[Putters] Breaking in Putters

[KeithMiller]

I really need to get my putting game on track, so I just purchased 5 new aviar putters, the same weights as my JK pro that I use in my bag. My question- is there any good way to break in putters outside of general wear? Each of these putters is really rigid and I want to get a more flexible feel as quickly as possible with them. What do you suggest?

 

[Midnightbiker]

Go to a park and lay out a "tree course" After hitting 18 trees they should be well broken in. Also, play a whole round somewhere with just your putter.

 

[blang]

I personally do not know of a good way to break in putters outside of what Midnightbiker suggested, but I would like to make another suggestion when you play with 5 putters. You also want to make sure that whatever you do to break them in, you do it to all discs evenly.
I am currently playing with 6 different Wizards and the one thing that I am trying to do is make sure they break in at the same rate. I have put a roman numeral on the bottom of each disc so I will be able to rotate all discs for round play. I have also considered putting a dot on the bottom of each disc for each round played for the occasions that I play multiple rounds per trip just to make it more even. I know this is not what you were asking but I thought even break in, would be just as important to you if you are using 5 discs for the same purpose.

 

[JR Stengele]

I use two aviar (BB, AND REG) for my main putters but would like something for the 50 + foot range putts. Do you think a Challenger would be good for this? The new ESP FLX?

 

[Casey 1988]

I had two of the Jawbreaker plastic Magnets and after asking somebody online if they get a tad softer over time I did 10 second in microwave 10 seconds in freezer. I did this cycle 3 times then used them a bit hitting a pole practice putting. That is how I broke that disc in. If it was a baseline plastic or ones like it, I would recommend only 1 of the cycle and maybe even only 3-5 seconds in microwave starting with lower amount. If it was old Pro D before 2006 or any plastic like that I would just putt really close to a basket over and over hard to break it in. Now other plastic like Champion I would only do 1 pass of the cycle of 10 seconds in Microwave and 10 seconds in freezer. The Pro, X, and like plastic I would say same as baseline. Star plastic I would do 1 or 2 passes of the cycle but check to make sure it is where you want the disc. G Star I say do not do as those disc are fairly soft for a disc anyhow and just throw them at a tree, wall, or bolder over and over again. Stiff plastic like KC Pro use a tree or basket method like the stiff old pre 2006 Pro D Plastic.

 

[zontar]

3-5 minutes in the microwave and they'll be plenty soft.

 

[Grippenripp]

Wouldnt 3 minutes in a microwave melt a putter? Doesn't seem like this information was worth the Necro-bump. Idk use your putters, they break in it's really very simple.

 

[Streets]

Just don't stand too close to the microwave while nuking your putters

 

[VictorB]

Hopefully there's no metal flake in the stamp, or you could end up with a melted putter.

I found out the hard way once that there was metal flake in the print on a napkin one time, started a fire in the microwave

 

[Keller]

3-5 minutes in the microwave and they'll be plenty soft.

Yeah, I tried this wives-tale once, after 30 seconds it blew a hole in the rim and splattered melted plastic.

Maybe it depends on plastic, but it's a lesson learned and I won't repeat it.


Just go to a wooded course and play an afternoon of putter only rounds. It will improve more than just your putters too.

 

[Streets]

Yeah, I tried this wives-tale once, after 30 seconds it blew a hole in the rim and splattered melted plastic.

Maybe it depends on plastic, but it's a lesson learned and I won't repeat it.


Just go to a wooded course and play an afternoon of putter only rounds. It will improve more than just your putters too.

So your saying dubious advice about microwaving your putters didn't work!?

 

[ru4por]

Find a putter you can use, out of the box. Then when they "break in", read worn out, in my book.....donate them.

I think depending on a set of putters to reach their sweet spot, is simply providing an excuse for putting woes.

 

[Grippenripp]

Find a putter you can use, out of the box. Then when they "break in", read worn out, in my book.....donate them.

I think depending on a set of putters to reach their sweet spot, is simply providing an excuse for putting woes.

I can see this. My wizards work fantastic out of the box. But with a little time they become something mythical. I love my broke in twins. And have replacements for them. But I can use them brand new without much difference. I do agree with you slightly though about SOME people looking for excuses. A buddy of mine has a fresh putter every time we play (2x/month) and hes compkaining about it's not sweet yet. Ask him what happened to the brand new one he just bought that shoukd have 2 weeks wear on it. "Ummmmmm", riiiight.... STFU and miss your putt dude. LOL

 

[Jimb]

3-5 minutes in the microwave and they'll be plenty soft.

If this post wasn't tongue in cheek then I take back my thumb.

 

[Streets]

I prefer to bake my putters in the over @ 350 F for 14-16 minutes. I take them out and poke them with a toothpick and if the toothpick comes out clean, I know they are JUST right for putting.

 

[Keller]

If this post wasn't tongue in cheek then I take back my thumb.

Iv'e seen it posted quite a few times before, so apparently some folks have tried it and probably ruined a few discs along the way. :gross:

 

[tbird888]

If the plastic is too firm, the microwave isn't going to help. The plastic would just cool to be firm again. I really don't think anything but use will soften the plastic.

 

[tylerc]

Just reverse osmosis some oil into them

 

[Three Putt]

If the plastic is too firm, the microwave isn't going to help. The plastic would just cool to be firm again. I really don't think anything but use will soften the plastic.

Heat might actually break down the plastic a bit, so you can leave your discs outside in the sun to soften them. I had a friend who used to leave Wizards in the back window of his car prior to SSS plastic and it really did seem to work. His Wizards were crazy/soft compared to the roof-shingle stiffness they started with. It took a long time, though. You had to leave them in the car for quite some time.

The story I heard about Gateway creating SSS plastic was that George Smith was Gateway-sponsored and liked a really soft putter, so they were leaving Wizards out in a practice basket in Dave's yard to soften them up for him. They decided to just create a plastic that soft out of the box for him, and it sold.

I always assumed that was where the microwave myth came from, trying to quickly reproduce the sunlight trick. I think the sunlight either breaks down the plastic or it's the process of heating/cooling repeatedly that works. The microwave seems like a really bad idea.

 

[SD86]

Heat might actually break down the plastic a bit, so you can leave your discs outside in the sun to soften them. I had a friend who used to leave Wizards in the back window of his car prior to SSS plastic and it really did seem to work. His Wizards were crazy/soft compared to the roof-shingle stiffness they started with. It took a long time, though. You had to leave them in the car for quite some time.

The story I heard about Gateway creating SSS plastic was that George Smith was Gateway-sponsored and liked a really soft putter, so they were leaving Wizards out in a practice basket in Dave's yard to soften them up for him. They decided to just create a plastic that soft out of the box for him, and it sold.

I always assumed that was where the microwave myth came from, trying to quickly reproduce the sunlight trick. I think the sunlight either breaks down the plastic or it's the process of heating/cooling repeatedly that works. The microwave seems like a really bad idea.

Didn't Ken Climo put discs on the roof of his house to let the sun heat them up?

And agree that microwaves are not a good alternate way to accomplish what the sun does to discs....