RUNNER Golf Putters! 2024 Forum Review

[GolfSpy_APH]

20 minutes ago, SDunne said:

Really cool insight @GolfSpy_APH impressive you get the face back like that!

 

Did you get additional weights? I only got the basic ones and would be interested in how you can add/change weights.

I do. I even tried them but didn't like them. But maybe it is just change so I'll try again for my Monday round.

[StrokerAce]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

While I was at Vice I went to HIO (TXG for Germany) and we did a putter fitting/analysis with the Runner putter. Rather than explain it all I am just going to drop the results. 

Two recommendations came of it. 

1. I should be trying the heavier weights to help stabilize the head and hopefully strike location. 

2. I need to work on strike location.

For all the data nerds like me have fun!
I will bring up one key part though. 

The black lines above the forward swing text is where impact happens. What the fitter was surprised at is the before and after. There are large separation gaps which while not massive, for some is considered the yips. What surprised him was the fact I was able to always get it back to the proper placement at impact Those lines should be overlappying more right through impact like earlier in the path/pattern. Just really interesting and not something I ever feel or do on purpose. 

All in all the Runner is a great fit for my putting and the confidence on course has translated to good results. 

 

Some great info in there! I find this very humbling whenever I've done it. 

Just curious - did they adjust the loft or suggest any adjustments?

[GolfSpy_APH]

12 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

Some great info in there! I find this very humbling whenever I've done it. 

Just curious - did they adjust the loft or suggest any adjustments?

Just add in the weight and work on strike. While I could afford to add a bit more loft it was still at a point which is acceptable so nothing to necessarily worry about. 

[Rob Person]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Just add in the weight and work on strike. While I could afford to add a bit more loft it was still at a point which is acceptable so nothing to necessarily worry about. 

Did you find yourself concentrating harder to make smoother strokes and better contact at the fitting than you would on the course?

Thanks for explaining the chart too. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

Did you find yourself concentrating harder to make smoother strokes and better contact at the fitting than you would on the course?

Thanks for explaining the chart too. 

Not at all, everything felt very natural. I had a chance to make a lot of putts prior and get comfortable so I wasn't nervous or anything. I will say the speed was super fast so I was thinking about that just a slight bit. 

[bama no 1]

16 hours ago, SDunne said:

Nice @Northern Monkey - I think I said at the start of this, if you can find a putter that can almost guarantee you something from 3-4 feet in, I'd take it. Certainly be interested to see how you go with the weights - how do you have them set up currently?

 

Hope the weather clears for you - similar thing here in Sydney for Saturday but I'm hoping that the lightning stays away to get me out. I'll play in the rain but not daft enough to attempt a Caddyshack round...

 

 

 

Playing in the rain for me is ou,t as it just plain stinks.

[Northern Monkey]

Played another 18 today with the Runner and it continues to perform 

It’s such a confidence inspiring tool at close range. I missed 2 putts from around 5 feet but both of them were due to a bad read from me. Distance wise they were spot on I just misread the slope. 
I’ve kept a track, as you can see, of all my rounds with it and will do a direct comparison from the stats with my Odyssey at the end of the review

Im playing in a competition tomorrow so hoping it saves me some shots and keeps performing

Edited May 2 by Northern Monkey

[HikingMike]

8 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

While I was at Vice I went to HIO (TXG for Germany) and we did a putter fitting/analysis with the Runner putter. Rather than explain it all I am just going to drop the results. 

Two recommendations came of it. 

1. I should be trying the heavier weights to help stabilize the head and hopefully strike location. 

2. I need to work on strike location.

For all the data nerds like me have fun!
I will bring up one key part though. 

The black lines above the forward swing text is where impact happens. What the fitter was surprised at is the before and after. There are large separation gaps which while not massive, for some is considered the yips. What surprised him was the fact I was able to always get it back to the proper placement at impact Those lines should be overlappying more right through impact like earlier in the path/pattern. Just really interesting and not something I ever feel or do on purpose. 

All in all the Runner is a great fit for my putting and the confidence on course has translated to good results. 

 

Holy smokes, that is awesome stuff!

So those lines show that you are rotating significantly at the point of impact? It's near the highest rotation rate dip there. Can be normal, I have no idea. But you're saying the gaps in those lines would be inconsistent rotation in the different strokes? Hmm, I see the Face Rotation image has a high 96% for consistency though. Probably the waviness of the lines would be "rough" rotation... not smooth (heavier weights could help). Sound right?

Looks like that one very heel strike may have gave you the worst part of that impact consistency. The rest look pretty consistent. The ball is really hitting high on the face... or maybe that's just the canned putter image. Your shaft lean is very consistent between address and impact. Tempo and rhythm are great. 

