Center Shafted putters

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Been pondering a lot of things to tinker with and one is putting. I love the idea of a center shafted putter for simplicity and better alignment. Anyone enjoying gaming one? Are the SeeMore's the best option due to the RS tech or should any center shafted putter help with that along with a good milling or insert?

[ncwoz]

Center shafted putters seem to have two pretty distinct sides of doubters and supporters. To me it's a situation where the theory makes sense (ie. it's good when you strike the dead center of the face) but in practice when you're not striking the center there's a pretty large amount of face twist that occurs, creating inconsistent putts. I'd personally avoid center shafted putters. I also have a friend who has a SeeMore and he seems to like it well enough. Then again, he is often trying out other putters to see if he can find something better.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

12 minutes ago, ncwoz said:

Then again, he is often trying out other putters to see if he can find something better.

arent we all  

[dlow206]

i had the DF 2.1, that was center shafted

[BMart519]

I could never get a SeeMore into a comfortable address position where the red dot is not partially visible in at least 1 eye. Alignment is strange with the shaft intersecting the ball. Definitely something to try in store and maybe find something in the used bin for $50 to see if it works on the course before spending $400-500 on one. There's a reason only a small group of people use them... 

[null]

2 hours ago, ncwoz said:

Center shafted putters seem to have two pretty distinct sides of doubters and supporters. To me it's a situation where the theory makes sense (ie. it's good when you strike the dead center of the face) but in practice when you're not striking the center there's a pretty large amount of face twist that occurs, creating inconsistent putts. I'd personally avoid center shafted putters. I also have a friend who has a SeeMore and he seems to like it well enough. Then again, he is often trying out other putters to see if he can find something better.

Yup. Guerin Rife sells a CS model Evnroll just because there’s a little demand, but he says it’s not the right choice for the majority of golfers due to the double twisting nature. 
 

Ian from TXG is very against fitting for CS putters as well 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

11 minutes ago, jlukes said:

Yup. Guerin Rife sells a CS model Evnroll just because there’s a little demand, but he says it’s not the right choice for the majority of golfers due to the double twisting nature. 
 

Ian from TXG is very against fitting for CS putters as well 

Man if Ian is that strongly against it, I think I’ll reconsider 

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

Been pondering a lot of things to tinker with and one is putting. I love the idea of a center shafted putter for simplicity and better alignment. Anyone enjoying gaming one? Are the SeeMore's the best option due to the RS tech or should any center shafted putter help with that along with a good milling or insert?

 Not sure if the seemore options are the best. I have a ptm1 and loved the z3c and if I could get my hands on one for a good price I would

[Middler]

1 hour ago, BMart519 said:

I could never get a SeeMore into a comfortable address position where the red dot is not partially visible in at least 1 eye. Alignment is strange with the shaft intersecting the ball. Definitely something to try in store and maybe find something in the used bin for $50 to see if it works on the course before spending $400-500 on one. There's a reason only a small group of people use them... 

Exact same here. The neutral balance idea makes sense to me but I couldn’t get past the feeling the shaft was interfering with my sight line to align the putter at address. That was a show stopper for me, but more power to anyone that makes it work for themselves.

[Tom D.]

7 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

arent we all  

No we're all not.  I have a L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 that eliminates torque and is super forgiving of toe and heel strikes (so much so that I look at the target while taking my stroke, which gives me great distance control), it's THE BEST putter I have ever tried.  Not coming out of my bag, for love nor money.  Yep, looks like a bottle opener, or the starship enterprise - don't give a rip; since the objective is to get the ball to rattle in the bottom of the hole, for which I find it the best implement on the planet.  The tech works!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

41 minutes ago, Tom D. said:

No we're all not.  I have a L.A.B. Golf Directed Force 2.1 that eliminates torque and is super forgiving of toe and heel strikes (so much so that I look at the target while taking my stroke, which gives me great distance control), it's THE BEST putter I have ever tried.  Not coming out of my bag, for love nor money.  Yep, looks like a bottle opener, or the starship enterprise - don't give a rip; since the objective is to get the ball to rattle in the bottom of the hole, for which I find it the best implement on the planet.  The tech works!

