Face Balanced Putters: Why You Shouldn't Play Them! (hint: try the slant neck version!)
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- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- In 7 years of fitting, over 1,000 people, only a handful of players have truly fit into a face balanced putter. It is true that you have to have a much flatter arc to use a face balanced putter, but it still doesn't address the release: whether you fade or draw your putt.
Face Balanced putters limit the the face rotation on the way through, also known as the release (helpful or hurtful depending on the player's stroke). If you're not in the 1-3%, you can find a neck that will work better for you! You can potentially fit into the same head, just not the face balanced version.
We take a look at two putters, the Taylor Made Spider X; one, face balanced, with a double bend neck, the other, a slant neck, with slight toe hang.
Face balanced putters, although they sound like a good idea, make it very difficult to consistently square the face at impact and release the putter down the line. This puts A LOT of pressure on the user to get the timing of the club just right. Even if the player squares the face, they will typically not have a chance to release the club. The release is what keeps the ball rolling down the line, especially as you get further from the hole.
On the other hand, the slant neck, as you’ll see in the video, allows for a flow in which the face releases and the ball stays on line in a more efficient way.
Coach Paul has been a teacher for 20 years, a putter and wedge fitter for the last 7, and is now a certified club fitter for all the major brands. If you are in the Austin area and want to get fit, you can email Thegolfcoachpaul@gmail.com
Insta: @golfcoachpaul
The face balanced putter is meant for a different type of putting stroke. It's meant for a straight back and straight through motion. Not much of an arc to the stroke
yeah he arcs it. not straight and bk like i do.
Unless you're putting with a croquet mallet, between your legs (which would be illegal) every putting stroke is on an arc. Straight back/straight through is a myth.
Yeah, straight back and through with current golf rules is a myth. Like momentum in sports.
@@lkae4 Even if a person could take it straight back and through the club face still rotates open to closed. Now some people may actually put better with the added resistance of a high moi face balanced putter. Dustin Johnson comes to mind.
@@-Thunder thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. dustin johnson plays the slant neck version. He used to have his putters bent almost 6 degrees flat so they would rotate. I advised his fitter.
This is completely backwards…..if you are having a hard time squaring the putter face, a toe hang putter will only make it worse, it’s called toe hang for a reason. There is more weight in the toe, which makes it harder to square. If you are pushing putts with a face balanced putter it is likely because you are holding off your release to prevent it from going left. Face balanced putters are designed to make it easier to square the face at impact.
Zombie,
The toe hang scenario is really player dependent. Some leave the club to rotate on its own, others rotate them harder. Testing is a must! What kind of putter you play is dependent on how you react to the inter weighting. Thanks for the comment and watching!
With a light grip and smooth stroke its so much easier to make putts inside 8' with a Face Balanced putter. 100% Why would you want a big arc on the most important putts in golf which is short putts. Yes, you will need a natural arc for longer putts.
Depends on the players stroke. Straight back and through suits face balanced. Slight arc inside suits toe hang 👍
That’s what I thought 👍👍
Different strokes for different folks
my putt swing is pendulum back and forth. So the face-balanced works for me. If I had an arc swing then the toe-hang is better. Straight back swing has less variance than an arced swing.
Thanks for watching and commenting. While there are some generalities that can be correct, it’s always important to test, retest, and work with someone who can help point out the nuances you might be experiencing l.
There are many ways to Putt! Straight/slight arc/ then large arc. A face balanced putter is for a straight. Not every person has an arc stroke!
I just learned about face balanced putters not working for me. What’s crazy is how many putters at golf stores are faced balanced. Actually helped me eliminate a lot of them. Good video.
Thanks for watching and commenting Dave. This debate rages on, but every time I work with a client on it, the leave with your perspective. I’m always open to changing my perspective, just haven’t had to yet. Glad you found the vid helpful!
You’re correct about one thing: If you have an arcing stoke with a face that opens in the backswing, face balanced is not for you. However, you’re wrong to say that nobody should play face balanced.
DJ, a very small percent fit into a face balanced putter, especially over an extended period of time from the initial purchase. It might be a quick answer to a problem for many, i.e. they change their stroke to fit the putter, but I have done more fitting out of a face balanced putter as a fitter for a very long time. There is a putter out there for every stroke type. Bottom line, more people should get fit by an experienced, knowledgeable person than actually do. Face balanced is a great marketing ploy.
I got fit for face balanced a week ago. I go about as straight back as you can go. No offense but I think you’re misleading a lot of people in the video, I think there’s a lot more straight back putters than you think, especially millennials who grew up in the era of progressive putter designs like myself, a ton of them were bent shaft designs and in order to roll em well you had to pull straight back, so i kinda just learned to putt that way by consequence of trying to be good with my new school putter at the time. Until I was about 13 I wasn’t even aware of different strokes for different types of putters. I’m not trying to challenge your expertise because you are more knowledgeable than I am, but I’ve literally heard pros say the exact opposite of you; that a lot of people fit into this straight back category and that most amateurs could benefit from learning straight pull back
@@BlakeKross you followed my most important advice: get fit. You are correct in that you can tune your stroke to your equipment, as you wisely pointed out, and that more modern golfers in particular have grown up playing these clubs. This video is a topic of conversation that many confuse the purpose of: that just because many people, or manufacturers recommend something, it doesn’t mean it’s right for you, in fact it could be holding you back. Any equipment you put in the bag should be fit to you. Thanks for commenting and keeping the conversation open.
@@golfcoachpaul What about center shafted putters, for straight back putters?
@@goutfromfriedokra7099 I am going to do a review on those. Typically, they rotate so easily that the face can be hard to repeatedly square. Seemore has a good one that the toe is slightly heavier and stops face flipping.
Im going on my 3rd round without a face balanced putter and I am much more consistent in speed and accuracy. Took a little while to get used to toe hang but im glad I made the change.
