Geoff,

Played in a Pro-Am today and used the putter that you gave me (30 gram weight inserted). I spent the morning reading through your tips from the web-site and used two of them with some effectiveness today (aiming the bottom of the rib cage at the pelvis, and the other dealt with the path of the left elbow). I made virtually nothing, but I was all over the hole. I hit 16 greens and shot even par; only one birdie and one bogey (3 putted the first hole before I settled in on my mindset of the day).

Now the reason for my post...when we worked together asked your opinion of the Scotty Cameron Futura putter, and I recall that you did not seem to care for it. I have played with two different people who use the Futura, and on both occassions I have asked to hit a few putts. Of course, I have made EVERY putt that I've struck with it, and I am curious as to why you seemed a little down on it. That aside, I appreciate all of the info that you have been kind enough to relate, and I will see you soon for more!

Dear Eddie,

I'm not sure exactly why I don't like the Futura putter all that much. All the putters I try out I test to see how they react to my setup, grip and stroke. The Futura never really stacks up to more "Plain Jane" center-shafted putters. I think my reaction has to do with the visual appearance of the hosel and the hind part of the design. I find the busyness of the design unhelpful. I think perhaps the putterhead "look" detracts from the feel of the stroke. On the grounds of physics, I don't especially like the roll that results (more backspin than I care for). And I think that the bottom of the putter is very important in the setup and stroke dynamics, and putters with large bottoms out the back make me concerned about the through stroke. This may not be a legitimate concern -- I'm not sure -- but the whole set of mild dislikes seem to add up to keep me from working thru them to a liking of this putter design.

If you have success with it, though, I certainly would not discourage you! There's plenty of time for me to mess your putting up later .... Let's get started soon.

Cheers!

Geoff Mangum
The PuttingZone
http://puttingzone.com

Hi Eddie

If I understand yout post correctly you shot even par on in a pro-am three putted the first green with a new putter and still made enough putts to finish at par. Was this a course you play on all the time or new course? How far away from the hole was you first putt. On days when I am hitting the ball close I make a lot of putts. On days that I am 20 feet from the pin I don't make many one putts. Nor do the best players in the world. Were you the PRO in this pro/am? Just wondering? I have also tried the Futura and like Geoff I can get past the look at address. The other thing that bothers me about the putter is that it tends to toe in during the swing. It requires the player to make an extra effort hold the putter in position. I noticed this with the Big Ben also. At the end of the day I think simple is better. Less to do and think about less to forget.

Chuck

Chuck,
I was the professional in the group and I play the course once every year. I have had more time to incubate all that Geoff told me and I can comfortably say that it is steadily revealing its virtues to me. I am actually committed to using the putter that Geoff was kind enough to give me. I have to see him again soon and verify that the things that I am working on are valid. Like I told him 10 days ago, my expertise has yet to catch up with his knowledge. However, with more thought and experimentation, the gap is at least norrowing!

EC

Thanks for the feedback Eddie. A New putter always take getting use to. But Geoff's putting theory is rock solid. I go back and forth between my backweight putter and non-backweight putter. I have good distance control with both and most days I am able to put it on my intended line. (it just not always the right line.)


Chuck