My putting has been up and down this year and a couple of times it has prevented me from going low during a round when all other parts of my game were firing on all cylinders. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is more frustrating than missing short putts for par or (gasp) birdie.
Last week, in my doctor’s office, I came across your standard run-of-the-mill guaranteed to work “best tips ever” article in an older issue of Golf Digest… or was it in Golf Magazine… I get them confused these days. One of the tips was to keep your head down over a putt until you hear the ball go in the cup. On a whim and with nothing to lose, I tried it on the practice green the next day. I started making everything I didn’t look at. I did the same thing on the course and promptly carded my low round of the year.
Evidently, I’m not alone. Christina Kim and Sean O’Hair must have read the same article…
Now we amateurs get flooded with tips and most of them do more harm than good. But I’m here to tell you that this one is a keeper. It has taken me a long time (and about ten thousand range balls) to come to the realization that this concept is important no matter what club is being used. I posted last year about keeping a level head to maintain spine angle for the full swing and it’s still one of my key swing thoughts. I just never thought of applying the same principle to my putting.
One point of emphasis -- Ms. Kim is a great player and I will never play at her level. But, I do respectfully disagree with her on one thing. I believe it is necessary to see the putt roll. Otherwise, you’ll never gauge the break and the speed which is important if you miss and have to make the come back putt. Then again, CK probably doesn’t miss as often as I do…
Click on the video below for a demonstration by Master PGA Professional Denis Pugh on when to take a peek and his take on why it’s important.
If you have trouble keeping your putter face square through impact then give this tip a try. Just not when you’re playing me for $2 nassaus.
The Cobra Baffler Rail H appears to be slighter larger than it's DWS predecessor
I’ve had my Cobra Baffler DWS 4 Hybrid a long time and it is one of the most important clubs in my bag. I use it off the tee on tight par 4’s and long par 3’s. It has become my go-to approach club from between 180 and 200 yards out. The Baffler is my rescue club to get back into the fairway when I’ve hit into long rough or into a stand of trees. I’ve even chipped with it from off the green.
I’ve resisted the urge to replace my old trusty friend because it’s like a warm security blanket in all those situations – the golf version of a woobie. But that was before I tried the new Cobra Baffler Rail H Hybrid.
Pros
Compared to my old Baffler, the Rail H club head is slightly larger but it has a sleeker appearance at address because the steel face insert is now a carbon black color that effectively blends in with the rest of the crown. It looks more like a small fairway wood versus an over-sized iron. Deciding which is better is purely a matter of opinion and ultimately player preference.
The topline of the Cobra Baffler Rail H is changed for 2010.
The Rail H feels slightly lighter than the DWS and as a result I found myself swinging a little harder (not always a good thing). The feel is very substantial/solid on center contact, but that’s not a huge change from previous models. The Fujikura Motore is a very good stock shaft and proved to be smooth and extremely stable.
Cobra has decided to go with stronger lofts this time around (22 versus 23 degrees for the 4/H) and the ball flight was lower and about five yards longer. The most significant change other than aesthetics is the new four-way rail sole which according to Cobra “relieves more contact area for improved turf interaction.” I found the Baffler Rail H to be considerably more forgiving off the deck and from the rough. I had a tendency to hit the old model a little fat when my swing was off. That has been all but eliminated with the new sole design.
Cons
My biggest gripe about the DWS model is it’s draw bias. I have snap hooked it at times with disastrous results. This new Baffler feels more neutrally weighted, but I still had a much easier time drawing the ball than cutting it.
The club head cover is a little loud for my taste, but that is a minor annoyance. Club head covers can be replaced.
Final Word
The Cobra Baffler Rail H is one of the best and most versatile hybrids in its class. The sole design alone is worth an upgrade for current Baffler owners. I will have a hard time sending this one back. My woobie is scared. It’s days may be numbered.
The Cobra Baffler Rail H retails for $150 and is available in lofts of 17, 19, 22, 25, 28 degrees. To visit Cobra’s website for more information and complete specs, click here.
