Where to buy a new putter?

I've decided that I need to get myself a new putter.

Having tried a few and even played a round or two with some I have found a couple that I like.

What I'd like to do is go to one place and try some different makes and models.

I do like the Oddosys, Ping, Yes and Scotty Cameron ones.

Having looked on their websites it appears that they don't have regional fitting centers, they just point you in the direction of the nearest shop/golf club.

Seeing as putting is fifty percent of the game I'd like to make certain that I get the correct putter for myself.  So trying six or seven in a pro shop and having to choose from one of them isn't ideal.

One more thing is I'd like to try them on a proper putting green, not artifical turn or a mat.

Does anybody know where I can find such a place?

Russ

Come on Russ, you're a 13 handicapper and you've played rounds equivalent to single figures in the past I'm sure. You know where to buy a new putter mate. I'm sure your club has a proper practice putting green and the shop has a selection of your favourites for you to try out? Its just unfortunate you like the expensive models!!

Paul

Paul, money isn't the problem.

Putting is fifty percent of the game and I'd rather spend £300 on a putter than on a driver.

My pro has about fifteen putters and yes some of them are nice, but they don't feel right for me.

I'm looking for a place where I can go and try a wide variety of putters, both makes and styles.  And I'd also like to use them on a putting green not on artificial grass or mats.

Most of the pro shops I've been in have the same twenty or thirty putters.

Russ

So you you've narrowed it down to what you like, you just need to spend some time with each one on a proper surface?

Russ,

Have you visited Direct Golf at Romford Driving Range, its not a Superstore (Doncaster & Huddersfield are the only two) but should have a number of putters. One place stocking a full range of Putters would cost them £000's so you will have to look around for perfection I am afraid.

TheLyth

Thanks guys.

I have tried Direct Golf at Romford but they only have a mat to try them on, no real putting green.

Tried a putter today from my pro shop, not seen it in there before and finished my medal round with thirty putts.  Only missed one from four feet or less and never three putted.  A good sign was the confidence I had with the two foot putts, normally the ones I struggle with, not a problem with this putter.

Russ

My search could be over.

My pro let me take out an Oddyssy 2 ball White Hot XG Center shaft putter.

I was very happy with the results, didn't three putt once and I did have a few six or seven footers to get my two putts.

Only missed one putt from within four feet and had no trouble with the two foot putts, bit of a nightmare for me with my old putter.

View the details here:  http://www.odysseygolf.com/Global/en-GB/Products/Putters/WhiteHotXG/WhiteHotXG2-BallCSPutter.html

Although I still left a few putts short it was due to the fact that I didn't want to overhit the ball.  This putter is heavier than my own so I had to be careful.  But with a few hours practice and five or six rounds behind me I'm sure I'll get over it.

I'll give my pro a chance to do me a deal as this putter is being advertised on American Golf at £89, but he's asking a lot more for it.  I'll let you know how I get on.

Russ

Dan, it was the 35 inch putter.

Russ

Dan, you must be hitting the enter key more than once.

Russ

Russ,

Have you tried to the 2 thumb putter grip? If so what did you make of it?

Rich 

I have tried a putter that has the two thumb grip on it Richard.

Didn't like it at all, not for me I'm afraid!

Russ

Paul, the putter is much heavier than my own one and I was careful not to overhit it.

I did manage this and was lagging the ball close to the hole most of the time, with the odd one dropping in the hole.

There were a couple of times where I still left the ball short and it was on those putts where I had to be careful about the downhill putt, so having started my putt I slowed down thinking I was going to overhit it, but didn't, so left it half way there!

I would say given a month to do some serious work on the practice putting green I'll have this problem sorted.

Russ

This is the putter that I use, Russ. The centre shaft helps on the short putts in my opinion.

Hi Russell, Have you tried one of the golf expo's? I went to the Scottish one in Glasgow this year and they had maybe three/ four small stalls that specialised in high end bespoke putters.  To the best of my knowledge there are similar events in Birmingham and London

Thanks guys, I've decided to go with the Oddyssey Two Ball putter with the center shaft.

If it's the one John uses then I'm happy!!!

Russ

I tried the normal offset shaft in American Golf but to be honest wasn't that impressed, not after having used one with the center shaft.

Don't know what it is but having the shaft in the center of the putter's face just makes it feel correct to me!

I'll report on how I'm getting on with it after I've had it a couple of weeks.

My intention is to get on the practice putting green for a couple of sessions before I play any rounds of golf, but that could all change depending on the weather/work.

Russ

Having used all kinds of putters in the years that I have been playing this game, I have come to realise that to develop a good putting stroke can only be achieved by playing on one course continually.

Nomadic golfers have no chance of grooving a putting stroke by playing on different surfaces every time they play.

The weight and shape of a putter is all down to personal preference and the players with a good putting stroke will putt just as well given any other putter to try.

I agree that confidence plays a major part in all aspects of this wonderful, yet aggravating game and that is why there are so many clubs, of all descriptions, to get your hands on.

It is very easy to blame the club when other factors are just as important. Greens are not always up to standard and one cannot tell whether it was a poor strike or a bad surface. Personally I would be very happy if I could hole everything within six feet every time. Not much to ask but very hard to achieve.

Apart from professional golfers who are nomadic in the truest sense of the word and play on all kinds of courses and greens.  I think you pick the putter that best suits your needs and learn how to use and have faith in it.

Professionals are nomadic, Fearghal, with one very strong difference to the amateur.

All tournament courses are prepared to exacting specifications including speed of the greens. You will also recognise that they get to play under the most perfect of conditions with the courses especially prepared for each tournament and as we all know the tour tends to follow the sun.

Way different from playing a different course every day for a week in the UK.

 you are obviously right about the conditions the pros play in John.  Having said that you were a scratch golfer and that was probably at a time where you played a few different courses.  the better putters are they guys with self belief and good technique. i don't think the course/conditions is The most important factor the golfer is

Without good conditions, and by that I mean true greens, then even the best putters will struggle to hole out on a consistent basis.

The reason I wanted to try the putters on a real green was that artifical ones are not true.

Prime example, American Golf at Romford, they have an artifical putting green that has a big lump in the middle.  So there is no way of knowing if the putter you are trying is correct for me or not.

At least on real grass I would be able to try it on the level.

Russ

Russ get some overtime in I found you a putter

http://www.tourspecgolf.com/Gold39s-Factory-USA-RyuZen-Putter-1-of-1

all jokes aside it's worth every penny the guy who makes these is a genius and a pure craftsman i know quite a few people that own 1 or more and they swear they perform better than anything else.Other costom ones are half this price, I have two putters made from this guy but not in this price bracket.

Only two, David?