Has your putting gone stale? Well, it may not be the archer, it may be the arrow. And the data proves it!
Ok, well, not exactly. Yes, your stroke may still have issues. You may not be able to read greens. But sticking with the putter you have may not be the best decision, either. Switching putters is one of the easiest things you can do, and it might help more than you think!
This is according to data provided by Dr. Sasho Mackenzie, a biomechanist and the co-founder of the Stack System app. Sasho looked at how 152 golfers performed before and after they switched their putter during their in-app test.
Here's what they found...
💡 Key Finding #1
Sasho found that golfers improved by almost 0.3 strokes per round in their first five rounds with their new putters compared to their last five rounds with their old one.
💡 Key Finding #2
Golfers didn't just get better immediately after switching putters. The uptick in performance lasted up to 10 rounds after they first switched. They actually improved even more with their new putter between rounds five and 10.
There are a few potential reasons for this:
- Yes, maybe it's a placebo effect.
- Perhaps there is some intangible 'change of scene' effect that comes with looking down at a new putter after struggling.
- It could be that the new putter, prompted by poor performance, actually fits your stroke and aiming patterns better than your old one.
- There could be something else going on here. Perhaps you're practicing more with your new putter than you did with your old one, for instance, and getting better as a result.
Regardless, switching putters when your old flatstick goes cold seems to help. A third of a stroke may not sound like a lot—but it is. That's almost one stroke lower off your score every three rounds.
You're welcome for the excuse, and go enjoy that new flatstick.
Hey look, a link to the putters section of our 2025 Hot List!