Care to lay out a four month review? TIA
Thank you for a thought-provoking video. What i took from it is that all strokes differ and a proper fitting can help one get optimal results. As you say, no-one has a straight back - straight-through stroke, but some are closer to it than others. The point is that a slant neck probably helps the majority. I note in that regard that even most tour pros use a putter with toe hang.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you found some helpful info. You are definitely seeing more and more face balanced putters disappearing on tour. Guys will always fool around for feel, but only a few are diehard.
This is encouraging. I'm a 6.9 hdcp. but I have been missing a TON of short putts to the right with my face-balanced Odyssey O-Works Black center-shafted putter. I recently switched back to my old Teardrop putter (mostly because I love the old Lamkin grip on it) but was finding the same issue, missing to the right. Turns out the Teardrop putter, despite the fact that it's a blade versus the Odyssey mallet, is ALSO face-balanced. Recently I was at a golf store and was practicing some putts and found I was making putts easily. When I checked the face of the putter I found it was hanging toe down at about 45 degrees. I should've bought that putter on the spot. I'll be going back first chance I get. Thanks for the video, it's a real eye opener.
Thanks for that response. Glad this helped. Make sure you measure a putter from short, mid, and long range. I know this topic causes A LOT of arguments, but the truth is, we need help rotating the face on average. My theory really is, what works work. There are people who can be face balanced blade instead of mallet. There still is some amount of rotation. This might be your jam! Ideally, something with an interchangeable weight is best to set up a putter for you!
@@golfcoachpaul I just got back from my local Dicks Sporting Goods and found a blade-style/toe hang Odyssey that seemed to work perfectly. It was a night and day difference to the other face-balanced putters in the store. I have an early tee-time tomorrow. I'll report back and let you know how it went. Not expecting miracles but if I hit just 1 or 2 more than usual from 4-6 ft. it'll be a big improvement. Thx again.
its not face balanced..its horizontally balanced..which means nothing. If the putter face is open at stake ..its probably your poor technical stroke most of the time..you need to use a robot to see the difference.
thank you. I love honest opinions like yours. I had a feeling that face balanced is just a marketing gimmick before.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Remember, the key here, and what I am really advocating for is to get fit! Glad you enjoyed!
I've tried to straight back straight through, but I've gone to more of an arc stroke with a toe hang putter and am much better off, and it only took me 45 years!
Better late than never 😉😉
so great to hear someone with an opinion that makes ya think..i think i'm a 2 ball face balanced victim.. the hot streaks are the giveaway, but the other 75% of the time lefts and rights is painful to endure while you wait for another hot streak that reminds you, you can be a good putter.... slant neck here i come.
Tom, thanks for watching. I hope you find some more success with a different neck, but be sure to get fit! The wrong putter can wreak havoc, as you know!
It depends on setup, I putt with my eyes directly over the ball and behind with an open stance just like Jack did all his life, he happen to be one of the greatest putters of all time and he did win a couple of tournaments and the odd Major or two! Putting is a very personal thing!
You are ablsolutely correct. For guys with your setup, the classic 8802 or delmar style is a popular option. Most important thing is to get fit! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Your trying to tell me to change my straight back straight forward stroke? No thanks. I will stay with my face balanced putter that I make putts with. Thank you
You might be in that small percentage. You may have to change nothing. Get fit by someone who knows about putters.
I disagree on “never using an open faced putter.” All that’s needed is adjusting you stroke. I changed to a 35” Odyssey OG 7 CH with Stroke Lab shaft. I adjusted my stroke (backswing) to a straight line and it’s improved my putting. With gaining more strokes I’m glad I made the switch. To each their own! By the way I’m loving my putter!
Thanks for watching and commenting. Do you mean face balanced not open face? Wasn’t sure, but your putter, the #7 CH with the plumbers neck is a nice combo. The ping Oslo H is a similar setup and tested really well.
Changing your stroke to fit your equipment sounds counter intuitive.
That's like buying clothes that don't fit you and gaining or cutting weight to fit that outfit.
@@Jack-xy4fy I think mark meant more that he changed his stroke to make it more repeatable and consistent and his equipment is working better as a result. Oddly enough, people are guilty of what you are talking about, especially when they fall in love with looks.
Interesting assertion made here. I personally have a slight arc in my stroke but find face balanced putters somehow give me the most consistency. Even after comparing sets of two identical putters with different necks, the double bend always performs better for me. This could be entirely phycological, who knows
Thanks for watching and commenting. You have to use what works for you. A really important piece of understanding feel is how your body/hands are moving as the ball leaves the face. The difference in the way they move through the impact zone could be what triggers a better or worse result. Always test. The human being is the most inconsistent machine I have worked with.
@@golfcoachpaul lol, very true. There are so many variables in golf, sometimes it takes lots of trial and error to figure things out
I had to look heuristics! Thanks for that, it’s going in the bank!
You've left out other styles of face-balanced putters here. You really don't have much of a clue. Face balanced putters are NOT designed for an arc sweep, but a straight through sweep. And as for shaft bends? Odyssey and Cleveland and others have produced great straight shaft (no bend) face balanced putters for years. You aren't the expert you pretend to be.
Big Al, thanks for watching. Clearly the content struck a nerve. Would be happy to share my expertise with a specific video aimed at what your talking about. What putters would you like to see compared? If you’re in Texas, Come on down to Austin and I’ll fit you for free and share my knowledge of putters. Maybe we can even talk guitars.
No such thing as straight back. What you’re describing is an outside going back stroke. Then a cut across coming back
great video. i stumbled across an arched stroke in my putting because straight back just wasn't working and that happened to be all people said to do. now my putting is the best part of my game!
Thanks for watching. Glad you found something working for you!
I wish I would have seen this video about 3 weeks ago before I bought the Scotty Cameron Phantom 12 face balanced putter on the recommendation of a worker at Golf town. It is EXACTLY how you described with no consistency with my puttering what so ever! I should have bought a toe hang like I had before where I was putting good with it. He had me convinced that a face balanced putter were the best things on the market!
Rojoy, thanks for watching and commenting. A fitting is always worth the investment! Do they have a return period?
