Sacks Parente Putters - 2023 Forum Review

[rkj427]

Congrats. to this great and diverse group of testers.

Really looking forward to their thoughts, comments, and reviews.

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Putt well testers! This will be interesting to see how the tech works for everyone 

[sirchunksalot]

Congratulations testers! It looks like we've got a good group for this putter test. I can't wait to hear what y'all end up with and how they perform. 

[Glenmore5]

Look forward to your testing results

[Golf2Much]

What a great set of testers!  Can't wait to see your feedback.

[cnosil]

My intro has been posted.  As I stated in my intro, these reviews are for you the MGS reader.  Even though we haven't gotten these putters or done our virtual fitting start asking questions and providing your feedback on what/how we are testing.

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/61616-testers-announced-sacks-parente-putters/?do=findComment&comment=976435

 

[Josh Parker]

41 minutes ago, cnosil said:

My intro has been posted.  As I stated in my intro, these reviews are for you the MGS reader.  Even though we haven't gotten these putters or done our virtual fitting start asking questions and providing your feedback on what/how we are testing.

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/61616-testers-announced-sacks-parente-putters/?do=findComment&comment=976435

 

Great intro. Looking forward to the review. 

[JohnSmalls]

2 hours ago, cnosil said:

My intro has been posted.  As I stated in my intro, these reviews are for you the MGS reader.  Even though we haven't gotten these putters or done our virtual fitting start asking questions and providing your feedback on what/how we are testing.

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/61616-testers-announced-sacks-parente-putters/?do=findComment&comment=976435

 

Really great start Chris. Will be following along and stealing some ideas for my own personal test!

[rkj427]

17 hours ago, cnosil said:

My intro has been posted.  As I stated in my intro, these reviews are for you the MGS reader.  Even though we haven't gotten these putters or done our virtual fitting start asking questions and providing your feedback on what/how we are testing.

https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/61616-testers-announced-sacks-parente-putters/?do=findComment&comment=976435

 

 

Great introduction Chris, and knowing some "community call insider information" from you related to this test, I will really be interested in your findings, comments, and data, as I seem to perform better on the greens going heavier than "standard" or as produced.

[cksurfdude]

22 hours ago, cnosil said:

start asking questions and providing your feedback on what/how we are testing

Hey I'm sure you already have plans to cover this, but I'm curious as to your reaction to their shaft and compare/contrast it with your experience with your Stroke Lab shaft .. thx 

[cnosil]

12 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

Hey I'm sure you already have plans to cover this, but I'm curious as to your reaction to their shaft and compare/contrast it with your experience with your Stroke Lab shaft .. thx 

I am hoping to be able to ask questions about the profile of their shaft.  I vaguely recall from one of their videos that it is a stiffer profile so it may be completely different from the stroke lab. 

[revkev]

On 10/17/2023 at 7:54 AM, Parshooter36 said:

Congrats to the testers. I hope someone is going with the Series 39.

 Thanks - don't know if you caught it from some of the intros but the fitter will be suggesting what putter we should use based on our time spent with him.  I've never had that experience before.  I've been fit for putter but it's always been a model that I've selected myself.  This approach will be interesting.  It makes sense when you think about it - 

[revkev]

My virtual fitting is this evening.  Look for an update on how it went either tonight or tomorrow morning!  

 

 

[cnosil]

My fitting is Tuesday afternoon.   We are moving forward.   

[ole gray]

Congrats folks! I know you all are pumped for your fittings and finding out about your putters!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[revkev]

Had my fitting with Aki from Sacks Parente last evening. Timmy the cat is exhausted from the experience. We did it in my home office, he was there and his paw became the target line.   Well actually the corner of a Landry basket was but his paw kept coming out batting at the balls as they rolled by him. 
 

A free virtual fitting is available to anyone wishing to purchase a Sacks Parente putter. Currently that fitting is with Akinobu Yonhiro, owning partner and head of R and D for Sacks Parente. “Aki” is knowledgeable and engaging. We spent about an hour and fifteen minutes together on zoom. 
 

The original sign up called for us to post a screen shot of the putter we wanted to test - I chose the 54MH 3 stripe:

I’ve gamed mallet putters for the past 15 years with some pretty good success and this look appeals to my eyes. Predictably my fitting and the pre-fitting survey suggested other choices. Seemingly everything that I think about golf that hasn’t actually been tried or tested - is wrong.
 

At any rate, my current putter is an EVNRoll ER 5.  The Sacks Parente model similar to that style model is called the Drac

 

It did emerge as a contender because mallets tend to be good choices for people who frequently putt from off the green. However, since my biggest identifiable weakness is speed and I have a fairly sound repeatable stroke - my identified flaws in the fitting were a slight loop and a bit of acceleration through the ball - Aki encouraged me to consider a blade. Yikes!!!

Full disclosure though, I have putted with blades in the past. A couple of Ping putters one of which I really liked - it was stolen, as well as a Rossi. While Aki felt I was a candidate for the series 39, true blade, he understood that I wanted some meat and also a little flange does make putting from off the green easier. Anyone who has ever tried to chip on tight Bermuda understands why this is so important to me. 
 

So meet the Rev’s Sacks Parente putter to test:

 

This is the Series 91 Nicknamed “the Duke," because it looks like a football and was inspired by Ken Duke who plays on the champions tour. Being a huge UConn Husky fan - I asked if the name of mine could be changed to Husky.  No luck. I’m stuck with a putter that’s going to have that dreaded D word on it - ughhh.  At least it’s on the sole so no one will see it. 

