Most overrated and underrated putter brands

[Barnacle]

This thread comes across like this to me

Overrated: anything I deem to expensive. 

Underrated: anything I deem priced correctly that other people won’t buy. 

In reality, I don’t think any putter I’ve ever owned or even hit is over rated except Bettinardi. Honestly one of the worst feeling putters I’ve ever had the misfortune of putting with.

 

I average the same number of putts whether I’m hitting my SC, Cleveland, Odyssey 2 ball, Kirkland, etc. I like to collect putters though and would love to add a TM spider and mizuno to the collection. 

[AndersonGT]

I’ve had so many putters…

 

I think their are some * on some of these…

 

Over-rated: Scotty except Phantom Series. Betti except Inovai Series. Any putter over $500 but anyone spending that money is buying for rarity/customization/collectable, so I don’t blame them. Meridian, sorry but the quality of the putter I received was crap. Returned it.

 

Underrated: Cleveland, especially Frontline series. Best putter I have ever owned despite low cost. EVNroll. Toulon.

I would consider either over SC Select series. 
 

Lastly, underrated is putter refurbishment. I just bought a very nice Never Compromise Gambler Series putter on the bay for $70, had it refurbished for $200 and will take this any day over the above. All in for less than $300. Even got the back cavity filled and a new sight line in front.

 

Edit: Pictures aren't great but on the fly. Need to clean her up an post on what putter did you just buy.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 5, 2024 by AndersonGT

[J_D_C]

Evnroll & Axis are underrated.
 

Scotty is overrated. 
 

LAB golf is hard to rate as they are so hyped right now, however I wanted to mention them. I think they are underrated but others will disagree. The tech is legit and it works. My current gamer is a Mezz Max. 

[bobfoster]

Well I guess I play a putter that it is all the rage to call "overrated" (I suppose because Scotty's are more expensive than the norm). 

 

IMO however, I can't call any putter that works for me "overrated" - or rather, don't particularly care if it is considered overrated or not. 

 

I've tried a ridiculous number of putters over the years (was buying putters for over two decades before Scotty or Magerman even started making them). Currently have a Scotty Squareback, with a Lamkin Sink Fit PistolClaw Grip (though I don't actually use a claw grip when I'm putting), and extra weight added to the head. Love the balance and the feel. The thing almost seems to swing itself.

 

"Ratings" result from  the world of people giving their personal opinions. They a mostly a measure of the combination of the quality of the putter and the effectiveness of the OEM's marketing. Overrated or underrated (I think) is someone's opinion about the variance between those two factors. If popularity exceeds the level of quality due to marketing, it's overrated. If quality exceeds popularity due to poor, or non-existent marketing, it's underrated.

 

It is true that Titleist/Scotty does market very effectively, and has developed a kind of aura. As has Callaway/Odyssey and TM. Big box stores commonly carry a half dozen brands or so. And virtually every one of them will have several models of those three brands. They are all over the retail space, and all over the pro tours. It is also true that there's many really excellent putters out there who's OEM's simply don't have the market clout to promote at anywhere near the level of the big boys - that serious golfers get online, and that many casual weekenders may have never even heard of. 

 

But, that doesn't mean the big guys don't produce quality putters. And what I know is this - with my current Scotty, if I'm anywhere within 25 feet of a pin, I've got a high degree of confidence it's gonna be a two putt. 15 or less, and I'm fully believing I can sink it (not saying I do, but it's a pretty big deal to have real confidence standing over a putt). And it shows up on my scorecard (which is the only real bottom line that matters).

 

Putters are also probably the most personal club in anyone's bag. I see putter ratings all over - every golf mag does one annually (even WRX does it's annual "best of" polling for them). I read them - not to decide on a putter, but rather because sometimes I hear of something new to try. But the "right" putter is different for everyone, and has little to do with ratings. Odyssey does make excellent putters, but even though I try them year after year, I've never been able to feel in sync with any of them. Don't know why. Loved Pings many years ago, but not that crazy about them lately. Have a good buddy that raves about Bettinardis, but I seriously dislike the way they feel. On the other hand, I was bouncing back and forth between by current Scotty Squareback, and the Evnroll EV2 (both "mid-blades", good for my slightly in-to-straight stroke). Scotty barely edged the EV2 out. 

