Just like the rest of us, professionals are constantly looking for an edge on greens. Putting is the most important factor in low scores and requires confidence in your equipment. There are so many conflicting ideas regarding fitting and technique, it is often difficult to know if drills and practice are helping or solidifying poor habits. Putter companies have models ranging from the bland to downright strange. Aaron Baddeley is currently playing a putter designed by Yar Golf, a model that may be difficult to look at but certainly has a place in the game. There are dozens of boutique and custom putter manufacturers, some of them are interesting and others fade away rather quickly. Mann Krafted is an Arizona based putter manufacturer that produces milled putters that are completely customized to each customer. Head shape, sight lines, finish, hosel design, length, lie, and everything else are personalized to your specifications. LaMont Mann personally constructs each putter from a steel blank and collects feedback along the way, ensuring the customer receives the perfect putter.
The Process
I first spoke with LaMont in early this year about three putters. After several emails and and meeting in person, we finalized the head shape, weights, and hosel designs for the heads. The process took around a week, mostly because I wanted to be sure each model was perfect and I was not leaving anything out. LaMont is extremely helpful and provides guidance and suggestions throughout the process.
The most difficult part of the process was selecting a finish. It is always tempting to try something different on custom projects. LaMont offers various colors, polymer finishes, and traditional black oxide and brushed looks. In the end I went with black oxide. I have always preferred a subdued look and black oxide will wear over time and a raw looking finish will result.
The Build
Given that each putter is hand milled and welded, I was expecting a build time of several months. I was shocked when I received an email within in ten days with pictures of the heads for my approval. LaMont does a great job of keeping the customer apprised of the progress. Comparison pics are sent and ideas are shared throughout the process. Of course, the build time will vary with the order log LaMont is currently handling. Part of the appeal of the company is that it is small and each putter is different. Patience is key but the results are worth the wait. From the time I first spoke to LaMont on the phone to having the putters in hand was roughly six weeks, far shorter than the six to eight months at other companies.
The Result
I was cautiously optimistic when I picked up the putters, I was not disappointed. While handmade putters will inherently differ slightly from plans, each of them was incredible. Given the prices, $275-$399 for the models ordered, compared to off the shelf models currently offered they are reasonably priced when custom options are considered. They are not cheap, but the end result is well worth the price if you can’t seem to find the perfect putter. Each head combines a solid feel and quality finish with the boutique look. There mill marks on the sole and face, and each putter’s specifications were exactly as ordered. My personal model, a modified Carolina, replaced an Odyssey White Hot #2 that had been in the bag for roughly six years. In all, the overall quality was higher than expected. Each has the unmistakable feel of a high end putter and will surely have a place in our bags for many years to come.
We’ve all had it happen to us. We start our round with a shank off the first tee, chunk the approach, duff the pitch, and then three putt. Before you know it, you’re frustrated and wishing you’d spent Sunday taking care of those chores you keep putting off around the house.
Getting off to a good start on the golf courses helps you feel more confident and loose, and ultimately have more fun. Plus, it’s a great feeling to let your playing partners know that you’re the one to catch today. Check out our top three tips to help you get off to a good start, and ride that momentum through the round for a new low.
If you’ve ever played golf, you certainly know the feeling- your swing is out of sync, the ball has a mind of it’s own, you get every bad break possible, and no matter how hard you try nothing can stop it. It’s very easy to get angry and frustrated on the golf course, but how we manage it shows others how we handle adversity and conduct ourselves when everything isn’t going exactly to plan.
During the second round at Augusta on Friday, Tiger Woods displayed one of the worst examples of composure on the course in recent memory. His frustrations were visualized by repeatedly slamming clubs and cursing at shots, but the ultimate moment came at the par-3 16th. With 9 iron in hand, Tiger sprayed his ball into the front right bunker. As soon as the ball left the club face, Tiger dropped the club behind him in pure disgust. He proceeded to turn around while the ball was in the air and kick his club that he had just dropped a good 15 feet.
The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club has always had a flair for the dramatics; the 2012 version wasn’t any different. On a cool, late afternoon in Georgia, Bubba Watson prevailed as the champion on the second playoff hole vs. South African, Louis Oosthuizen.
