What is the influence or effect toward performance from varying sized necks. Both long and short, how do they differ in performance? Do they differ? Is there a purpose? Is it simply an aesthetic?

Just wondering as I've seen a couple of putters I like.

Hi Bradles,
Long short it comes down to personal choice, and the way you addrest the ball. Look is so important with the putter. But when you buy the new putter make sure it fits you ie lenght, total weight, swingweight , loft on the face and make sure the grip feels good. Rember this is the most important club in the bag if it dosn't feel good or look good you are not going to be draining those 6 footers on sunday.
Cheers Nigel

Different hosel lengths on putters affect the performance greatly, despite what is posted above, there is actually great performance differences between the three main types.

Short hosel (ie Ping Zing, TM Rossa Sebring): this short hosel promotes an open/square/closed stroke, so if you aren't almost technically perfect, you'll probably find this style highlights your weaknesses more.

Goose neck (Ping Anser, Scotty Newport 2, Rossa Daytona): The hands are removed more from the blade with this style, so theres less opening and closing of the face, and for many golfers it's the style of choice. In fact watch any US PGA Tour tournament and you'll see most pros using these putters too.

Centre shaft: this promoted a stright back stright through stroke more than the other styles. Still quite rare on courses and on tour, but I'd expect it to get more popular soon.

Some of the clubfitters on here might find small errors in my description of the styles, but it's a general explanation of the differences.

Hi Scott,
I am a clubfitter.
Number 1 most important goal with fitting a putter is to create a club that will naturaly guide the golfer into the proper putting position (eyes over the ball, arms straight down, etc.) and still allow him or her to remain as comfortable and relaxed as possible before and during the stroke.

<u>most important for performance.</u>
Lenght is important
loft is important
Swingweight/MOI is important
Lie is important

<u>Not so important and a minor affect on performance.</u>
Head design is important for aesthetics and looks of the putter because if you don't like the look of it you are not going to drain it.
Sound of impact is also important for aesthetics.
Cheers Nigel

I generally take aesthetic over everything when it comes to equipment, but it was interesting to note these varying characteristics.

QUOTE: bradles08 @ Apr 22 2007, 09:20 PM

I generally take aesthetic over everything when it comes to equipment, but it was interesting to note these varying characteristics.

yeah I'm kin of a sucker for pretty things too LOL!!!

I've been to the local HOG and Drummonds and had a play around with their putters (looking for an excuse to upgrade) and I found that at the end of the day, there didnt seem to be much of a difference between the cheapos and the more expensive ones, ie Rossa's Bettinardi, Scotty et al.

Of course the feel of the club is much better in terms of impact and swing but I find that If you 3 putt every hole, then gear change isnt going to amount to very much. I play with a Wilson Putter (worth $50-60 maybe? got it as part of a set - looks like the Ping Anser style putter) and tend to stay within 1-2 putts once I'm on the green.

Nigel, i know that the corrrect Lie, loft and swing weight etc is very important in terms of getting the most consistant true roll. With all of that in mind, I dont think that it impacts the putting game that much. You like the putter you'll drain them all day long. You start missing, you start liking it less? How much can be attributed to the club vs human error?

Hi Ghetto,
Sorry I've been up north on hoilday. To anser your question, There is a saying that good putters are born not made.But I think Mr Malby puts it best if you want to improve.
1. Professional swing instruction.
2. Properly fit, quality equipment.
3. Practice
4. Play
5. Positive attitude.
Now about 70% of golfers have incorrectly set lenght, lofts and lies and what can happen is the golfer adjust his game to his/her equipment rather than adjusting his equipment to his/her game.
Yes I thing correctly fit gear will help but you need to follow the 5 steps , you can not buy a putt, you need to put in the hard work as well.
Cheers Nigel.

Nigel, are most club pro's equipped to fit a putter?

Also in an earlier post you mentioned loft of a putter, how much does the loft vary between different brands,and specifically how does loft effect the roll of a golf ball.

Hi zoumboukas,
You must be trying to get me shot by every golf pro, short answer yes and no, to mearsure lie and loft you must have a precision lie loft guage not just a bending unit with measurment guages on the side. They are around the $1000 mark up to $4000 dollars if they don't have one no they can't.
You also have to do a lot of testing to get it just right for roll and comfort. Adam Scott spent hours getting his new putter fitted getting the right weight and bending to get the right angles and roll.
I hope this helps and please if you are a golf pro don't shot me.
Cheers Nigel.