


what is a good beginner putter? and beginner ball?
#1
Posted 11 August 2009 - 01:11 PM

#2
Posted 11 August 2009 - 01:14 PM
Seriously, go to a golf store, go to the putter section and ... putter around!
I would think for a first putter, buy something around $100. While there are 10-gazillion choices, I suggest a basic mallet style, or a 'anser' style.
Really, everyone will have a different view (most likely ... like they do on drivers, irons, wedges, hyrids, etc.). But like anything in the game, it's what works for you. And the putter, especially, is VERY individual.
On the ball ... go for something in the $20-$25 range. Titleist NXT are good, as are the Bridgestones. Trouble is that these things are now so complicated, you can make yourself crazy trying to pick one. I'd stay away from the 'premium balls' until you get to the point where you're not going to chuck $4 or $5 into the woods, pond, or weeds on every shot. Makes the game expensive that way.
Oh ... and look for X-outs or 'PRACTICE' balls (not RANGE balls) ... as those are usually cheap, but still good quality.
Enjoy!
Edited by Bayou Kato, 11 August 2009 - 01:18 PM.
#3
Posted 11 August 2009 - 01:21 PM
Some advice i heard an old tour pro say to a beginner lately, he's 70 and still using an ancient Ping Anser.
Good advice, wish I'd heard it when i started.
#4
Posted 11 August 2009 - 01:51 PM
#5
Posted 11 August 2009 - 01:53 PM

#6
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:12 PM
#7
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:20 PM
#8
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:21 PM
For balls...the Maxfli Noodle is a good cheap ball...and believe it or not, the Pinnacle Gold Soft is a great beginner ball.
#10
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:29 PM

#11
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:42 PM
For putter - Same as others have suggested, you have to try them to like them. However, I have seen it recommended that if one has a "pendulum" putting stroke, a mallet is better. I can vouch for this; after years of using Anser knockoffs, I found I pushed/pulled less with a mallet.
Only advice - Spend a little money on this club, and buy a good quality brand one. A good putter will have good balance to it, and the ball should go in the direction you want it to alot better.
Trying other's putters on a practice green can also be a good way to figure out what you like, plus opens the possibility of buying a used putter. For example, my Bettinardi was $200 new, and I now see them going for ~$50 plus shipping on eBay.
Titleist 909F2, 15.5*, "For Titleist" Blueboard
Titleist 909H, 21*, "For Titleist" Blueboard
Titleist 755 4-P, GAT 95
MacGregor Jeff Sheets 52* GW
MacGregor Jeff Sheets 56* SW
Titleist Vokey Oil Can 60* LW
Odyssey White Ice Sabertooth
WITB Link
Current set photo here!
#12
Posted 11 August 2009 - 03:54 PM
I'll throw in one more ball for consideration. The Srixon AD-333. Right now they are two dozen for $25 and it's pretty good ball for that price. Taylor Made has some similar two for prices on their Burner balls I believe.
Titleist F2 917 18* Diamana 60g S+
Titleist 816 H1 21* Diamana S+
Titleist 718 AP1 4-7 Iron, AP2 7-PW AMT Red
Titleist SM6 50.8, 54.8 and 58.12
Scotty Cameron X7M 35"
#13
Posted 12 August 2009 - 07:28 AM
Ball- The Top Flight D2 Feel is a nice ball for the money. It has the feel of a premium ball, but at a much lower cost.
#14
Posted 12 August 2009 - 07:36 AM
PING G Fairway 3 Wood
PING G Hybrids (3, 4)
PING G Irons (5-UW)
PING Glide 2.0 (54SS, 58WS)
PING Vault Oslo
Ball: Titelist AVX
#15
Posted 12 August 2009 - 07:48 AM

