Time to change putters?

Launch monitors could be new key to perfecting your pendulum stroke


The putter used to be an instrument of romance and art more than logic and physics. Times change. Just as the launch monitor has become the cool — and, more important, the correct — way to get yourself fit for the right driver, a similar technology is emerging for putters.

It’s part of the experience at high-end fitting studios like Hot Stix in Scottsdale, but it’s also increasingly available at the fitter down the street. For example, Mitchell Golf’s computer-based, high-speed camera system costs about $3,000, and other analysis systems on the market include the P3ProSwing and EDH FlightScope.

“Just being able to record the data and replay the video provides immediate feedback,” says Ed Mitchell, chairman of Mitchell Golf. “These are the same variables that tour players are looking at when they’re getting custom-fit for the right putter.”

Not just for new putters, a high-tech putter fitting might let you keep old reliable in the bag. With a high-speed camera system, a fitter can see whether the putter is even with the ground coming into the ball. A camera can also measure loft, aim, contact at impact and skid distance.

“We don’t charge as much for a putter fitting, but it’s probably more beneficial than it is for drivers,” says Greg Buban, a clubfitter at EJL Custom Golf Clubs in Willowbrook, Ill. Buban charges $50 for a half-hour putter fitting. “You’re trying to minimize the length of the skid, but you can’t see that kind of thing with the naked eye,” he says. “Now the customer can see the difference, and it really hits home. You make the adjustment. And he walks out the door making putts.”

Given that 40 percent of your strokes are putts, it’s worth not only checking out some of the latest putters (below), but making sure the one you’re using fits you and your stroke.

Tour Edge Hovercraft. Shallow-face aluminum mallet is barely one-half inch high in an effort to align most of the clubhead mass with the center of the ball. Heel-toe weighting is helped by 32-gram brass-weight inserts ($200,touredgegolf.com).
Yes! Golf Tiffany. Design uses curved lines on an extended back flange. Concentric face-grooves are said to promote ideal initial launch and spin ($190, yesgolf.com).
Heavy Putter A1. Built at nearly twice the weight of traditional putters, the blade design matches extra head weight and an extra weight in the shaft’s butt section to raise the club’s balance point ($200, heavyputter.com).
Nike Oz Black T130. Two 65-gram tungsten weights are set in rear toe-and-heel sections to help stability. Weight-saving polymer face insert is designed to increase ball-face contact time ($140, nikegolf.com).
MacGregor/Bobby Grace The Fat Lady Swings. This update from 1994 has a trademark forged beryllium-copper face insert in a milled aluminum body. Copper weights are in heel, toe and rear ($180, macgregorgolf.com).

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