With about 30 percent of the strokes in a round of golf coming from around the green, golfers everywhere have joined the craze to try out mallet putters. Some feature better alignment aids, some have a more solid feel than a blade and some just offer a look that might match a golfer's flair for the unusual or unique.
As usual, GolfTest USA put 27 mallet putters to the test, of which we'll report on a sampling of 10 putters. The test was conducted by evaluating six or seven putters at a time, by 60 golfers with handicaps that ranged from scratch to 25. The order in which a putter was used was randomly rotated for each tester. Testers were asked to be fair and unbiased in their evaluations. Along with the feel, distance control and accuracy of a putter, golfers were asked to pay particular attention to the alignment devices that make these mallet putters unique. The results are based on 10 categories, each of which was scored on a one to 10 system, with 10 being the best possible score. The overall average is a compilation of all categories combined.
Distance Control - Testers rated how much distance control they felt they had.
Alignment - Each tester was asked to rate the alignment characteristics of the putter.
Accuracy - The accuracy of the putter was rated.
Forgiveness - Testers rated their impression of the forgiveness of the club.
Sound - Each tester assessed the sound of the putter at impact.
Appearance - This rating included only the appearance of the putter.
Feel - Players judged how the putter felt during the putting stroke.
Design - The design features of the putter were rated.
Recommendation To Others - This was based on how strongly the tester would recommend the putter to a friend.
Overall Testers' Rating - Testers were asked to take into consideration what is important to them in a putter and give it an overall rating. (This is not an average of other criteria.)
For results on all 27 putters tested, visit golftestusa.com. Included in the 27 putter test were the Mitchell Studio Fit Brass Cup BC330, Aserta Eclipse, Nickent PIPE, Dead Straight SharpShooter, Pinfire Eagle-DB, Talon Series TS2 by FisherGolf, Rife Putters Two Bar, Louisville Stimp, TaylorMade Monza Corza, Odyssey Tri-Ball SRT, Wilson Kirk Currie KC III, Gaim G360, Carbite Tri-Weight, Yes! Olivia, Ping Craz-E G5i, Dead Straight Middleweight, Optix MIR-1, Nike OZ Black T100, Daito Genesis, Kane Klassics Bamboo, Yes! Victoria II, TaylorMade Mezza Monza, Aserta Monster, Daito Stealth, Kramski HPP 325, Mentor Sports V-MOI Duet and Founders Club Tour Tuned B-2. |