 

Spec wise the lie is 71 degrees - my current putter is 70 but apparently I’m just a tad toe down so 1 degree flat. 32.5” long. It will have their flat grip which is similar to my current Garson Quad Tour - Aki actually had one there to show me the grips side by side.
 

A key technological feature to these putters is their ultra-low balance technology.  Aki explained that if they had a swing weight it would be in the G’s. This is achieved by using light weight materials from grip to shaft. The idea is to feel the head through the stroke. The putter is also perimeter weighted by putting tungsten in the toe and heel which creates high MOI and an enlarged sweet spot. The energy loss on miss hits is only around 2 percent. That would mean that a missed putt from 50 feet is only about a foot short. 
 

Bottom line is for the technology to function as designed you need to stick with their grips and shafts on and in their putters.

My putter is scheduled to ship the middle of next week. I’d imagine it will arrive the week of November 5th.  I’m super excited to try this out. My goals will be to hole some more putts in the 10 foot range and improve my speed control while maintaining my short putting and off the green putting capabilities. 
 

Please fire away with any fitting questions. 
 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by revkev

[Josh Parker]

2 hours ago, revkev said:

Had my fitting with Aki from Sacks Parente last evening. Timmy the cat is exhausted from the experience. We did it in my home office, he was there and his paw became the target line.   Well actually the corner of a Landry basket was but his paw kept coming out batting at the balls as they rolled by him. 
 

A free virtual fitting is available to anyone wishing to purchase a Sacks Parente putter. Currently that fitting is with Akinobu Yonhiro, owning partner and head of R and D for Sacks Parente. “Aki” is knowledgeable and engaging. We spent about an hour and fifteen minutes together on zoom. 
 

The original sign up called for us to post a screen shot of the putter we wanted to test - I chose the 54MH 3 stripe:

I’ve gamed mallet putters for the past 15 years with some pretty good success and this look appeals to my eyes. Predictably my fitting and the pre-fitting survey suggested other choices. Seemingly everything that I think about golf that hasn’t actually been tried or tested - is wrong.
 

At any rate, my current putter is an EVNRoll ER 5.  The Sacks Parente model similar to that style model is called the Drac

 

It did emerge as a contender because mallets tend to be good choices for people who frequently putt from off the green. However, since my biggest identifiable weakness is speed and I have a fairly sound repeatable stroke - my identified flaws in the fitting were a slight loop and a bit of acceleration through the ball - Aki encouraged me to consider a blade. Yikes!!!

Full disclosure though, I have putted with blades in the past. A couple of Ping putters one of which I really liked - it was stolen, as well as a Rossi. While Aki felt I was a candidate for the series 39, true blade, he understood that I wanted some meat and also a little flange does make putting from off the green easier. Anyone who has ever tried to chip on tight Bermuda understands why this is so important to me. 
 

So meet the Rev’s Sacks Parente putter to test:

 

This is the Series 91 Nicknamed “the Duke," because it looks like a football and was inspired by Ken Duke who plays on the champions tour. Being a huge UConn Husky fan - I asked if the name of mine could be changed to Husky.  No luck. I’m stuck with a putter that’s going to have that dreaded D word on it - ughhh.  At least it’s on the sole so no one will see it. 

 

Spec wise the lie is 71 degrees - my current putter is 70 but apparently I’m just a tad toe down so 1 degree flat. 32.5” long. It will have their flat grip which is similar to my current Garson Quad Tour - Aki actually had one there to show me the grips side by side.
 

A key technological feature to these putters is their ultra-low balance technology.  Aki explained that if they had a swing weight it would be in the G’s. This is achieved by using light weight materials from grip to shaft. The idea is to feel the head through the stroke. The putter is also perimeter weighted by putting tungsten in the toe and heel which creates high MOI and an enlarged sweet spot. The energy loss on miss hits is only around 2 percent. That would mean that a missed putt from 50 feet is only about a foot short. 
 

Bottom line is for the technology to function as designed you need to stick with their grips and shafts on and in their putters.

My putter is scheduled to ship the middle of next week. I’d imagine it will arrive the week of November 5th.  I’m super excited to try this out. My goals will be to hole some more putts in the 10 foot range and improve my speed control while maintaining my short putting and off the green putting capabilities. 
 

Please fire away with any fitting questions. 
 

 

Great information about the fitting process and good for you on being open to changing your original want for what they are suggesting.  Look forward to following along with this testing.

[revkev]

@billpierce - nice job on your fitting write up, thanks.  It’s remarkable to me how different your putting issues are from mine. PlPlus you thought blade and ended up mallet, I went mallet to blade - go figure 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

@billpierce , well done on the fitting recap! Keep up the good work!

[billpierce]

It’s why you have to go through the process 

[billpierce]

I should have had my cat attend the fitting!

[Josh Parker]

@billpierce great info on the fitting process.  It's interesting that both you and @revkev have ended up with such different putters than you each originally thought. 

Looking forward to see how they work out. 

