Equipment Forum
Dropping the Anchor
BY TOM DELLNER I PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON OLSON Here are
n lieu of the USGA’s recent ban of the anchored putter, many of us are in search of the next best putting solution. Perhaps the easiest, most natural transi- tion is to try one of the many counterbalanced putter models available from most major club manufacturers. They are already fashioned by a host of pros, includ- ing 20% of Odyssey’s staff ers dur- ing any given week on the PGA Tour. Here’s how they work. Counterbalanced designs
feature a much heavier putterhead (50 grams or more). To counter the heavier head, weight is also added to the grip-end of the putter by lengthening the shaft, adding a counter-weight device, or both. This raises the putter’s balance point and increases its stability and moment of inertia (MOI). In addition, the putter’s heavier overall weight slows down your stroke slightly to create a putter that—like an anchored putter—helps you take your hands and wrists out of the stroke and develop a repeating motion using the larger muscles of your shoulders. While many of the most
popular counterbalanced putter designs feature an oversized, high-MOI, mallet-style head, it’s important to know that any style of putter—including mid-sized fl ange designs or more traditional heel-toe weighted models—can be counterbalanced.
FIVE DESIGNS to keep an eye on in 2016:
Scotty Cameron Futura X7M Dual Balance
> The Scotty Cameron Futura X7M Dual
Balance has an innovative multi-material construction that combines a lightweight, aircraft-grade aluminum core with a precision-milled, 303 stainless steel frame. This construction pushes a higher percentage of weight out and back for increased stability on off -center hits. The unique “back-bar” mallet design also enhances stability. The fi nal piece to the stability story is the “dual balance” achieved with a 400-gram head and 50-gram, grip-end counterweight. If you are not comfortable with a mallet design, Scotty Cameron’s dual balance technology is available in a variety of other head styles. Suggested Retail: $425;
ScottyCameron.com
50 /
NCGA.ORG / WINTER 2016
Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser 2-Ball Fang
> The Tank Cruiser putter line makes
four of Odyssey’s most popular, tour-proven head shapes available with customizable counterbalancing. Each can be adjusted to one of three weights, and three grip-end weight options are available, allowing you to precisely dial in the putter balance that works for you and your particular stroke. All putters in the line feature the company’s most popular face insert—the Fusion RX—which is said to promote the quickest true roll of any insert Odyssey has ever produced. Suggested Retail Price: $249;
OdysseyGolf.com
Counterbalanced putters can help you survive the 2016 anchor ban
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