I wonder if Runner or others would call this a "slight arc" swing path.

Is that third image (Path) showing you are cutting across the ball out-to-in slightly? The arrow in the top left part looks like that, but then the other colored lines look maybe like in-to-out (if a lefty hitting to the right). 

This is all so weird. Before I ever did the Golfboy video thing, I thought my putting was very straightforward. But I could see I definitely have an arc there. Who knows what a test like this would show me.

Edited May 2 by HikingMike

[GolfSpy_APH]

5 minutes ago, HikingMike said:

Holy smokes, that is awesome stuff!

So those lines show that you are rotating significantly at the point of impact? It's near the highest rotation rate dip there. Can be normal, I have no idea. But you're saying the gaps in those lines would be inconsistent rotation in the different strokes? Hmm, I see the Face Rotation image has a high 96% for consistency though. Probably the waviness of the lines would be "rough" rotation... not smooth (heavier weights could help). Sound right?

Looks like that one very heel strike may have gave you the worst part of that impact consistency. The rest look pretty consistent. The ball is really hitting high on the face... or maybe that's just the canned putter image. Your shaft lean is very consistent between address and impact. Tempo and rhythm are great. 

I wonder if Runner or others would call this a "slight arc" swing path.

Is that third image (Path) showing you are cutting across the ball out-to-in slightly? The arrow in the top left part looks like that, but then the other colored lines look maybe like in-to-out (if a lefty hitting to the right). 

This is all so weird. Before I ever did the Golfboy video thing, I thought my putting was very straightforward. But I could see I definitely have an arc there. Who knows what a test like this would show me.

Honestly it is so much to type out - we went over all the data (this was what 5 putts?) for 20 plus minutes which is why I posted the data. I wouldn't say it is wavy, but it is a slight hesitation or change which is clear. 

[bama no 1]

3 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

Played another 18 today with the Runner and it continues to perform 

It’s such a confidence inspiring tool at close range. I missed 2 putts from around 5 feet but both of them were due to a bad read from me. Distance wise they were spot on I just misread the slope. 
I’ve kept a track, as you can see, of all my rounds with it and will do a direct comparison from the stats with my Odyssey at the end of the review

Im playing in a competition tomorrow so hoping it saves me some shots and keeps performing

Play well tomorrow

[bama no 1]

2 hours ago, HikingMike said:

Holy smokes, that is awesome stuff!

So those lines show that you are rotating significantly at the point of impact? It's near the highest rotation rate dip there. Can be normal, I have no idea. But you're saying the gaps in those lines would be inconsistent rotation in the different strokes? Hmm, I see the Face Rotation image has a high 96% for consistency though. Probably the waviness of the lines would be "rough" rotation... not smooth (heavier weights could help). Sound right?

Looks like that one very heel strike may have gave you the worst part of that impact consistency. The rest look pretty consistent. The ball is really hitting high on the face... or maybe that's just the canned putter image. Your shaft lean is very consistent between address and impact. Tempo and rhythm are great. 

I wonder if Runner or others would call this a "slight arc" swing path.

Is that third image (Path) showing you are cutting across the ball out-to-in slightly? The arrow in the top left part looks like that, but then the other colored lines look maybe like in-to-out (if a lefty hitting to the right). 

This is all so weird. Before I ever did the Golfboy video thing, I thought my putting was very straightforward. But I could see I definitely have an arc there. Who knows what a test like this would show me.

If I read this correctly, at least your aim and stroke was 0.0 degree. Your aim is good.

[Rob Person]

6 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

Played another 18 today with the Runner and it continues to perform 

It’s such a confidence inspiring tool at close range. I missed 2 putts from around 5 feet but both of them were due to a bad read from me. Distance wise they were spot on I just misread the slope. 
I’ve kept a track, as you can see, of all my rounds with it and will do a direct comparison from the stats with my Odyssey at the end of the review

Im playing in a competition tomorrow so hoping it saves me some shots and keeps performing

Have a great time!  Putting the putter into the putting mindset hopefully yields you minimal putting!

[Northern Monkey]

6 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Have a great time!  Putting the putter into the putting mindset hopefully yields you minimal putting!

 

10 hours ago, bama no 1 said:

Play well tomorrow

Thanks guys. I’m hoping the extra confidence the Runner inspires translates throughout my game

[Northern Monkey]

Well I really enjoyed my competition. It was a 9 hole match play and despite the weather was great fun. The Runner did its job and lived up to its previous standard. However the rest of my game was awful and I lost 2 and 1 

The Runner is just absolutely awesome and once I get the rest of my game together I can see my handicap really coming down 

[HikingMike]

7 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

Well I really enjoyed my competition. It was a 9 hole match play and despite the weather was great fun. The Runner did its job and lived up to its previous standard. However the rest of my game was awful and I lost 2 and 1 

The Runner is just absolutely awesome and once I get the rest of my game together I can see my handicap really coming down 

Your putter was doing the heavy lifting there!