[Willie T]

On 10/22/2023 at 5:12 PM, revkev said:

 Thanks - don't know if you caught it from some of the intros but the fitter will be suggesting what putter we should use based on our time spent with him.  I've never had that experience before.  I've been fit for putter but it's always been a model that I've selected myself.  This approach will be interesting.  It makes sense when you think about it - 

That’s what has caught my eye, pardon the pun, that it’s not so much how what we think should work but rather what our body mechanics says will work best.  Seems the folks at SP have all the right questions to get that answer….it’s going to make the review/testing process even more interesting to follow…

[Shrek74]

On 10/17/2023 at 6:02 AM, billpierce said:

My name is Bill Pierce and I have a golf problem.  I hear admitting this is the first step for an addiction.

Hmmm. Back on track for this review:

First, let me say I am thrilled to be selected as a reviewer here on MyGolfSpy!  Long time reader of reviews, and many of the items in my bag (e.g. Ping 425 SFT fairway woods) come direct from reviews provided here and I want to return that "Favor" back to our wonderful community! Let's see how I do.

A nerd and a geezer collide after surgery....

A bit about me: I run technology for my company (nerd alert) and at 61 years old (geezer alert) and after elbow surgery for tennis elbow (from golf) and some pretty severe disc compression issues in my back – let’s say I can’t swing or go at it as hard as I once could! Why did I share all of that? I hope to be a beacon reviewer for all the grumpy old men looking for a reviewer like themselves. Or if you like humour (see my jokes posts on the forum) I am your guy!

My game has gone up and down over the last 15 years… with post-surgery  terrible rounds and scores making me almost want to quit golf. Recently (last week) I just shot 87 and for me lately that is a good score though I hover in that range if I don’t blow up a hole or two. Where is my weakness now: I tend to give up most of my score on wedges and putting and if you look at my posts, you will see the quest for new wedges (I still can’t pick) and putter. 

I am excited to try Sacks Parente and have heard so much good (and some bad) that I hope to really describe the personal experience and compare it very specifically to my current ping putter to give the reader a feel for what I am going through as I learn to use the putter. The technology differences are stark, and that should come out in the review either positive or negative for my style.  A bit about my putting:

 

I two put mostly. And yes, three put and leave the green pissed off. (Particularly when I had a birdie opportunity) The issue is almost ALWAYS due to alignment, not speed. (speed was my old problem) I am right eye dominant and don’t see a clear alignment – and as a result, have explored several putting gripping methods to counter this challenge. I may try this new grip from Japan that people are raving about:

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv4j1Mig-Ny/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=04f5e893-6782-4c17-9a12-e84d8a0a4ca3

I live and tend to play in the Boston Mass, southern Maine and Down East Maine areas so the greens are usually slow compared to the North Carolina greens that I previously played on. The greens are often in rough condition (due to winter damage/weather). Speaking of weather, fall is here and the weather is turning now, so I hope to get out before it is a problem testing in real conditions and also expect some indoor work may have to dominate my review unfortunately. This year I have tried to go out weekly and many weeks twice weekly – the only challenge is work travel and schedule. An area I don't think I will cover - reading greens and the severity of the break can be a challenge for me as well, but I don’t think this putter will solve that problem – if it does it is in the bag, no further discussion needed.

 

Some ideas I have for testing:

(Asking for feedback)

I plan to do two tests weekly to see progress over time:

1. the circle putting drill with each putter weekly and record the results. This will allow a direct putter to putter comparison and hopefully show progress if I change the grip and of course the new putter results side by side with the old!

 

 

2. I will also do the star putting drill which may be a bit more “straight forward” comparison as green undulations may not come as much into play. Also allowing direct putter to putter results comparison.

 

That said, besides those two tests -- I am working out my testing plan and have an ask to the community: can you all send me drills or tests you would like to see?  Any software I can use that will help the testing?  I welcome your ideas and participation as this community never ceases to amaze me with creativity and ideas.

Some final notes on my approach:

The look, feel and learning curve will all be discussed in my review to ensure in addition to putting success, you can participate in the ‘experience’ I have with the Sacks Parente putter and I feel like it will be a smashing success, so I cannot wait to start.  I have done a few reviews of their fitting chart and the 39, 66 or 99 seem to come up the most often. All beautiful looking putters:

Series 39 is their "True Blade Putter"

Series 66 is Flange Blade Putter:

Series 99 is anser style "Better Feel" putter:

We shall see what the fitting session comes up with and that announcement is coming! I will be sure to share that experience and what we landed on that is the best fit for my game and why.  I have a very open mind to the brand and putter.

What will make it stay in the bag?

You may be wondering, what will make me keep this new putter in the bag? Well, if I start draining those 8-10 footers that I am consistenlty missing right all the time - it's a keeper. It literally is that simple as that will take a good three strokes a round off. We can all relate to that -- I hope!

In conclusion, you are on this journey with me, my humour should come through, even when I am grumpy, and this will be fun. Now let’s start the path to three less strokes…

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fitting Process

One of the nice features of purchasing a SPG Putter is that they will have an expert watch your technique, ask some questions and then begin a journey to find and build a putter unique to you and your needs. Full disclosure, I have never been fit for a putter ... so this is all a new journey for me! Join me in the process...

A "twist" in the process:

As it is late in the season here in the northeast, we needed to go fast to allow for a chance to test the putter outdoors on real greens and get a feel for how it will perform on those tough bent grass greens common around here. This means an in-person fitting was not possible.