 

Point is, I read ratings, but I wouldn't pick a putter because it was highly rated, nor avoid one because it was highly rated. I pick based on what lets my strokes-gained-putting numbers beat those of my buddies. 

 

At the end of the day, how I can roll the rock with it is the only relevant variable.

 

 

[bobfoster]

11 hours ago, AndersonGT said:

I’ve had so many putters…

 

I think their are some * on some of these…

 

Over-rated: Scotty except Phantom Series. Betti except Inovai Series. Any putter over $500 but anyone spending that money is buying for rarity/customization/collectable, so I don’t blame them. Meridian, sorry but the quality of the putter I received was crap. Returned it.

 

Underrated: Cleveland, especially Frontline series. Best putter I have ever owned despite low cost. EVNroll. Toulon.

I would consider either over SC Select series. 
 

Lastly, underrated is putter refurbishment. I just bought a very nice Never Compromise Gambler Series putter on the bay for $70, had it refurbished for $200 and will take this any day over the above. All in for less than $300. Even got the back cavity filled and a new sight line in front.

 

Edit: Pictures aren't great but on the fly. Need to clean her up an post on what putter did you just buy.

 

 

 

 

 

I've never really been able to do mallets, but dayyyyam that is one purty putter. 

[Red4282]

My little interpretation of “overrated and underrated” has nothing to fo with price. To me, to be overrated, there tends to be a lot of buzz, something very popular, and it just doesnt live up to its hype. Underrated, something very few people of had heard of but still is a quality product. So, in that regards, overrated is every big brand pretty much…and underrated would be just about anything else. Lol.

[byoshio82]

Overrated: Scotty

Under Rated: TM blade putters

[TMFanBoy94]

Overrated: Taylormade Spider (personally never got on with the putter)

 

underrated: Nike Method Midnight/Matter range (had my best putting season with a £99 brand new Nike method matter b2-01 putter) 

 

ironic for the username 

Edited April 8, 2024 by TMFanBoy94

[jda]

Over Rated: amateurs flocking to a putter that somebody just won on tour with.

 

I find it a bit funny that Betti is barely on this list.  The over rated list is usually a sign of high market saturation, which any company would love.  They also are barely on the under rated list.

[MattM97]

6 minutes ago, jda said:

Over Rated: amateurs flocking to a putter that somebody just won on tour with.

 

I find it a bit funny that Betti is barely on this list.  The over rated list is usually a sign of high market saturation, which any company would love.  They also are barely on the under rated list.

 

"Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" and it's not just the amateurs that do that, pros too. 

 

I'd put Betti on the overrated category for myself and for various reasons. 

[JohnBrew]

Over rated: pretty much agree with the majority. I did game a Scotty mallet named after some California beach town, it would only go straight if you putted off the heel, which made for a weird experience.

 

Under rated: Sacks Parente (which I game), Axis 1.

[MattM97]

2 hours ago, JohnBrew said:

Over rated: pretty much agree with the majority. I did game a Scotty mallet named after some California beach town, it would only go straight if you putted off the heel, which made for a weird experience.

 

Under rated: Sacks Parente (which I game), Axis 1.

 

For the heel strikes probably because that's where the COG was located and putter head wasn't twisting. 

 

Not a lot of putter makers balance the COG in the middle for esthetic reasons but more are. 

[golftech]

Underrated:  Bruce Sizemore putters (any of his versions, but particular the copper insert Sizemore Collection.  
 

Overrated:  Callaway Toulon, nice but just another Chinese manufactured putter.

[unclefreizo]

On 3/19/2024 at 7:27 AM, ephmen said:

I thought this would be interesting to hear your opinions. Let it fly.

To me it's worth asking over- or under-rated on what - performance? Collector value? Bling factor?

 

Lots of SC overrated comments, for instance.

 

Performance is not the only thing players "rate" a putter by. I'd argue a big part of the reason people want a Cameron because it's something to talk about, feels like they fit in with their friends and what they've seen in media, etc. And if that's true, then boy is it delivering.

