Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2020 - 11

KLASSE
BELISLE
Putter Preference
A
VANARRAGON
HOLMGREN
* BY JOSEPH OBERLE *
Picking a putter is a personal decision for every golfer-including
these top local amateurs.
mateurs don't " putt for dough, " but they're still good putters. A golfer's partnership with their putter is unique and personal-
here's a glimpse at four local amateurs' fl at stick journeys.
Leigh Klasse
Leigh Klasse (2019 Senior
Women's Player of the Year)
is loyal to her clubs because
they are to her. She's wielded
just two putters in her career:
" The one I was given to start
with and the one I picked, "
she says. For Klasse, proof is
in the putting.
Putter: Odyssey
Dual Force 770
(blade)
Hosel: Heel shafted
Grip: Winn Dri-Tac Midsize
Pistol Grip
Why so few putters?
I'm very attached to my putter.
I feel like it's the best club
in my bag, and I can make
anything with it. It would take
a lot for me to change this
club.
Why is choosing a putter
so important?
Putting is a huge part of
the game, and if you can't
put the ball in the hole you
can't score. Putting is about
confi dence, and having the
right putter in your hands can
make all the difference.
Cecil Belisle
Sometimes your fi rst putter
is your best, and 19-yearold
Cecil Belisle (2019
Junior Boys' Co-POY with Ian
Simonich) has used the same
putter since the 8th grade. " I
just tried a few out, and it's
the one that felt most comfortable
in my grip. "
Putter: 2016
Scotty Cameron
Newport 2.5 (blade)
Hosel: Plumber's neck
Grip: Scotty Cameron Pistol
Grip
Any tips for finding a
putter?
Know what you want in fi nding
one. It may take a while to
fi nd the one that works best
for you. You want to like how
it feels and looks when you're
putting.
Can the right putter make
you a better putter?
Yes, the putter that fi ts you
the best will help you be a
better putter. But it takes a
lot of practice to improve your
skills and get results.
Kathryn VanArragon
Kathryn VanArragon, the
2019 Junior Girls' POY,
changes her putter every
couple of years because she's
been outgrowing them. " I
changed them when they were
getting too short for me and
the club was no longer level on
the ground when I set up. "
Putter: Rife
Iconic Z Vault 001
(blade)
Hosel: Offset
Grip: SuperStroke Pistol GT
2.0 grip
How hard is it to find a new
putter?
I was lucky to have an easy
search process because I
really liked my brother's putter.
But try a lot of different
putts of varying lengths to
see if you can control the
distance and direction.
Should golfers put time
into finding a putter like
other clubs?
They should put even more
time into fi nding putters
because you use your putter
more than any other club.
If you have the right putter
set up, it can combat bad
tendencies, such as pushing
or pulling the ball.
Van Holmgren
The putter journey of Van
Holmgren (second in 2019
POY points) may sound
familiar to some amateurs.
He knows the relationship
between the golfer and their
putter may have subtle breaks
and undulations.
Putter: 2014 Scotty
Cameron Newport
Select 2 (blade)
Hosel: Plumber's neck
Grip: SuperStroke 2.0 grip
Why do you prefer a blade
putter?
It's simple, and if I miss
a putt I know it's my fault
rather than the club's. I
often test new putters, but
becoming familiar with one
putter is important to me.
Understanding tendencies
with each putter is key to
becoming consistent and
avoiding bad days.
Are you superstitious
about your putter?
Superstition isn't in a good putter's
mentality. With the right
mechanics and a good mindset,
the ball will do what you want.
No club is perfect, and often
people try fi nding a new one
the moment their current one
isn't working. My putter has
been in and out of my bag six
times and keeps coming back.
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