So, I started with their online sheet and completed a questionnaire that helps inform the fitter about your unique needs from how you miss normally, to the types of courses you play and more. You can find it online:

Custom Fitting Guide – Sacks Parente Golf, Inc.

 

 

As you can see it is a detailed sheet that you can download, which is why I referenced earlier (with pictures) the putters that I "thought" the sheet was recommending for me (more on this later). 

In addition to the sheet, I made a video of my swing to allow Aki (who did my fitting) to form some ideas in his head as to what he thought I might need or areas to deep dive on as we get into the fitting session! (This is all in advance of the session)

 

IMG_2257.MOV 25.74 MB · 2 downloads  

The other area I needed to focus on for this "virtual fitting" was to ensure I had a realistic place to putt and technology to allow a Zoom call with Aki to "observe" from specific angles and actually see for himself what is happening with my putting. 

***Lucky for me, Golf Spy had recommended a home putting solution and I had already purchased and had it set up in my "man-town":

 

This a. setup and b. my connected scheduled Zoom call means I had almost everything I needed for the session with Aki!  The only thing left was an open mind to explore and learn from a master fitter.  My need for speed to get the putter built and shipped was pressing, so I managed to work with Aki to squeeze me in on HIS personal time. In fact, I ended up imposing on him during a trip to purchase a car that he had already scheduled!  Aki new the need to get this putter to me and he fully accommodated. What company does this?  THIS is the definition of great customer service!  Here is a zoom screenshot picture of Aki IN HIS CAR, working with me to define a putter that best meets my needs:

I love these guys already.  What a can-do attitude.

The actual fitting session with Aki

You need a good amount of time for a session. We took almost an hour and a half.  It starts with going through the "Questions and Answers", and ensuring he has a clear path to understand "what is working for you and what is not working for you"! 

Aki was clear with me; they do personal fittings and have tried software before - but nothing beats personally observing and understanding EACH golfers' unique skills and techniques for success on the greens. After going through some dialogue and specific probing questions, it became time to observe.  He had me place the laptop behind the putting matt so that he can see my technique down the line.  He watched about 8-10 putts and then had me shift the angle. We moved to face on and did another 8-10 putts.  He then zoomed in on my hands and we did some more putts and finally we zoomed in on my shoulders and did some putts.

Then he had me sit back down and we went through a whole series of discussions. All about me and what works and what doesn't work. Some initial observations:

1. It is good that I have an upright style due to my back issues (I mentioned this during my intro).

2. My Armlock like style gives me a good triangle that stays during the entire stroke.

3. Lie angle for me appears to fall in 75-degree range. With my slight downward stroke could contribute to my often right miss.

4. Path of club is straight back and through but a very slight outside to in as I pull the club inward on follow through. This cut like stroke can contribute to my misses as well.

5. Tempo is good and acceleration neutral, BUT the transition is a bit too harsh.

6. I hover behind the ball and we had a long dialogue about that. He liked I take a practice swing and hover (then is fine) - but suggested we work on not hovering to get crisp alignment for the actual putt.

We then went into discussion about my style, what works, what feels right to me and my confidence in numerous aspects of putting process. We talked about the technology in the Sacks Parente Putters that will help address some of MY specific issues:

A. Feel of shaft to head and Ultra Low Balance Point difference.

B. Forgiveness

C. Weight forward

D. Perimeter Weighting

E. Center shaft for my style and specific needs and why

F. Upright needs

G. Grip choices

We landed on a Mallet which surprised me as the fitting guide implied to me it would not be a mallet. This is called reading into the process or jumping the gun! For me a 33" with round grip and 74 degree lie angle appears to be best. We discussed future potential adjustments and how we would work together on those -- they even keep supporting you after the sale!

Final thoughts on the fitting:

For the virtual fitting process, I assumed it would be a dumbed down version of the in-person process. Basically, I expected a 15-to-30-minute Q&A Process followed by a few putts and then some discussion.  Boy, was I wrong. We covered me, my bias, putting technique, technology and so much more than just - here is the data and here is your new putter!  As far as the Actual putter <insert da-da-da music here> I am going to save that for the unboxing.  So, you have to come back for the update

 

TEASE!!!! Hahaha!! Great write up on the fitting process. It's great to see such detail taken by Aki to ensure what's chosen and the settings are all proper and right for you. Can't wait to see what you get.

[cnosil]

On 10/20/2023 at 7:18 PM, cksurfdude said:

Hey I'm sure you already have plans to cover this, but I'm curious as to your reaction to their shaft and compare/contrast it with your experience with your Stroke Lab shaft .. thx 

I discussed their shaft with Aki tonight and he indicated that it isn't as flexible as a stroke lab nor as stiff as the stability type shafts.   It does have a stiffer profile and lower torque that most steel shafts.   For professionals they work with them to find the right CPM that works for them as his belief is that feel is very important and the low torque stability type shafts in the market may be too stiff for most players. 

Edited November 1, 2023 by cnosil

[ACalling]

The Fitting:

I had my fitting done on Monday. Same as the rest of the group it was done virtually over Zoom, and held as a 1:1 session with Aki, their CTO and fitter. 

 

This was my first ever putter fitting, and have only been properly fitted for irons a couple of times so it was hard for me to have expectations going into it. I know the key to fittings is to remain open minded, and to trust that your fitter will get you into what is right for your game. I had looked through their models a few times to get familiar with their offerings and filled out a short Q&A and after that waited until I was on the call to figure the rest out. 