Bubba and Oosthuizen were in the penultimate group on the final day and started at -6 and -7 respectively. Momentum slung heavily in Oosthuizen’s favor right out of the gates as Bubba bogeyed the first. On the par-5 2nd, Oosthuizen hit one of the best shots of the tournament as he made double-eagle by holing out from 235 yards with a four iron. It was only the the fourth double-eagle to occur in the history of the tournament, and the first to take place at the 2nd hole. The shot jolted Oosthuizen to the top of the leaderboard. He also bogeyed the par-3 4th to finish the front -2.
Place your club on the ground pointing at your target, and another pointing to the left. Align your club face square to the target, and point your feet left. Then swing along the plane of your feet.
With The Masters kicking off at Augusta National today, we thought we would cover one of the most important shots to play in order to be successful there- the high fade. The greens at Augusta tend to play extremely firm and fast, so bringing the ball in high and landing it soft is critical to keeping the ball on the green and getting it close to the hole.
The reason this shot is perfect for Augusta is it tends fly a bit higher and with a bit more backspin than your standard straight shot. This means it will not roll out as much once it lands, keeping the ball on the proper tier of the course’s many multi-level putting surfaces.
The shot can be used in a variety of situations, but is most commonly played if there is an obstruction on the right hand side so the ball must move from left-to-right around it. For many players, especially amateurs, it is their stock shot and normal ball flight. For players who do not normally flight the ball high and from left to right, the fade is a fairly simple shot to execute. With a little practice, players will develop a feel for how to control the shot and begin to use it out on the course.
This happens all the time during an average round- your 158 yards out. Do you try and crush the 8 iron, or smooth a 7 iron in close. When you try and smash the ball, you get squirly in your swing and spray the ball. When you try and take something off the shot, your distance is off and you don’t make solid contact because you weren’t confident over the ball.
Very rarely during a round do you get a yardage that calls for a go-to, stock swing. Most of the time you feel like you either just a bit too much or too little club in your hand.
Here are some general key to help you pick the right club every time:
The fastest way to improve your scores is to improve your short game. Being able to pitch, chip, and flop the ball close to the hole and convert putts will save you more strokes per round than the latest carbon-fiber-poly-alloy-insert-forged (blah, blah, blah) driver technology out there.
With the first major of the year a week away, Tiger Woods finds himself as the realistic favorite in a major for the first time in several years. While the field at the Arnold Palmer was missing some big names, Tiger looked sharp and quickly recovered from mistakes. At Augusta, he may not have the luxury of getting away with those mistakes. Rory McIlroy enjoyed a brief stint as the top ranked player before Luke Donald recaptured it with a playoff win. Never before have so many top players, from so many countries, come into Augusta with so much momentum. The only name missing lately has been Phil Mickelson but he always seems to show up when a green jacket is up for grabs.
So who is the favorite heading down Magnolia Lane? The short answer would be everyone. With young players finally answering the call and winning major championships, it is no longer a slam dunk for Tiger Woods, even if he does have his game back. While he was away, some extremely talented young players showed up. Veterans like Luke Donald and Lee Westwood cemented their place in golf history, and Keegan Bradley proved that rookies can win majors under pressure. If all of the contenders can keep their momentum, golf fans may witness the best major championship in history.
A great way to get more out of your practice sessions is to play games. By injecting in a little competition, you’ll also mimic that pressure “must-make” sensation (even more so if you bet a couple bucks). One of our favorite games to work on your putting is 21. There are many variations, but here is the way we play.
To play 21, you’ll need the following:
-A playing partner
-2 golf balls for each player
-1 or 2 putters
The objective of the game is pretty simple- make the putt or get your ball closer to the hole than your opponent. The first player to 21 wins. Here’s how the scoring breaks down.
There are a number of types of grasses used on golf courses and most people don’t realize the affect it has on how the game is played. Bermuda, particularly on greens, is no exception. Bermuda grows exceptionally well in areas of high heat, which is why it is found primarily in the southern parts of the United States like Atlanta. It’s also a very durable grass which makes it a favorite for sporting fields as well. Additionally, it repairs rather easily and is able to take the beating from golf clubs and pitch marks.
Putting on Bermuda can be rather tricky for those who don’t normally play on it. Unlike Bent Grass, which is known for rolling putts on a very true line, the grain of Bermuda grass can have a large affect on how the ball rolls.
If you’ve ever played golf, you certainly know the feeling- your swing is out of sync, the ball has a mind of it’s own, you get every bad break possible, and no matter how hard you try nothing can stop it. It’s very easy to get angry and frustrated on the golf course, but how we manage it shows others how we handle adversity and conduct ourselves when everything isn’t going exactly to plan.