Milled or Insert - What's Your Preference?

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

I'm a milled-face guy.  I prefer the sound and feel, and feel like I can control the distance better.  And to my eye, the look bitchin'...

 

 

 

Okay, so insert type putters can look pretty sweet too...

 

What's your preference and why?

[Mr_Theoo]

I'm not sure what I would call my Nike method 001 cause it has a milled face but a type of insert in the grooves but it's the best putter I've had by far.

 

The looks fit my eye and I just have a cercertain confidence in it

[Maverickping]

I have both, no real difference for me. If I like the way it looks I will get it.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Any putter has a chance with me

Most of my "keepers" are milled, but there are a few insert models that are not ever going to leave my possession either.

[mbrodeur86]

I'm using the Odyssey Black Series #1 putter which has a milled face insert lol - How would we classify that? I do like the feel of a milled face more though

 

 

http://www.3balls.com/images/dynamic/products/stock_photos/odyssey/putters/black_series/1/stock/stk_xx_large.jpg

[Maverickping]

Here are a couple of the insert putters I have.The first picture is two putters with mokume gane The second is sterling silver with guilloche engraving on it..The last is a raw damascus insert.

[Kenny B]

I have only owned 3 putters; yes, 3 you guys! And I still have them.

 

The first is a brass head with smooth face that was made here locally; unique hosel.

The second is an STX Switchblade that has 2 face inserts of different weights; very soft faces and I went with the heavier one.

The third is an original Boccieri Heavy Putter that I picked up used for $30. Milled face, 900 grams, and 31 inches. I can't imagine putting with anything else.

 

So, my progression over the years is light, medium, heavy and smooth, insert, milled.

[ZenGolfer]

I used to be a milled guy but Im currently playing an insert putter and I love the soft feel.

[fozcycle]

I'm not sure what I would call my Nike method 001 cause it has a milled face but a type of insert in the grooves but it's the best putter I've had by far.

 

The looks fit my eye and I just have a certain confidence in it

 

I also use the Nike Method putter........I guess it is an insert......but the roll is very smooth.

[GolfSpy Tim]

My Nike Mod 90 has been for the win in my bag.

best of both worlds?

[Aotearoa_Brad]

My SeeMore M3 has been the biggest asset for me in the last 5 months - its definitely more the RifleScope Tech (RST) than the milled vs insert, I'm sure, but I can't see ever changing this (unless its to go to a different SeeMore putter). For the medium term I'm officially a milled 'lifer'.

[LBlack14]

I really like the feel of the YES! C-groove face. That said, I prefer milled over insert.

[Jmikecpa]

I prefer a milled face since I have yet to find an insert putter that works for me....and I have tried more than I care to admit.  I have found that right now the Bettinardi FIT face is the best of both worlds and gives a nice soft feel with the spring like feel of an insert.  Out of all the putters that I own I think that I have less than 10 that are insert putters and they spend all their time hanging out in the golf room together.

[JBones]

I prefer the look and feel of a milled putter, but prefer the results of an insert.  That could be a by product though......I putter better with mallets and every mallet I have owned has an insert, where as almost every blade I have owned is milled.

[westy]

Im with maverick - like some of both.

 

But I'm really liking the look of MGS Tim's Nike......oh dear can feel a purchase coming on

[fozcycle]

Tim I noticed the price on your Nike....$359.99.....Really?

[GolfSpy Dave]

Tim I noticed the price on your Nike....$359.99.....Really?

They were expensive, but that MOD line was really nice. The MOD 90 in particular was an interesting stick.

[Mr_Theoo]

Tim I noticed the price on your Nike....$359.99.....Really?

Retail is only 299. No more expensive than a Scotty or the metal x milled odysseys.

[BIG STU]

My Nike Mod 90 has been for the win in my bag.

 

best of both worlds?

 

I see you left the price tag on it

[BIG STU]

Well I guess I am the party pooper on this one. I don't use either one. I don't for some reason like the feel of an insert and cant get roll or speed consistant with a milled face.I do have one milled face putter it is a Yes! Dianna. The only reason I think I keep it around is because it looks good. But that is just me

[BIG STU]

I was looking at my previous post and thought I may have came off a little harsh. I did not mean to. I have always been of the thought that in golf "do your own thing" whatever feels right to you. I was once reminded by a great member that I had gotten too harsh about launch monitor numbers in a post. He was very correct. It brought to light something. Some of us were brought up in an entirely different era of equipment. In my day I first learned to putt with old blade putters. When the Pings came to popularity in the 60s 70s that was modern technology for us and we developed "our feel" for non insert putters. This great member also made me realize that I and other members on here have been playing golf longer than some have been alive. So embrace your new technology and develop your feel for either milled or insert.