 

Over the almost 90 minute call, I probably spent less than 10 minutes hitting putts on my putting mat. Aki watched me from head on, as well as down the line and 5 putts from each angle. He liked the mechanics of my putting stroke and told me there wouldn’t need to be any changes there. So we spent the rest of it talking in detail about a couple general topics. We covered: my mentality in putting, their ULBP and other technology, and finally, their putter heads and model selection. 

 

Because he liked my stroke as it was, I was told I had good tempo, neutral acceleration, moderate arc, and good alignment, the issues we discussed were more mentality based. These questions ranged from broad (Are you more of a mechanical or feel based?) to quite specific (Why do you leave your right index finger straight along the grip?). I felt this part of the conversation was extraordinary. Aki truly wants to get to know you, and your game and make sure he has the full scope and not just some data point about how in-to-out your swing might be. The fact that this is included for free with any purchase goes above and beyond. 

 

We then spent the next bits of the conversation talking about their technology, the Ultra Low Balance Point, and the different metals used in each putter head and why. We also then took a look at a short list of what putters he felt would be a good match for me, and eventually selected the winner. This part was also fascinating to me, but I will be going further into details about this after I have had first hand experience with my new club. 

 

Overall, I thought that the experience was wonderful. Fittings to me are always fun because, unlike a lesson, you are learning more about your game how it currently is and understanding it. Having a professional set of eyes to watch you, give you pointers on what he sees and even just in talking out the answers to his questions I came out of the experience feeling very confident about the next time I will line up a putt on a course. 

 

The unboxing video and reveal of my putter will be coming soon!

[JohnSmalls]

32 minutes ago, ACalling said:

The Fitting:

I had my fitting done on Monday. Same as the rest of the group it was done virtually over Zoom, and held as a 1:1 session with Aki, their CTO and fitter. 

 

This was my first ever putter fitting, and have only been properly fitted for irons a couple of times so it was hard for me to have expectations going into it. I know the key to fittings is to remain open minded, and to trust that your fitter will get you into what is right for your game. I had looked through their models a few times to get familiar with their offerings and filled out a short Q&A and after that waited until I was on the call to figure the rest out. 

 

Over the almost 90 minute call, I probably spent less than 10 minutes hitting putts on my putting mat. Aki watched me from head on, as well as down the line and 5 putts from each angle. He liked the mechanics of my putting stroke and told me there wouldn’t need to be any changes there. So we spent the rest of it talking in detail about a couple general topics. We covered: my mentality in putting, their ULBP and other technology, and finally, their putter heads and model selection. 

 

Because he liked my stroke as it was, I was told I had good tempo, neutral acceleration, moderate arc, and good alignment, the issues we discussed were more mentality based. These questions ranged from broad (Are you more of a mechanical or feel based?) to quite specific (Why do you leave your right index finger straight along the grip?). I felt this part of the conversation was extraordinary. Aki truly wants to get to know you, and your game and make sure he has the full scope and not just some data point about how in-to-out your swing might be. The fact that this is included for free with any purchase goes above and beyond. 

 

We then spent the next bits of the conversation talking about their technology, the Ultra Low Balance Point, and the different metals used in each putter head and why. We also then took a look at a short list of what putters he felt would be a good match for me, and eventually selected the winner. This part was also fascinating to me, but I will be going further into details about this after I have had first hand experience with my new club. 

 

Overall, I thought that the experience was wonderful. Fittings to me are always fun because, unlike a lesson, you are learning more about your game how it currently is and understanding it. Having a professional set of eyes to watch you, give you pointers on what he sees and even just in talking out the answers to his questions I came out of the experience feeling very confident about the next time I will line up a putt on a course. 

 

The unboxing video and reveal of my putter will be coming soon!

What model did you end up selecting?

[cnosil]

Sacks Parente Fitting

First,  sorry for the length but lots of things were discussed;  I have created several sections so you can skip and read what you find interesting

There are lots of opinions about putter fittings:

• It’s a waste of time; the swing is so short.
• Just the right length and look and you are good to go. 
• Rely on recommendations based on data captured from systems like Puttlab, Quintic, or Capto.  
• Utilize and OEMs interactive online fitting tool where you answer questions and they provide recommendations.  

I have done several putter fittings in the past:  A virtual putter fitting with a golf coach/putting expert, an Edel Fitting, a Biomech fitting at Golf Galaxy, and multiple PuttLab evaluations.   The putter I currently use was identified in the virtual putter fitting and confirmed with the Club Champion fitting.   Basically, I believe in fittings and have seen how different putters can influence stroke characteristics.

Fitting Option options (Sacks Parente Fitting Page)

• Club Champion fitting – This is the only option where you can put your hands on the putter but there is a Club Champion fitting fee. 
• Downloadable Fitting Guide – This guide goes through a series of questions, answers, and impacts to determine head type, hosel location, and grip.  IMO, the form was interesting but really didn’t provide a solid recommendation and generally indicated that everything could work.  You can see how I filled this out and it really didn’t point me in a specific direction.

• Virtual Fitting – As part of the MGS test, we went through the virtual fitting with Aki Yorihiro, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for Sacks Parente. 

