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Time for a new putter - which one?

• Chinajohn 1,190 Posts

  Wed, Feb 6 2013 6:14 PM

  jsweetcr:

  Like I said, dotswise(is that even a word) the Manta and Spider I think are identical. Just that the Manta has more even increments(20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 300) versus the Spider (15, 25, 50, 100, 150, 300)

  I do in fact use the backswing method and on Very fast greens feel that my distance control is pretty spot on. Where i need help is in the precision, because I miss the ding so I miss the putt, on longer putts.

  I am not familiar with the "other" method of putting using an adjusted calculation, but would be interested in hearing about it, as I do in fact have the WGT Caddy Lite version ( probably will get full version in the near future, it does help)

  And yes the Max Putter does have a ton of increments which is another + for it.

  The 'other' system, as I understand it, but you need to verify this with someone who uses it, is as follows.

  You take the actual distance and +/- 1foot per inch according to elevation.

  You then multiply this distance by a number (ranges from 0.8 - 1.2 I think but not sure) depending on the type of green you are on, (slow to super championship). This then gives you an aim distance.

  You select the lowest increment on your putter and 'pull' the aim point back that exact distance + 1 foot (hence the need for putter pal or WGT Caddy) to go over the lip.

   

  WARNING: This is just what I've heard, I wouldn't recommend using it until you get it verified from someone who knows better than I.

• forcefan 279 Posts

  Wed, Feb 6 2013 7:41 PM

  fmagnets,

  Your resume is most impressive. May I ask, roughly how long have you been using the MAX Master+ putter?

• ApexPC 3,164 Posts

  Wed, Feb 6 2013 8:44 PM

  I'm on my 3rd TaylorMade Spider putter.

  • TaylorMade Spider Putter (L19+),.

  • TaylorMade Ghost Spider Putter (L35+)

  • TaylorMade Ghost Spider Putter (L66+)

   

• fmagnets 3,640 Posts

  Wed, Feb 6 2013 10:52 PM

  forcefan:

  fmagnets,

  Your resume is most impressive. May I ask, roughly how long have you been using the MAX Master+ putter?

   

  I've been using it since it came out - some time in November I think that was. I preferred the Nike whilst I was experimenting with cheap balls because of the slow meter. But as soon as I went to the Callaway i(z) for the Ping G20 irons (and later the Slow Meter i(z) for the R11 irons), I could ding the Max consistently enough to allow it's improved features to shine through.

  I guess that's a consideration for the OP - if you're struggling to ding putts and can't afford decent balls, go with the Nike for the slow meter.   

• mantis0014 8,946 Posts

  Thu, Feb 7 2013 3:59 AM

  For a miss the ding putter, I would choose the Rossa.

  First putter I purchased  and tried a few others, but kept on coming back to the Rossa.

  Increments of 15,30,60,90 etc,  are good for Avatar distance control.  Just over 700cr is a huge bonus too.

  -Roger

• jsweetcr 1,209 Posts

  Thu, Feb 7 2013 9:24 AM

  Thanks for all the great feedback!!!

  To Acer about the spiders, yeah i figured that. Its why it is on my radar. I know a lot of people use em and like them.

  I have heard the Rossa is great for off ding. I wouldn't say I am an off ding putter, but I certainly don't hit the ding every time.  Maybe 50/50 or  a little better. I am no Ding Machine that is for sure.

  I rarely buy premium balls. I usually stick to a cheap ball with some extra spin.  My ultimate goal is to get back and be competitive in the RGs. So now question arises, seeing as putting is like 40% of score, do I go for the monster putter in the Nike at 1500 or the Max at 2500, but then only have enough credits to maybe buy the G20 driver to give myself the extra distance i need and wait for the rest of the g20 set if ever or do I get the full g20 set at L59 which is only maybe a day or two away, hold off on a putter and see how things go and if the Max or Nike is what I want, work towards getting it.

  Decisions decisions!!

  WGT - a free rental period just about now would be good!!!

  LOL

• forcefan 279 Posts

  Thu, Feb 7 2013 9:26 AM

  Your posts have been very helpful, fmagnets. Same to all the others who've taken the time to share their experiences. Thank you.

  I don't mean to hijack your thread, jsweetcr, but I guess I am doing just that. Sorry!

  It's just that there are so many folks looking for a new putter. The other putter threads I've read tended to turn into, "xyz" is the best putter and that's that. Opinions are fine, but not necessarily helpful to those of us looking to upgrade.

  What's being asked for are specifics: testimonials, experiences, the length of time the player has used it, how true the putts roll, how putts hold their line, meter speed, which putters the player has at least a few weeks of experience with and how they compare. Those sorts of things.

  I don't trust WGT ratings, especially when 2000+ credits are on the line. The ball durability ratings, as an example, were recently tested by a few members of the CC I belong to and were found to be inaccurate for a number of balls - by significant numbers of hits. This shouldn't happen, but that's a story for another thread!

  When it comes to Precision, Balance, Forgiveness, and Meter Speed...I trust the word of top players. Please folks, share your experiences with us!

  Thanks - Rich

• jeffmatulich 482 Posts

  Thu, Feb 7 2013 9:51 AM

  ApexPC:

  I'm on my 3rd TaylorMade Spider putter.

  • TaylorMade Spider Putter (L19+),.

  • TaylorMade Ghost Spider Putter (L35+)

  • TaylorMade Ghost Spider Putter (L66+)

   

   

  So what are your impressions on the upgrade between 35 and 66?  Did you notice more dropped putts, less lipouts and longer putts made?   Or was it just the meter changes that were most apparent?  Interested in hearing your experience.

  Cheers!

• jsweetcr 1,209 Posts

  Thu, Feb 7 2013 10:06 AM

  forcefan:

  I don't mean to hijack your thread, jsweetcr, but I guess I am doing just that. Sorry!

  No apologies necessary. That was kind of the point of the thread.  Not all dots are equal!!

  I, like you force, want to hear more "in the field" experiences, or on the course. I agree 2000+ credits is a lot and when you look just at only the dots, hard to justify, when from Nike to Max its only 1 dot on balance, .5 dots on precision and same forgiveness, so you wonder are those extra 1.5 dots and extra increments really worth an extra 1000 credits. same can be said when jumping from Shost Spider to Nike.  The dot difference is nominal really, but you pay 700 cr more.  Those extra credits need to be worth it for you, they need to win you tournies or prvide that extra edge, or those extra credits saved you could spend on good balls, etc

  Forcefan, is that as in John Force Racing and NHRA