Someday I hope to be up there looking down and seeing some of you guys saying "aww the milled face is the only way to go" when the new generation has gone to the new "atomic super flux capacitor insert face" putter. It really has to do with the era you learned the game in

[westy]

Wasn't that harsh Stu. I sometimes find myself lecturing the youngsters I play with about how easy they have it with modern kit....

 

I played well with ping putters, but learnt with a slot line bullseye first. Blimey that wasn't a forgiving putter.

 

My first non ping was a Yes! It took me a long time to get comfortable with milled and insert putters - now really enjoying the Never Compromise Sub 30 (first insert I've got on with).

[BIG STU]

Wasn't that harsh Stu. I sometimes find myself lecturing the youngsters I play with about how easy they have it with modern kit....

 

I played well with ping putters, but learnt with a slot line bullseye first. Blimey that wasn't a forgiving putter.

 

My first non ping was a Yes! It took me a long time to get comfortable with milled and insert putters - now really enjoying the Never Compromise Sub 30 (first insert I've got on with).

Thanks for that. I was wondering are you still putting belly anchor? Are you going to continue to do so? It does not matter to me what someone does even though I putt conventional. I was probably one of the few conventional putters that supported not banning anchoring. I myself did putt with a broomhandle Ping for a year or two but went back to conventional when I found my long lost Ping Zing2 Not trying to start anything just curious. FYI Some of the Men's Assoc and leagues have already voted to disregard the USGA ruling and keep anchoring legal in club and league play here

[westy]

Well, the writing was on the wall so I gave up on the Longstick at the start of the season. I play inter club league golf so they'll be no flexing on the rules for me sadly.

 

there are days when I struggle with my back and getting over the putter gives me some trouble, but I've found the Superstroke grip has taken some of the issues away with the tremors in my left hand.

 

I don't agree with the ban and I'm pleased to see clubs and associations ignoring it - it was a bloody minded ruling that wasn't needed.....

 

My garage is graveyard of the belly putter! My never compromise, Yes Sandy, nike drone and Stx have all been trimmed to different lengths with different grips so that I can get my head round putting again.

 

Back as a teenager I used to play with a ping pal cut to 31 inches, doubt that helped my back much!

[silver & black]

Stu..... there wasn't anything harsh about your post. I'm "older" but I haven't been playing near as long as a lot of you. I don't care for insert putters at all. I would rather use a plain face or milled face. I like the feel of the ball hitting the actual club face rather than an insert.

[mbrodeur86]

I've had them all. I've been through so many putters, it would make your head spin lol. That being said, 1 of my favorites was the Nike Method 001. For whatever reason, that putter was the best I've tried in terms of rolling the ball. Feel, the Scotty Cameron detour I had had great feel but was really awkward when it came to reading putts. I've had a Yes! Bella-12 which was my go to putter for the last 3 years. Great, underrated putter imo. Was just harsh feeling when you didn't hit the sweet spot but excellent distance control. My Odyssey Black Series has a milled insert in it. Great feel, very good distance control, very small alignment aid so it's not too distracting....but it's not what I want. I still have a lot of putters that are on my bucket list. I'd really like to get my hands of a one of a kind, milled face putter. My ideal weight seems to be 340-345g (for distance control, this weight seems to work best). If anyone has a putter like that that they want to get rid of for under $100, I'm listening

[GolfSpy Tim]

Tim I noticed the price on your Nike....$359.99.....Really?

Price is correct (though... I took that photo from a site online... my putter no longer has the price tag on it)

 

GREAT putter - buttery and pure

[Tom54]

I went milled and I'm not going back.

[displayname]

I played with a milled insert (Odyssey White Steel) for about 7 years. Couldn't find anything like it, and after a fitting moved to a true milled ProType. I will say I often miss the insert, and of course Odyssey is finally putting out a new steel on insert putter right after I committed to the ProType. 

 

That being said, as much as I miss the insert, I realize after 7 years with it, I know I need more then 2 months to fully trust the new milled putter. The performance is great, but I'm still adjusting to the feel. I figure if I don't have a love for the feel after a full year, I'll look at having an insert built to my specs. The new Cleveland insert putters have my eye already. 

[JBones]

I played with a milled insert (Odyssey White Steel) for about 7 years. Couldn't find anything like it, and after a fitting moved to a true milled ProType. I will say I often miss the insert, and of course Odyssey is finally putting out a new steel on insert putter right after I committed to the ProType. 

 

That being said, as much as I miss the insert, I realize after 7 years with it, I know I need more then 2 months to fully trust the new milled putter. The performance is great, but I'm still adjusting to the feel. I figure if I don't have a love for the feel after a full year, I'll look at having an insert built to my specs. The new Cleveland insert putters have my eye already. 

 

Back out of that commitment..........I did.  I love my ProType #6 but I don't putt well with it.  I made a commitment to get better with it, but it just never happened.  I putt better with a mallet, so I'm now searching for a new mallet.