 

Pre-Virtual Fitting Questions

As mentioned above, on the Sacks Parente fitting page there is an option to schedule a free fitting with Aki.  For this test Aki reached out to us in advance and asked us to respond to a series of questions about our putting that were similar to the online fitting guide:

• Your height - 5’10”
• Current index - Don’t have an official index but I track it myself and it is 7.1
• Current putter – model / length / lie / loft / grip / how long you have had it - TaylorMade TM-180/33”/unsure of lie; I think it is 69*/3* loft/pingman style grip/had it since 2011
• Eye dominance – right / left / mono - right
• How often you play golf – Play 1-2 times a week
• Whether you play mostly at the same course or a variety of places. - Variety
  • Grass type - Bermuda, bent, etc.  – Bermuda and Bent
  • General green speed – 9-10
  • Lots of slope or not – lots of slope
• Do you putt from off the green on a closely mowed area and if so, up to how far off?  It is lie dependent and situational.  If I do, probably max of about 5’ off the green
• Your grip pressure from a scale of 1 (light) to 10 (tight) - 3 to 4
• When you aim your putterhead, do you look at:  the leading edge / sightline / other - both
• Any back issue? – No
• Do you struggle with speed, and if so, do you miss short, long or both?   Yes. Most often short especially if I go to a course with slower greens.
• Do you struggle with line, and if so, do you miss right, left or both? – Typical miss on short putts is right and on longer putts is left
• Do you struggle with 3 footers / 10 footers / lag putts? – I’d like to make more in the 6-12 foot range and do a little better at lagging 40 footers.

 

The Zoom Call

The call started with the basic introductions and Aki explained his three-step process for the virtual call which is qualitative in nature: 

• Observing me putt  
• assessment of what he observed
• Sacks Parente technology and putter selection.

The putts

Aki had me hit a series of putts from face on and some more from down the line.  The putts were about 7 feet long since that is how much space I had available.  I did the call using my iPad so it was easy to move around and get the perspectives he needed. 

The Assessment

• Face on view posture
  • ball position - good
  • acceleration profile - good. 
  • at impact I have a tendency to do a very slight hit motion with my right hand - This led to our discussion about the right miss on short putts and left on long putts.   Based on observations and discussions, the thought is that I have “trained” myself to hold off the rotation to avoid the left miss and then as the stroke gets longer to “flip” a little which is closing the putter a bit too much on longer putts.

• Down the line view
  • minimal arc on the backstroke and then to the left on the through stroke.
  • posture is good
  • putter is flat on the ground
  • eyes are slightly inside line.

 

Stroke Assessment

The putting stroke is good, only the one small issue that should be quick and easy to fix and that their technology will help.  We talked about how I use my hands and specifically my thumbs to keep the top of the grip level as I move the putter through the stroke; Aki attributed this to the putter wanting to close as it moves through the stroke and my trying to stop it.    On longer putts (over 30’) the distance control issues are potentially related to miss hits. 

 

Putter Selection

Based on the recommendation from Aki, we are starting with:

• Series 54MC Mallet Putter – Three Stripe   
• 69* lie angle
• Flat grip 

 

The Technology

• Aki feels that the Ultra Low Balance Point (ULBP) will help me get the putter on a bit more of an arc and help eliminate my tendency to hold off the putter release.  
• He suggested the first thing I do when I get the putter to just take my posture and let the putter swing back and forth to get used to how it moves.  
• The thought is that the weight forward design and off-center forgiveness will help with the speed control.  

More about the tech once things are in hand. 

 

My thoughts on the fitting

Based on knowing my stroke in the back of my mind I felt like mallet would be the recommendation but not center shafted.   Aki felt the balance of the center shafted putter would help with the generation of a little arc on the backstroke; but not as much as a heel shafted putter, to alleviate the tendency to hold off the release.   I have had center shafted putters in the past – LAB Directed Force, Seemore mFGP2 and FGP, and a Sizemore SB-2 so the style isn’t unfamiliar but I am a bit concerned about the mallet since I generally find that blades work a bit better. 

Overall, I would rate the fitting as being top quality.  The call lasted a little over an hour and I wasn’t rushed and felt like I could have asked more questions if I had them.  Aki recorded the zoom call to use as a training tool for new fitters.  The big thing I like was the fitting was designed to find a putter that worked with my stroke and my tendencies and not strictly based on numbers.  The next question is will it work; all I can do is:

[Josh Parker]

6 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Sacks Parente Fitting

First,  sorry for the length but lots of things were discussed;  I have created several sections so you can skip and read what you find interesting

There are lots of opinions about putter fittings:

• It’s a waste of time; the swing is so short.
• Just the right length and look and you are good to go. 
• Rely on recommendations based on data captured from systems like Puttlab, Quintic, or Capto.  
• Utilize and OEMs interactive online fitting tool where you answer questions and they provide recommendations.  

I have done several putter fittings in the past:  A virtual putter fitting with a golf coach/putting expert, an Edel Fitting, a Biomech fitting at Golf Galaxy, and multiple PuttLab evaluations.   The putter I currently use was identified in the virtual putter fitting and confirmed with the Club Champion fitting.   Basically, I believe in fittings and have seen how different putters can influence stroke characteristics.

