From time to time I write about a product.  My putting is, never has been what it should be.   Like many of you, I keep hoping that a new product will cure the bad putts.  I have found out through the years of playing various courses over the nation and beyond -  greens vary so much, that one putter is not going to work on all of them. 

Big greens to small greens challenge the golfer as he

changes courses.  The answer?  Adjustable weight

putters such as the Big Nickel. Especially for the

"traveling golfer."

I play a lot of courses with very fast bentgrass greens.  On fast greens my soft-insert mallet putter, no matter how easy I putt, it is still too fast – unless uphill.  My Nubbins blade putter has to be hit so hard on the large slow greens of some courses, that it throws the putt off line.  My conclusion after trying various greens with various styles of putters is – “one size does not fit all.”  Appearing on the market now are a number of putters that have the ability for the player to add or subtract weight, thus allowing the same putter to be played on fast greens one game, slower greens the next game.  Some of us who play on a writer’s tour play 18 holes in the morning on one course and 18 holes in the afternoon at another course with a totally different green speed.  Carrying photography equipment, clubs, and at times fly fishing equipment on the same trip can be a challenge that even one additional club is more than we want to deal with.  The putters with the ability to change weight of the head are the answer – at least it seems to me!

I have tried the  Smartputter – Big Nickel, and found it to live up to the challenge.   “The "Big Nickel" Programmable Smart Putter by Au Tech is possibility the most innovative and effective new putter on the market today. The patented breakthrough putter design can provide each golfer with the unprecedented selection of preferred putter swing weights, putter toe/heel balance and sweet spot configurations. These programmable features will give each golfer access to the best putter feel, fit, accuracy and consistency that suit his/her own putting style and stroke to achieve the optimum putting game.

First determine the "Best Putter Feel" by inserting equal number of weights in the toe and heel position to establish the ideal "Swing-weight" of the putter assembly. This weight regulates the important "feel" for distance perception and control by the user. It is different for each golfer, therefore, it must be accurately determined by trials on the green by each golfer. Golf week article.

The balance of the putter head to improve accuracy can be adjusted by transferring weights from the toe position to the heel or visa-versa without affecting the "feel" established above. If the tendency of the golfer is to putt to the right of the target because of his/her putting style or stroke, more weights should be transferred from heel to the toe position. Similarly, frequent putts to the left can be corrected by weight transfer to the heel.

The largest sweet spot to enhance consistency/forgiveness can be accessed by placing the weights at the extreme toe/heel positions to obtain the maximum moment of inertia. The innovative "Smart Putter" also allows a more central weight placement for users who prefer such a location. Simply adjust the number of spacers at the center to increase or decrease the size of the sweet spot desired.

Weights can also be added or removed to compensate for the speed of the green. Weights should be added or reduced equally at the toe and heel positions so that the balance is not affected by the change. More weights can be added to accommodate a slow green. Weights can be reduced accordingly to manage a fast green. This change readjusts the "feel" to manage extraordinary green conditions encountered by the golfer at different courses and in various geographic locations. Please note that USGA rules permit changes to be made prior to the start of a round. No changes are allowed during a round of golf in tournament play. The weight plugs should be tightened firmly but not excessively before the beginning of play.

As described above the "Smart Putter" clearly adds a new dimension to accurate putting that is not previously available to golfers, it is virtually like having a complete line of putters from which to select the best for each golfer. The "Big Nickel" Smart Putter by Au Tech conforms to USGA rules and is patented.

Heavy brass toe/heel cap screws give the highest MOI. Get the "Big Nickel" Program-able Smart Putter by Au Tech to enhance your putting game.”

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These putters can be ordered with a variety of shafts including center shafted, and shaft choices of steel or graphite.  Happy Traveling, Happy Golfing, and Happy New Year.