Byron Putter Rail

[Z-MAN]

One of the very best training devices out there there for a on plane putting stroke... $40.00 plus shipping.

[Z-MAN]

Does anyone want to test this out and write a review on it?

[Z-MAN]

Nobody wants to try this?

[simmons_m]

Steve - can you describe how it is supposed to work?
Thanks,
Mike

[Z-MAN]

It keeps the shaft on plane. All good putters do this. Its also a good device to practice chipping with. I use mine all the time and my  putting is much better.

[RobotDoctor]

Would the putter rail hone a straight-back / straight-through stroke as opposed to a gate stroke?

[Z-MAN]

It works on both styles. Even a well known instructor at Puttertalk has a very similar rail in his studio.Plus here is Stan using a shaft just like you use the rail.

[502 to Right]

Steve - I would give it a try and write a review if you want me to.  I have the putting arc as well (which I use frequently) and have previously owned a Stan Utley Learning Curve so I have some things to compare it to.

Obviously, given the above training aids I've used I'm an arc putter.  I use an Anser 2 style putter.

[Z-MAN]

Super..send me your address and I will get one out to you.

[502 to Right]

PM sent.

BTW just tried the concept on my indoor putting green with an extra shaft taped between two boxes.  I like it. I also tried it at the same time with my putting arc and it tracks the arc perfectly.  I like the idea of my putter head being "free" during the stroke but still ensuring the shaft and head are on plane.

[ramylson]

I'd be interested as well, if you need anyone else. 502 is actually pretty close to me as well, so we could probably meet after he's finished the trial if you're interested. If nothing else, 502, I'd be interested in taking a look at it and giving it a shot..

[502 to Right]

No problem.  We could meet at Ironwood.

[Z-MAN]

The rail is on the way..

[CourtGolf]

Zman - it looks like it folds up, or do you take it apart to carry around ?  Nice, simple tool to to take anywhere.  Your invention ?

[Z-MAN]

No this is a Byron . The legs screw off and it is pretty easy to move. This would be a great tool for teaching Pros  and putting greens. The rail is also used by John Anselmo

[CourtGolf]

Very cool - looks like it would be worth a try.  Does it come with anything to hold it in place on carpet ?  Still looking for reviews ?

[Z-MAN]

Not yet . That might be a good idea. I actually had a few demos out a few years ago. I will dig up the old post..

[ramylson]

No problem.  We could meet at Ironwood.

Sounds good. Let me know when you receive the piece, and we can set something up..

[CourtGolf]

keep us up on it - looks like a great tool

[502 to Right]

Putting rail arrived.  Will give it a spin this weekend.

[razaar]

Run a pvc pipe about 12 inches off the ground. Lean the shaft up against the pipe and swing the putter along the pipe. Shaft stays on plane.

Strategy & Technique - Eyes over the ball.

[ramylson]

Putting rail arrived.  Will give it a spin this weekend.

IM'd you my cell. Give me a call when you might have a second..

[502 to Right]

ramylson - Just sent you a pm.  It may be easier for me to ship to you.

Steve - I've completed my testing of the putter rail and will send on to ramylson.  I will post a review this weekend.

[CourtGolf]

Well get to it !!  We need reviews !!! :-)

[502 to Right]

Tried the putter rail and liked it a lot.  I have an arc stroke and this allows you to do that.  In fact, I laid down my Putting Arc to use at the same time as the putter rail and they match up.  Once I had the rail set up and properly aligned on my basement green I could not miss a 10 footer.  It really allows you to feel the proper stroke.  I also like that it controls the putter head without having the head running along something like you have with the Putting Arc or Learning Curve, where the heel of the putter runs along the training aid.  The rail allows you to feel like the head is free when making a stroke.

I will say that the rail was a little larger than I thought.  It is 38 inches long which is too long to really put in your golf bag (maybe it would fit in a staff bag but I use a stand bag).

One good thing is that it is very sturdy and should not bend or get broken easily.  Also, way the rail sets up it is easy to use on carpet without moving.  The weight of the shaft pushes the lengs into the floor so movement is not a problem.

Overall, I think this is an excellent putter training aid.  If modifications were to be made in the future, I would recommend making it a little shorter to increase its portability.

[Z-MAN]

I was thinking that myself. Outstanding suggestion.

[CourtGolf]

38" sounded long - but I put my 5 iron on the floor and I could see myself making that length stroke...but not very often.  It does seem a little long.  Couldn't hurt to have a little more compact stroke.
 
Any projected release date ?

[Z-MAN]

I have 20 of these that are ready to go .  We can make changes when we make a new batch.

[CourtGolf]

I'm a big boy - carrying the original won't hurt me.  Sign me up !

(Hershel Walker, back in 1980, carried the ball 40+ times in one game.  After the game, an interviewer asked him how he managed to carry the ball that many times.  His answer was, "the ball isn't that heavy.")

[502 to Right]

38 inches is a bit long but I don't want to leave the impression that it's that big a deal.  It's too long to use on the practice green and then disassemble, put in your bag, and then hit the course--but it is not a problem to use at home or to use on the green and then take back to your car before you start your round.

[drewspin]

can the top rail be easily cut to a shorter length?

Nice review!!

[Z-MAN]

I will try and cut one down.NVgolfdude had a excellent idea about buying carry bags for the rails.Still looking for the right carry bag

[nvgolfdude]

I did a little research and found that the photograpy bags, specifically tripod/light stand bags are very reasonably priced and would do the trick.  For instance, Davis & Sanford make a 34" tripod/light stand bag that is padded and very affordable ($20.00).  So, shortening the rail to 30" would do the trick and make for a very nice package if sold with the carry bag...