[SUITS]

Underrated. Bullseyes. 
 

when you are in a funk. Pull it out and putt with it for a half hour. It’s so pure. Makes you think about rolling it in the hole. Not the stroke, no alignment aids

[jls667]

Underrated: as a guy who has now tried to kick his Huntington Beach Premier out of the bag for 3 winters in a row but haven't been able to, I gotta go Cleveland. In the last 3 seasons I bought a Mizuno M-Craft, Odyssey Tri Hot, and a Bettinardi that all lived in the bag for about 4 rounds before being benched for my Cleveland. It also kicked my SeeMore out when I brought it home. Damn thing just feels and rolls better, and I can't seem to get away from it.

 

Overrated: I'm not going the Scotty route since it's been beaten to death but I'll actually go Mizuno as I think they're a bit inflated on various forums because they're slightly cheaper than Scottys. They're good looking putters but having owned one briefly, there's nothing that rattled my nuts about it. Felt good but lots of putters feel good. No great tech used. And while they're about $100 less than Scotty, the Scotty will hold it's value. The Mizuno won't. 

Edited April 28, 2024 by jls667

[teewinot]

Underrated- Cobra sik face putters.

 

 

[Bigmean]

Long time collector, I will play.

 

Overrated:

 

Every single OTR Scotty after the original studio design series.  I will add my  Caveat to this opinion which is that Scotty dominated the 90s-2001 or so.  Not his ideas, but best at making those stolen ideas the best they could be in that era with real carbon heads and clean timeless designs.   I’m a Scotty hater regarding 90% of what’s out there, but top to bottom the pro plat and original studio design series’ are an opus and the most well rounded collective series’ ever made.   Last 20 years is straight marketing garbage more or less that simps can’t get cucked hard enough on.  

 

Underrated:  

 

Kari Lajosi:  love the story, love the putters, dude is legit with a CNC background but his stuff has that old Scotty vibe to me

Tad Moore:  large portfolio, I have 3 or 4, his good ones are spectacular.  
 

JDM brands in general:   This would be the gamut.  Miura, epon, Jean Baptist (I have a 701p that is a master class in cnc putter heads), Masda (Seriously best value out there used), Benock and probably a handful of others I am not thinking of.  I can’t put Golds factory on here even though I love them because the cost is just too much to call them underrated.

 

Lastly, the most underrated putter is the one you can control distance with and start on the line you see, no matter what it costs or who made it.  Of my 30 or so putters, I enjoy rolling them all, but I can only shoot my best (Mentally) with 1 and that 1 has been in the bag over a decade.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bigmean]

On 4/8/2024 at 5:29 PM, jda said:

Over Rated: amateurs flocking to a putter that somebody just won on tour with.

 

I find it a bit funny that Betti is barely on this list.  The over rated list is usually a sign of high market saturation, which any company would love.  They also are barely on the under rated list.

Something about Bettinardi is very meh to me.  I have a couple and am watching a 90s tour one on auction, but wouldn’t pay the ask.  Watching because bettis rarely catch my eye and this one has my attention just too much,   I dunno, they are nice, but clinically so in a way that misses the mark for me.

Edited October 11, 2024 by Bigmean

[Robot_Dog]

Overrated is anything that someone buys with out testing. I’ve seen so many people buy a SC or a putter that a pro uses without ever trying it beforehand. Putters are so personal so what works for someone else doesn’t mean it will fit your eye or stroke. 

[MattM97]

On 10/11/2024 at 8:54 PM, Robot_Dog said:

Overrated is anything that someone buys with out testing. I’ve seen so many people buy a SC or a putter that a pro uses without ever trying it beforehand. Putters are so personal so what works for someone else doesn’t mean it will fit your eye or stroke. 

 

Many people cannot test putters due to where they live so they have to buy first, test and then sell if it doesn't work. Not everyone has the luxury of a shop 10min from home or certain putters are not in all golf shops. 

[Konklifer]

Overrated: SC, LAB

Underrated: Kevin Burns

[chinaski]

On 10/11/2024 at 4:59 PM, Bigmean said:

Something about Bettinardi is very meh to me.  I have a couple and am watching a 90s tour one on auction, but wouldn’t pay the ask.  Watching because bettis rarely catch my eye and this one has my attention just too much,   I dunno, they are nice, but clinically so in a way that misses the mark for me.

