11 replies to this topic

[morebeerbettergolf]

I bought a new Scotty California Fastback a few weeks ago and have really been struggling with distance control coming from a White Ice V Line 2 ball.  I was stroking it great in the test area and they fitted it for me, bent it, put a jumbo grip on it to take my hands out, etc.  But it seems like especially on slower, shaggier type greens I am struggling to control my distance.  Seems like I really have to whack it to get it there.  Should I be looking into heavier weights to help with this or do I just need to readapt to this putter?

[rvgolfer]

Although my situation isnt exactly the same,,different Scotty, different Odyssey insert putter, the symptoms were similar.  It seems to me there were two issues I discovered when switching to the Scotty.  First the sweet spot seems a bit closer to the heel of the putter, rather than in the middle like the Odyssey, and second the face doesnt seem to have quite as much "pop" as the Odyssey.

So when I first switched it seemed as if I would leave putts short which was a bit frustrating, but as I have played more rounds, I have been able to make the adjustment to the point where I am satisfied with my results.  I also tend to play several courses that have varying green speeds which tends to amplify the adjustment problem.

Be warned however, my conclusions are not scientific, just my impressions.

[PuttingDoctor]

RVGolfer makes a great point about testing for the sweet spot on a new putter.  You can't actually guarantee that the aim line is actually the sweet spot.

The key here is learning to judge speed and distance.  The cure is to show up early.  If you play different courses or even the same course every week you owe it to yourself to sight in the speed of the greens for the day of play.  The practice green will get the most traffic and as a result may be trampled down a bit and have some scuffs but it is cut with the same mower and should be indicative of the speed of the greens you will face during your round.

Training your brain to react to speed and distance is the long range goal.

MBBG, you actually have it backwards for weight.  A lighter object will accelerate faster.  The rule on tour is lighter for slower heavier for faster.  Your mileage may vary.

[A C]

it will take time to adjust...practice, spend more time with your putter.  

2 different putters, they will play differently.

[jackn]

Practice, practice, practice!  Good luck

J

[Tarkata]

Same happened to me. My distance control got ridiculous, especially on courses I had never played. I went from an XG insert to the studio design and I was just blowing the ball by on 12 footers. It was comical. Then I would be short everything...I practiced hard, but i putted so long with the xg...it would take a year and for what? I went from decent to awful to now relearning the xg.

Used a Mizuno BC, sc Newport, a sc studio design, odyssey black series -- all carbon and for me, not the best distance control.
Tei3 was better for me.

[kg92lefty]

Much different than the Odyssey you were using. Give it time...

Edited by kg92lefty, 16 August 2012 - 08:51 PM.

[Colby327]

jackn, on 16 August 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Practice, practice, practice!  Good luck

J

kg92lefty, on 16 August 2012 - 08:51 PM, said:

Much different than the Odyssey you were using. Give it time...

These 2 posts pretty much sum it up.

[morebeerbettergolf]

I swear there are times I am absolutely smoking the thing to get it to go 20 feet then other times it seems like I barely hit it and it rolls 25.  My side to side control was the problem with the Odyssey.  Never could get a feel for keeping it on plane in the backstroke and coming forward, like it was twisting somewhat.  The Scotty I am always right at the cup but leave it too short most of the time...downhill blow it way by.

[Chris92009]

Your correct a heavier putter head will go farther than a lighter one all things being constant.  That being said, if you like the feel of the Scotty like most of us then practice and ensure your tempo is the same back and through....IMHO

[agulfer]

Maybe "less beer better putting" ?

Kidding aside, I have a 2012 Select and I experienced the same problem as you on the slower greens.....very bad distance control.  I lengthed the shaft by .50" (34.5), put a SuperStroker Ultra Slim on and went from the 20g "heavy head (weights)" weighted putter down to the 10g weights and have been much happier with the overall feel and distance control slow greens.  Maybe if I played the majority on faster greens, my preference anyways, I'd use the 15g weights but the 10g's seem to be the sweet spot for the courses I'm playing right now.  Oh yeah....and I've put significant time in on the practice green !

Edited by agulfer, 19 August 2012 - 08:26 PM.

[etmccain]

i noticed when going from a Pro Platinum Newport Mid Slant a 2012 Select Newport that my distance lagged as well...same length - 33", same loft - 4*, same lie - 70*, same weight - 350g (PP putter had lead tape to bring the weight up), same grip - Super Stroke Ultra Slim....the only thing I could come up with was the 2012 Select has a deep milled face, so since your Cali Fastback is deep milled that could be a cause....I'm not saying I'm right, but thats all I could come up with