Why are putters so expensive

MorganIRL

Well guys, can someone explain why they are so expensive. I have a mallet putter I bought in lifestyle sports over 10yrs ago.. it felt nice and was bike were the reasons I bought it, I'm a high HC but I putt ok, AVG just over 2 per hole.. while they all look lovely I can't see or understand the benefits of scottys and the rest?

I have a set of Mizuno JPX pros, I don't scrimp on other areas..

willabur

why would it be any different to other clubs?

MorganIRL

willabur wrote: »

why would it be any different to other clubs?

I kinda see what you mean.. my explanation would be it wouldn't have the forces put on it like other clubs..

Russman

They don’t have to be though. I’ve an Odyssey that cost me €89 back in 2013. Mind you it’s showing it’s age now and when golf gets back will be replaced with the new White Hot OG that they’ve just released.
You can also get a Scotty Cameron from the gallery that could be €10k. And anything in between.

Mostly you’re paying for branding, marketing & probably a little bit of R&D. Like everything there’s premium products, middle of the road and entry level.

Plus you do use it probably almost as much as all your other clubs combined.

MorganIRL

Russman wrote: »

They don’t have to be though. I’ve an Odyssey that cost me €89 back in 2013. Mind you it’s showing it’s age now and when golf gets back will be replaced with the new White Hot OG that they’ve just released.
You can also get a Scotty Cameron from the gallery that could be €10k. And anything in between.

Mostly you’re paying for branding, marketing & probably a little bit of R&D. Like everything there’s premium products, middle of the road and entry level.

Plus you do use it probably almost as much as all your other clubs combined.

I just used Scotty as an example, but all I see is putters for 150-200+. My Wilson putter cost €26, it even has take a couple of belts hitting the bag in temper and no issues..

Jimbee

Russman wrote: »

They don’t have to be though. I’ve an Odyssey that cost me €89 back in 2013. Mind you it’s showing it’s age now and when golf gets back will be replaced with the new White Hot OG that they’ve just released.
You can also get a Scotty Cameron from the gallery that could be €10k. And anything in between.

Mostly you’re paying for branding, marketing & probably a little bit of R&D. Like everything there’s premium products, middle of the road and entry level.

Plus you do use it probably almost as much as all your other clubs combined.

Not sure about R&D karsten putter design from the 80's (I think) is used in a lot of expensive putters today for example Sik Pro c, TaylorMade Juno, odyssey.
What makes them expensive is the demand due to good marketing

Jimbee

MorganIRL wrote: »

I just used Scotty as an example, but all I see is putters for 150-200+. My Wilson putter cost €26, it even has take a couple of belts hitting the bag in temper and no issues..

You can buy a scotty from alliexpress for 75€ be it morally right or not. I remember mygolfspy tested the fakes against the real ones and the fakes were just as good.
https://mygolfspy.com/real-scotty-vs-fake-scotty/

ShivasIrons

Jimbee wrote: »

You can buy a scotty from alliexpress for 75€ be it morally right or not. I remember mygolfspy tested the fakes against the real ones and the fakes were just as good.
https://mygolfspy.com/real-scotty-vs-fake-scotty/

Except for the fakes falling apart, breaking for no real reason, not having the same balance or feel etc.

slave1

because we pay the asking prices

benji79

One thing I find is people will throw out €400 no problem on a driver but try get a putter as cheap as possible.
Always find it unusual as a putter to me should be your most important purchase as it’s only club you’re guaranteed to use every hole. That said a cheap putter can work just as well if it’s suits your eye

dan_ep82

Jimbee wrote: »

You can buy a scotty from alliexpress for 75€ be it morally right or not. I remember mygolfspy tested the fakes against the real ones and the fakes were just as good.
https://mygolfspy.com/real-scotty-vs-fake-scotty/

I think most ( not all of course ) buy a Scotty Cameron to own a Scotty Cameron. Not because it's better but they like the look and the look others give it. I always notice when someone is using one, love the look of them. They just look like quality, never found one I liked using though. Imagine it would defeat the point to buy a Scooty Cameroon

As to the original question. Quality. 100 Lifestyle sports putters vs 100 Scottys and the discrepancies would be obvious. You can also feel the quality, the grips are better, weights are usually better etc. A €100 putter vs a €300 putter is a different question altogether, your talking small percentages better then.
Why not use a set of Spalding instead of your Mizuno's?

