Everything you need to improve your putting
STX Putter
While the STX putter may not be a household name like
Odyssey or
TaylorMade, they
have been around since the 1970s. STX was originally famous for making lacrosse
sticks, and the only golf clubs they make are putters.But are these putters actually any good? In this article PGA Pro James Melcer finds out...
Putter afficionados may well recognise the iconic and strange design of the STX Sync Tour putter (pictured here) which was used by Jesper Parnevik and Seve Ballesteros. Rich Beem won the 2002 PGA championships using one of these rubber faced putters which were all the rage at the time.
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on an STX putter... |
Not in the US? Click here for eBay and Amazon listings for an STX putter in your region
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Putter afficionados may well recognise the iconic and strange design of the STX Sync Tour putter (pictured here) which was used by Jesper Parnevik and Seve Ballesteros. Rich Beem won the 2002 PGA championships using one of these rubber faced putters which were all the rage at the time.
Today, the mission of the STX golf company is to provide products that "go beyond industry standards and conventional thinking".
It's a lofty goal for a relatively small company and I'm immediately suspicious when I see STX's highly stylised advertising - perhaps too much of the budget got spent on the marketing and not enough on the putters themselves?
The 2012 STX putter range comprises four different lines so you'd hope that with this much choice, you'd be sure to find one that meets your style and performance preferences.
However - be warned - STX putter designs are quite far out there. They pretty much do two styles ... think either IKEA minimalist or extremely futuristic.
STX Insert Technology
STX has developed a proprietary technology called F.E.E.L., which stands for
Friction Enhancing Elastomer Layer. This special
face insert is the softest
allowed under USGA and R&A regulations. It's designed to keep the ball on the face of the putter as long as possible to increase the forward spin, reduce skipping, and increase overall feel. Although this is great on perfectly struck putts, some users have felt that the insert also imparts side-spin if your stroke is a bit off, or you catch the ball with a glancing blow.
This insert material was developed from the early STX Tour models which had three different versions of the insert with varying degrees of softness.
If you prefer a more traditional putter without a face insert, STX has also produced a milled stainless steel option with a unique diamond pattern on the face, more akin to a regular groove faced putter.
The ProFIT STX putter:
- The ultimate adjustable putter?
The ProFIT STX putter range certain does deliver something unique. This is the
most adjustable putter we are Best-Putter.com have come across. You'll find both
an interchangeable weighting system, as well as the three interchangeable face
insert in these high tech flat sticks. These different weights and face inserts combine to help you adapt to changing green conditions without having to alter your stroke. You'll benefit from the ability to control both how far your putter propels the ball, and this actually does work very well.
I saw immediate results with the different inserts. The black insert is for super fast greens, the red is for medium speed and the green for slow, nappy greens. They really do make the ball roll further with the same stroke. The downside is that the feel changes too, which means it would probably take quite a bit of getting used to.
Nevertheless, you'd probably be quite well served by this technology if you struggle to find the pace on markedly slower or faster greens than what you're used to.
How much you have to adapt your stroke and your perception of the speed of the greens when you change is something only you will know after some trial and error, but our feeling is that a "black today, green tomorrow" type of decision could do as much harm as good.
One thing's for sure - experimenting with different combinations of weights and faces is sure to keep you busy on the putting green for a few days!
Our only out and out criticism of the ProFIT range is that they're really not that attractive compared with the beautiful lines of a Scotty Cameron, for example. But what the heck if you hole bucket-loads of putts!
Xform Range
If all that adjustability isn't your thing, then the Xform line of STX putters might be more to your taste.Although they provide a more traditional design, the alternative STX style of minimalism is still to be found. The main bulk of the head of these putters are custom milled from 303 stainless steel and has a cool satin finish which helps reduce glare so you can focus in on your putt without having to squint even in bright sunlight.
You have a choice when purchasing an XForm range putter. You either go for their diamond milling pattern in the steel face or whether to go for an electric yellow soft feel insert. Personally I would go for the former every time.
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on an STX putter... |
Not in the US? Click here for eBay and Amazon listings for an STX putter in your region
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Do any pros use an STX putter?
You will find STX Putters in a relatively small number of bags on tours around the world, including some on the PGA and Nationwide Tours.The STX Sync Series in the late 1990s and early 2000s represented the high point of the company's tour usage, producing the bulk of their 12 PGA TOUR wins.
We wait to see whether their new innovation in style and adjustability can propel them back to these heights.
by James Melcer
Class A PGA Professional
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