KniceZ

I'm not exactly sure why Nikko does it but I imagine it acts as a way to "late hit" as putting is really just like a super isolated miniature form of a drive. But that is something for another time.

As for your answers it sounds like you would like Gateways SS plastic (read up on their putters, they're all good), Pro D Challengers also sound like a nice fit. But use that criteria you listed and read on the websites of the companies about their putters. Then you can make a pick, but like I said Gateways and Challengers (beat ProD Challengers are awful nice). I may have more to post later...

"Does that make me a spin putter or some hybrid freak?"

There are certain components that are present in all putting styles. You are not a hybrid putter of any kind but you are either spin dominant or loft/push dominant. Realizing you're both is actually a step to getting a little better at putting. Knowing which one you are more of helps a little better. Your style sounds a lot like Nikko's "Swing Hyzer Putt". Also just as all putting can be classified as either spin or push they call all also be put in as either Hyzer or Anhyzer putting, this is something that takes longer to learn, figure out, and finesse. Youtube Nikko's putting and check him out to see if you like what he is doing. Barry Shultz also has a style similar to what you described. Also it sounds like you're push putting correctly by adding in the wrist flick.

"I've seen some of videos about push putting but every time I try it all I get a disc that wobbles / flutters toward the basket. I haven't figured out how to stabilize it without some spin."

Yup, you need some measure of spin. When it comes to the pros explanation of what they do they 1) forget a step/concept (because they do it all so much they kinda forget and 2) they leave something out on purpose because they don't want people to know it exactly or because it doesn't apply the way we think it does. So push putting does require some wrist. Just takes some finagling.

Start by reading here first.

So it goes a little something like this. Most Pro players, and darn near all top pros use Stiff, beaded, overstable putters in the 172g-175g range. Many top pros are also straight arm putters (or push putt/pop putt) and stiff putters are more advantageous to stiff arm putting. You can learn why this is so later.

So Process begins with thinking about this series of questions.
1) Do you like stiff or floppy putters? (straight arm putters usually use stiff discs, spin putters often use softer floppier discs)
2) Do you like bead or no bead? (some people don't like the feel of beads or think they cause release issues)
3) Do you like overstable or understable putters? (this is a separate question for driving/approach and putting)
4) Do you like grippy or smooth discs? (almost totally personal preference but to note most stiff putters are smooth and most soft putters are grippy soft)
5) Do you like shallow or deep rims? (this is more a matter of your grip and hand size)
6) Do you like Premium Plastic or Baseline? (the general rule of thumb is baseline plastic is best for a putting putter and premium is okay for driving and approach)

The most common putter plastics are Pro D, KC Pro, DX, Soft, Super Soft, Grip Line, P Line, XLink Soft, Xlink Firm. A few quick thoughts before I post other things later. Most of those pros I spoke of use a straight arm style because statistically it is more successful inside the 30ft circle that pros play by in order to be as good as they are. 30ft being how far they want to be able to make most of their shots from and anything outside that is bonus distance. A little more to come soon.

just got it. So what happened here is you posted on your wall instead of mine. It is easier to just do a back and forth kind of thing because there was nothing that notified me that you had responded.

On another note you'll like me then if you're an engineer. I'm a graphic designer with a bunch of engineer friends so I get the thought process. So its only over analyzing if its getting in the way of other things.

I'm very new at this, so maybe I've not even played enough for it to make a difference which putter I use. But I'd like to see your process. Maybe it will at least give me some ideas about what to pay attention to. Being an engineer I tend to over analyze everything anyway.

if you would really like some help picking a putter let me know. I have a small Q&A/process that has been really helpful to me and a few others when it comes to picking a putter (because it is a very weird thing).