MorganIRL

slave1 wrote: »

because we pay the asking prices

That's what I felt.. but as was said they are some sexy looking putters out there

MorganIRL

With regards price of putter, it was what I cud afford plus it felt nice. Still have the original grip, handy now it has my finger prints..

Why I don't play with Spalding's is probably cause bigger brands have I believe more testing done, as I have already said under the forces we put a club under trying to get the most out of it.. putters just have to be balanced and the weight has to suit u.. putter put under no extremes..

Captain_Crash

Years ago I was going trough putters at a rate of knots... one day I was buying a new driver, and was trying to haggle a little, to meet in the middle the sales guy threw in a sh*tty Dunlop putter that had a €20 price tag on it! I’ve not used another putter since!

dan_ep82

MorganIRL wrote: »

With regards price of putter, it was what I cud afford plus it felt nice. Still have the original grip, handy now it has my finger prints..

Why I don't play with Spalding's is probably cause bigger brands have I believe more testing done, as I have already said under the forces we put a club under trying to get the most out of it.. putters just have to be balanced and the weight has to suit u.. putter put under no extremes..

Nothing wrong with that, I used a Cleveland putter for a few years and refused to change for the same reason, I picked up a used Odysessy 7 one day and just wanted it. Really liked it until the face insert fell out, Callaway sent me a brand new putter after an email but with a slightly different neck design. My miss was always left due to the weight and face angle, after two years I decided to change. I had some spare cash due to covid so I had a decent budget and got the TM Spider X after trying it on the course a few times and loving it.


I would imagine the more expensive putters come with tighter tolerances just like the irons. The face weight,lie angle,feel and neck design are all researched where all the sports shop putters ( MD, Spalding,low end wilson etc ) seem to copy the more popular and expensive putters but don't feel as nice, have the same finish quality or look as good.


I don't think the forces they come under make a difference to be honest, I've yet to see a Spalding clubhead break. If anything the putter is more up to extreme forces as the more expensive ones are usually a solid block of metal.

MorganIRL

With so many gorgeous putters out there, I get a serious case of FOMO... And always think I shud change...

Mushy

Havent changed my putter in about 17 years (Ping pengyo), never felt the need. If I'm missing putts its cos my stroke is awful. Don't think a new one would improve my game, unlike a driver

dan_ep82

MorganIRL wrote: »

With so many gorgeous putters out there, I get a serious case of FOMO... And always think I shud change...

I used to have that issue with irons and woods until recently but never had that issue with putters. Very few feel nice to me which is a blessing I suppose.

PARlance

Mushy wrote: »

Havent changed my putter in about 17 years (Ping pengyo), never felt the need. If I'm missing putts its cos my stroke is awful. Don't think a new one would improve my game, unlike a driver

Does it have an insert on the face? I've a Ping Karsten Zing 2i that has their 'isopur face' for years and have never had an inclination to change since the first putt.

I wouldn't mind getting a spare of something very similar, just to have in case of an accident.

Mushy

PARlance wrote: »

Does it have an insert on the face? I've a Ping Karsten Zing 2i that has their 'isopur face' for years and have never had an inclination to change since the first putt.

I wouldn't mind getting a spare of something very similar, just to have in case of an accident.

No insert, but very similar to yours actually

MorganIRL

PARlance wrote: »

Does it have an insert on the face? I've a Ping Karsten Zing 2i that has their 'isopur face' for years and have never had an inclination to change since the first putt.

I wouldn't mind getting a spare of something very similar, just to have in case of an accident.

Just had a Google for mine.. good to see they still make it...... I think. Wilson prostaff triangle weight.. £39.. inflation I presume is the price increase in 10yrs+ :-)

redzerdrog

I treated myself to a scotty last year. Was looking for a change and really liked the the look and feel of it. I forked out the 400 quid but I hope to have it for years.

Since I started playing golf at about 18 iv had the following potters
Spalding blade putter that felt like a sledge hammer
Dunlop mallet that was like a fake odyssey 2 ball but one day I looked at the face and it was all over the place couldn't hit it after that
About 6/7 years ago I bought a Nike Method core and the first time spending 100 quid on a putter.
After a while I put on a fat super stroke grip but then last year i really struggled with distance control so wanted to go back to a smaller grip.

