New Ultra-Light Putter Design – AircraftPutters.com

Today’s article was written by Stan Self the owner and designer of Aircraftputters.com.  Stan gives his view on a new way to look at putter design.

AirCraft Golf Designs Invites You to “Putt Relaxed.”

Golf advice can often be contradictory.  This is frustrating to golfers just looking for incremental improvements to reach their next scoring goal.  Multiple tips from an array of equally respected teaching and touring pros often emphasize very different points of view.  One observation, however, is universal.  That is that most amateurs use a grip that’s too firm.

No club’s performance is more compromised when gripped too tightly than the putter.   One legendary tour player has referred to putting as delicate work with a delicate instrument.  And he’s right.  The putter should be held with a light, relaxed grip.  When a putter is gripped too tightly, the head actually feels, and is perceived to be, heavier than it truly is.  And this works against putting accuracy; especially accurate pacing.  And pace is the key to consistent putting and scoring on the green.

Since 1960, Average Putter Weight Increased 55 Grams

Since 1960, the weight of the average putter head has increased by roughly 55 grams.  (Some newer extreme-weighted versions push the difference to well over 200 grams!)  Perhaps this move by contemporary putter designers actually forces a grip that’s too tight.  It makes sense that to hold a heavier object; one must tighten their grip on that object.  A putter is no different.

Find a golf shop with an inventory of vintage putters, some with hickory shafts or small thin blades.  Notice how that, even with an old worn grip, these lighter putters can be held and stroked in a more relaxed way.  Take note too of the way the larger muscles in the arms and shoulders remain relaxed when the muscles of the hand are more relaxed.  But just having a relaxed grip is not the point; also notice how much more control is maintained through the full putting stroke.

Today’s heavier putters are simply harder to control, both for pace and direction.  Also, the emphasis on managing the increased inertia of these weighty heads has compelled designers to create convoluted and overly-complex looking putters that are distracting at address to say the least!  Circles, multiple lines and other geometric shapes are just confusing.  AirCraft Golf Designs was founded to create a light-weight putter with an appearance that’s simple and easy to align to the target; one that promotes a relaxed grip and clear thoughts about that next putt?

Vapor Blade is 47% Lighter Then Average Putter

The Vapor blade putter is a truly lightweight, elegant design that will improve putting accuracy the first time that it’s taken to the green.  And the improvement comes from the player!  With a head weight that’s 47% lighter than today’s average putter and featuring a 40% reduction in total putter weight, the ultralight Vapor allows a much softer grip.  This relaxed grip will translate into relaxed arms and shoulders as well.

The result: fine tuning of pace comes naturally, and long lag putts are much more accurate; finally, fewer three-putts.  The pure blade design of the Vapor looks uniquely simple at address.  Finding the target line now matches the way we line up the rest of the clubs in our bag…the face of the club as a perpendicular line against the alignment of our feet.

CNC Milled from a block of aircraft grade 6061 aluminum and weighing just 178 grams, the Vapor’s head is mated to an ultralight graphite shaft .  This combination produces a more neutral weight balance that also enhances control while delivering a near perfect feel and sound at impact.  Like the lighter putters from 50 years ago, the Vapor too is bit more lofted at 5 degrees to get the ball up on plane and rolling quickly.

You’re invited you to change the way you putt by changing the way your hands and your head interact with the putter.  Take an AirCraft Vapor to the green, relax your grip and take control of your putts.

Putt relaxed.

Today’s article was written by Stan Self the owner and designer of Aircraftputters.com. Stan gives his view on a new way to look at putter design.