Conference 7.286::golf

    pick what feels good to YOU...
    
    putting is 10% mechanics and 90% mental, if you beleive you'll make
    a putt, you will more times than not....
    
    practice...practice...practice will give the confidence that's needed
    to beleive you'll make every putt you stand over...
    
    so pick a putter that feels and looks good to YOU...
    
    
    my 2 cents worth

    
    Re: .0
    
    Tell your wife that she'll know what "Feels good" means when she
    feels it.
    
    I only paid 11.50 off a rack at K-Marts for the putter I use, and
    I'm no Ben Crenbshaw but if anyone tried to take it away from me
    they'd be in for a fight.
    
    The moral of the story is another piece of advice, "Expensive is not
    always better!"
    
    Shane
    

    re. 0
    
    Just tell her not to get a pink one....
    
    Nancyz

    My advice is to consider 3 factors.They are the head , the shaft length and
    the weight. After you have decided what mentally will be successful for
    you and what putterhead you like ( a blade, mallet, offset, etc.),then 
    consider the length and the weight. Try putting with a putter that is
    either too long or too short, and see how uncomfortable it is compared
    to you normal, set, position. Thirdly, the weight is key. Too heavy or
    too light can alte your smooth stroke. I guess just practicing with
    some at the store or pro shop to find the one which is suited to your
    own preference is the way to do it. I think if you stick with a brand 
    that is name and is known for quality products you will get a true club
    that has some quality built into it. You can tell by the feel and the
    sound it makes. How do think "PING" got started...
     

    Tell her to be careful...there are more gimmicks and opinions about
    putters than anything else in the game.  I agree with the folks who
    say..go discount or used.  I think you don't choose putters, they
    choose you.  
    
    Consider also the type of courses you play.  New fast
    greens, old mature greens with grain.  I have found that a light putter
    on fast greens is preferrable, since I want the feel of hitting the
    ball.  Some greens are mature enough to require a harder
    stroke..therefore a heavier putter is good.  
    
    I have several putters, and often will carry 2 on a round.  One to use
    and the other one there so I can impress on it how easily it can be
    replaced.  She also needs to buy a putter that can be used as a "scuse"
    if needed...too ugly, too new, too short, too heavy.  Just think of the
    mileage one putter can give.  
    
    Most of all, good luck.  Putter salespeople are worse than computer
    sales people.
    
    SoCalDandy(Computerized Putter Salesman)
    
    

    
    A. Buy the putter at a club with a putting green.
    
    B. Take several different putters to the putting green.
    
    C. Putt with all of them.
    
    D. Buy the one that you make the most putts with.
    
    

    Nancy, what's wrong with a pink putter!!!!
    It's not the putter it's the puttee!!
    
    Just having some fun..........Betty
    

    .04
    I agree that the length makes a big difference - I golfed
    on Wed and tried a shorter putter - 5 " shorter and did 
    much better - whether it was just a quirk or not I'm not
    sure, but I felt more comfortable with the shorter putter.
    I have been thinking of buying a new putter but have 
    decided to have the old one cut down?  Has anyone out there
    every done this?
    
    Betty
    

    I just started nosing around this file since I just started to learn to
    play golf. Clubs as a Christmas present and lessons as a birthday
    present were subtle hints from my husband.
    
    I couldn't get comfortable with my putter. It just didn't feel right.
    My husband shortened it by about 6 inches and that made a vast
    improvement. It felt much better. My putting isn't great, but I think
    I'm stiking the ball better now.
    
    Shortening your putter might be the way to go for you,too.
    
    Nancy
    

    re .7
    
    I was just having fun, too.  (But sometimes the equipment manufacturers
    go a little overboard in trying to capture the female golfing dollar,
    don't you think?)
    
    BTW, there's a good article in the May Golf Digest entitled "Does Your
    Putter Match Your Stroke" having to do with choosing the right putter.
    
    The same issue has a wonderful interview with Johnny Miller for those of
     us in the Johnny Miller Fan Club.

    I was in So. Cal. last week and attended a training session given by a
    pro who specializes in club fitting. His contention is that all putters
    sold are too tall. He suggests fitting be done by having you bend at
    the hips and let your arms hang when your eyes are directly over the
    ball. Your hands will end up below the grip for most putters and he
    suggests having the putter cut down by a club maker.
    
    Also he suggests the putter be heel toe balanced which you can check
    byy balancing the putter on your finger. If the putter toe points
    directly to the ground, that's good, but most are at an angle. What he
    said makes sense because of the need for a pendulum swing.
    
    However, I'm still trying to put by having my elbows stick out to make
    up for the fact that my putter is standard. I'm thinking about having
    it cut down but it is not heel toe balanced either. I bought it because
    it had a nice leather grip, real heavy head, and best of all it is
    named "Tomahawk". I go for the aesthetics of golf just as much as I do
    for scoring. 
    
    There is more to a selection than logic.
    
    P. S. the pro points to Norman and others as using the shorter putter
    as evidence.

RE: -.1

>    I was in So. Cal. last week and attended a training session given by a
>    pro who specializes in club fitting. His contention is that all putters
>    sold are too tall. 

     Boy I'm finding just the opposite.  A 36" putter barely seems acceptable
     for me.  When I use a 34" putter I feel like I've aged about 50 years and
     am all bent over.

	Larry