I really just needed an excuse to post this gif I found randomly, lol

[Northern Monkey]

I was going to sort out the videos showing the effect of different weight positions today but they’ve just treated and dressed the practice green so wasn’t able to. I’m hoping to do it at some point this coming week but I’m night shift all week so will have to see. 
I did manage to play 18 though and shot my best ever score, thanks in no small part to the Runner. 
28 putts for the round with no 3 putts and one putts on 8 holes

Once again the fact that distance lag putts seem to be so much easier to judge with this had a lot to do with the lack of 3 putts. This was the best one of the day

[bama no 1]

2 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

I was going to sort out the videos showing the effect of different weight positions today but they’ve just treated and dressed the practice green so wasn’t able to. I’m hoping to do it at some point this coming week but I’m night shift all week so will have to see. 
I did manage to play 18 though and shot my best ever score, thanks in no small part to the Runner. 
28 putts for the round with no 3 putts and one putts on 8 holes

Once again the fact that distance lag putts seem to be so much easier to judge with this had a lot to do with the lack of 3 putts. This was the best one of the day

That is some awesome putting for sure!!!!!

[Northern Monkey]

1 hour ago, bama no 1 said:

That is some awesome putting for sure!!!!!

It just seems really easy to get it close with this and the strike is so true on it. The putter head just swings so sweetly and doesn’t seem to want to move off that centre line

[SDunne]

Had a real rocks and diamonds round on the weekend. Shot 2 over par based on handicap but could've/should've been a lot better - the good shots were very good, the bad shots were awful. Sometimes the cost of putting in some swings changes but was a hard one to enjoy as a result! The rain didn't help the round either but shouldn't be an excuse...

I enjoyed playing with the RUNNER with slightly changed weights. As I mentioned before I brought them in closer to the middle but keeping the even distribution. I hit 30 putts with only one 3 putt and that was mainly due to putting myself right at the back fringe of the longest green! First time I've really had to whack the putter and it showed - quite underhit and to be fair I still almost holed the second! All in all there were two that lipped out and one that was just underhit going uphill (user error) that I look back on and think should have trimmed my score. Nothing I could really fault with the club, much more me. Highlights included rolling one in from off the green and sinking another from the fringe. 

I like how the narrower weights produce a slightly different sound and feels like more oomph behind the ball. My own fault for not trying it out more and a bit earlier but likely how I'll keep it for now. It has certainly meant I can rely on my putting and ensure that I know that I'm definitely reducing errors and improving my short game. 

 

[Northern Monkey]

4 minutes ago, SDunne said:

Had a real rocks and diamonds round on the weekend. Shot 2 over par based on handicap but could've/should've been a lot better - the good shots were very good, the bad shots were awful. Sometimes the cost of putting in some swings changes but was a hard one to enjoy as a result! The rain didn't help the round either but shouldn't be an excuse...

I enjoyed playing with the RUNNER with slightly changed weights. As I mentioned before I brought them in closer to the middle but keeping the even distribution. I hit 30 putts with only one 3 putt and that was mainly due to putting myself right at the back fringe of the longest green! First time I've really had to whack the putter and it showed - quite underhit and to be fair I still almost holed the second! All in all there were two that lipped out and one that was just underhit going uphill (user error) that I look back on and think should have trimmed my score. Nothing I could really fault with the club, much more me. Highlights included rolling one in from off the green and sinking another from the fringe. 

I like how the narrower weights produce a slightly different sound and feels like more oomph behind the ball. My own fault for not trying it out more and a bit earlier but likely how I'll keep it for now. It has certainly meant I can rely on my putting and ensure that I know that I'm definitely reducing errors and improving my short game. 

 

How close to the centre do you have the weights Sean? I’ve moved mine both to the very centre and the ball does seem to come off the face faster and sweeter

[SDunne]

4 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

How close to the centre do you have the weights Sean? I’ve moved mine both to the very centre and the ball does seem to come off the face faster and sweeter

Brought in about halfway - haven't felt like I need to bring them in the whole way as of yet - quite like the idea of more forgiveness still in case it's needed. I've been hitting them sweetly but may be a mental thing. 

 

[HikingMike]

18 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

I did manage to play 18 though and shot my best ever score, thanks in no small part to the Runner. 

Boom! That's awesome!   Congrats! So many 1-putts, getting up and down there really well.

