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HOT LIST 2007: MALLET PUTTERS
1
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Gold (Editor's Choice)
- ODYSSEY WHITE HOT XG 2-BALL SRT
- Street Price: $200.
- Specs: Eight Versions (White Steel, White Hot and regular 2-Ball).
- Key Technology: The 2-Ball uses golf-ball-size discs on the top of the putter to help the user align square to the target. The SRT has an alloy ring that pushes weight away from the center of gravity in the aluminum head, providing support and increasing moment of inertia.
- Panelist Comments: "It has become the standard others are measured against. . . . This well-worn design just keeps getting better every time they redo it. . . . The insert is an improvement over the White Steel in terms of feel."
- Judges' Verdict: It's almost impossible to remember what putting was like before the 2-Ball. It's not a gimmick, certainly not in its latest technological form. The ring improved moment of inertia last year, and the White Hot XG insert creates a favorite feel this year.
- Hot: Subtle brushing of finish doubles the alignment capability.
- Not: Last year's delivery problems were an issue. Will they be resolved this year?
- Don't dig the XG insert? There are other options.
- odysseygolf.com
2
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Gold
- NIKE UNITED TECHNO
- Street Price: $250
- Specs: One model.
- Key Technology: The 303 stainless-steel Techno improves MOI by stretching the clubhead's rear perimeter. The clubhead is laser-welded to the shaft (creating a single unit) to eliminate the use of epoxy and enhance feel.
- Panelist Comments: "I like the way this sets up. It inspires confidence. Has a great alignment line and highlighted face. . . . One of the few putters I've tried where I set it down, and it goes right where I want it to."
- Judges' Verdict: An MOI monster, the Techno neatly marries new-school technology and old-school feel.
- Hot: The milled face is a major bonus.
- Not: That's a lot of sole to navigate.
- No one else has tried this shaft-head bond.
- nikegolf.com
3
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Gold
- ODYSSEY WHITE HOT XG #7
- Street Price: $120
- Specs: One model.
- Key Technology: The #7 takes the idea of a traditional heel-shafted blade and expands the concept with two prongs that extend from behind the heel and toe to improve stability. The insert has a resilient back pad and a textured front piece.
- Panelist Comments: "This model is well-balanced. It looks great at address—I can line it up perfectly—and it has a true roll. . . . Kind of a Vlad Dracula look, but the shape is functional."
- Judge's Verdict: The distinctly different shape takes mallets in a new direction and maintains a feeling of stability through impact.
- Hot: The fangs are great for picking up the golf ball.
- Not: No lie angle options.
- Insert based on multilayer golf-ball concept.
- odysseygolf.com
4
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Gold
- TAYLORMADE ROSSA MONZA
- Street Price: $180
- Specs: Three models (Monza Corza, Mezza Monza, Mezza Monza Center Shaft).
- Key Technology: A triangular frame and adjustable weight cartridges in the rear of the putter help increase stability. The face features 12 micro grooves designed to reduce initial spin.
- Panelist Comments: "There's zero manipulation needed at address, and it produced a consistent feel on distance. . . . Seeing the open space makes me feel I have to hit the putt in the center of the face."
- Judge's Verdict: Don't let the contemporary design fool you. The neat thing is that it feels like an old mallet.
- Hot: Seven-metal insert has a nice click.
- Not: The alignment feature doesn't stand out enough for some.
- Special ingredient is urethane in the grooves.
- taylormadegolf.com
5
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Silver
- COBRA OPTICA SL
- Street Price: $160.
- Specs: Two models (heel-shafted, center-shafted).
- Key Technology: A urethane section designed to minimize vibration connects the forged 6061 aluminum face to a steel perimeter bar. Fiber optic dots are designed to help with alignment.
- Panelist Comments: "Kind of fun-looking. I like the balance, and the dots are easy to line up. . . . I had no idea they made putters this good. The optic line makes you wonder where the batteries go, but the T-square look helps alignment."
- Judge's Verdict: It's not the most romantic look, but it has a solid feel.
- Hot: Aluminum-urethane-steel mix works for feel.
- Not: Green glowing dots dull in bright sunlight.
- TruGlo fiber- optics idea came from gunsights.
- cobragolf.com
6
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Silver
- HEAVY PUTTER B SERIES
- Street Price: $200-$250.
- Specs: Three models in both matte and original finish.
- Key Technology: The entire putter (grip, shaft and head) is more than 1 ½ times the weight of a conventional putter, and the balance point is 75 percent higher. This is designed to improve stroke consistency.
- Panelist: "I can't believe I like this beast. It's not pretty at address, but the stroke is. If I had a putter just for three-footers, this would be it. . . . No finesse. Put it in motion and pray. . . . Even on mis-hits, it's buttery soft."
- Judge's Verdict: We mock what we don't understand. This thing works.
- Hot: A new matte finish is pretty spiffy.
- Not: Day-Glo green hosel in B2-M version is a bit much.
- The yips die here.
- heavyputter.com
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