My god this makes sense. This was me. I just switched recently from a face balanced putter after a couple years of “1 in 3” frustration to find that I have so much more consistency and resulting confidence without the face balanced putter! Also- very glad to find you. Your videos are and talking points are fantastic. I hope this channel grows and grows for you!
Same for me, man! How's your putting been doing with the toe hang putter?
Fortunately I figured this out in the early 90s after inheriting my grandfather's Zebra putter. Upon using it I immediately started pushing everything right. Went back to my Ping AYD toe-hang putter and started dropping putts again! I definitely have an arc stroke...and prefer to err on the side of a hook roll.
If you use that putter it’s “always your day”! Thanks for watching and commenting
Your slow motion literally shows you that you are starting with an open face. Face balanced putters and mallets are for pendulum straight back putting… Telling people it’s not going to be effective because you don’t do it is dumb.
I haven’t tried it out yet, but I just went with a face balanced putter. I take a couple of practice strokes with the aim line streaking through my swing so I can see it swinging in a straight line. I am so uncomfortable trusting the arc. I find Im streaky as it is.
Now, I never even saw face balanced in marketing. I have been playing a Newport 3 and just got the phantom x 5s. I totally just picked it up in the shop and compared to other similar models with different hangs. I HATED what I was looking down at and just couldn’t get with it. The 5s (face balanced)felt much more consistent to me. So we will see!
Kenny,
Thanks for watching and commenting. The 5s is a “straight” neck, center shafted. Definitely different than the conversation here. If it works, use it! Get data, know what you need. Thanks for being a part of the conversation!
@@golfcoachpaul I appreciate it. I definitely confused the 2 a bit
You are always, always adjusting to the club and the situation at hand. All putters have some bias or tendency that you have to adjust to and make corrections for. It’s a matter of what corrections you prefer making over others such that they feel “natural.” Face balanced is exactly what some people need to play their best. Don’t speak in absolutes and generalities about anything, especially if you are a club fitter.
Keven,
Thanks for watching and commenting. Getting fit is a major assertion I made in the video. Over my years I am seeing less and less need for face balanced. After having been around, talking with manufacturers and finding out how face balanced became so popular, I am sharing my perspective. There is a much smaller percentage of people that properly fit into this style than are being marketed to. Sounds like you’re a fitter too. All the best!
I think this all depends on your stance and how your swing arc behaves. For instance, my stance is more straight up where I sit over the ball and therefore my swing is straighter with less arc. A balanced putter with double bend shaft works totally fine for me.
Thanks for the comment and watching. If face balanced works for you, that is a good thing. You have to ultimately decide on what makes your golf ball go in the hole in the fewest amount of strokes. Get fit or extensively test, just don’t buy in blindly.
I think you are using it incorrectly. The face balanced is for straight putting. Your arc putting the putter meant to be hit by straight back and thru. Try it and it will improve the consistency. I found it myself and I really loved mine.🤗
Makes sense you don't like it seeing your putting stroke. This putter is definitely not for you with your arc. After a fitting I have a more straight back and through stroke. I left the tow hang blade for this and it's way more comfortable and consistent
Edit: I went from scotty cameron Newport to betinardi queen bee 8
I got a putter fitting last week and the fitter stated that I should be using a face balance putter. On the SAM machine, it showed thatI take the putter back on an arc to the inside and then loop out and back in to get the putter square. He stated the face balanced putter would help eliminate the loop and make the stroke more consistent. He gave me a putter and I was drilling the 10 footers. Not sure if he was right or after watching this, it was the placebo effect.
First, you got fitted, well done! That’s the real main point of the video. second, if it proved itself valuable, use it. If you are coming over the putt and pulling left, a face balanced won’t rotate as fast, hence straighter. All things worked!
I play face balanced and love it. Shot -2 yesterday. Ill stick with it. 1 putted at least 8 times.
Glad you are finding success with the face balanced putter. Did you get fit, practiced and made it work, or stumble into it?
I have a slight arc in my putting stroke.I have tried both DB and crank hosel, they both feel great, I missed some and made some with both putters. Now I’m just trying to decide on either spider tour x DB and Odyssey tri hot seven crank hosel. Still leaning towards odyssey. 🤔
If they are very close, I typically use left to right breaking putts for right handers to break the tie. Left to righters, especially 12ft+ will usually make one stand out over the other.
only a hand full of people can pull off a straight putting stroke. When measured, most actually have an out to in stroke. He's correct that the FB putters are in and out of pro's bags. Almost all putters that have been used long term on tour are toe hang putters. I do know some very good players that use FB putters with much success but they practice daily. Also, some golfers (not a lot) prefer FB even though they putt w/an arc.
Face balanced is perfect for a straight back straight through style. Annika Sorenstam used the Odyssey rossie with double bend shaft ...Miss 59 was a pretty good putter.
I agree if you have an arcing stroke face balance is not for you however.
Thanks for watching and commenting…and in a thoughtful way! Annika was definitely a good putter, so disciplined and rehearsed. That is definitely a theme in people who find success with that style of putter, they are very very practiced.
I found this just in time and switched to a slant neck and so far am liking it.
Thanks for watching and commenting! What did you find was the result when you made the switch?
@@golfcoachpaulI haven't used it a lot yet but do notice it squares at impact nicely with my preferred short action stroke.
You do know that face balanced putters are designed for a straight back straight through stoke, not for an inside to inside arc like you showed.
There is no true straight back straight through stroke, it is less arced, but not a flat line. While a face balanced putter might work in some distances, many, including tour pros, struggle to get them to release. Proper release keeps the ball on the intended line, like a driver with a fade or draw setup. It has to be tuned to your stroke.
Very cool information! I was using a phantom x5.5 the last two seasons and I was pulling everything right. It was driving me nuts and that has a toe hang of about 45 degrees. I decided to pony up the money and go to a shop that had SAM and Quintic Ball Roll system. I already knew that I had a pretty noticable arc in my putting stroke so I was always led to believe that I needed more toe hang. First off they had me hit a fair amount of balls with my x5.5. The numbers showed that I was consistently making contact where the putter face was over closed between 4 and 5 degrees. All the other numbers looked good and I was square at address. I was skeptical as they put me in face balanced putters, but the numbers were way better with all of them for me. The one I hit the best though was a toulon daytona beach which has 10 degree toe hang. The results of this new Toulon putter for me have been night and day. It bums me out a bit because I loved that x5.5 (the feel, the sound, the look) but now I'm sinking way more putts and my misses are marginal in comparison to the x5.5. I guess I may be an exception?