For me then I has happy to spend the money on the scotty as I felt it was something I could trust to be well balanced, well made, suits my eye and looks good.

bmay529

Whatever works best for you is the right putter regardless of price. I started with a Ping anser for many years, then moved to an Odyssey 2-Ball for many more years, then put a thick Superstroke 3.0 grip on it and for a few years now have used a Scotty. I always liked the look of a Scotty, which for me are all about looks, quality materials (stainless steel), quality workmanship, balance, feel... but you pay for the privilege. I tried several Scotties before I found one I am happy/confident with. There are a few putter brands in the same price range but Scotty has the name/history and marketing clout behind it... but I repeat if I had a €20 putter that worked for me it would be my gamer.

flanzer

Simple. 6 words. Drive for show, putt for dough

IHateNewShoes

flanzer wrote: »

Simple. 6 words. Drive for show, putt for dough

Lies I’m afraid.

Jimbee

IHateNewShoes wrote: »

Lies I’m afraid.

It would make for a good poll:
Drive the ball 330yds (felt 300yds wasn't that impressive) or hole every putt when on the green

IHateNewShoes

Well one thing for sure, I’ve never hit a putt OB.

Joeyjoejoe43

Jimbee wrote: »

It would make for a good poll:
Drive the ball 330yds (felt 300yds wasn't that impressive) or hole every putt when on the green

Putts all day long...

Although to be fair I'm a big hitter so distance of the tee is not an issue for me...

God, I can't wait to hit a drive I a few weeks!

bamayang

MorganIRL wrote: »

Well guys, can someone explain why they are so expensive. I have a mallet putter I bought in lifestyle sports over 10yrs ago.. it felt nice and was bike were the reasons I bought it, I'm a high HC but I putt ok, AVG just over 2 per hole.. while they all look lovely I can't see or understand the benefits of scottys and the rest?

I have a set of Mizuno JPX pros, I don't scrimp on other areas..

Simple, we associate higher quality with higher prices.

mighty magpie

MorganIRL wrote: »

Well guys, can someone explain why they are so expensive. I have a mallet putter I bought in lifestyle sports over 10yrs ago.. it felt nice and was bike were the reasons I bought it, I'm a high HC but I putt ok, AVG just over 2 per hole.. while they all look lovely I can't see or understand the benefits of scottys and the rest?

I have a set of Mizuno JPX pros, I don't scrimp on other areas..

Oddysey stroke lab have mostly been reduced to £129.
Picked up a 9 model as i think they're a lovely looking putter.

MorganIRL

mighty magpie wrote: »

Oddysey stroke lab have mostly been reduced to £129.
Picked up a 9 model as i think they're a lovely looking putter.

But out of interest how was ur old putter? How was ur putting?

As someone else asked. 300yds or 1 putt.. I'd take 1 putt all day..

mighty magpie

MorganIRL wrote: »

But out of interest how was ur old putter? How was ur putting?

As someone else asked. 300yds or 1 putt.. I'd take 1 putt all day..

I've a scotty newport 3 that i won (RRP at £330 when i won it) and 15 year old odyysey marxman that i got for £40.

I don't think the scotty improved my putting but it was new and shiny

I've bought the strokelab as another unneeded toy, my point was new quality putters don't need to cost £250+ but we all like new toys from time to time.

flanzer

mighty magpie wrote: »

Oddysey stroke lab have mostly been reduced to £129.
Picked up a 9 model as i think they're a lovely looking putter.

I'm actually on the look out for one of these! Where are they £129?

mighty magpie

flanzer wrote: »

I'm actually on the look out for one of these! Where are they £129?

Affordablegolf.co.uk

Auctherlonie lonies of st andrews (seen it on facebook)

Some models 129. Others 149

benji79

mighty magpie wrote: »

Affordablegolf.co.uk

Auctherlonie lonies of st andrews (seen it on facebook)

Some models 129. Others 149

Has anyone bought recently from UK sites? Is there custom fees on everything now? The likes of golfbidder & eBay probably the same too now, going to make it awkward to pick up decent second hand bargains