Larry Bobka's Top 5 Putters Of All-Time

2nd Swing master fitter and legendary club builder Larry Bobka discusses his Top 5 putters of all-time. Bobka has worked in the golf industry for nearly 40 years as an instructor, club designer, and club fitter.
Bobka has chosen five putter models in particular, over decades of putter technology and innovation that make up his top 5 putters. Does your favorite make the list?
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[@maz_mtb3266]

Larry has so much knowledge. I did my fitting with him about a month ago, walked out with a Newport. Obviously you guys can see outside here in MN and know that I have only been able to carpet roll it so far, but I've really been liking it compared to the Odyssey I had before. Can't wait to use it on the course this spring!

[@golf_is_a_happy_place9990]

Great review of Larry's view on best putters and insight to putting history. My first real putter when i was more than a beginner was the Wilson 8882 back early 90s, i loved it, went through a various mallet type putters, from 2010, then got fitted for a Scotty Cameron in early 2020 & love being back to a blade, Newport 2...

[@terrorfactoryfilms]

Great video, thanks for the historical perspective on putter evolution! I started out with my dad's old 8802, then had a Ping Pal 2 in high-school, then a MacGregor Bobby Grace V Foil, and just got my TaylorMade Spider X last summer. Hah...looks like I had almost all the bases covered!

[@2ndswing]

Wow thats a great lineup of putters! Thank you for watching Jim!

[@jasonkelley6185]

Really enjoyed the history lesson. Thanks!

[@robertadams7751]

No mention of Ray Cook, he was the first to put lines on the face of putters in the 60s, innovated & revolutionized putters from there on. No Bullseye is another huge omission.

[@alistairs8495]

I didn't think I'd understand the Anser to be the beginning of the MOI craze, how's that for perspective. Plus you get a little cultural history with things like the 1969 Masters win and David Pelz. What a great video! 2nd Swing is Awesome.

[@robertcress2457]

Enjoyed this, thanks

[@2ndswing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stephendibari5010]

Awesome video ! I have the same navy blue Spider X custom ordered without the black line.. For me the wide white center stripe is all I need,. 32.5 inches, 3 deg flat. ORdered the weight kit and put 12 grams in each corner and also Had to put lead tape on the sole to raise the SW to near D5.. it was delivered too light about C8. ive been putting lights out with my Evnroll ER2 since March 2017 (same specs) especially on putts from 10-25 feet, ARCCOS stats are showing +2.2 compared to a 0 handicap (I’m a 1.4). The variable width grooves really work ! So why would i even by a Spider X ? Addicted to this game ! The Spider X feels amazing as does my ER2. i like the Counterbalanced feel of the ER2 better, so it will be interesting to see which one stays in my bag !

[@DJRyanWalker]

I got a 2 ball for my 18th Birthday in 2002 and it’s still the putter I use today!

[@jacobmccain8082]

Have owned all of these styles over the years. Keep coming back to the Anser/Newport shape.

[@fossil-bit8439]

Yeah me too! I’ve tried others and keep bagging my Ping Anser with the sound slot!

[@golfendeavor8267]

Have to agree with the selection. Sold my Scotty „blades“ but kept the Anser. Playing now a Scotty Phantom X which is comparable with the Spider. Think mullet putters are the way for us average players.

[@dsbgolf]

I have many putters, I'm intrigued by the science. I love to play with the golf equipment, tear it apart, refit it etc. I find it a lot of fun.

[@2ndswing]

That is really cool! Would be interested to see what is inside of some golf clubs!

[@andy66l97]

Excellent!

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching!

[@TheEugenelee13]

Great putter memories. Hard to argue with the list, but might have thought the Bullseye would make the list. Have you tried the L.A.B. lie angle balanced putters? Maybe the next generation?

[@joebailey7028]

Bullseye

[@mptemplin]

My top 5 putters of all time,, no specific order.... Bullseye, Wilson 8802, Ping Anser, Odyssey 2-ball, Nike Method

[@steviewonder2492]

This was great! Irons next? 😆

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching! We will add that to our list!

[@CaribSurfKing1]

Scotty milled ping shapes into softer metal to increase feel and got Tiger to win 15 majors with one

[@jimsaddler942]

SPOT ON! 👍

[@govtfunded]

Found this video just now. Ah, how it all works. Scotty Cameron is a great friend, I see..... that makes it more clear why Bettinardi was completely left out of this milled putter conversation.

[@joecool152]

great list but i would probably add the odyssey #7 fang style putter. It is still played by many tour pros today.

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching Joe! The odyssey #7 fang style is very popular!