Jarrod,
Thanks for watching and commenting! The best thing you did was get fit! Of course face balanced putters work, however, it’s not for as many as people would think. You did the smartest thing and GOT FITTED! Way to go! Love that you have seen results.
Btw, you’re in the minority simply by getting fit, instead of listening to your buddies and “doing research” on RUclips.
Face balance doesn’t have to have double bend
Which ones in particular did you have in mind?
@@golfcoachpaul The one in your video. lol
@@golfcoachpaul odyssey’s are double bend for face balanced. TMs and Scott’s tend to be single bend.
This so called golf coach is absolutely clueless
I have had the double neck spider the last 2 years. My putting has been bad and I was constantly fiddling with my arms trying to get the putter flat on the ground. I traded it for a short slant neck this week. It feels so much more comfortable. Hopefully my percentage of made putts will go up.
Would love to hear how it changes. Hope the video helped uncover some of the confusion caused by the marketing guys.
@@golfcoachpaul When I bought the double bend spider on EBay I never really thought about the neck. I just wanted a Spider. I just happened to pick up a short slant necked one at my club’s pro shop and I was like wow this is so much better. I’ve been practicing with it on the putting green and I love it. Hope to use it for first time in 18 hole round this weekend.
Good review. I am going through process now trying to choose between a single bend face balance and a 20% toe hang, both mallets. I always thought I putted better with face balance and that toe hang made me miss left because of more rotation of head. I agree the face balance are streaky good or streaky bad. I think I’m going to choose the slant neck toe balance because I will groove a more consistent stroke and the slightly heavier toe weight will help slow down face rotation and square up more consistently at impact.
You have a solid understanding of balancing the face rotation with head design and neck design. I usually encourage or look for putters that allow customization with interchangeable weights. I currently use the mizuno M type 1 with 3g in the toe and 8g in the heel. I hold the face and slow rotation down. This helps me get the putter rotating properly and keeps the ball on line longer.
@@golfcoachpaul Opinion on pop stroke used by Brent Snedeker?
@@jeffc1736 when it works it works…longevity can be an issue with it. Any time you use the fast twitch muscle fibers of the bass and forearms, it can lead to face control and speed problems, which can be very confusing to sort outs
@@golfcoachpaul Have a question: I've seen weight in the back of putters like new Spiders. And I've seen weight in front like Odyssey tri hot 5k. For people that push putts, is the former the wrong route since backlight will be harder to close face?
@@jeffc1736 with weight back, increased MOI, the club resists twisting. If you push a putt, you’d have add excessive face rotation to be successful.
Coach: Thanks for the advice. I just bought a putter with a slant neck and now I'll sleep much better tonight! I just purchased a new Odyssey putter and was CONVINCED to purchase a face balanced putter (thinking it would help my short putt misses). My fitter watched me putt just 3 putts and IMMEDIATELY grabbed the FB putter and handed me a slant neck. I am left eye dominant (RH putter) and tend to line up my putts too far left. My fitter instructed me to just close my stance a bit to keep my aim (what appeared to me) slightly right of the cup (right edge). But my point is (and toward your video point) is that he IMMEDIATELY removed the face balance putter from my hands and put the slant neck in them and INSISTED that I stick to the slant neck. 👍
Jim,
I love that you got fitted! Using a laser or chalk line might really help you clean up that alignment/aim. I have instructions in my How to make more 5 footers in my DIY playlist. All the best!
@@golfcoachpaul I'll be sure to check out the video. And-- You picked up a new subscriber today! 👍
@@jimsaddler942 let me know if there is an equipment comparison you’d like to see.
I've never seen 2 players with the same spec putter, most personal club in the bag. Ive owned and played many different putters and game a centre shaft face balanced Ping at 36" with a skinny rubber traditional "Tiger" grip. It's very rare I 3 putt....and I only got this as a trial and error..
In my testing and fitting, Center shaft is great for the folks who tend to pull the club, if you can have a really passive release they seem to be ok. They tend to have a slight cut release on left to righters, so I have seen people simply need to add more break on those Left to Rights. Thanks for watching and commenting!
It’s not all marketing. Been fitted many times and it has held up: Left-handed writer but I play golf right handed. Face balanced putter with a straight in near center shaft - onset, not offset - and I am so much more consistent vs a toe hang putter.
You are definitely in the small percentage of people who get fit, well done there! You might be in that small percentage that truly fits in a center shaft or face balanced putter., either way, glad you have a system that fits you.
All the best putters in history have an arc stroke. Even modern day instructors like marius filmalter say you have to let the toe release
Love Marius and spent time with him. We’re you lucky enough to work with him?
From what you say, the double-bent face-balanced putter would be a godsend to someone who tends to pull their putts. True or false?
If you pull a ton, look into the heel shafted: titleist Del Mar is the best one currently made in my opinion. Without seeing you put though, and from what distance, I can’t say with 100% accuracy.
I don’t agree with such a definitive statement. I tried two identical putters - one toe hanged, one face balanced (both Spider putters). The only difference is that the toe hanged feels heavier, although they weigh exactly the same (560grams). So it was much more comfortable to putt with the face balanced putter. The results were equal. But I’d say it’s a good feeling that it feels balanced and not (toe) heavy. A heavy toe should by the law of physics close the face later and thereby miss even more to the right. I’d say it’s all about your strike. Search for Chris Dennis here on youtube, he has a more ”balanced” view.
In an ironic way I agree with you. It’s using a blanket statement to fight a blanket statement. Bottom line, get fit with a knowledgeable person who will give you data and help you parse through the details.