[bama no 1]

15 hours ago, SDunne said:

Brought in about halfway - haven't felt like I need to bring them in the whole way as of yet - quite like the idea of more forgiveness still in case it's needed. I've been hitting them sweetly but may be a mental thing. 

 

You testers are gonna make be buy one of these things with all the great putting going on.

[SDunne]

3 hours ago, bama no 1 said:

You testers are gonna make be buy one of these things with all the great putting going on.

I'm not going to say do it.... but I'm certainly not going to suggest any reason you shouldn't either... 

Got a week more of testing to come but I'm in love

[Northern Monkey]

1 hour ago, SDunne said:

I'm not going to say do it.... but I'm certainly not going to suggest any reason you shouldn't either... 

Got a week more of testing to come but I'm in love

Yeh I’d echo that. I’ve really gelled with this putter

[Rob Person]

Has anyone had any durability issues with the finish/coating on the putters?  Will you be swapping out the grips for different ones later?

[SDunne]

2 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Has anyone had any durability issues with the finish/coating on the putters?  Will you be swapping out the grips for different ones later?

None at all so far. Looking pristine still despite some wet weather play and some mucky greens on the weekend. Light bit of towel wiping and a soft brush at the end meant that no issues and the bottom is still looking great as well. I'm planning on some pics at the end of testing as well. Been holding up really well given how nice the finish is on it. 

As for grips, I love the grip on it. I got a 1.18 Winn - https://www.winngrips.com/products/excel-putter/winnpro-x-118-118-diameter/black/ 

It's slightly larger than the midsize I have on my usual putter and sits really well in the hands (I use a classic/conventional putting grip) with a nice level of firmness so I  don't feel the need to squeeze it. I'm a big fan of this and wouldn't want to change it.
I actually went back to the RUNNER website but you can't select a grip on there so interesting to know what their default is.

 

[Northern Monkey]

5 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Has anyone had any durability issues with the finish/coating on the putters?  Will you be swapping out the grips for different ones later?

I really like the Garsten grip I have on mine. It’s the first time I’ve used one and I’m impressed with it. It has a nice tacky feel to it and the shape and style suits me so I have no plans to change it. 
I think it’s been pretty obvious so far from my posts that there has been a lot of positives for me from this putter but I did have the issue with the face markings that I posted due to not cleaning the ball/face when the greens had been treated. I have had some other negatives and was going to save this for the final review but now that you’ve mentioned it I’ll highlight them now. 
Before my Ghost bag arrived I was using a Motocaddy bag that has a dedicated putter well. This has a plastic edge around the top

I noticed that where the putter sits it has marked the KBS shaft and the coating has rubbed off

Im hopeful that now I have the Ghost bag with the velvet lining this won’t get any worse. 
I also noticed that part of the stitching on the top of the putter cover is starting to fray and come away

Its only minor but it is noticeable. 
None of these have affected the performance of the Runner and the rest seems to be holding up well. The base of the head is unmarked despite some play in the rain and the treated greens. 
I will be keeping an eye on the durability moving forward

[SDunne]

2 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

I really like the Garsten grip I have on mine. It’s the first time I’ve used one and I’m impressed with it. It has a nice tacky feel to it and the shape and style suits me so I have no plans to change it. 
I think it’s been pretty obvious so far from my posts that there has been a lot of positives for me from this putter but I did have the issue with the face markings that I posted due to not cleaning the ball/face when the greens had been treated. I have had some other negatives and was going to save this for the final review but now that you’ve mentioned it I’ll highlight them now. 
Before my Ghost bag arrived I was using a Motocaddy bag that has a dedicated putter well. This has a plastic edge around the top

I noticed that where the putter sits it has marked the KBS shaft and the coating has rubbed off

Im hopeful that now I have the Ghost bag with the velvet lining this won’t get any worse. 
I also noticed that part of the stitching on the top of the putter cover is starting to fray and come away

Its only minor but it is noticeable. 
None of these have affected the performance of the Runner and the rest seems to be holding up well. The base of the head is unmarked despite some play in the rain and the treated greens. 
I will be keeping an eye on the durability moving forward

That's very annoying about the wear on the shaft - I've got a putter tube myself in my Callaway bag (it's a similar plastic rim to your old one) but haven't got any issues as of yet - will have to keep an eye on it!

 

[Northern Monkey]

40 minutes ago, SDunne said:

That's very annoying about the wear on the shaft - I've got a putter tube myself in my Callaway bag (it's a similar plastic rim to your old one) but haven't got any issues as of yet - will have to keep an eye on it!

 

It is annoying and it didn’t show on my previous putter, which had a stainless shaft so wouldn’t really have noticed anyway. Not sure if there’s much I can do about it now the black has rubbed off but I’d like to think it won’t happen with the Ghost bag