HOT LIST 2007: BLADE PUTTERS

Gold (Editor's Choice)
PING G5i: Street Price: $115.; Specs: Eight models (Ally, Anser, B60, Mini C, Pal, Piper, Tess, Zing).; Key Technology: The trademark blue insert is actually two inserts in one. A firm urethane piece is set in the center of the face over a soft urethane back piece. Each of the eight models has a ball-shape back-cavity design to improve aim and alignment. The new Ally model opens the cavity to improve MOI.; Panelist Comments: "Not crazy about the look, but if you focus on the blade part of the putterhead, you realize this is pretty cool. The weight is great and keeps it nice and square. . . . Sound is a tad louder than I'd like, but it's the easiest to align of all the blades. The touch of a blade with extra stability.; Judge's Verdict: It works better in some versions (Ally, Anser, B60) more than others (Tess). The solid feel and heft is as good as it gets for a blade—and for a great price. It would be easy for the inventor of golf's most classic putter shape to languish in a vat of retreads. But the G5i line is true to its Ping heritage with tweaks in the right places. Ping's commitment to fitting cannot be overstated. It can be explained in three words: 10 lie angles.; Hot: With eight versions, everybody's favorite is in here.; Not: Holes in head will turn off original Anser and Ally fans.; Beginners can afford to start with a putter this good.; pinggolf.com

GOLD
NIKE UNITIZED: Street Price: $250.; Specs: Three models (Neo, Retro, Tiempo).; Key Technology: To enhance feel, the head and shaft are laser-welded as a unit, eliminating the use of epoxy. Nike researchers say the fused head and shaft transmit feedback to the user's hands that is more detectable than in epoxy-bonded putters.; Panelist Comments: "Cool factor is through the roof. A little heavy, but it never felt like the clubhead twisted on off-center hits. . . . Sits square. . . . The ball comes off the face nicely."; Judge's Verdict: This is something unique in a category of sameness. It must be tried.; Hot: Paul Casey's big late-season putts were Unitized.; Not: Only three lengths.; Laser-weld beam is about a millionth of a meter.; nikegolf.com

Gold
ODYSSEY BLACK SERIES: STREET PRICE: $285.; Specs: Three versions (#1, #2, #3).; Key Technology: The traditional milled-face putter is enhanced by a cut-away hosel, a tungsten flange designed to lower the CG by 19 percent and a urethane-dampening layer between the tungsten and the stainless steel.; Panelist Comments: "This is a solid-feeling putter. . . . Held the line really well. I could see better players being drawn to this club."; Judge's Verdict: It incorporates some of the intriguing technology from the solid TriHot line and adds the milled-face feel that's the standard for better players.; Hot: Nickel-plated finish looks like it should come with a matching.; Not: Could use a little more variety.; Odyssey's first milled, non-insert putter.; odysseygolf.com

Gold
ODYSSEY WHITE HOT XG: Street Price: $120.; Specs: Seven styles (#1 through #4, #6, #8, #9).; Key Technology: Taking its cue from multilayer golf-ball technology, the White Hot XG line features a resilient elastomer back insert and a thin, firm front insert. A cross-hatch pattern defines the center of the face.; Panelist Comments: "The balance was terrific. . . . Just the perfect weight for a putter. . . . It gave great feedback without a lot of work. Very stable on short putts."; Judge's Verdict: The nougaty feel of the insert is cushy as well as resilient, and the fresh lineup of New Age head styles gets us away from the same old thing.; Hot: Phil Mickelson's flanged-blade #9 is old-school cool.; Not: Head could be heavier.; Insert's total weight is one-fifth that of steel.; odysseygolf.com

Gold
TAYLORMADE ROSSA CGB: Street Price: $110.; Specs: Three models (Daytona, Lambeau, Sebring).; Key Technology: TaylorMade's line of blades features a lightweight seven-metal alloy insert that has 12 polymer-filled micro grooves designed to promote a more consistent roll. Heavy plugs in the heel and toe help improve the perimeter weighting for stability.; Panelist Comments: "Really good balance and it rolls superbly. . . . The ball does roll pure."; Judge's Verdict: It has a classy look with a healthy dose of technology, and the heel-toe weighting is amped up over your typical blade.; Hot: Grooves give at impact to soften the feel of the metal insert.; Not: Would like to see a few more options.; Weight of 335 grams is 10 to 20 grams lighter than others.; taylormadegolf.com

gold
TITLEIST/CAMERON STUDIO STYLE: STREET PRICE: $300.; specs: Four models (Newport and Newport 1.5, 2, 2.5).; key technology: Don't be fooled by the classic look. The milled stainless-steel body features an insert with a German stainless-steel top inlay that is backed by an elastomer insert and a pad designed to absorb vibration.; panelist comments: "The gold standard. . . . Insert doesn't have that doinky feel. It's soft without feeling like it's bouncing back. Good control."; judge's verdict: People who try to sell $300 putters are either crazy or Scotty Cameron. If they're Scotty, they're more than justified.; Hot: The way Cameron designs the sole to keep it sitting square.; Not: Grip is not for those with man hands.; German stainless steel is used in surgical tools.; titleist.com