[@jamestown4867]

My pick for the most influential head designs are (before watching past 8802) are: 1. 8802 style “L” blade in a George Low Sportsman Wizard 600. 2. Acushnet Bullseye. 3. Ping Anser. 4. Odyssey #7. 5. Taylormade Spider. I heard that one of Tiger’s putters is the most collectible (expensive.) I wonder how much “White Fang” would go for?

[@jamestown4867]

Watched the vid. The 2-ball definitely should be on my list.

[@randyposs6281]

I bought used sabertooth for 15 dollars

[@joelane2845]

Larry, Does a short slant neck hosel like on a Newport 2.5 help someone who tends to pull their putts more than a plumber’s neck? Thanks!

[@rexwinjane]

The Bullseye should be in the mix

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching! - Thomas

[@graemetaylor4149]

Lots of mention of the Bullseye in the comments but the Bullseye followed the identical Golden Goose. John Letters released the Golden Goose in 1946 and John Reuters released the Bullseye in 1947 so the original influential putter was the Golden Goose. However, i agree with surprise at the Ram Zebra not being included. The SC Newport is just an Anser knock off so would not make my list.

[@jaredfehrens6988]

As a beginner, I’d love to see a top 5 drivers ever. Or even better, top 5 most forgiving drivers. Something for less than $150

[@2ndswing]

We will add that to our list! Thank you for watching Jared!

[@2Eaglez]

Really like the Ping B60, wish it had a milled face.

[@oatechaosincycles]

I think the beginning of the next revolution can be seen in the LAB, Axis, and maybe a little of the SIK and 3d printed putters.

[@donsmnc5319]

Agree with 4 of the 5, SC may have modernized it but it still is the Ping design only with 4 or 5 times the costs and 10x snob appeal

[@jacobmccain8082]

Ping makes great putters. Cameron also makes great putters especially now that he's back to one piece milling. He also happened to make the market of $300+ putters that every mfg makes these days when NOBODY did. All the great premium putters available today should thank Karsten and Scotty. Also Tiger if we're being honest about it.

[@cammmend6046]

Might put the Odyssey Dual Force Rossie ii instead of the Scotty. It started the insert craze while combining a mallet and blade hybrid. The Scotty is just another iteration of the Ping Anser

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching! - Thomas

[@glennprichard6513]

Truett Mills handmades we’re the best, smooth as butter. Karsten and Truett were the pioneers along with a few others. Cameron copied their designs using modern technology. George Lowe’s Wizard 600 (Nicklaus used this putter for a large portion of his victories) Arnold Palmer’s “The Original” and yes the Wilson 8802 (yes copied by Cameron for his Napa model).

[@2ndswing]

Thanks for watching. Those handmades were something special - Thomas

[@toddmfd]

No mention of the Billy Baroo

[@seancoxe1094]

I can't believe after 40 years in the business, that Bullseye wasn't on your list. Oh, and no offense to your buddy Scotty Cameron, but his greatest claim to fame is that he never saw a putter he wouldn't copy--only for many times the price of the original, including the Bullseye, initially for Titleist and later on his own. Also, no mention of Ray Cook or T.P. Mills, both of whom contributed much more to putter evolution than Cameron ever did.

[@marvinchang7077]

Scotty Cameron is just a copy of Ping Anser, instead how can u forgot the Odyssey Rossie

[@Teglove]

I have taylormade spider and I absolutely hate it. As a newer golfer I have 0 distance control with it. Pull back has to be so precise or it's going 5 ft past the hole.

[@2ndswing]

You may want to consider a blade putter rather than a mallet it could be the weight and mass that leads to distance control. Another thought is find a putter that has a soft inset. Possibly a PING Sigma 2 Anser putter - Thomas

[@Teglove]

@@2ndswing wow thx for the reply! I was considering Evnroll ev2 I think it was gets rave reviews

[@Lowtech14]

I’d swap the Newport for the Bullseye

[@cameronloveless1751]

No Bullseye? 😥

[@fossil-bit8439]

I was surprised too! That is such an iconic putter that was actually pretty revolutionary!

[@jamielahugh8316]

Hard to disagree with those 5.

[@kiwiveritas]

Funny how the spider looks very much like the Never Compromise voodoo daddy from years ago.

[@2ndswing]

Thank you for watching! - Thomas

[@SvingitGolf]

No Zebra putter.

[@killemall69]

Still hate when guys say golf is all core, uh huh sure

[@stevew2396]

I guess he doesn't think much of the stand up putter. I think in 20 years younger people will be amazed that a putter was used that wasn't able to stand up on its own. And that all golfers 14 and younger were not required to wear a helmet while playing or caddying. Except in Florida where kids weren't allowed to play golf until Tiger Woods legacy could be erased from the internet.

[@geoffcohen613]

bullseye putter not in your best 5 .

[@2ndswing]

Bullseye is for sure a classic - Thomas