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Nov 12th, 2015
Six of the Best Traditional Putters
Is An Anser By Any Name The Answer For You?
Words: Daniel Owen
Week in week out the majority of tour players putt with some variation of the classic Ping Anser putter. While the model has been refined in many small ways over the years, they are all modeled off Karsten Solheim's breakthrough 1966 Anser design. Milled faces, grooved inserts, interchangeable weights, oversize grips. All make each of the following putters perform and feel differently, but its testament to the original Anser that the design has passed the test of time, and nearly 50 years later still dominates.
Generally Anser shaped putters are most suited for golfers who have a slight arc to their stroke, that is the putter head will curve back slightly on the backswing, and do the same on the follow through. The one exception is if you get a long neck style as these tend to be face balanced, and would be suited to someone used to a mallet putter who wants a change.
Ping Cadence TR
£163
The latest Anser 2 from version comes in two head weights with the weights being changed through heavier and lighter face inserts. The blue insert is a traditional weight, around 345 grams, while the heavier headed models feature a black insert that brings the head weight to around the 375g range. The True Roll in the insert feature grooves of varying depths that help mis-struck putts roll as far as putts from the middle of the sweetspot. The Cadence TR is also available with an adjustable shaft that allows you to change your putter length when getting fit, or when looking for a change in your putting
Scotty Cameron Select
£279
The number one milled putter on tour, and putt in play by some of the best to have ever played the game, the Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 is seen by many as the current standard bearer of the Anser style putter. CNC milled from 303 stainless steel, the Newport two features straighter, crisper lines than the curvier Newport model. This should make it easier to align. A single shaft of offset again helps with alignment.
Rife Switchback
£149.99
The Switchback features an adjustable design with removable weights on the bumper. This traditional blade style can be adjusted from 350g to 380g. Whether it is putting style, speed of greens, or preference you can get that putter balance perfectly. On of the first companies to introduce a grooved face, the roll grooves have always got the rock rolling sweetly while giving the putters an almost insert soft feel.
Odyssey Milled
£249
Odyssey took their tour pro's feedback to refine the shapes of their putters. They've flattened the top and squared the lines to make these putters easier to align. The heads are CNC milled for consistency, and then a Fusion RX insert is used that combines the famous White Hot insert with a steel mesh that gives the ball a better roll. Adjustable weights are available to fine tune for swingweight.
TaylorMade Ghost Tour Daytona
£139
TaylorMade Ghost putters used to be white, so what if the name doesn't make much sense anymore? The black finish looks very stealth behind the ball. The big change is the new deep milled aluminium insert. The insert puts a good roll on the ball, but also really lets you know how well you've struck the putt through the noise it makes at impact, it's very quiet on perfectly struck putts.
Bettinardi BB1
Bob Bettinardi is one of the finest putter craftsman in the world, and has had his putters used to win Majors. CNC milled from soft carbon steel, and featuring a satin finish, they all feature the honeycomb face that he believes offers the most consistent, flatter putter face. This B1 has an elongated neck with light mill marks displaying the craftsmanship that goes into making a Bettinardi.
