We know there's too many drivers, but what about putters?

[Zeasy]

A glance at the comment section on the blog will tell you a lot of guys are unhappy with the amount of drivers on the market and their life spans. I say, "the more the merrier!" However, with all this talk, it seems everyone's ignored odyssey's ever shrinking putter life span.

 

I bought a (brand new at the time) odyssey putter 2 Mays ago and that putter has been replaced more times than I can remember and it's existence almost completely forgotten. Similar to the drivers, each new putter and its accompanying insert are touted as the greatest ever (I can't tell a difference).

 

There's rumors floating around that odysse will carry three different lines of putters (regular odyssey, Toulon, and an unrevealed putter maker). Thoughts on the driverfication of the putter?

[ole gray]

The key IMO is to not try and keep up with the Joneses. Let em make a boat load of putters however shop wisely. If you're patient enough, you'll find a great deal on the one you want. Plus it will be out there long enough to get a long sample of opinions on it. Our problem is we want new toys right now. Just remember, if you keep buying, they'll keep making the newer models. Be patient!

 

 

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[Liberty Ball Markers]

I think that people tend to chase what they struggle with.

 

If you can't keep your driver in play, or it's not long enough, clever marketing will sell you a solution every 6 months.

 

If you struggle with the putter, there will be a next best thing to fix your issues coming out soon.

 

Just because they keep offering them, we don't have to buy them. I use 3 different putters, all about 15 years old - no inserts, no nothing - and they won't change anytime soon.

 

I have been through a couple of drivers recently, but on the same note, I have settled on one that works, and it will probably work for a long time. Wierd gimmicks and $500 for 2 yards is not appealing to me.

 

 

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[Mr_Theoo]

I think it's just an illusion to make it seem like they're adding some improvements or technology into these very old designs.

[silver & black]

I have used the same Rife Aussie for 7 years. Before that I used an Odyssey White Hot for 5 years. I'm looking at the EVN Roll because I just want something new... and the technology intrigues me.

[Orange Hog]

The amount of putters on the market is a bit extreme, even more so than drivers.  However, I think the supply side is ultimately driven by the high turnover rate of consumers with the putter in their bag.  I mean, how many times has the average golfer switched putters over a 1 or 2 year period?  I'm just as guilty as most for having WAY too many putters but I've shaved those down to just two putters as of today.

[cnosil]

The key to putting is being able to start the ball on you line. People put false hopes in the belief that how it looks and feel will give you confidence and help you make more putts.

 

We as amateur golfers have more off center hits and as a result the ball will come off the face at different speeds. Inserts and millings are being designed to help combat that issue provides the face at impact is still correct. The hope for feel is that you can still identify the miss hit

 

When picking a putter you have 2 choices. You can pick any putter and figure out how to make it work by adjusting ball position , setup, and other fundamentals. Or you can commit to a stroke and setup and find the putter that works for that setup. That putter can be a $5 thrift store special or a $5000 Cameron one off.

 

To be a good putter you need to be consistent and while it appears to be a simple stroke, being 1 degree off will create major headaches.

 

There are a lot of approaches to picking and fitting a putter, the the bottom line is find a putter that starts the ball on you intended line because once the ball leaves the face you don't control anything about the putt anymore. Once you have the putter that starts the ball online you can start to figure out speed and reads

 

Putters have just as much marketing hype as any other club.

[GolfSpy Dave]

No such thing as too many putters!

[cnosil]

No such thing as too many putters!

From an artistic, collectible, just fun to play with I have to agree with you wholeheartedly.

[Liberty Ball Markers]

True - I'm a putter ho... but I only play with my "chosen ones". The others come and go for me to refurbish, collect, etc.

 

 

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[Kor.A.Door]

What happens to all of the putters that don't sell? There are some models that are maybe a couple years old, and cannot be found anywhere.

[GolfSpy Dave]

What happens to all of the putters that don't sell? There are some models that are maybe a couple years old, and cannot be found anywhere.

Probably sent to foreign lands like the pre-made championship t-shirts that have the losing team.

[revkev]

Interesting it seems to me the people change putters more frequently than any other club in the bag followed by driver so it makes sense that there would be more putter models than any other club.

 

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[EthanSterlingPrice]

If it works I'll stick with a putter till the rapture. I really don't have a beef with market lifespan on equipment but I don't switch gear too frequently except when replacing grips.

 

 

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[cnosil]

Been spending time doing putter testing at the MGS labs. Right now I am 2/3 of the way through blade testing. For me most have that traditional anser look and flange sight line for alignment. Yes there are exceptions but the biggest differences are feel, weight and balance. You really need to try different putters to see what you like and what performs for you. Grip is also another important thing to consider especially since they also have different weights so changing a grip may impact performance of a putter.

[Liberty Ball Markers]

I truly think that a lot of guys don't have a consistent stroke with the putter. Or they try to create a stroke to fit a putter. Neither one is going to work well.

 

Once you find your most comfortable, consistent stroke, then it's easier to choose a putter that fits it - and stick with it.

 

Just think how many guys you see with a heel shafted/no offset putter one week, having trouble, so they show up with a center shaft/offset mallet the next. They will never putt well until they come to terms with what they really need.

 

 

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[EthanSterlingPrice]

this fella here has the right idea, listen to him.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

There is never such a thing as too many putters.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

this fella here has the right idea, listen to him.

 

 

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I would agree. Found out last year that a counterbalance putter works well for me. Once I found one I was comfortable with it has not left the bag nor will it anytime soon.

 

 

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[G3OFF]

You use your putter 2-3x more often than your driver, so it would only stand to reason the "wear out" faster and a new one is needed more often

 

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[cnosil]

You use your putter 2-3x more often than your driver, so it would only stand to reason the "wear out" faster and a new one is needed more often

I don't think they wear out as much as all the magic drains out of them.

[Jmikecpa]

I don't think they wear out as much as all the magic drains out of them.

Main reason I buy them two or three at a time.