Navigating fast greens on the golf course can be an intimidating experience, especially without the right putter. When confidence wanes, even the shortest putts stretch into daunting distances, and the slightest imperfection in reading the break can lead to missed opportunities. Lag putts become mental minefields, with the fear of three-putting lurking at every stroke. But fear not, for we’re about to embark on a journey to demystify the art of putting on fast greens and find the best putter for fast greens.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know to confidently conquer fast greens, including tips for reading breaks, controlling speed, and maintaining a steady stroke. However, the most crucial element in mastering fast greens is having the right putter in your hands. Just as a surgeon requires the finest instruments for precision, a golfer needs a putter tailored to the nuances of fast greens to maximize performance.
So, join us as we delve into putting on fast greens, uncovering the secrets to success, and revealing the best putters specifically crafted to excel on these challenging surfaces. Whether it’s a putter with a milled face for an enhanced feel or one with adjustable weights for customized stability, we’ll guide you through the options to find the best putter for fast greens that suits your game. With the proper knowledge and equipment, you’ll transform those once nerve-wracking one and two-footers into routine tap-ins, and those lag putts into opportunities for birdie. It’s time to turn fear into confidence and unlock your full potential on the greens. Let’s dive in and discover the best golf putters for fast greens.
A Brief Overview of Best Putter For Fast Greens
| Putter | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| PING Kushin 4 | Forgiving blade putter, steel weight in heel, tungsten in toe | Easier to square the face, good for short putts, good alignment aids | Less forgiving on mishits compared to mallet putters |
| Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | Classic blade putter, milled face | Excellent feel, timeless design, good for skilled golfers | Less forgiving on mishits, requires more practice to master |
| EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade | High MOI, forgiveness on mishits | More forgiving on off-center strikes, good for a variety of putting strokes | May not offer the same level of feel as a milled face putter |
| TaylorMade Spider X | High MOI mallet putter, adjustable weights | Stable, customizable feel, good for arc putting strokes | Larger head size may not be for everyone, adjustability can be overwhelming for some golfers |
Best Putter For Fast Greens
PING Kushin 4
PING Kushin 4
The PING Kushin 4, part of the 2021 range, offers forgiveness with strategic weight distribution and easy alignment aids.
Shallow groove inserts enhance forgiveness, while the soft material provides smooth feedback.
It is ideal for short putts but less suited for straight strokes.
Adjustments may be needed for the gentle feedback from the insert.
Pros
Exceptional performance inside 10 and 5 feet.
Insert offers precise feedback for stroke adjustment.
Soft putter face due to the new insert.
Grooves enhance forgiveness, maintaining ball direction on off-center hits.
Reliable alignment aids facilitate consistent setup.
Cons
It is less suitable for straight back and through strokes.
The softness of the insert may require adaptation for optimal feedback.
PING’s forgiving blade putter from their 2021 range offers notable improvements. Incorporating a steel weight in the heel and tungsten in the toe enhances alignment and ball direction control. The alignment aids ensure consistent setup and confidence at the address.
The shallow grooves in the new inserts resemble the EVNROLL style, providing forgiveness and a soft feel. These grooves mitigate off-center hits, albeit often resulting in shorter putts. The insert’s softness contributes to effortless feedback during strikes.
Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Scotty Cameron Newport 2
The Scotty Cameron Newport 2, trusted by Tiger Woods, leads the premium putter market with its renowned craftsmanship and consistent performance.
Pros
Renowned craftsmanship and quality.
Trusted by top professionals, including Tiger Woods.
Superior feel and consistency.
Maintains leadership among premium putters.
Provides a consistent roll.
Cons
Facing increasing competition.
The Scotty Cameron Newport 2 is a renowned choice in premium putters, boasting unparalleled craftsmanship and quality. Trusted by top professionals like Tiger Woods, Scotty Cameron needs little introduction, standing as a symbol of excellence in the golfing world.
Despite the emergence of competitors such as EVNROLL and Bettinardi, the Newport 2 maintains its status as a leader. While some may have initially harbored doubts, the Newport 2 model has won over skeptics, proving itself on par with its counterparts. Its superior craftsmanship, exceptional feel, striking aesthetics, and consistent roll contribute to its widespread acclaim and popularity among golfers.
However, as the market evolves, Scotty Cameron faces increasing competition, urging it to continually innovate and maintain its position as the go-to choice for discerning golfers seeking premium performance on the greens.
EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade
EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade
The EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade excels on fast greens, offering precise performance and confidence.
Its impeccable design and instinctive stroke power gauge garner praise, while high-launching shots suit various greens.