Absolute statements like "never use a face balanced putter" don't fly. 7:35 waste of time.
Thankyou for the post. The issue for me is I don`t subscribe to absolutes or blanket statements. I think there are to many variables. Putting is a very individual type of thing. Some people putt very well over time with a face balanced putter. Some putt very well over time with a toe hang type of putter. I would say go out and get fitted by a professional. Try some different putters and see how they feel. Experiment and see what works best for you. Over the last 50 years I have seen guys putt well with many different kinds of putters. Good luck and have a Happy New Year.
Thanks for watching and commenting. We agree on one thing for sure…get fit by a professional! That is really the key here.
@@golfcoachpaul I agree. All the best Coach.
I appreciate what you're saying here. I would agree that some amount of toe hang is probably best for the majority of people. However, your claims are pretty bold and don't really hold up. Some of the best putters on tour, based off of strokes gained, use a face balanced putter. Pretty sure those guys aren't "1 out of 3" putters lol.
Greg,
Thanks for watching. Tour players are a different breed, are incredibly rehearsed and disciplined. If you look at a lot of face balanced guys on tour, they are streaky in their play and can get hot, that is the point. They spend hours a day practicing. Maybe if they had a different neck, it would help? If you look through the comment thread, you can read some of my in-depth responses to another coach and fitter. Thanks for being a part of the conversation.
I haven’t watched the video, hoping the title is clickbait. 7/10 top putters based on strokes gained us a face balanced putter.
Thanks for commenting. Not really clickbait at all. The argument posits that those strokes are extremely rehearsed but can fail under pressure. Enjoy!
It's funny I'm seeing this video, I JUST discovered this today, I've been golfing since 2020 summer and have been trying to figure out all aspects of putting, and today was the first day I really learned and noticed how unpredictable and push that face balanced, double bend putters really are. I've got a slight arc, slant neck Cleveland putter on the way and I think it's going to give me so much more predictability in my putting than the face balanced double bend hosels I THOUGHT I needed. Thank you for reaffirming what I thought with this laser evidence and your description of what's going on 🙂🙂
Jeph, glad this may have cleared up some mystery for you. Appreciate the comment and follow. As you could tel from all the comments, this video strikes a chord in many!
I came back to this video randomly and 10 months later, the Cleveland 11s slant neck putter is still the one I'm using. The predictability that the slant neck gives you is priceless, it's exactly like Paul says, with the face balanced double bend it was left/right/straight, but with the slant neck hosel I know my miss will almost ALWAYS be a left miss because I'm arcing too much and pulling the putt. That repeatability makes it so nice and aside from the control I have, it makes everything more fun knowing I can put it on my skill and not be robbed because of chaotic putting results.
Good info -- needs updates if you still around. e.g. how do they compare to old putters eg. original Ping Ansers old vs. newer Ping vs. newest rediculous looking high tech star wars putters of today that are $$$$$+
Thanks for watching and commenting. Putters live on a spectrum for sure and the ones you mentioned are on the far side of the spectrum from these guys. I definitely am ready to do a part 2! Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks, good to know. Like Wilson in general over the years. :)
Some people play a straight back putting stroke, not everyone has an arch.
How come you open your putter face so much?? That’s the reason you can’t play the more balanced face putter.
Thanks for watching and commenting. At the time, that was the stroke I was working with. I have since adjusted the stroke to arc much less; still haven’t fit into a face balanced putter though.
Very interesting. Something I noticed myself. Played a #7 Tank which was faced balanced and after two years I ditched it and went back to Scotty .5 version. Could not trust it and it was very frustrating on some days because I was missing it all over the place.
Did the consistency get better when you went to the .5 . If not, that could mean a mallet may not be for you. The new phantom line 5.5 and 7.5 look like mallets, but play like blades.
@@golfcoachpaul Consistency certainly improved. Stuck with it for almost 4 years now since purchase and will game it likely for another year before considering to switch. Love the phantom line and might consider the 5.5 next. All depends if I continue to roll it well on faster greens. If it gets our of hands I will go with the newer models which as you say are more blade like - still have a Ping Anser as backup if all fails 😉
What does the #7 mean? I've noticed that some putters are #3. Thanks.
@@murdogordon3091 #7 refers to a popular Odyssey putter model. The other models are #1 or #5 which are widely popular
How has he not got more subscribers? Great video..
Any thoughts on Rife putters? They are really cheap where I live and honestly I think they are as good as anything else I've tested
Thanks for watching! I am trying to build the subscribers and get more opportunities to do more equipment release vids.
Rife putters have suffered since splitting with guerrin who now does evenroll. Both companies make good putters, the key is finding which one works for you in the line. The Pill is a great tool for that. The 2PillDrill will show you the release.
Well. The DB shaft is meant for straight back and straight forward putts. The slant is meant for arced strokes. Nothing new in that.
Rasmus,
Thanks for watching and commenting. As a fitter, even with guys with a flatter arc fit into the slant necks at a much higher percentage than face balanced. The face balanced thing originated in a marketing ploy.
I only use face balanced putters, toe hang is no good for me. You can't say nobody should use face balanced putters, it's player specific. You can't say it makes you streaky putter. Worst advice I've ever heard.
Thanks for watching and commenting. To clarify, always get fit, and you are correct, it is player specific. Having said all of this, the marketing of face balanced as a cure all is also based on one man’s opinion of the putting stroke, specifically, Dave Pelz. Marketing and selling has created A LoT of misunderstandings. All the best! continued success with your face balanced putter!
Learning about this concept has been a game changer
Thanks Rex. There are def people who disagree, bottom line. Get fit. Prove it works and understand why. If it can’t can’t be explained and hasn’t worked, then maybe it’s time to change. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
I only use slant neck putters because I have a pull tendency.
Try a Delmar, 8802 style putter. Those are great for pullers!
It’s because you have an arc inside 👌 Just realised I’m the same which is why a face balanced doesn’t suit me 😁
I know this is a year old, but there are face balanced putters that are not double bent shafts. He is talking about double bend shafts.
