putters, I get the sense that the Mezz is too stiff and doesn't give the right feedback during the swing.  For me of course.