Lighter or Heavier putter for distance control?

[PingPoncho]

Do you think a lighter or heavier putter gives you better distance control on your putts?

 

What does a lighter weight putter offer?

 

 

What does a heavier weight putter offer?

[pitbull808]

sighhh.....I'll try and give you a little more information.

 

 

Personal feel has the most to do with this. Some people like myself tend to find heavier putters do not give enough feedback like lighter putters do. The distance control I have is better with a lighter head. Another factor to consider is shaft length vs putter head weight. With shorter shafts (33"), I tend to like a heavier head in the 340-355gram area. With my longer putters (34-35") I like the headweight to be between 325-345 grams.

 

I feel the weight of the head in relation to the length of the putter is very important in getting feel and in turn developing your distance control. I've tested and experimented with hundreds of putters to figure out exactly what I'm looking for as far as feel. I can honestly tell you that even though I've done all this testing, I'm still hunting for the perfect combination. You've got to try several similar head styles at different weight's and lengths to figure out what works best for you.

[aviator]

It is definitely personal, but I tried putting with a 350 gram head 34" and I couldn't make anything and my distance control was all over the place. Went back to a much lighter putter and it immediately improved, quite a noticeable difference. I think lighter is typically better for distance control, I get more feel and feedback that way.

[Dyno]

I've tried every combination known to man but had a preconception on what should work. Turns out I had it backwards. Now use a standard 340g head with a 165g grip and 70g backweight. 32" putter length. Hefty heads (I tried up to 405 but was in the 370g range for a long time) hurt my speed control...some 370 grammers worse than others depending on what I had doen for loft/lie/grip/length.

[Geo]

lighter and smaller.

sighhh.....I'll try and give you a little more information.

 

 

Personal feel has the most to do with this. Some people like myself tend to find heavier putters do not give enough feedback like lighter putters do. The distance control I have is better with a lighter head. Another factor to consider is shaft length vs putter head weight. With shorter shafts (33"), I tend to like a heavier head in the 340-355gram area. With my longer putters (34-35") I like the headweight to be between 325-345 grams.

 

I feel the weight of the head in relation to the length of the putter is very important in getting feel and in turn developing your distance control. I've tested and experimented with hundreds of putters to figure out exactly what I'm looking for as far as feel. I can honestly tell you that even though I've done all this testing, I'm still hunting for the perfect combination. You've got to try several similar head styles at different weight's and lengths to figure out what works best for you.

 

so . . . basically . . . lighter and smaller huh? :ok:

 

Kind of expanding on what Reid said, it all comes down to balance especially in relation to personal feel. In the chat with David Mills, he said that heavier putters are easier to track, while lighter putters give better feel and control (ie distance control). The trick is to find what works best for you.

 

I don't have quite the experimentation experience as pitbull, but as far as I can tell, I'm pretty close to what is my ideal (mid D's at 33"--basically 360gram). Thing is, I'll pick up my superlight ping (swingweight easy low C's maybe even mid-to-high B's) and stroke some great putts, but I can't depend on my stroke to last. I need a putter that will help my stroke a little more while maintaining some modicum of distance control.

 

We live in a cynical world. A cynical world. And putting is a business of tough balances. I love my putters. They... complete me. :)

 

beruo maguire