Brent thanks for watching. What I was referring to is that any face balanced putter must be bent in 2 directions. The “double bend” was initially used by Callaway. Some. Actually have triple bend.
Where do you get that a putter is "*supposed to* open and square up and then release"? Face-balanced putters are designed for a straight back, straight through putting stroke, not an open then closed arc stroke.
Straight back straight through is a myth. Try it yourself. Use a straight line, I.e. tile, hardwood, carpet edge, base of a wall, and keep the center, toe or heel, on that line connected the whole time. You’re hands close on the way back and open on the way through, in effect, negative rotation. No human being swings that that. Our joints are round ball and sockets, there has to be rotation. Face balance really limits the rotation. As I said in the video, golfers have to be extremely rehearsed with this stroke and tend to be streaky. Get fit, you might be in the small percentage. I have even recently fit 2, almost pros, into face balanced. They wanted it that way, so we found the best shaped head and weight combination for them. If you’re in Austin, come see me.
You arc your stroke. Face balanced is more for no arc players. Toe hang, you put the ball forward in your stance
Caz,
Thanks for watching and commenting. Regardless of the severity of the arc of your stroke, the face balance and slant necks, for almost every stroke will get to a different face angle and release pattern (the movement right after impact). Wherever you are on that scale, this video was meant to address the idea that they are different, and as a fitter, I have seen different results than what the marketing teams are selling out of trying to over simplify a message.
Everyone has different strokes and preferences. Some people (like myself) need more offset. I can’t align my putts right with a putter with less offset like a slant neck.. single bend and double bend shafts provide me the offset that I need
Hey Danny,
Thanks for watching. You are correct about offset affecting your ability to line up. Taylor made has 2 different versions of offset (1/2 shaft and full shaft) in their new EX spider, you might try both of them to see which is best for you.
Nice video. Thoughts on Scotty Cameron putters particular the Phantom X line up. They don’t truly make a face balanced putter. I think the 12 is 2 degrees and 11 is 4 degrees of toe hang.
Graham,
Thanks for watching and commenting. The Phantom X line definitely plays more like a blade than the traditional mallet but the 11 and 12 are much different. Whether the 2 or 4 degrees of toe hang has an effect is player dependent; each golfer responds differently to that alone. Testing required!
What are your favorite Phantom X putters? Deciding between the 5.5, 7.5, and 9.
Keep up the great videos.
@@bradpowell843 thanks Brad, if you’re a face balanced guy, stick with the non .5 . That’s the designation for slant neck. I really like the 5.5 and 7.5 (5 and 7 for face balanced version) 9 is a HEAVY mallet that will stay wide open for the average player. 5 and 7 will give you the look of a mallet and performance close to a blade.
You mean why YOU shouldn’t use one
Dave Pelz supported the face balanced putter, but it was rare for the great putters on tour to use them. Scotty Cameron putters are generally not face balanced, except for the least popular models. This is interesting.
Tony, thanks for watching and getting in on the conversation. I have found that the putters with face balanced seem to be let down by them in tight situations as strokes tend to be “tightened” by the pressure.
Forget about stroking types. I just prefer the look of a slant neck putter and gives me more confidence.
If you make em and can work with it, then 👍
Great video very informative thank you !!
This is so backwards …. Face balanced is for straight back and through.
Jay,
Thanks for watching. You have the correct idea. The idea that I challenge is that there is a straight back straight through stroke at all. The history of that idea was a marketing ploy to sel putters. Always get fit to see what works best.
Ok I am blind in right eye and putt right handed. I have to open my stance some to really see my line. I worked really hard to be a good putter and I have successfully done that. Although I have some toe hang putters that with about 15 minutes of warm-up I can hole a bunch of putts with them but with a good face balance putter it is so much easier for me. Much more natural
If the face balanced works better without the use of your left eye, then I am all for it! The truth is, even with a “straight back straight through” stroke, there is still rotation, all be it, limited. You may have found your special sauce!
I hate to say it, but I have the exact opposite feedback when I putt with these two neck types. I can’t close a slant neck to save my life, and I’ve never putted straighter with anything over a face balanced putter. Closest comparison for me personally is a plumbers neck.
Josh, equipment has an effect on players in different ways. Sometimes, players get the opposite results of what is intended (I.e. they hit a draw when the club is in a fade setting and hit a fade when weight is draw biased). The good news is, you know what works for you. Thanks for being a part of the conversation. What’s your current gamer?
Yea I understand the equipment is designed to do different things and feel unique, and I understand what you’re saying about being streaky and having to practice a lot to maintain a certain stroke. Also had other guys tell me a slant neck is the best neck, but I’ve just never been able to get the face closed with them personally. I actually have quite a collection going, but I’ve been mainly switching between a double bend ghost manta tour/mini, a couple plumbers neck blades (ping & taylormade), and a slant neck spider mini. The only way I can get the slant neck to start on line is to basically pull it on purpose, almost like a planned yip stroke.
@@joshuahanson8543 the fact that you understand your stroke and how equipments affects it l, is awesome! Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for the feedback Paul! 🤙 I appreciate the video. One last question though. Have you heard much about differences between left hand dominant vs right hand dominant putting strokes? Ex, my buddy and I are both right handed golfers, but he swings with a dominant left hand, and I swing with a dominant right hand. I’ve heard this can make a pretty big difference when it comes to putting stroke style, and am just curious if you have any thoughts on that?
@@joshuahanson8543 think of right hand as a face control left as a path control. Too heavy with left control: push too light right control: face flip. Varying weights can help right hand Dom.
Bullshit. Balance putter helped me to lower my scores and to reach scratch golfer... If it doesn't work for you doesn't mean other shouldn't use it. Get your fact right.
well your stroke determines what balance will work for you. so your stroke has an arch which is why the balanced doesn’t work for you. idk why your demeaning all face balanced putters just because your particular stroke has an arch that doesn’t fit that type of putter.
The point of the video was to open the conversation of golf companies marketing something that is not meant for everyone. Every stroke has some kind of arc. As a fitter and coach I have dispelled every golfer I have worked with of the idea that any stroke is straight back straight through.
