putters, are the expensive putters good value?

hi all,i would like people's opinions on putters, as everyone knows putting can make or break a round,i think i'm a decent putter but wonder if a swanky putter might take me beyond decent? my suspicion is no,

at the risk of sounding rude i'm not looking for marketing jargon,technical specs or mis-information, just golfers opinions,experienced or otherwise

thank you & happy swinging

Doesn't matter whether it costs you £20 or £200 for your putter Mally, but it is important you find one you like and works well for you. 

Try different sized heads (blades, mallets, etc) and some with and without inserts.  When you decide which head size and face type you like best, try different ones until you find one you like.  Price is not really relevant, but the more expensive ones tend to have a better balance

my hunch is if its balanced and your comfortable with the putter,then its all down to a subtle touch and feel on the greens,there are so many different types of putter/ways of gripping them its bewildering,great putters generaly choose the "vanilla" style of putting/putter, it seems to me that the more you search the further you get lost when it comes to putting

what style do you employ chris?

I spent a long time trying to get something that felt right, then got myself fitted.  I have a very upright putting stance so I use a 35" putter (34" is the standard length). 

You are right about feel and if you look down at your putter and it looks right, and when you swing it into the ball it feels right and balanced, you have the right putter.  You will develop the right touch with practice

Mally, Ive tried em all. Mallets, blades, face balanced etc etc. I was looking around a pro shop and had a little test of a "yes, Tracey 2" it felt fantastic in my hand. I bought a 2nd hand one of Ebay about £45. On the greens I couldnt get on with it. I tried it for a few rounds, everything was short, it just wasnt right. I now have a maxfli mallet that was in a sports soccer shop on the shelf " sold as seen " £15. It had a few scratches on it but it felt right. I have just started a new plan on my putting ( SEE OTHER THREAD ) and it seems to be working. But I would say it all about feel not cost.

Hope you find one you like.

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

the difference in physics requirements for drivers and putters are huge,i still see people using pretty old putters and putting well,maybe its a macho thing of having the latest technology,confidence at address,where as having an old putter suggests it has never let you down,

i suppose my philosophy is you HAVE to love putting, no matter how bad you are  

cheers dave, im not realy looking for a new putter, just thinking about putting,i think engrossing your self in your putting is better value than an exspensive putter,this said i want to try a big/fat grip on my putter, i think there called 2 thumb grips

the reason i ask the question is i went round last week in 30 putts,only 3 putting twice,one was genuine 3 putt teritory,the other from ten foot, for birdie. funny that

Mally

Ive never tried the FAT grip putter. It doesent look too comfortable, especially on those long linksy putts of about 30YDS. Ive never tried the belly or breast putter either. What are peoples vies on these putters against the norm?

Dave CAC handed Geordie.

The difference with a more expsenive putter is the quality and softness of the material used for the head. So in theory the better the metal the greater the feel and therefore the better the distance control. Exspensive putters only benefits you though if they manufacture a shape that's suit your stroke and that you feel right using (scoty cameron don't do a face balanced putter for exampl). So if your using a dunlop anser style putter then you will most definitly feel a difference if you were to pick up a scotty Cameron for example but if you need a face balanced putter spending £200 on a scotty Cameron toe hang blade putter is going to do absolutly nothing for your putting you may be able to get your distance a bit better but you will be pulling everything left. 

I have recently been for some putting lessons and 5 mintes into the first lesson the pro stopped told me to go and buy a new face balance putter as the one I was using was completly wrong for my stroke and would allways cause me problems. I went out tried plenty but ended buying a centre shafted mid mallet that was a face balanced putter. I don't realy like the look compared to my old blade style putter but from just a few goes on the putting green the difference is phenominal now I hit it straight compared to pulling averything left with my old putter. I still can't read a line or judge pace but at least I'm hitting it where I intended to hit it, even if that is the wrong way all together.

So putters are a matter of preference with shapes and sizes but manufacturers don't just make different shapes to have asthetic appeal to players they all serve a puprose so my advice would be speak to someone who knows and get the right putter for you stroke.

cheers for the feed back,much apreciated,gonna do more research,iv got six month to figure out my christmas present... new putter is an option

got a 2 thumb fitted today, will update

2 thumb grip seems good,im finaly holing out past 10 foot, getting down in two from some tricky positions aswell,its no miracle cure but my im more comfortable with my stroke