#16
Posted 12 August 2009 - 07:56 AM
#17
Posted 12 August 2009 - 08:02 AM
#18
Posted 12 August 2009 - 08:13 AM
Putter, find a good used putter you like, there are millions of styles to choose from, go to a place that sells used clubs and find one that is the right length for you and have the lie adjusted if needed, brand doesnt matter but I would always reccommend a good name brand putter over a brand new cheap one. Also if you find a new expensive putter you like look for it used on ebay. Ping, Odyssey, TM, and Scotty are always good picks, nothing wrong with some of the smaller companies like Rife, or Cleveland either.
Callaway V Series 3w, HW
Callaway X Hot 9w
Ping G 4-p
Vokey 52, 58 M grind
Odyssey Pro #1 black
Ping Hoofer
ECCO
#19
Posted 12 August 2009 - 09:03 AM
As far as putters go I agree with the other guys. Go to the local golf shops and putt with as many as you can and find one that feels comfortable for you. When I first started playing a lot I went through 6 putters in my first year of golf. The Two Ball that I am playing with now has been in my bag for almost five years. It may be getting replaced soon by something similar, but I will always play a mallet style putter.
BJ
Ping G 5-UW S300's
Ping G Crossover 4 Iron w/ Aldila RIP 90
TM Aeroburner TP 5 wood White Tie
TM Aeroburner TP 14* mini driver White Tie
Driver spot currently rotating constantly!
Byron Morgan 006 with Soundslot
Sun Mountain Four 5
TM Tour Preferred X or Srixon Z-Star XV
#20
Posted 12 August 2009 - 09:14 AM

Edited by adam_mac84, 12 August 2009 - 09:16 AM.
#21
Posted 12 August 2009 - 09:14 AM
If you have a straight back, straight through type putting stroke (typical with cross handed putting), then a center shafted putter will work better.
If you have a more rounded stroke, then a heal shafted putter will be better.
#22
Posted 12 August 2009 - 09:23 AM
Lots of putters out there, but I recommend finding a used 2-ball putter. There is a reason for its long-term popularity with the pro's and general public - good feel, good alignment, relatively forgiving.
#23
Posted 12 August 2009 - 12:44 PM
#24
Posted 12 August 2009 - 01:43 PM
I wouldn't get too locked into the Odyssey 2 ball yet. One thing I disliked about it (and agin, we come back to what YOU like) was the face insert. Personally, I can't STAND the feel of an insert putter, and feel it deadens my "feel" for the ball. This is what I liked about my Bettinardi; it has a unique milled face to soften the contact with the ball, but I don't feel I'm "losing" contact with the ball like I do with an insert putter.
However, the two-ball alignment aid is a very nice touch that a lot of people like, and it has a number of head shapes available to suit your tastes and stroke style. I personally like the "T" on my Bettinardi. Some people like the big frames and straight lines on the TM putters, or an alignment aid like the pipe on a Nickent putter. Others like just a few lines on their Scotty Cameron or Ping.
Although I think it is good to have an idea of what you like when you go the store, don't let this make your decision. Me, I went to the store looking for a new Anser-style putter with an insert. After trying about 30 models and sinking no more than 50% of my putts, I grabbed the putter I currently own (thinking, "Let's try this stupid thing") and proceeded to sink 6 balls in a row.
Not to get too mystical here, but it's like in Harry Potter, "The golfer doesn't choose the putter, the putter chooses the golfer."
Edited by ScottCrick, 12 August 2009 - 01:43 PM.
Titleist 909F2, 15.5*, "For Titleist" Blueboard
Titleist 909H, 21*, "For Titleist" Blueboard
Titleist 755 4-P, GAT 95
MacGregor Jeff Sheets 52* GW
MacGregor Jeff Sheets 56* SW
Titleist Vokey Oil Can 60* LW
Odyssey White Ice Sabertooth
WITB Link
Current set photo here!
#26
Posted 12 August 2009 - 06:28 PM
Great feel, no insert, nice milled face, and at about $70 new in the stores, it's hard to beat. At least worth a try during your search, IMO.
But at the end of the day, as has been said already, you've got to go with what works for you.
As for balls, I too am a beginner. I've been using the Srixon Soft Feel and like them a lot. However, if you are still in the phase where you lose a lot of balls, I would just suggest going out and getting some cheap balls, or even used balls at a place like lostgolfballs.com, until you get more consistent. In the beginner stage, I've tried to keep my per ball cost as low as possible until I've become a little less "consistent" at losing shots in the water or woods.
My $0.02
Good luck and have fun
Edited by NativeTxn, 12 August 2009 - 06:32 PM.
#27
Posted 12 August 2009 - 10:55 PM
#28
Posted 13 August 2009 - 12:00 AM
#29
Posted 13 August 2009 - 10:26 AM
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