@@golfcoachpaul i mean you make the contention that no one should ever use them and that’s just not the case they work very well for a large percentage of golfers. i think if you just explain things more and allow ppl to get educated and learn and make decisions rather than tell them what they should or should not use you would see much less negative comments. it just comes off smug and it’s honestly not nearly as accurate as true as you make it out to be regardless of what your experience with coaching or fitting has shown you.
@golfcoachpaul the Belief that Faced balanced putter and toe hang putter are for a certain type of stroke is marketing Bullshit. Mechanically speaking when you hold both type of putter in a playing position they both wants to open and the toe hang wants to open even more because the center of gravity of the putter head is even further from the shaft axis. The only putter whose shaft is align with the center of gravity is the L.A.B directed force putter.
The reality is that even if face balanced and toe hang putter wants to open when hold very Lightly in a playing position, the momentum applied by the offset of the shaft axis in regards to the center of mass of the clubhead is the small compared to the force with which any golfers (even those with very Light grip) holds the club. Your putter won't just open or closed by itself. It's the dog who shakes his tail not the tail who shakes the dog !
Someone can be effective with a SBST stroke with a heelshaft and another one can be effective with a arc stroke with a face balanced putter. There is no one rule for all.
Purely STSB stroke in putting should not even exist unless you are putting like Michelle wie. The putter is swinging on an inclined planed therefore will obviously go back inside back to square through the inside relative to the target line. Others type of stroke even though you can still be effective is you are repetitive comes from bad techniques/motions.
The only thing people needs to worry about when buying a putter is to make sure it looks good and feels good to them and that the lie angle, length and weight suits them. Everything else are just marketing stories.
For your information I am a professionnal golfer with a degree in mechanical engineering
Victor, I agree with your first statement completely! Everything is golfer dependent. My neck mixed with head and weight are 3 things that makes putter behave the way they do. Some golfers react to those changes, others don’t, but the physics of the putter definitely affect where the face at impact gets to. Thanks for watching, and getting in on the conversation. Do you do a lot of club fitting with your clients?
If I have a straight back and forth motion or a push motion, should I try to fix it and go for an arc-ed motion?
If it is reliable and repeatable, see if you can adjust and set up for it. Try putting with a chalk line or laser line and keep the ball on the line . Sometimes it’s your perception of what is straight that throws the whole system off. If you can’t get a senses of what is straight, it’s time to start over again and rebuild from a better place. Check this video on my insta page to see how I do it. Hope this helps. instagram.com/p/CSRyx4EA4k7/?
Face balanced all day
Nice vid! Just subbed!
Tiago,
Thanks for watching and the comment. Any putter/wedge/shortgame questions you had, I’d be happy to answer
You're not supposed to putt a face balanced putter with an arc swing.
Dustin,
Every stroke has arc to it. The human body can physically make a “straight back straight through” stroke. While some arcs are flatter, there is still an arc. Face balanced has been pushed by marketing on far more people than who actually need it. I have fit folks into the face balanced if it worked best in their stroke. Get fitted by a qualified and experienced fitter. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Hilarious I’ve been gaming a taylormade roho 3 face balanced and I’m one of the most consistent putters I know.
Fish daddy,
The key is to find what works for you. Obviously face balanced is working, keep rolling it!
Love to get your thoughts on LAB Putters and that technology.
I will do a video on them! For a quick answer: they serve someone, but the mahatma audience is small. The issue is that the face easily rotates. They have different styles, but seem to all be that center shafted style. I will be going through their fitting training soon. Thanks for the comment!
Thx for the reply. I like the mallet they make. Be interested and looking for your review.
I got fitted for the face balanced but use the single bend and hole a lot of putts with it. I have tried a slant neck and also a slight toe hand putter in the past and just don't get the same success with these. It's trial and error in my eyes what will work for one person won't work for someone else that's why we have custom fitting and different club designs
Both putters have a consistent closure rate, one just has a higher rate than the other. This was pure pseudoscience. Missing putts left and right inconsistently can not be reduced to this. What about read, alignment, speed, impact? Did you mean to say line instead of putt? Study some of the great putting instruction out there. Flatstick Academy, Burnt Edge Consulting, Phil Kenyon, Edel, even the Ping Arc system has more nuance then this video.
What about cross handed putting. Isn’t face balance what is recommended??
Cross handed is a totally different beast. The dynamics of the swing cross handed tends to leave the face more open through impact making release even more important! One of the best clutch putters in the last 10 years, Jordan Speith, goes. Cross handed with a blade. It involves forward press, face stabilization, and different shoulder movement. Get fit period. Thanks for watching and commenting!
i use slant neck toe hang, and usually i miss it left. should i use face balanced putter?
Hi Radesta, thanks for watching and the question. You could try the face balanced and see how that helps. If no putter change truly effects the left miss, it’s in the swing. Try about 10g of lead tape on the bottom centered but a little more towards the toe to see if this will help. The secret with the spider is that it rotates more like a blade, so, in effect, it’s not a true mallet. Let me know if this helps!
@@golfcoachpaul ok I'll try that. Thanks a lot for the advice
How do plumber necks fit into this conversation?
Aaron,
Thanks for watching and commenting. Plumbers neck, due to offset, allow you more time to rotate the face. Golfer dependent…for me, I was was afraid of the offset and would hold the face through impact, leading to blockade and cut spin. When I went to slant neck, it was a HuGE improvement. Just like any offset, the face further behind allow more time…for what? That depends on the golfer. Hope this helps
I finally gave up on my face balanced odyssey and went to a taylormade slant neck that was part of a RBZ boxed set of clubs. It was nearly an immediate improvement, sure I had to relearn how to properly put for my natural stroke arc. I recommend ppl get a second opinion when it comes to a putter fitting if the fitter is cramming a face balanced putter down your throat.
Alex,
Thanks for sharing your experience! We are still in a world where data and opinion collide quite a bit, plus, people don’t always swing the putter the same way twice. It can be confusing. Finding the right info can be tough, but as you saw, the results should be evident when the work is sound!
