Line Control vs. Speed Control

[sumadoggie 17]

So, I'm testing a couple putters: Evnroll ER2 and ER3.  I have better line control (that is, I seem to set up to my line better) with the ER2 and better speed control with the ER3.  Very few of my putts from 5, 10, 20 feet were off-line with the ER2.  Between the ER2 and ER3, speed control was basically the same at 5 and 20 feet, but for some reason my speed control with the ER2 was a full 12" worse at 10 feet.  

 

What would you choose and why?  

[STUDque 11,840]

I'd say you should test some lag putts too. From 10ft and out, the make percentage is going to be relatively low but you really need to be able to guarantee a two putt from distance. That'll take pressure off your iron/wedge game.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[DaveP043 3,962]

Your ability to properly align your putter can vary based on the visuals of the putter, so I'd suggest the one you can align and hit on your intended line.  With practice, you should be able to learn to control the distance.

[jlukes 12,694]

You'll three putt more due to the wrong speed more than due to the wrong line.

 

I would find an instructor and find out what is causing the change between the two putters.  If you are lining up the ER2 fine, but are having trouble with speed, look to see if it is a swing-weight issue.  If it is a simple weight issue, that can be easily rectified. 

[revkev 22,005]

I'm with DaveP but both are important - if you can get the last be you should be able to adjust for the speed. Additionally choosing the wrong line can mess with speed on breaking putts.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Brian A 1,000]

Your ability to properly align your putter can vary based on the visuals of the putter, so I'd suggest the one you can align and hit on your intended line.  With practice, you should be able to learn to control the distance.

 

Agreed, had this issue myself, went with the one that I could align better and I am very happy

[Golfspy_CG2 25,090]

Speed control all day long for me.  Generally if I have the speed right, I'm not going to be more than a couple inches off on shorter putts, and probably no more than 3 feet on even the longest of putts. 

[downlowkey 3,871]

If the goal is actually making putts, opposed to 3-putt avoidance, go with the best alignment setup. As Rev alluded; it's a new wand and with practice the pace shouldn't be an issue.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[hckymeyer 6,234]

There's a reason Edel starts all their putter fittings with alignment.  If you can't hit the ball where you wanted to how do you ever expect to make a putt?  Continually missing 3-5' putts by an inch gets old REALLY quickly.

 

That said as you get farther from the hole pace becomes more important.  You still have to hit your line but if you keep leaving yourself 4' putts that also gets old quick.

 

My question is...why does it have to be one or the other?  Why not keep searching or tying other models until you can find something you can both align properly and control distance?

[excourse 691]

Personally, speed control is the holy grail for me. A little off on the line, no worries I'll have a tap in left. So many variables with line control, with the biggest being IMO being able to read the putt. No amount of alignment technology can help a golfer with that.

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[Bags 315]

So, I'm testing a couple putters: Evnroll ER2 and ER3. I have better line control (that is, I seem to set up to my line better) with the ER2 and better speed control with the ER3. Very few of my putts from 5, 10, 20 feet were off-line with the ER2. Between the ER2 and ER3, speed control was basically the same at 5 and 20 feet, but for some reason my speed control with the ER2 was a full 12" worse at 10 feet.

 

What would you choose and why?

speed is 4x more important than line according to Dave Peltz and that guy would know

 

 

Bags

[TWar 251]

Speed over Line.  Speed is crucial especially with 15' and greater putts.  Obviously the line and read is important as well but if you can dial in speed, a putt has a greater chance of going in even if not started on the correct line.  Cup essentially becomes larger.

[chisag 11,477]

... The three most important things to think about when putting is speed, Speed and SPEED. My favorite example is think about walking down a rocky path and your brain sees the rocks and guides your feet without you having to watch where you step. In other words, once you see the line the brain has it and you no longer have to consciously concentrate on it. This frees you up to just think about the correct speed. Don't get me wrong, the line is important but again your brain has the line once you look at it and decide what it is. 

 

... I used a drill where I had my students that were struggling with their putting take a cursory look at the line then ignore it and just concentrate on speed. Not only did their speed control improve, their line management improved as well because they were not over analyzing and agonizing about their line. The key is to simply not care about the results of your putt, just concentrate on making a good stroke while thinking about your speed. Think about an important par or birdie putt you missed because you put pressure on yourself to make it. The brain is an amazing computer and if you don't over load it, it will be free to operate at peak efficiency. So choose the putter that gives you the best speed control. 

[DaveP043 3,962]

Personally, speed control is the holy grail for me. A little off on the line, no worries I'll have a tap in left. So many variables with line control, with the biggest being IMO being able to read the putt. No amount of alignment technology can help a golfer with that.

 

 

speed is 4x more important than line according to Dave Peltz and that guy would know

Speed AND line AND read are all important when actually putting, no question.  But when choosing a putter, your ability to read a putt is completely irrelevant, which leaves your ability to hit the putt on line, and your ability to hit the putt the intended distance.  From what I've read, and from my experience, its going to be easier to learn distance control with a putter that you can consistently hit on the intended line, as compared to learning to hit your intended line with a putter that, for whatever reason, you can't consistently align properly.

[hckymeyer 6,234]

This is very much a chicken or the egg conversation.

 

I 100% agree that speed is very important and a person with great distance control vs someone without distance control is going to have less putts per round over the long haul.

 

However, If you can't line up a 3-5' putt where speed isn't as important and hit the hole you are going to 3 jack all day long.

 

You could be the best green reader in the world and have amazing distance control.  If you can't hit the ball where you intended to hit it, it's not going in.  Period.  

 

To the OP, I said it once and I'll say it again.  Why do you have to settle for one or the other?  Find a putter that works for both!

[cksurfdude 7,915]

FWIW, I will weigh in on the side of distance control as the primary variable.

 

Agree with the others who've stated you'll three-putt less with good distance control.

[tony@CIC 16,690]

FWIW, I will weigh in on the side of distance control as the primary variable.

 

Agree with the others who've stated you'll three-putt less with good distance control.

I'm in the same camp. For me speed/distance is my preferred variable. If I miss at least I'm close to hole.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[robertson153 2,414]

I am inclined to agree with GS Meyer on this one(except the chicken or egg). Why settle on these two putters? If one is giving you a good line, there's a reason. And if the other is giving you good distance control, there's a reason. You need to figure out what that reason is and combine the two. You may end up with a completely different brand. I've said it once and I'll say it again, if everyone would get professionally fit for their clubs it would solve a lot of problems. But I understand most people are like myself and can't afford to be fitted.

BTW it was the chicken!!!

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[excourse 691]

 

 

BTW it was the chicken!!!

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Actually, it was the rooster.

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-N950U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[JTexGolfer 1,040]

If I can line the putter up right I can learn or fix the speed part of the equation. If I can't line it up right it's notgoing to matter what speed I hit the putts. Trust me on this one. It's what drove me to Edel, which drove my handicap down.