It’s winter time in the Midwest, and golf just doesn’t mix well with snow. It’s a sad fact of life around here. Since I can’t get out on the course for a few months, I thought I would take some time to really work on improving the parts of my game that don’t require a full swing. One thing that I struggle with is my putting stroke. I know I’m not alone on this one. I’m not a habitual three putter, but it happens more than I like. Also, I just can’t seem to convert on those mid-range putts for birdie or to save par. Many times I feel as if I just don’t have a very consistent stroke. My ability to judge distance isn’t bad, but I always seem to be a few inches from sinking those important putts. When I look at the path my putter is traveling, it ranges from straight back and straight through to slightly gated to jerky to smooth… You get the point. Izzo Golf sent me a device that was designed to smooth out the putting stroke and help golfers nail a few more putts. If you have the same struggles as me, please have a read and see how it worked.
According to Izzo, the EZ Roller:
• Eliminates deceleration through impact zone
• Creates a pendulum swing
• Regulates length of backswing
• Promotes proper alignment
• Improves putting accuracy
Initial thoughts:
No doubt about it, the EZ Roller is a unique looking device. It’s basically a putter with no face. It’s weighted, gripped, and shafted like many other flat sticks, but it has a round head with a hole in it that you place over a golf ball. At first, I wasn’t really sure how to even hold it, but once I read the directions, it was easy to figure out. One thing I appreciated is there was no set-up. All you have to do is unwrap the EZ Roller and it’s ready for use. The only negative that I noticed out of the box is that the grip, while shaped like a conventional putter grip, is a bit harder than anything I would use. Then again, this isn’t a $150 putter, it’s a training aid.
How does it work?
The short answer to that question is that it works really well and it’s easy to use. Then again, I’ve never been known for short answers. You can use the EZ Roller on just about any flat surface, but I would recommend a putting mat or a real life green (what is that?). Obviously, I’ve been using it on the putting mat due to the weekly blizzards in my area. You set up just like you would to take a real putt, but you place the head over your golf ball instead of behind it. All of a sudden you’ve got a very mobile, rolling device that moves around quite easily. Next, you align the sight lines towards your target. After you are all set, you take a normal putting stroke. If you are lined up and release the ball correctly, it will roll right to the hole. If you are misaligned or release at the wrong time, your ball will travel left or right of the target. If you don’t accelerate enough, you will end up short. At first, this all took some getting used to, but after awhile I got the hang of it. One thing I liked is that you get the sensation of rolling the ball toward the target instead of hitting it toward the target. The whole process seemed much smoother than my herky-jerky putting stroke.
So, does it work?
Good question! As I mentioned, I’m not going to be on the course any time soon, so I can’t say whether or not the EZ Roller has helped me reduce the number of putts I take in a round. One thing I can say is that I’ve gained a better idea as to what a good putting stroke should feel like. I’ve found that a quick warm-up with the EZ Roller translates to a better practice session with a real putter. So much so, that I’ve decided to start bringing it to the course so I can use it on the putting green before my rounds. My stroke has really smoothed out from the mess it once was. I’m a feel player and once I get the correct feeling in my body I can replicate it. The EZ Roller seemed to make it easy to find the feeling that I was looking for. If it works as well on the course as it does in my basement, I might be able to avoid those rounds in which I struggle to get my stroke going until the back nine.
In Conclusion…
In my opinion, the EZ Roller does three things really well. It promotes a smooth putting stroke, assists with alignment and helps to groove a proper release. In other words, it does everything that Izzo Golf says it will. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked and look forward to seeing if it helps me shave some strokes from my game. For more info, check out the company’s website at www.izzogolf.com. The EZ Roller retails for 49.99 or less and is available from the company or through many online retailers.
Pretty slick to get a look inside the golf lair of one of THP’s testers! this was a great read Hawk, well done.
Outstanding review! I LOVE the addition of the video!!
We have a putting green in our house and I think this might go on the holiday list. I could use all the help I can get with putting.
Hawk — Great review man! The Izzo putting trainer looks like a great tool, for getting the putting stroke honed.
Awesome review man, I will be picking one up these up shortly!
Excellent review Hawk, I look forward to hearing some long-term reviews of this aid. Happy Putting!
Well done with the video Ryan!! What an excellent addition! A great compliment to the rest of the review which in itself was top notch! Awesome review!
Great job with the video Hawk! It looks to work as advertised………your video made it easy to understand how it might help improve your stroke.
Nice review Hawk. I love that you included video in it.
Excellent review! The video really helps to clarify the article. Thanks Hawk!
Very nicely done Ryan H. Excellent, informative review and love the golf lair. Was that a product placement on your head? haha
Great review Hawk! I am loving the video with it. It really helped me understand exactly how it worked.
Nice review Hawk. Looking forward to seeing the long term effects. Nice video too!
Great review, and I too, liked the video that went with it. Looks like a decent product.
You talked about the grip, why not take it off and put your normal grip on it?
I was really glad that you included a video. Despite your excellent review, I just couldn’t imagine how in the world that thing was gonna work. Now, I might actually have to consider purchasing one!
the review was okay, wasnt that great, as I don’t think it actually worked for you, nonetheless the training aid might be okay for some of the higher-handicappers out there or pple who just have trouble putting. Still, getting out on the practice green with your actual putter and practicing properly is what is going to get you better. It’s not the time of practice that gets you better, its the quality of time you used that makes you better, and this is not 100% quality practice.
Great job! Love the video
crazzy, thanks for your reply, but I’m confused by your comments. You say that you don’t think it worked for me, yet you never saw my putting stroke prior to using this product. Then you say that it could help some high handicappers. You may not know me, but I am a high handicapper that has struggled with getting a consistent stroke. I’ve never had any instruction on putting mechnanics and am mostly self taught.
As far as practicing on the putting green, I would love to. Sadly, it’s not going to happen where I live for a few months. I understand that putting on a mat is not the same as a real green, but it is certainly helpful in some regard. Also, what I mentioned in the review was that it helped me warm up and get the feeling of a smoother stroke so my practice sessions could be more productive, not that I planned to use this in place of an actual putter.
Thanks-
Ryan H.
Hey Ryan…..I just picked one up on Amazon for $43. I need something to do indoors this winter in NY and working on my putting is the perfect way to feed the golf addiction. I’ll let you know how it works out for me with the Izzo.
Great review. I am googling this right now. I think this is exactly what I need for those rainy days.
Spectacular review Hawk, it’s been said already but the video helped a lot. Keep up the good work!
Nice review. I like the idea of indoor practice.
WOW, great video buddy, you’re really brining it to the readers of THP. I really liked your review and think that it could definitely help a lot of golfers out there. Great work!
Good stuff Hawk! Love the man cave!
What is the difference between a 5 day and 7 day golf club subscription?