Makes perfect sense.
what are your thoughts on a face balance putter with a wrist lock grip?
You’d have to have a very specific kind of stroke for that to work. Typically, you’d have to be super upright and very robotic looking. I do online lessons and can better answer your question or help you with your specific needs. Thegolfcoachpaul@gmail.com
What putter do you fit the majority of the time and have had the most success with?
I usually find the most success with a slant neck blade that has adjustable weights to control face rotation. Mizuno is the only one on the market that comes with a weight kit at the time of purchase. The type 1 is by far my biggest seller. During my fit, I educate my clients how the weight changes can be adjusted over time to support their stroke how it develops.
Does the toe up torque balance work better like edel?
Joe,
Thanks for watching. The Edel toe up isn’t close to this TaylorMade. I have a toe up putter review in a separate video. The face balanced has some similarity to toe up, with toe up being more severe. You’d have to have a very calculated/rehearsed stroke to play those (ala Justin Rose)
How would you view the plumbers neck?
Hey Greg, thanks for watching and you question. Plumbers neck, like any offset affects different people differently. FOR ME, I found it hard to start the ball on line. I had to adjust too much to make it work and couldn’t find consistency with a two way miss. If this sounds like you, it may not be right for you. However, you have to take neck with head design into consideration. A mallet on a plumber might work better due to the changed physics. Test, test, test and then ask questions. All the best!
The “face balanced” putter isn’t supposed to have the same stroke as a flow necked putter. It should be straight back and straight through. People like this shouldn’t be making golf videos.
Many people are mid-informed and many are playing the wrong putter, that is the point. There are more strokes that don’t fit a face balanced putter, than do. Face balanced putters sell a large number of units each year. If you look at the mallets coming out this year from all the manufacturers, they have offered way more “flow” or “slant” neck options than in the past, which speaks to the point. Bottom line, get fit. Taylor made’s mark Trotter is doing a great job at informing people of this. You should also be more mindful when you put a comment in a video, especially for a first one, not to insult “people like this”, as they get the message directly. Arm chair commentary like that is old hat my friend.
@@golfcoachpaul You can obviously tell the comments on this video which respondents own face balanced putters and felt "insulted" by your findings. 😀
it depends on the stroke...
This is true. Get fit and find out
What are your thoughts on "centre shaft" putters.
Center shafted putters tend to be the anti left. From fittings and testing I have seen them produce a right path, but many are inconsistent with the face angle at impact. The face on center shaft is very easy to manipulate: they twist on off center hits easily. So few people I have ever got are a center shafted putter stroke.
@@golfcoachpaul Thanks for the reply 👍🏾
What about a mid mallet like the odyssey Rosie?
Hi Sumit, thanks for watching and asking a great question. The rosie is a true mallet, the physics of that tries to avoid face flipping closed. With a face balanced shaft, you’ll get that effect even more. What have you found when you have tried testing putters?
@@golfcoachpaul I was able to have the face only open 0.6degrees with rossie but was 3 deg open with my odyssey xg #1
Thanks for share... 👍👍
I am in Austin TX. How do I contact you
Thegolfcoachpaul@gmail.com
This is the biggest bunch of mess I’ve ever seen. Toe hang is irrelevant when your hands go on the putter. Your over powering all over the toe hang. If your hands were a swivel and allowed the putter to do as it wants then toe hang would have a large effect on face to path, but since It takes just about zero force to override the balance point of the face it has very little effect. Face balanced doesn’t try to stay square the entire time. It’s trying to stay square to the PATH. Largely different things here.
The tour average of the top 50 players on the pga tour have a total rotation of 8 degrees. That means 4 degrees open going back 4 degrees closed going through. That includes guys using face balanced center shafted putters and slant neck blades with 70 degrees of toe hang like Phil. SIGNIFICANTLY less rotation than the stroke in this video. I’ve worked with a few of the best coaches on the pga tour and we’ve always seen the same open and closure rate no matter how much toe hang the putter has. Same goes with many many players on the pga tour. Toe hang is vastly overrated. You’ve drank the cool aid.
Thanks for taking the time to watch and your response. I agree with all of what you said but would like to offer the idea that the ability to repeat delivering consistent face angle at impact changes with the putter and can be influenced by the neck. This conclusion comes from my thousand plus putter fittings that I had no subjective opinion on putters or necks. I have formulated my perspective on the results. It is always exciting to be around tour coaches and even putting engineers, who sometimes live in echo chambers. I have nothing to promote or defend, simply sharing experience. Based on your response, I can see you are passionate about the game and putting. If you’re ever in the Austin area and want to talk putters, I’d be happy to oblige. All the best!
@@golfcoachpaul fair enough! Maybe it influences your weekend golfers a bit more (which I have not studied very hard) and shows up a bit more. As for me and most tour players I see weekly most of us don’t find this to change numbers on quintic or Sam. This is why u see guys like Patrick cantlay go from blade plumbers neck to double bend face balanced with identical results.
If you studied the top 100 players on tour you’d find nearly zero change from an 8802 to a face balanced mallet.
@@jwild5360 I would agree in terms of that tighter pro window. Guys I have fit and worked with on tour have showed subtle differences, well within what you mentioned. They are extremely well rehearsed and disciplined in the stroke. Often, you’re right, there is very little difference in the data, but under pressure, they can have a tendency that lets them down. I have witnessed many fitters simply defer to “feel” for the player. The amateurs that I fit definitely let the putter influence them waaaaay more. Thanks for being part of the conversation! Maybe our paths have crossed in the past, I created The Pill.
@@golfcoachpaul yep keep after it. Your quite a bit more open minded than I assumed from your video. Good on you. We’re all a student of the game I can respect that. Enjoy!
Phil Kenyon and Rife say the exact opposite of this,
Thanks for watching and commenting. There are many points of view in golf that go against one another. Mine come from coaching and studying putting strokes and fitting putters. Many times, amateurs do the opposite of what pros do, that could be one way we get conflicting feedback. What has your experience been in hitting many different putters?