Ya I would love to try a LAB out. Just can’t justify it without testing it

[Kenny B]

16 hours ago, ncwoz said:

Center shafted putters seem to have two pretty distinct sides of doubters and supporters. To me it's a situation where the theory makes sense (ie. it's good when you strike the dead center of the face) but in practice when you're not striking the center there's a pretty large amount of face twist that occurs, creating inconsistent putts. I'd personally avoid center shafted putters. I also have a friend who has a SeeMore and he seems to like it well enough. Then again, he is often trying out other putters to see if he can find something better.

Agreed!!  I tried CS putters; don't work for me.  When I look at the hole while making the stroke, I need a putter that has high MOI because I likely don't hit the center every time, but I'm close with a straight stroke.  Long putts are more difficult to keep on my intended line, but my speed is usually good so I'm close to the hole.

Yesterday, I was playing 9-holes with my old walking buddies.  On the 200y par 3 #8 we all were just short in front of the green.  The 80-year old putts from a foot outside the fringe to about 4 feet.  The 78-year old chips to about 2 feet, and I chip to about 4 feet.  The 80 year old has a center-shafted putter and putts well with it.  He makes his 4 footer.  I make my 4 footer.  The 78 year old didn't bring his putter, instead borrowed the CS putter to "tap it in".  He missed.  I mean he didn't even touch the hole, and there was no real break involved.  He's not a great putter anyway; he tends to loop his backstroke and cut across the ball.  He can play that shot with his Scotty, but apparently not with a CS putter!!

My feeling is if you have a repeatable stroke, hitting the center of the putter face, CS putters can work really well.  

[cnosil]

There is nothing wrong with a center shafted putter. When putting we try to make a non manipulated stroke. Putter design aids in helping control rotation through the stroke. Some designs tend to stay close to the line, some square, and some open. The putter has some influence on this and that helps manage when we do manipulate the putter through the stroke. With a center shafted putter they can just as easily be manipulated open or closed which brings in a two way miss. As others have mentioned missing the center of the putter results in a more easily opened or closed face through impact.
The key with a center shafted putter is that you hit the center of the face and you don’t manipulate the putter through the stroke. This is the theory behind some seemore and the lab putters; their design tries to keep them square to the path through the stroke.

[Kenny B]

28 minutes ago, cnosil said:

There is nothing wrong with a center shafted putter. When putting we try to make a non manipulated stroke. Putter design aids in helping control rotation through the stroke. Some designs tend to stay close to the line, some square, and some open. The putter has some influence on this and that helps manage when we do manipulate the putter through the stroke. With a center shafted putter they can just as easily be manipulated open or closed which brings in a two way miss. As others have mentioned missing the center of the putter results in a more easily opened or closed face through impact.
The key with a center shafted putter is that you hit the center of the face and you don’t manipulate the putter through the stroke. This is the theory behind some seemore and the lab putters; their design tries to keep them square to the path through the stroke.

I've tried a lot of putters, and I use a heavy, counterweighted, face-balanced mallet.  I'm not sure why, but I can say that I can putt better with a Bullseye putter than I can with a center shafted mallet putter which is about as opposite as you can get.

[cnosil]

I've tried a lot of putters, and I use a heavy, counterweighted, face-balanced mallet.  I'm not sure why, but I can say that I can putt better with a Bullseye putter than I can with a center shafted mallet putter which is about as opposite as you can get.

Everyone has needs for their stroke type, just like all the other clubs. Some work better than others and we can change our strokes to fit the equipment.

I think there will be more discussion on the bullseye in the relatively near future

[Tom D.]

15 hours ago, rbsiedsc said:

Ya I would love to try a LAB out. Just can’t justify it without testing it

Have you checked their website to see if there is a location close to you?

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

7 minutes ago, Tom D. said:

Have you checked their website to see if there is a location close to you?

Club champion. Also I think they relocated to Eugene so I could take a drive

[Tom D.]

5 minutes ago, rbsiedsc said:

Club champion. Also I think they relocated to Eugene so I could take a drive

They just finished moving not too long ago.  I think Sam (CEO) said it was going to take some time to get everything settled there, and they were not going to have a demo facility right away.  So check with them before you spend the time and gas to get to Eugene.

