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Head Of
Their Class Putters
Another year, another class of great putters that are filled
with technological advancements to help you sink more putts.
As years go by, club manufacturers continue to devise new
alignment aids, face inserts and construction methods to
improve the flat stick. Look through our yearbook of new
putter offerings and decide for yourself which putter is
most likely to succeed in your hands.
Freshmen Show Their Stuff
While they may not be new to the world of putting, they
probably are new to you. That doesn't mean they aren't
as talented as the established senior classes. They just
need a chance to show you what they can do and earn some
respect. This year's freshman class has some stars
ready to break out and make noise on tour and at your club.
STX Golf's original Sync putter was a futuristic
design when it was unveiled years ago. Now STX's chief
designer Robert Engman has introduced another work of art.
The newly developed Sync 3 has a unique, flat, squared-off
mallet back that distinguishes itself from any other putter.
Its modern geometric head creates angles that naturally
guide the golfer with setup and takeaway. An alignment stripe
is engraved and painted directly above the straight and
centered shaft to further aid with alignment. To control
ball direction and path, STX incorporates the same elastomeric
insert used on the tour-proven Sync 3. A 19-degree lie with
3 degrees of loft completes this artistic, yet accurate
putter.
AMF Professional, a brand within the AMF Golf family, features
a putter line that includes three distinct models.
The Pro Transfer Putter incorporates a Twin Metal Momentum
System that is comprised of four interchangeable brass and
anodized aluminum weights. Players can increase head weight
from 350 to 437 grams. AlignMass Interchangeable Weight
Rails run parallel to the target for easy alignment and
facilitate weight positioning.
The VMC Putter utilizes the patented Variable Mass Cavity
design with a precision-cast, high-strength aluminum head.
Three brass weight cartridges allow weight adjustments from
260 to 346 grams.
The Max Moment putter offers a high MOI design. High-density
metal is integrated into the extreme heel and toe of the
head. While the metal is less than 30 percent of the total
head volume, it represents more than 50 percent of the total
head weight.
Pinfire's Liberty Double Bend putter design is focused
on helping players get the ball to the hole. The putter's
long, ski-pole shaft and upright lie angle make testy lag
putts a cinch. The CNC-milled 6061 aluminum putter weighs
in at 360 grams and is adjustable up to 440 grams. The standard
weight kit comes with aluminum and brass weights. An optional
440-gram tungsten weight kit is also available.
Pilot Putters of Norway incorporates its patented Pathfinder
3-D Alignment System into its designs. The visual feedback
system gives the player an indication of whether the eyes
are in the correct position throughout a straight-back-and-straight-through
stroke. Pilot achieves the visual system by a simple geometrical
method of machining the alignment indicators onto the putterhead.
Unlike most alignment systems, Pilot's perfectly parallel
system is neutral in regard to the dominant eye. At address,
players only perceive the alignment means as perfect if
they are set up perfectly. If incorrectly aligned, the player
perceives a totally different image. The system allows players
to correct their setup during the practice strokes to get
it right before addressing the ball.
Q-Roll's new Classics line of putters utilizes the
company's Radius Face technology in a wide range of
the best head designs of the past. Radius Face putters are
designed to strike the ball above its equator to produce
immediate topspin and a true, more accurate forward roll
toward the hole. Each Q-Roll Classics one-piece putter is
milled from a brass/nickel alloy primarily used in Italy
for luxury plumbing fixtures. The brass/nickel alloy has
the same weight as 303 stainless steel but with a durometer
that is approximately 24 percent softer.
Another wallet-friendly putter choice is the Dunlop T-Line
Series of alignment putters. These putters feature a dual
face insert made of polymer and anodized aluminum, which
provides extremely soft feel and incredible forgiveness
on the greens. In addition, a fixed weight system in the
putters delivers an improved forward roll. The anodized
aluminum alignment system also helps golfers square the
putterface for improved confidence and accuracy. Three unique
designs make up the series.
Carbite Golf's all-new Z Series of putters offers
a nice price point and features a 350-gram head and milled
aluminum inserts. A mallet and blade are available, both
with a soft-satin, no-glare finish.
Increased back-end weighting provides a higher MOI in
the Daito Stealth, helping to reduce backspin and improve
resistance to torque or twisting on impact. Two finishes
are available for the Stealth — a black matte nickel
and natural matte nickel finish. The 350-gram putter is
made of an aluminum aircraft alloy and features a copper-nickel
precision-fit face insert that has a great feel and is responsive.
The Mentor Sports V-MOI Duet offers Open Accessory Mounting
System technology, which is a weight adjustability feature.
The philosophy behind the OAMS is to utilize as simple as
a geometry plan as possible for the component that is to
be inserted into the club. In V-MOI putters, that component
is a cylinder inserted and held in place by friction so
that it can be removed in a couple of seconds. The Dual
Alignment System has a long sight line and large profile
to help aim correctly. The putterheads are machined from
aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum using CNC-milling for precision.