Fitting Option options (Sacks Parente Fitting Page)

• Club Champion fitting – This is the only option where you can put your hands on the putter but there is a Club Champion fitting fee. 
• Downloadable Fitting Guide – This guide goes through a series of questions, answers, and impacts to determine head type, hosel location, and grip.  IMO, the form was interesting but really didn’t provide a solid recommendation and generally indicated that everything could work.  You can see how I filled this out and it really didn’t point me in a specific direction.

• Virtual Fitting – As part of the MGS test, we went through the virtual fitting with Aki Yorihiro, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for Sacks Parente. 

 

Pre-Virtual Fitting Questions

As mentioned above, on the Sacks Parente fitting page there is an option to schedule a free fitting with Aki.  For this test Aki reached out to us in advance and asked us to respond to a series of questions about our putting that were similar to the online fitting guide:

• Your height - 5’10”
• Current index - Don’t have an official index but I track it myself and it is 7.1
• Current putter – model / length / lie / loft / grip / how long you have had it - TaylorMade TM-180/33”/unsure of lie; I think it is 69*/3* loft/pingman style grip/had it since 2011
• Eye dominance – right / left / mono - right
• How often you play golf – Play 1-2 times a week
• Whether you play mostly at the same course or a variety of places. - Variety
  • Grass type - Bermuda, bent, etc.  – Bermuda and Bent
  • General green speed – 9-10
  • Lots of slope or not – lots of slope
• Do you putt from off the green on a closely mowed area and if so, up to how far off?  It is lie dependent and situational.  If I do, probably max of about 5’ off the green
• Your grip pressure from a scale of 1 (light) to 10 (tight) - 3 to 4
• When you aim your putterhead, do you look at:  the leading edge / sightline / other - both
• Any back issue? – No
• Do you struggle with speed, and if so, do you miss short, long or both?   Yes. Most often short especially if I go to a course with slower greens.
• Do you struggle with line, and if so, do you miss right, left or both? – Typical miss on short putts is right and on longer putts is left
• Do you struggle with 3 footers / 10 footers / lag putts? – I’d like to make more in the 6-12 foot range and do a little better at lagging 40 footers.

 

The Zoom Call

The call started with the basic introductions and Aki explained his three-step process for the virtual call which is qualitative in nature: 

• Observing me putt  
• assessment of what he observed
• Sacks Parente technology and putter selection.

The putts

Aki had me hit a series of putts from face on and some more from down the line.  The putts were about 7 feet long since that is how much space I had available.  I did the call using my iPad so it was easy to move around and get the perspectives he needed. 

The Assessment

• Face on view posture
  • ball position - good
  • acceleration profile - good. 
  • at impact I have a tendency to do a very slight hit motion with my right hand - This led to our discussion about the right miss on short putts and left on long putts.   Based on observations and discussions, the thought is that I have “trained” myself to hold off the rotation to avoid the left miss and then as the stroke gets longer to “flip” a little which is closing the putter a bit too much on longer putts.

• Down the line view
  • minimal arc on the backstroke and then to the left on the through stroke.
  • posture is good
  • putter is flat on the ground
  • eyes are slightly inside line.

 

Stroke Assessment

The putting stroke is good, only the one small issue that should be quick and easy to fix and that their technology will help.  We talked about how I use my hands and specifically my thumbs to keep the top of the grip level as I move the putter through the stroke; Aki attributed this to the putter wanting to close as it moves through the stroke and my trying to stop it.    On longer putts (over 30’) the distance control issues are potentially related to miss hits. 

 

Putter Selection

Based on the recommendation from Aki, we are starting with:

• Series 54MC Mallet Putter – Three Stripe   
• 69* lie angle
• Flat grip 

 

The Technology

• Aki feels that the Ultra Low Balance Point (ULBP) will help me get the putter on a bit more of an arc and help eliminate my tendency to hold off the putter release.  
• He suggested the first thing I do when I get the putter to just take my posture and let the putter swing back and forth to get used to how it moves.  
• The thought is that the weight forward design and off-center forgiveness will help with the speed control.  

More about the tech once things are in hand. 

 

My thoughts on the fitting

Based on knowing my stroke in the back of my mind I felt like mallet would be the recommendation but not center shafted.   Aki felt the balance of the center shafted putter would help with the generation of a little arc on the backstroke; but not as much as a heel shafted putter, to alleviate the tendency to hold off the release.   I have had center shafted putters in the past – LAB Directed Force, Seemore mFGP2 and FGP, and a Sizemore SB-2 so the style isn’t unfamiliar but I am a bit concerned about the mallet since I generally find that blades work a bit better. 

Overall, I would rate the fitting as being top quality.  The call lasted a little over an hour and I wasn’t rushed and felt like I could have asked more questions if I had them.  Aki recorded the zoom call to use as a training tool for new fitters.  The big thing I like was the fitting was designed to find a putter that worked with my stroke and my tendencies and not strictly based on numbers.  The next question is will it work; all I can do is:

Great info and looking forward to seeing what the results will be. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

31 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Sacks Parente Fitting

First,  sorry for the length but lots of things were discussed;  I have created several sections so you can skip and read what you find interesting

There are lots of opinions about putter fittings:

• It’s a waste of time; the swing is so short.
• Just the right length and look and you are good to go. 
• Rely on recommendations based on data captured from systems like Puttlab, Quintic, or Capto.  
• Utilize and OEMs interactive online fitting tool where you answer questions and they provide recommendations.  