[jroot327]

I game the Cleveland HB SOFT 11C center shaft. For the most part I like it, and don't have issues when I miss toe side, and do feel the milling helps with distance control. If I miss heel side I feel it twists a bit more on me resulting in a pull. I am looking at getting a face balanced wide blade style to compare it against. Its been a while since I putted with anything else, so I'd be curious to compare. All in all I'm pretty happy with it, and don't feel that it makes me putt worse. When greens are rolling true and quick I think it helps focus on hitting the center of the face and getting the ball rolling on the right line a little easier. JMO, but that might change if/when I try something else.

Edited March 20, 2021 by jroot327

[ole gray]

6 hours ago, jroot327 said:

I game the Cleveland HB SOFT 11C center shaft. For the most part I like it, and don't have issues when I miss toe side, and do feel the milling helps with distance control. If I miss heel side I feel it twists a bit more on me resulting in a pull. I am looking at getting a face balanced wide blade style to compare it against. Its been a while since I putted with anything else, so I'd be curious to compare. All in all I'm pretty happy with it, and don't feel that it makes me putt worse. When greens are rolling true and quick I think it helps focus on hitting the center of the face and getting the ball rolling on the right line a little easier. JMO, but that might change if/when I try something else.

I have the same putter in my stall and made more birdies with it in one round (5) than with any putter I have gamed.  I love the feel off the face with the Cleveland SOFT putters!

[J0K3R]

Gamed a Taylormade Monte Carlo 7 for 12 or so years and just switched out for a ‘heavier’ Cleveland HB SOFT 10.5c premier.

To my understanding center shafted are more for straight back and through strokes but to each their own feel.  I tried other non cs putters when looking for a new one but I think that since i’ve been using one for the past few years that other shaft positions just didn’t feel like a solid hit. 

Love the new cleveland and don’t see myself switching from cs any time soon

[DukeStKing]

On 3/9/2021 at 4:40 PM, rbsiedsc said:

Been pondering a lot of things to tinker with and one is putting. I love the idea of a center shafted putter for simplicity and better alignment. Anyone enjoying gaming one? Are the SeeMore's the best option due to the RS tech or should any center shafted putter help with that along with a good milling or insert?

As a left eye dominant - right handed putter, I’ve always had a center shafted Seemore in my arsenal. I’m down to two putters now- an Odyssey Two Ball Ten and a center shafted Seemore Z2. I’ve played most of the season with the Odyssey, but switched back to my old faithful Seemore  after a couple of bad rounds (35 and 36 putts).  Didn’t feel comfortable lining up my putts with the Odyssey and switching to the center shafted RST Seemore has me feeling comfortable over the ball again. It’ll stay in the bag until I hit a rut again. 

[MollyCyrus]

I went to center shaft putters a few months ago and it has been a game changer.  I have a much easier time aligning and seeing the line with them.  My eyes are cross dominant and I think that players a big role in why this is the case.  Seemore is what I settled on and the rst tech really does help you set up consistently.  Paired with a garsen quad tour grip I am really rolling it well!
Center shaft putters seem to be love ‘em or hate ‘em though so you need to try one and see how it goes.  If you like the look and are aligning well then they are likely to help.  I’ve also picked up a spider tour, strokes gained and odyssey 7 center shaft and like them all, but none as much as the two Seemores.  They really just simplify things and remove a few variables…

[MollyCyrus]

On 7/28/2021 at 11:22 PM, J0K3R said:

Gamed a Taylormade Monte Carlo 7 for 12 or so years and just switched out for a ‘heavier’ Cleveland HB SOFT 10.5c premier.

To my understanding center shafted are more for straight back and through strokes but to each their own feel.  I tried other non cs putters when looking for a new one but I think that since i’ve been using one for the past few years that other shaft positions just didn’t feel like a solid hit. 

Love the new cleveland and don’t see myself switching from cs any time soon

I don’t think that is really true, even though they do work well for SBST.  For instance, Seemore suggest a natural arc with their putters.  Most of the Seemores have a decent amount of toe hang and that lends itself to an arc.  The face balanced ones seem better for SBST (or as close as anyone can get to it since it is almost impossible to actually accomplish).  I guess what I’m trying to say is that not all cs are created equal and many of the ones with toe hang work quite well with a decent amount of arc.