Movin' On Up
Well-known putter designer Bob Bettinardi transferred from
Ben Hogan Golf this year and has entered into a multi-year
contract to design a line of milled putters for Mizuno.
The initial offering includes two series. The A-Series has
two face-balanced, mallet-style putters milled from 6061T6
aluminum steel. Both feature a low and deep CG, Bettinardi's
patented Honeycomb Face for consistent ball striking, optimum
3/4-inch offset, a unique proprietary sight line and an
anodized Storm Gray finish. The C-Series boasts four traditionally
styled, heel-toe weighted, pocket-cavity putters that are
precision milled from 11L17 carbon steel. These putters
incorporate a more traditional head shape, the Honeycomb
Face and 3/4-inch offset in a plated satin-pearl finish.
Following The ‘In' Crowd
For golfers who prefer to choose a putter from one of the
more well-known name brands, America's favorite golf
companies have some exciting introductions for the year
that are sure to win votes as the most popular putters on
the market today.
Nickent's original PIPE putter caught the eye of
golfers last year. The distinctive backward PIPE extension
on the oversized design proved to be an exceptional alignment
aid. Nickent's new PIPE Blade features a classic blade
shape yet still provides a high moment of inertia (MOI)
and low CG. The tungsten plug in the rear of the PIPE accounts
for 15 percent of the putter's weight and pulls the
CG as far back as possible. The CG placement combined with
the P-Line face insert produces less skid than many high
MOI putters and enabled Nickent to design a blade-style
putter with a substantially higher MOI than other blade
designs. Two elements differentiate the blade from the original
mallet. The PIPE section is 1/2 inch shorter, and the perimeter
bars of the mallet design are gone.
Although radical putter designs existed when Odyssey introduced
the 2-Ball Putter, there's no doubt the 2-Ball helped
launch the current oversized putter segment and ensured
its success. Now Odyssey has advanced putter design again
with the unveiling of its White Steel Tri-Ball SRT Putter.
A high-density alloy ring (Saturn Ring Technology) optimally
sets the Tri-Ball's center of gravity (CG) deep and
well back from the face to practically eliminate twisting
during the stroke and at impact. The lightweight milled-aluminum
body also allows more weight to be distributed to the perimeter
ring for a truer roll.
The 2-Ball alignment system has also progressed with the
addition of a third white disk that even more clearly defines
the target line at address. The putterface features Dual
Insert Technology that combines a modified White Hot urethane
insert with a milled stainless-steel insert for the precision
and accuracy of steel with the feel and distance control
of urethane.
For players who favor the 2-Ball feel and style, Odyssey
also released a White Steel 2-Ball SRT Putter.
PING continues to command accolades in the putter segment
with the G5i series of putters. Numerous advancements, including
a dual durometer face and new alignment features, set the
G5i putter apart from the rest. The new insert design, which
is available in the most popular PING models, features a
soft perimeter injected with a high duro-meter impact surface
for optimal feel and sound. The insert cavity is precision
machined to ensure consistency. Inertia increases average
10 percent across the new line and are due to redistribution
of weight resulting from the addition of thru holes and
sole cavities.
MacGregor now offers Bobby Grace's well-known Fat
Lady Swings putter in a new high-MOI design that's
infused with fresh technologies and new materials. With
a low profile, stepped and rounded mallet head design, high-polish
chrome sole plating, high-density copper sole inserts and
a unique beryllium copper face insert, the Fat Lady Swings
is shaving strokes from scorecards again. The clubhead is
milled from a solid block of 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum
for a lightweight, rigid and precise body. Strategic weighting
of the clubhead delivers a high MOI for stability and forgiveness.
Some 195 grams of weight in the heel, toe and trailing edge
move the CG deep and away from the face. This deep CG, triangular
weighting and high-MOI design hold the line and put a true
early roll on the ball, even on off-center hits.
Nike Golf unveiled its new Black OZ putters in three models
— an oversized mallet, standard-sized mallet and blade
style. The putters boast Dual Density Weighting by combining
a lightweight aluminum body with high-density tungsten weight
plugs. The configuration moves weight away from the clubface
to reduce skidding on all putts. In addition to enhancing
feel, the soft polymer insert keeps the ball in contact
with the face longer to promote a truer roll. The ultra-lightweight
polymer allows for enhanced perimeter weighting, which increases
clubhead stability. Each putterface is milled flat to precise
tolerances to improve accuracy and predictability across
the clubface. All Black OZ putters are face-balanced to
promote a square face at impact. Dual sight lines facilitate
squaring the clubface at address to keep putts on target.
Blinded By Science
Just like your old high-school class, where there were always
those students who excelled in science, the same is true
for putters. They may not have the marketing funds of the
big names in golf, but they have definitely spent money
in terms of research and development.