I have done several putter fittings in the past:  A virtual putter fitting with a golf coach/putting expert, an Edel Fitting, a Biomech fitting at Golf Galaxy, and multiple PuttLab evaluations.   The putter I currently use was identified in the virtual putter fitting and confirmed with the Club Champion fitting.   Basically, I believe in fittings and have seen how different putters can influence stroke characteristics.

Fitting Option options (Sacks Parente Fitting Page)

• Club Champion fitting – This is the only option where you can put your hands on the putter but there is a Club Champion fitting fee. 
• Downloadable Fitting Guide – This guide goes through a series of questions, answers, and impacts to determine head type, hosel location, and grip.  IMO, the form was interesting but really didn’t provide a solid recommendation and generally indicated that everything could work.  You can see how I filled this out and it really didn’t point me in a specific direction.

• Virtual Fitting – As part of the MGS test, we went through the virtual fitting with Aki Yorihiro, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer for Sacks Parente. 

 

Pre-Virtual Fitting Questions

As mentioned above, on the Sacks Parente fitting page there is an option to schedule a free fitting with Aki.  For this test Aki reached out to us in advance and asked us to respond to a series of questions about our putting that were similar to the online fitting guide:

• Your height - 5’10”
• Current index - Don’t have an official index but I track it myself and it is 7.1
• Current putter – model / length / lie / loft / grip / how long you have had it - TaylorMade TM-180/33”/unsure of lie; I think it is 69*/3* loft/pingman style grip/had it since 2011
• Eye dominance – right / left / mono - right
• How often you play golf – Play 1-2 times a week
• Whether you play mostly at the same course or a variety of places. - Variety
  • Grass type - Bermuda, bent, etc.  – Bermuda and Bent
  • General green speed – 9-10
  • Lots of slope or not – lots of slope
• Do you putt from off the green on a closely mowed area and if so, up to how far off?  It is lie dependent and situational.  If I do, probably max of about 5’ off the green
• Your grip pressure from a scale of 1 (light) to 10 (tight) - 3 to 4
• When you aim your putterhead, do you look at:  the leading edge / sightline / other - both
• Any back issue? – No
• Do you struggle with speed, and if so, do you miss short, long or both?   Yes. Most often short especially if I go to a course with slower greens.
• Do you struggle with line, and if so, do you miss right, left or both? – Typical miss on short putts is right and on longer putts is left
• Do you struggle with 3 footers / 10 footers / lag putts? – I’d like to make more in the 6-12 foot range and do a little better at lagging 40 footers.

 

The Zoom Call

The call started with the basic introductions and Aki explained his three-step process for the virtual call which is qualitative in nature: 

• Observing me putt  
• assessment of what he observed
• Sacks Parente technology and putter selection.

The putts

Aki had me hit a series of putts from face on and some more from down the line.  The putts were about 7 feet long since that is how much space I had available.  I did the call using my iPad so it was easy to move around and get the perspectives he needed. 

The Assessment

• Face on view posture
  • ball position - good
  • acceleration profile - good. 
  • at impact I have a tendency to do a very slight hit motion with my right hand - This led to our discussion about the right miss on short putts and left on long putts.   Based on observations and discussions, the thought is that I have “trained” myself to hold off the rotation to avoid the left miss and then as the stroke gets longer to “flip” a little which is closing the putter a bit too much on longer putts.

• Down the line view
  • minimal arc on the backstroke and then to the left on the through stroke.
  • posture is good
  • putter is flat on the ground
  • eyes are slightly inside line.

 

Stroke Assessment

The putting stroke is good, only the one small issue that should be quick and easy to fix and that their technology will help.  We talked about how I use my hands and specifically my thumbs to keep the top of the grip level as I move the putter through the stroke; Aki attributed this to the putter wanting to close as it moves through the stroke and my trying to stop it.    On longer putts (over 30’) the distance control issues are potentially related to miss hits. 

 

Putter Selection

Based on the recommendation from Aki, we are starting with:

• Series 54MC Mallet Putter – Three Stripe   
• 69* lie angle
• Flat grip 

 

The Technology

• Aki feels that the Ultra Low Balance Point (ULBP) will help me get the putter on a bit more of an arc and help eliminate my tendency to hold off the putter release.  
• He suggested the first thing I do when I get the putter to just take my posture and let the putter swing back and forth to get used to how it moves.  
• The thought is that the weight forward design and off-center forgiveness will help with the speed control.  

More about the tech once things are in hand. 

 

My thoughts on the fitting

Based on knowing my stroke in the back of my mind I felt like mallet would be the recommendation but not center shafted.   Aki felt the balance of the center shafted putter would help with the generation of a little arc on the backstroke; but not as much as a heel shafted putter, to alleviate the tendency to hold off the release.   I have had center shafted putters in the past – LAB Directed Force, Seemore mFGP2 and FGP, and a Sizemore SB-2 so the style isn’t unfamiliar but I am a bit concerned about the mallet since I generally find that blades work a bit better. 

Overall, I would rate the fitting as being top quality.  The call lasted a little over an hour and I wasn’t rushed and felt like I could have asked more questions if I had them.  Aki recorded the zoom call to use as a training tool for new fitters.  The big thing I like was the fitting was designed to find a putter that worked with my stroke and my tendencies and not strictly based on numbers.  The next question is will it work; all I can do is:

Well Done Chris! Well organized info and I’m intrigued by how you will get on with a center shafted mallet.