I will try and cut one down.NVgolfdude had a excellent idea about buying carry bags for the rails.Still looking for the right carry bag

[razaar]

made my own plane guide out of some scrap lumber, pvc pipe and steel pegs..works OK and cost $4.00.

[Z-MAN]

Good job.. I just made one at 30 inches. I will show pictures when it dries

[CourtGolf]

raz - can the ball get past the footings ?  the thing I noticed about Z's frame is that there is nothing going forward from the bar that might interfere with the putter or ball.

[razaar]

Court

Because the bar is 12" high there is plenty of clearance for a ball. I consider it important to rest the shaft very lightly on the bar or better still just off the bar so that it is you that keeps the shaft on plane and not the bar. I saw somewhere where somebody was using it for chipping....chipping requires some turn....maybe putting with an iron, fairway wood?

Ray

[nvgolfdude]

We're still waiting Z-Man.   

 

Good job.. I just made one at 30 inches. I will show pictures when it dries

[Z-MAN]

I have to redo it

[razaar]

It would be interesting to try this training aid with the plane rail.
http://www.flatsticks.com/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=74

IMO this device would be necessary to get the full benefits of the rail.

Has anybody tried this combination?

Ray

[CourtGolf]

why would you need this device to get the full benefit of the rail ?  concerns about turning the face through the stroke ?

it looks like it's an attachable version of the Zen putter.

[razaar]

Court

The concept of this device is to instill a feeling of keeping the putter head off the ground for a level strike...centre of gravity of the head meeting the centre of gravity of the ball...at an even pace.  The rail only keeps the shaft on plane; it really doesn't do much for a level strike. Get the idea?

Ray

[CourtGolf]

Court

The concept of this device is to instill a feeling of keeping the putter head off the ground for a level strike...centre of gravity of the head meeting the centre of gravity of the ball...at an even pace.  The rail only keeps the shaft on plane; it really doesn't do much for a level strike. Get the idea?

Ray

Ah - when you 'splain it that way - it makes great sense !

[ramylson]

Tried the putter rail and liked it a lot.  I have an arc stroke and this allows you to do that.  In fact, I laid down my Putting Arc to use at the same time as the putter rail and they match up.  Once I had the rail set up and properly aligned on my basement green I could not miss a 10 footer.  It really allows you to feel the proper stroke.  I also like that it controls the putter head without having the head running along something like you have with the Putting Arc or Learning Curve, where the heel of the putter runs along the training aid.  The rail allows you to feel like the head is free when making a stroke.

I will say that the rail was a little larger than I thought.  It is 38 inches long which is too long to really put in your golf bag (maybe it would fit in a staff bag but I use a stand bag).

One good thing is that it is very sturdy and should not bend or get broken easily.  Also, way the rail sets up it is easy to use on carpet without moving.  The weight of the shaft pushes the lengs into the floor so movement is not a problem.

Overall, I think this is an excellent putter training aid.  If modifications were to be made in the future, I would recommend making it a little shorter to increase its portability.

Well, I received the putter rail prior to the holiday, and was able to mess around with it a little bit finally this past weekend. 502 really did give a good review, as I have a lot of the same sentiments.

First, construction. Very well made, and very sturdy. This is definitely a piece that will last, and it's nice that it collapses down through removing the legs. While it would be nice if it was a bit more compact to fit into your standard stand bag, it wasn't overly difficult to take the disassembled pieces to the green when I was going to practice with it. The storage bag that everyone has talked about would only help matters even more.

Now, results. Prior to getting this, I really had been struggling this year on the greens. Long story short, I was manipulating the head of the putter to much, which was leading to inconsistent results. I've been trying to follow Utley's methodology more, and this training aide has helped immensely. It's allowed me to feel the club head more through the stroke, by eliminating the throught of trying to keep the club on a particular path. The results have really been immediate, athough there's still a long way for me to go with practicing with it, to own the swing. But, the results I'm getting are much better than they were previously.

Personally, this is something that I'll be purchasing and using throughout the winter to improve my stroke.

Another quality piece from Byron..

[nvgolfdude]

Thanks for the putter rail that you sent to foreleft53.  I've seen it out on the green a couple of times and in the pro shop.  I hope to use it this weekend myself.

Have you had a chance to refinish the new putter rail for us to see?

I have to redo it

[Z-MAN]

I had a little problem with the smaller rail. I ran it over with my car and had to redo it. I will get new pictures today.

[nvgolfdude]

OK, now that's funny... 

I had a little problem with the smaller rail. I ran it over with my car and had to redo it. I will get new pictures today.

[CourtGolf]

ok - good information - don't run over the rail with the car.

will there be a warning label ?

[Z-MAN]

New pictures.. I just happened to take them after they aerated the greens.Maybe there should be

[foreleft53]

Thanks for the putter rail that you sent to foreleft53.  I've seen it out on the green a couple of times and in the pro shop.  I hope to use it this weekend myself.

Have you had a chance to refinish the new putter rail for us to see?

I have to redo it

Quick story.
I go up to the front office at work and I'm told that I have a box.  I'm not expecting any box, so I'm a bit confused...  I pick up this box that looks like a club box and walk back to the golf shop.  While I'm walking the box is rattling.  Now I'm REALLY confused... 
I open up this box to find some green and silver "rods".   Talk about looking like a monkey trying to solve a math problem.  Baffled is a word that comes to mind.   
After about 30 min. of trying to figure out how to put this contraption together, I find the "BYRON MORGAN" on the side of this beast.  LIGHTBULB!!!
On to puttertalk I go and find the answers to all my questions!!!!
I have used this as a teaching aid and it is really quite amazing.  This is one of the few teaching tools that touches all three teaching methods.   
GREAT WORK again from the boys at Byron Morgan.  Thanks for sending it out to me...   Instructions on how to put it together would have saved 30 mins. of my life though