Optix Golf's MIR-1 can be used as a training aid
on the practice green and as a high-end performance tool
on the course. Featuring TRI-PRO Technology, the putter
has three components that increase muscle memory in the
putting stroke. An interchangeable flange with a mirror
surface on one side enables players to determine eye/head
position while practicing. Reverse the flange and the non-glare
side meets USGA requirements. The line engagement design
also identifies whether the putter is properly soled. An
interchangeable perimeter weighting system allows equal
weight distribution or variable heel-toe weighting. The
widely placed weight ports increase MOI, while a backward-positioned
CG reduces backspin and promotes proper acceleration for
a smooth stroke.
Guerin Rife's latest introduction is the limited-edition
Dana Quigley model that commemorates Quigley's 2005
Champions Tour Player of the Year title, which he won using
Rife's Two Bar blade putter. The new Quigley putter
has a black matte finish and bears Quigley's signature.
The company's horizontal grooved face technology with
specifically sized grooves allows the putter to gently press
into the cover of the ball and grip and lift it into an
instant forward roll. The reduced contact surface that the
grooves produce promotes a natural, soft feel that face
inserts attempt to emulate.
Yes! Golf added a new design to its stable of 15 C-Groove
putter models. Keeping with the tradition of feminine names,
the Carolyne putter is a face-balanced blade model with
a center shaft. Upon impact with the ball, the patented
concentric edges on the C-Groove putterface grip the surface
of the ball and apply physical forces that simultaneously
lift the ball out of its resting position and impart an
over-the-top rolling action, resulting in control, accuracy
and consistency. The putter is made of 304 stainless steel
and features a larger head for greater forgiveness on off-center
hits.
Ontic Golf's Tour Blade putter incorporates the company's
patented Dynamic Sole Technology (DST), which enhances putting
consistency. DST employs two balance bars on the sole that
promote a flat and square setup for solid, on-line putts.
The DST putters also resist rocking, which is typical even
with a slightly convex sole. A consistent, flat resting
position also sets the hands in the same position each time
to foster a more repeatable stroke. The unusual sole design
also reduces turf/grass drag when putting from fringe grass.
Fisher Golf's science is all in the multi-speed
insert technology. Its new TS-2 uses this same insert technology
so that golfers can custom match an insert to their stroke
and essentially match the putter to their game. The Fisher
Golf patented KevFlex inserts wrap the ball, providing a
true roll with great accuracy. The top of the putter has
sight lines for perfect alignment time after time.
Honoring The Past
To know where you're going, sometimes you have to
look at where you've been. Scotty Cameron took inspiration
from his birth year — 1962. The new Circa 62 putters
from Titleist's Scotty Cameron line reflect back to
a classic time in putters for their design inspiration.
The Circa 62 line has four putter styles, each precision
milled from soft carbon steel and finished in black oxide.
The soft carbon steel is responsible for a soft, responsive
feel. Cameron used the black oxide finish to represent the
aesthetics of that era in putter design. Expect the black
oxide to age over time for a classic look.
Cleveland's “Designed By” series approached
this year's line with an old-school feel, producing
two models — the 1905 Calamity Jane replica and a
1948 center-shafted true blade. Cleveland combined traditional
shapes with modern-day technology by incorporating its CMM
brand metal. This is the first foray of the CMM material
into Cleveland's putters after several years in the
company's irons and wedges. CMM metal is the first
dual composition, light-density metal on the market that
offers a noticeably softer feel despite being more solid
than typical forged or cast carbon steels.
Nothing honors golf's yesteryear like persimmon.
Louisville Golf's new STIMP putter incorporates three
pairs of weights that allow players to adjust head weight
to match green speed based on the STIMP measurement system.
Previously, Louisville offered three putters to correspond
to STIMP measurements of 8 (slow greens), 10 (average green
speed) and 12 (fast greens). The new persimmon STIMP putter
rolls all three putters into one, in a new larger putter
for increased MOI. The weights are positioned on the heel
and toe of the face, which also increases the MOI, for accurate
performance and solid feel. A brass insert and sole plate
are used to create a uniform feel and soft touch. While
the STIMP putter conforms with USGA regulations, changing
weights during a round is a violation of the rules.
This Is Heavy
Gym class may not have been that exciting, but doing some
heavy lifting may be more beneficial now than ever. Boccieri
Golf, maker of the Heavy Putter, has unveiled two Matte
Series putters — a blade model (Matte Series A-3)
and a mallet model (Matte Series B-3) — with a heel-mounted,
double-bend shaft. The putters feature the company's
original, patented weighting technology. The adjustable
tip weights allow the balance point to be fine tuned for
an optimal and consistent release through impact. The perimeter
weighting and increased mass in the head prevent the putter
from twisting on off-center hits. The weight also dampens
impact vibrations for soft feel. An additional 250-gram
insert in the handle raises the balance point. This protects
against wrist breakdown and engages the large muscles of
the upper body to promote a pendulum swing, resulting in
a more consistent path for precise direction and improved
distance control.
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