Despite a premium price, its unmatched feel and control make it a top choice for golfers.
Pros
Perfect clubhead dimensions and coloring.
Instinctive power feels at every distance.
High-launching and glides smoothly.
Ideal for both fast and slow greens.
Professional and crisp appearance.
Cons
High price tag.
The EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade emerges as a standout choice in the realm of putters, lauded as the best in its class by enthusiasts. With a compelling endorsement from a user who describes it as the finest they’ve ever held, the ER1.2 Tour Blade exudes confidence and precision on the greens.
Renowned for its ability to navigate fast greens effortlessly, this putter impresses with its impeccable clubhead dimensions and coloring, providing a professional and crisp appearance that instills confidence in the golfer.
Users praise its innate capacity to gauge the power needed for each stroke instinctively, attributing its exceptional performance on various distances to this feature. Furthermore, the ER1.2 Tour Blade earns accolades for its ability to deliver high-launching shots that glide smoothly through the turf, making it suitable for both fast and slow greens.
While its excellence is undeniable, the only setback appears to be its premium price tag, which may deter budget-conscious buyers. Nevertheless, feedback suggests that the unparalleled feel, control, and performance of the EVNROLL ER1.2 Tour Blade justify its investment, solidifying its status as a top contender in the market.
Taylormade Spider X
Taylormade Spider X
The Taylormade Spider X putter features a new alignment aid and improved insert with 45° grooves for better roll and sound.
Weights on the outside offer customizable balance, and its compact head design suits various stroke types.
Pros
Perfect clubhead dimensions and coloring.
Instinctive power feels at any distance.
High-launching glides smoothly.
Ideal for both fast and slow greens.
Enhanced alignment aid on top.
Cons
High price.
The Taylormade Spider X putter introduces several significant improvements, making it a top choice among golfers seeking precision on the greens. Featuring a new alignment aid on the top, the Spider X enhances visual alignment with a white ‘Y’ shape complemented by a black line, aiding golfers in achieving consistent setup and alignment.
Additionally, the redesigned clubhead boasts perfect dimensions and coloring, providing a professional and appealing aesthetic. With weights on the outside, golfers can customize the putter’s balance to suit their preferences, enhancing control and stability throughout the stroke.
Moreover, the improved insert with 45° grooves ensures a better roll and sound upon impact, contributing to enhanced performance. The Spider X’s more compact head design appeals to a broader range of golfers, offering stability during the straight back and through strokes and slightly arced strokes.
While its premium price point may deter some, feedback suggests that the Spider X’s versatility, stability, and improved features justify its investment, positioning it as a top contender for golfers seeking consistent performance on the greens.
Secrets of Putting on Fast Greens
Unlocking the secrets of putting on fast greens requires understanding their speed and implementing strategic techniques. Typically, greens with a stimpmeter reading of 10 or higher are fast, escalating to “glass” territory above 11.5 on the meter. To navigate these challenging surfaces effectively, consider the following tips:
- Factor in extra break: Never underestimate the green’s curvature; always add a couple of extra inches of break to your read for precision.
- Opt for uphill putts: Aim to position yourself below the hole, even if it means being farther from the pin, to minimize the challenge of downhill putts, which can be faster and produce more breaks.
- Adjust your stroke for downhill putts: When faced with downhill putts, utilize the dead weight of the toe of your putter for a smoother stroke and improved control.
- Maintain focus on short putts: Keep your head down and trust your alignment, relying on your ears rather than your eyes to confirm successful putts for improved consistency.
- Take fewer breaks and firm strokes on short putts: Minimize breaks and hit short putts firmly to prevent them from trickling past the hole, optimizing your chances of success.
- Choose your putter wisely: While heavier putters may offer stability and easy pace control on fast greens, lighter putters provide nimbleness and a magical feel, making them preferred by many. Ultimately, deciding between light and heavy putters is a personal preference, but lighter putters are often favored for their agility.
- Explore putter options: Experiment with different putters to find the one that best suits your stroke and preferences for fast greens, ensuring confidence and consistency on the putting surface. Remember to mark your ball with a stylish marker to add flair to your game.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has provided valuable insights to help you find the best putter for fast greens and alleviate any putting woes. Drawing from my experience on fast Bent grass greens, I discovered that heavier mallet putters were undoubtedly the most effective, enabling me to sink numerous putts effortlessly.
Utilizing a mallet putter on short putts on fast greens felt like taking candy from a baby—a testament to its superiority in such conditions. Therefore, if you aim to dominate the greens confidently and precisely, I highly recommend considering a heavier mallet putter as your best choice for mastering fast greens.