 

Bettinardi retail line is good, but nothing special. Thier Hive putters are what sets them apart. 

[Eagle3254]

1 hour ago, MattM97 said:

 

Many people cannot test putters due to where they live so they have to buy first, test and then sell if it doesn't work. Not everyone has the luxury of a shop 10min from home or certain putters are not in all golf shops. 

Well said, additional expensive process… 

 

Last thought on this is loft and lie changes per player or even a different grip then oem to test, which all changes feel and how a putt roles on the line based on player.  
 

As for over rated or underrated putters, in my opinion it’s player dependent what fits them.  
 

2025 will be the year putter battles with OEMs with a million more options.  
 

My last opinion is this, the OEM that can fit remotely properly and help eliminate variables will win…

Edited October 16, 2024 by Eagle3254

[MattM97]

1 minute ago, Eagle3254 said:

Well said, additional expensive process… 

 

Last thought on this is loft and lie changes per player or even a different grip then oem to test, which all changes feel and how a putt roles on the line based on player.     

 

It's something I had to go through cause I'm a lefty and options can be slim in store.

 

The length, loft, lie and grip was the last thing for me, I'd do the initial tests of looks, feel, aim, weight, etc. Then if that passes or I want to test more would adjust other things to get closer to a gamer setup. Not everything would win out and yes it was expensive but I had no other choice at the time and I have a ton of golf shops near me. But it helped me narrow down what works and what doesn't, now it's easy to see what's available and buy it.  

[Eagle3254]

8 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

It's something I had to go through cause I'm a lefty and options can be slim in store.

 

The length, loft, lie and grip was the last thing for me, I'd do the initial tests of looks, feel, aim, weight, etc. Then if that passes or I want to test more would adjust other things to get closer to a gamer setup. Not everything would win out and yes it was expensive but I had no other choice at the time and I have a ton of golf shops near me. But it helped me narrow down what works and what doesn't, now it's easy to see what's available and buy it.  

Agree 100 percent, and with some which have limited options, it could seem as a rabbit hole and a long painful process.  
 

Imagine an OEM that gives you the ability to try different grips loft and lie and not figure it out afterwards how powerful that would be for a player.  
 

I truly believe that a putter is the hardest club to solve for in our bags and in most cases most overlooked, so we just settle or test and test and test… 

Edited October 16, 2024 by Eagle3254

[MattM97]

2 minutes ago, Eagle3254 said:

Agree 100 percent, and with some which have limited options, it could seem as a rabbit hole and a long painful process.  
 

Imagine an OEM that gives you the ability to try different grips loft and lie and not figure it out afterwards how powerful that would be for a player.  
 

I truly believe that a putter is the hardest club to solve for in our bags and in most cases most overlooked, so we just settle or test and test and test… 

 

Yeah and last point as well that "testing in store" means nothing, I can sit there all day with a RH putter and sink putts like I'm Ty Webb in Caddyshack. 

[mvhoffman]

This is def a trick question.  Goes back to the saying "one man's trash is another man's treasure"

 

 

[Eagle3254]

3 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

Yeah and last point as well that "testing in store" means nothing, I can sit there all day with a RH putter and sink putts like I'm Ty Webb in Caddyshack. 

Isn’t this the truth by far….

 

Testing indoors is tough, then buy, hope and change again.   Repeat over and over hoping for results.  
 

I am thinking start a thread Current Putter Gamed and what you dislike about it to possibly help or provide insight.   So much great knowledge on WRX…

 

OR do start up remote fitting process which is driven by technology at your home course similar to the PLD app which applies to all OEMs 😂
 

[Bigmean]

1 hour ago, chinaski said:

 

Bettinardi retail line is good, but nothing special. Thier Hive putters are what sets them apart. 

I guess, I just passed on a monopoly putter for $500 I probably should have got but since I’m not a betti guy (just like the putter as a monopoly fan) I passed despite someone hanging $3k on one on eBay.   I’m sure I will regret that auction but it is what it is.