Sik face vs SOFT face? Which is more useful?

[hawk45]

As I understand it, the "Sik" face is to make sure the ball comes off the face at the same loft no matter what angle you make contact.   Where the SOFT face on Cleveland putters (and similar to others) has a face that helps with off-center hits, making them roll out further than traditional faces.   Which of these would you think to be more useful or more important?  Is hedging angle of attack or off-center forgiveness better?

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I have played the Cleveland SOFT putters as well as cobra’s stingray and currently a SIK Jo. I can say without a doubt, I am a firm believer in SIK’s DLT face. The JO is the best putter I have ever owned and I usually went through a half dozen putters a year until I got it.  

[ryan.mzzz]

there is a lot of face tech out there that claims to do what the cleveland claims to do. The sik sik’s and the cobra sik’s are unique to the industry afaik(DLT), and they have high moi and roll control grooves also, in addition to the sik face, so, If I were buying a putter without picking it up first, today, and I hadn’t just ordered a lab df, i would be getting a sik or a cobra sik. However, you should hit them all and add Bettinardi Studio Stock, Bettinardi Queen Bee, and Evnroll to your list to test. Maybe even hit a LAB DF or Mezz. It’s all about consistent transfer of energy, and which one you feel the most comfortable aiming, which means you should hit practice putts with all of them, even on a concrete green at a big box store. FYI, putter fittings are underrated. 

[AndySP]

Got me thinking an evnroll/Cleveland soft roll face with the sik loft would be neat. How deep are Cobra’s pockets? 
 

I have the ping version of the soft face (sigma 2 anser). Honestly I can’t say if my speed control is any better with it over my Mizuno. My guess is that most greens are too unpredictable to spot the difference a studio fitting might uncover.
 

That said, the SIK intuitively seems more consequential and likely to be noticeable. 

[cnosil]

I think it will depend on your miss.  Both loft and impact location are important for controlling a putts distance.   If you struggle with loft at impact then the Sik face would probably be a bigger benefit.  If you struggle with missing left/right of center than the EvnRoll type face would be more beneficial.   

[GMatt]

Both are effective depending on your stroke.  The SIK face isn’t something new, this technology was available on Teardrop putters back in the 90’s.  Use what puts the ball in the hole and gives you confidence

[MichaelJW]

My vote is for the SIK face. In years past, I used a soft face Odyssey 7.  It was ok, but I never had what i'd call confidence with the putter. I knew I liked the soft face rather than the hard face putters, but I'm not sure it really showed up in performance numbers. Last year I decided to try an arm lock, and I bought the Odyssey Big 7 stroke lab. That had a soft face with the micro hinges, but I still had problems on any long putts. I think the arm lock style is deadly from short range but on anything long that putter would Pop the ball up in the air, which messed with my distance control.  Because I couldn't handle long putts with it I gave it up and tried an 35" Evnroll putter.  While I rather liked the gravity grip, I wasn't in love with the putter itself. Then Cobra came out with their arm lock sik face 3D printed putters. I had to try it. I love the thing. I'm as good short range as I was with the big seven but I don't have any of the same problems popping up long distance putts as I did with that big 7 putter. I credit that to the sik face. No matter how I approach it even at length the roll is very pure. This is the first time in a long time where within a couple of months I wasn't itching to get another putter. I can see keeping this for a long time. 

That's my two cents, take it or leave it. 

[Nat]

Love Cleveland putters. But several scientific studies have shown face milling/pattern does nothing to effect performance, only feel

[cnosil]

2 minutes ago, Nat said:

Love Cleveland putters. But several scientific studies have shown face milling/pattern does nothing to effect performance, only feel

The SOFT face like the Ping TR Face and the EvnRoll face vary the amount of surface contact which impacts ball speed.  Studies by Ping have shown these groove work.   If it is a consistent milling pattern like you are describing, your statement is correct.  

[Peejer]

I'm a big fan of the EVNROLL putters.  Even with a short backswing - I can miss the sweet spot, so I've come to love the unusual groove pattern to help keep my putts consistent.  I was experimenting with a Ping and Odyssey putter at various points this year, didn't care for them and ended up back where I started.

 

[djrexyman]

On 8/30/2022 at 5:29 PM, hawk45 said:

As I understand it, the "Sik" face is to make sure the ball comes off the face at the same loft no matter what angle you make contact.   Where the SOFT face on Cleveland putters (and similar to others) has a face that helps with off-center hits, making them roll out further than traditional faces.   Which of these would you think to be more useful or more important?  Is hedging angle of attack or off-center forgiveness better?

you forgot to mention the Evnroll putters, that was my first purchase when I got into the game of golf (2years ago) and I'm a true believer of the technology in those putters. I definitely believe in the sik tech as well but, with evnroll your going to have the consistent distance control and speed even on off center hits. 

[djrexyman]

1 hour ago, Peejer said:

I'm a big fan of the EVNROLL putters.  Even with a short backswing - I can miss the sweet spot, so I've come to love the unusual groove pattern to help keep my putts consistent.  I was experimenting with a Ping and Odyssey putter at various points this year, didn't care for them and ended up back where I started.

 

yesssss!! didn't read your post before I posted about my evnroll experience, but I love my evnroll and probably a lifer. I haven't tried their midlock version. I'm excited to see what comes out next year. 

 

[YamYam]

I have quite a few putters.  Over the years I've put a collection together.

When I saw this post, I was intrigued.  I had never heard of a SIK putter.

I just tapped in SIK in search and my gast was never so flabbered!

£799 for a putter!!

I can't see me adding anything like this to my stable.

[Jhernz30]

I just upgraded to the SIK Flo armlock a few months ago. The DLT is absolutely amazing. You definitely notice a difference in the way the ball rolls as soon as it comes off the face. Consistency and confidence standing over the ball has improved so much since adding the SIK putter to the bag. Definitely give a SIK or cobra putter a try.

[BADFanBoi Scotty]

Having had EVNRoll, Cleveland, and currently SIK, I would definitely rank DLT then Sweet Face, then SOFT for distance control. Which is more important than direction. 

[ChuckZ]

Am currently working with the new Ping PLD Anser Matte.  Love the milled face and the feel.  Finally changed the grip to my standard GolfPride SNSR 104.  The retail models do not have an alignment aide.  Of course this can be corrected with a sharpie.    Rain has been the downfall in our relationship.  I also have the Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2.  The only two putters in my current inventory.  The Ping seems to work better on faster greens.  I am just addicted to the Anser style putter.  Has been around for so many years and has been a successful style.  Everyone has copied it.  Just use the same grip I use with all my other clubs. {The way I was taught by a very good putter many years ago, who hustled up and down the east coast.  Loved old Whitey.  The mold of a Sam Snead, who he beat pretty regularly in the Carolina's and Virginia as an amateur.  Best short game player I have ever seen.}        

[ckeller52]

 

 

I have a Cobra WideSport 35" with the Sik face on it. I also have an EvnRoll ER2 ML. Turns out I hit the middle of the putter face without issue but it was difficult for me to get the ball rolling "energy transfer" without the Enroll ML but then I stopped by PGASS and tried the Cobra with the Sik face and was amazed on how easy it was to get the ball rolling. I've been using it for three months now. Like it alot. I don't like that the face is made out of aluminum and nicks easily but that's my OCD kicking in.