Do 'soft' plastic putters catch chains better?

[PBokor]

Simple question: Do the softer variants of plastic grab chains better than the harder ones?

I'm asking because I really like the chain clinging my soft proton seems to provide, but not the initial wobble as it leaves my hand, especially on long putts. Firmer feels better and softer yields less splashes. :wall:

What think ye?

 

[Broken Shoulder]

Deflect vs deform.
I think it's a very small factor in choosing a putter. If you're comfortable with something, you'll make it work.

 

[elmexdela]

The weirdest thing!

My plaz ion SPITS OUT ALL THE TIME.

Yet I smash aces with my speed 13 drivers they all stick, AND they are sharper, harder plastic, and coming in at a million miles an hour faster.

 

[HarkeyPuck]

XT AVIARS!! Grippy yet still firm

 

[biscoe]

the one that hits where you are aiming the most is the one that goes in the most. worrying about anything else is just too much info.

 

[Jenga54]

just look at all the pros putting soft plastic...

 

[BogeyNoMore]

Honestly don't think they grab chains better, but do think softer plastics deform more on impact, absorb more energy, and thus, result in shorter rebounds.

But the real reason for selecting soft vs stiff putters is how they feel in your hand, personal preference, and resulting confidence. All putters are designed to stick when you hit chains squarely. The correct putter is the one you can do that with most consistently.

Find one that feels right to you, and commit to using it. Say to yourself, "this is my putter." Not saying they're all the same, but ultimately, it comes down to the putter...not the puttee.

 

[Halcón]

4S from Gateway. It literally has a sticking action on the chains. But it also sticks to your hand, which makes a consistent release nearly impossible.

 

[SaROCaM]

Not saying they're all the same, but ultimately, it comes down to the putter...not the puttee.

So you're saying they should be like...puttee in your hands?

 

[DiscJunkie]

Most of the pros, in my observation, use a stiffer plastic on their putters - KC Pro, DX, baseline whatever, etc
The next biggest group uses a semi-stiff blend, maybe X, or Star or Pro blends.

In my experience, a good putt will stick no matter what plastic you use (I use Ringers in Soft X and ProD).

Really, comfort and confidence are FAR more important that plastics.

 

[mentos]

i have all sorts of plastic and rubber blends for putting, and i will echo that it comes down to feel and personal preference. i like stiff, hard blends to putt with, and softer ones for approaches.

 

[Pymm]

I went from soft putters to harder putters progressively. I have putted with a Fluid Judge for quite a while now and see no reason to switch. It seems like the perfect blend of grabby and stiff.

 

[thrembo]

I like the soft Challengers, but every chain or metal hit seemed to take a little bit of it away. Conversely, I made a 60 footer yesterday in the wind with a stiff old Z Hornet. Under normal conditions, I use Ions and Anodes for most putting applications. They seem to have a nice balance of firm/soft.

 

[VictorB]

https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2781021&postcount=42

the important thing is to maximize how you putt for the type of plastic you like to use (or vice versa)

 

[curmudgeonDwindle]

This topic is interesting. I recall when DGA came out with Gumb-putts and Blow-flys, both super soft putters. Fairly early on, Innova experimented with some Aviars, pre-runners to the P&A line, that were so soft and flexible, I could only describe them as 'gooey'.

I, like many people, like to think soft putters catch better but I'm not sure if science backs me up here. In the same line, I don't think the softness of the putter actually helps one makes a greater overall percentage of putts - which is really what everyone's after, including Wysocki.

The big 'decider' for me is the overall firmness of the disc, especially the flight plate. I've decided that as far as the actual disc goes, a firm disc is required to consistently release well...

 

[Aim For The Chains]

Nope. Like broken shoulder said there are pros/cons to but neither stiffness is superior to the other in catching. Hell i dont even find a difference from premium plastics to baseline in that regard.

It is really all about where you hit the chains/basket and angle of the disc.

 

[BlueMonk]

I'm only in my second year of playing and I'm not a very good putter. But I experimented with putting using a variety of plastics and found that the R-Pro Aviar made a real difference in my results. I don't know if it's gripping the chains, collapsing more upon impact, or both (most likely). Also, for some reason, I tend to release the putter more straight and on-target with the soft R-Pro than other plastics. Some of that is probably just familiarity, but I gave the others a chance and the gap didn't narrow.

I use a pitch putt technique and I'm putting the disc firmer and faster now than I did a year ago. I'm curious to see if my preference for soft plastic changes as I improve. But for now, I have to answer "Yes" to this poll.

 

[BuiltTooLong]

I believe a softer putter will stick just a tad better, however that is mitigated by the inconsistent feel in your hand. The #1 reason Pros use stiffer putters is so it "feels the same in my hand every time". If you are able to hit the sweet spot more often with a disc that feels consistent in your hand, you are better off than forcing yourself to use a softer putter just because it sticks marginally better.

 

[Shamis]

I think the softer putters grip the chains better, but they also need to have a grippy exterior. Like a slippery putter is worse than a stiff putter. All that said, the stiffer putters fly more consistently, and get a more consistent release. So I think the best putter is a very grippy firm putter.

However, I keep a very soft putter in the bag for instances when I want to reduce the chances of a missed putt from rolling away, like when I'm putting on the side of a steep hill.

 

[PMantle]

Not exactly sure on sticking to chains, but I see more bounce outs on mach baskets with firm putters.