Brick + Mortar Putting

[RxGus]

I ventured into a B+M establishment today to pick up some new golf balls and as I always do I ventured to hit a few irons, swing a few drivers, and take a couple of putts. What I was surprised to discover was...

I hit 5/10 putts from ~25 feet.

I tried a different putter. 5/10 from the same distance.
Picked up a different putter. 4/10. 5/10. 7/10.

Has anyone noticed that they make a TON more putts at a B+M putting green than outside? I am naturally skeptical of a lot of things so I started to hit really slow putts on a line I KNEW was off and all of the balls filtered back toward the hole at the end.

So here is my questions- am I making a fool out of myself or is there a subtle break towards to holes so people make more putts? It makes sense. I just hit 5/10 putts from 30 feet. I NEVER do that. If I buy this putter I can do it all the time!

 

[Smallville]

I've heard that before Gus from a lot of people. I notice that I too putt better inside a store.

 

[Barberakb]

I wouldn't put it past them. Almost everytime I go in a store someone is always trying to steer me torward particular clubs. That's why I hate shopping for them.

 

[JRod]

This is like Dicks launch monitor...no matter how crappy you hit it it's always 300 yards with a baby draw on their monitor.

 

[_JL_]

Sounds logical to me.

 

[Spank818]

Yes there is a funnel effect at all the B&M's that I've been to. To find out I also did the same thing and rolled (not putt) some balls intentionally on a line a couple of inches off the hole on multiple sides and voila there was a funnel effect. Some are less discrete than others.

 

[thedue]

This is like Dicks launch monitor...no matter how crappy you hit it it's always 300 yards with a baby draw on their monitor.

I've noticed the same at my Golf USA. There is no way I am hitting this 7 iron 175 consistantly, lol.

Gus, I think there are places that do this, but guessing most don't, or at least hope not. If every putter was making the putts I'd be buying the cheapest one.

 

[thedue]

Yes there is a funnel effect at all the B&M's that I've been to. To find out I also did the same thing and rolled (not putt) some balls intentionally on a line a couple of inches off the hole on multiple sides and voila there was a funnel effect. Some are less discrete than others.

Wow, that seem's crazy. It would hurt their sales with me, lol.

 

[RxGus]

Wow, that seem's crazy. It would hurt their sales with me, lol.

I think the point is you aren't supposed to notice...

I am sure that it does wonders for sales but it really rubs me the wrong way.

 

[thedue]

I think the point is you aren't supposed to notice...

I am sure that it does wonders for sales but it really rubs me the wrong way.

Seem's hard not to notice when your making 30 footers with everything, lol. My last B+M bought putter worked so well at the store, but not worth a darn on the course. However, none of the others at the store worked as well, so I can't say it was the store tricking me. If they can, I'm sure they will try.

 

[blugold]

I have a store by me that actually put runners under their putting green to creat some break. When I am putter browsing/shopping I never go to see how many putts I make, I try to listen to how the ball rolls off of the putter face with a new putter. I see if the putter fits my swing path. I also try to gauge the feel of the putter.

 

[Kmac]

Ive noticed this too. If I buy a putter after putting with it at GG I give it a 75% chance of getting returned. Actually now it gets added to the collection instead of getting returned. But they never seem to putt as well on the course.

 

[Hawk]

I am an in-store putting savant. Truly an exceptional putter.

 

[Kmac]

I am an in-store putting savant. Truly an exceptional putter.

You think youd win indoor championships? I know I could. Any putter, any time.

 

[RxGus]

This is like Dicks launch monitor...no matter how crappy you hit it it's always 300 yards with a baby draw on their monitor.

The funny thing is that this GG's simulator was actually tamed BACK.
I couldn't get a 6i longer than 155 (it is my 165 club) and my Driver SS was registering at 89-92 mph. I know through bridgestone fittings and through the Demo Day that my driver ss is 108-110. I was shocked- I was expecting to see 300 yard drives but couldnt break 250!

 

[Hawk]

You think youd win indoor championships? I know I could. Any putter, any time.

I'd win easily, then take the winning putter as a prize. Later on, I'd head to the course with it. Then I'd come here to try and unload it in the WTS Forum.

 

[One-T]

I have a store by me that actually put runners under their putting green to creat some break. When I am putter browsing/shopping I never go to see how many putts I make, I try to listen to how the ball rolls off of the putter face with a new putter. I see if the putter fits my swing path. I also try to gauge the feel of the putter.

I am the exact same way, I focus only on feel and my distances(if I am able to putt the ball to the hole). Those are two things a golf shop can not mess with. Going in the hole is irrelevant