HOT LIST 2007: MALLET PUTTERS

Silver
NEVER COMPROMISE GM2 EXCHANGE: Street Price: $230.; Specs: Four models (heel- and center-shafted).; Key Technology: Adjustable weights housed beneath a removable soleplate allow the user to customize the weight between 320 and 370 grams. Each head features an aluminum-composite face insert.; Panelist: "Black-gray-black color scheme provides good definition. Nice heft. . . . Not into weights, but this has really clean lines and looks great at address. It really swings through the ball thanks to its weight."; Judge's Verdict: It's flexible, simple and the insert is an underrated pleasure.; Hot: "Bat wing" model (No. 3) is neat marriage of blade and mallet.; Not: Plain-shape mallets don't seem to maximize MOI potential.; A subtle indent on top helps alignment.; nevercompromise.com

Silver
PING G5i CRAZ-E: Street Price: $145; Specs: Five models (including belly and long).; Key Technology: Like the G5i blade, the mallet version features a multiple-hardness insert with a soft perimeter section and a firm center. The lightweight blue-urethane inserts in the frame save weight for distribution around the rear perimeter and work as an alignment aid.; Panelist Comments: "It looks busy, but it sure does give you a true roll. . . . The design is functional, and the insert works. . . . Seems easier to align."; Judge's Verdict: The insert, like the concept, is simple perfection. It's an intelligent, distinctive mallet.; Hot: Nine lie angles on Craz-E H.; Not: Beware the bobsledder/motorcycle man.; 26 options counting all the lie angles.; pinggolf.com

Silver
PING G5i UG-LE: Street Price: $145; Specs: One model.; Key Technology: The K-shape, center-shaft design helps push weight to the corners to improve stability. A urethane insert and carved-out mid-section save weight in the center. A multiple-hardness insert is designed to enhance roll.; Panelist Comments: "There's nothing aesthetically remarkable, but it's a very stable putter. Looking at it, you might think the head will rotate, but it doesn't. . . . It turns you off with the look, but it turns you back on with how it performs."; Judge's Verdict: It gets attention for improving MOI, but don't overlook its alignment element.; Hot: Worked for Karrie Webb's turnaround.; Not: Lie angle is adjustable by only 2 degrees.; Heaviest putter in Ping's G5i series at 365 grams.; pinggolf.com

Silver
PING JAS CRAZ-E ONE: Street Price: $270.; Specs: One model.; Key Technology: The square-frame, milled-aluminum mallet uses 96 grams of tungsten in the four corners to create the highest MOI of any Ping putter. The C805 aluminum used in the frame is 260-percent stronger than standard 6061 aluminum, the company says.; Panelist Comments: "Funny sound, but it came off the face nice. . . . Has the subtlety of putting with a hotel. . . . You can't miss the alignment at address; it's just so functional.; Judge's Verdict: This putter adheres to the Ping tradition of form following function.; Hot: It has a sleek, anodized black look.; Not: There's no long version, though it would seem a natural.; You decide: one of these or a wedge and an Ug-Le.; pinggolf.com

SILVER
TITLEIST/CAMERON DETOUR: Street Price: $300.; Specs: Two models (offset and straight shafts).; Key Technology: An aluminum middle piece fits into the face's stainless-steel frame to provide a soft-aluminum impact point while maintaining the perimeter weighting of the heavier stainless steel. The middle piece is arced to mimic the preferred putter swing path of short-game guru Stan Utley.; Panelist Comments: "It forces you to putt like a swinging door, but it has a great feel, soft with a thud like a solidly struck iron shot. . . . This is my favorite-feeling putter in the bunch."; Judge's Verdict: An intriguing marriage of technology and stroke.; Hot: Elastomer ring around the face insert offers sweet feel.; Not: Curve sends a mixed alignment message.; You decide: one of these or a new driver.; titleist.com