Putters

* Category Leader

: PING KARSTEN SERIES; STREET PRICE: $90
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com
TECH STORY
This simple version of Ping's classic blade comes with a single-layer elastomer insert in the back cavity to help produce a soft feel. Its perimeter-weighted steel body is designed to be forgiving on off-center hits, and the two-level alignment aid helps improve aim and square the putter at address. At no extra cost, you can choose the lie, loft, length and grip size.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This is the best-feeling putter without a face insert. It has the consistency you've come to expect from Ping. . . . It looks and feels good, and I really like the great new grip. . . . When you hit it sweet, you know it, and when you miss it, you know it. That's a true blade. . . . I like this better than the dual-insert version -- it has such true feedback."

HOT
A Ping putter for only $90, and it takes the extra technology step of having a back- cavity insert. Why can't everyone be this smart and thrifty?

NOT
Aesthetically, it falls somewhere between Bauhaus and IKEA.

* Category Leader

: TITLEIST CAMERON STUDIO STYLE; STREET PRICE: $270
WEBSITE: titleist.com
TECH STORY
The putter's face features a machined, German stainless-steel insert over a soft vibration pad. There's also an elastomer cushion in the face of the precision-milled stainless-steel head. The idea is traditional responsiveness and a soft feel. Each shaft length comes with a different head weight to optimize the putter's swingweight, and the sole design (built with negative bounce) helps you set the putter squarely at address.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It has a crisp feel that's neither too mushy nor too firm. It's easy to align. . . . You can hit it anywhere on the face, and the ball still rolls true. . . . I love the soft-metal insert. The ball really rolls where you aim. . . . The putter sets up nicely and has a simple, classic look and feel. It's especially good on breaking putts and ones that you need to finesse. . . . You get a non-insert feel and sound from an insert putter. The feedback is fantastic."

HOT
A work of art and engineering that putts as smartly as it's made.

NOT
On sunny days, the top line has glare issues.

* Category Leader

Gold: Mallet Putters: NIKE IC 20-20; STREET PRICE: $140
WEBSITE: nikegolf.com
TECH STORY
The green grip, shaft and clubhead are designed to optically melt into the background of the putting surface and emphasize the white alignment aid on the top of the putterhead. The square wire-frame shape creates a high moment of inertia, stabilizing the putter on off-center hits.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This fits my eye. It reminds me of the Sumo2 square driver. . . . Has a great sound that makes it easier to judge distance, and the ease of alignment is excellent. It's a really good putter. . . . This is the easiest thing I've ever lined up. I was making putts from everywhere. . . . It lines itself up and stands up on its own. It's like there's nothing left for me to do but circle the birdie on the card."

HOT
This is a big putter, but because of its color scheme, you focus only on the face and the alignment marking. In short, it plays small in the stroke, but it plays big in stability and forgiveness. That's a good combo.

Not
Begs for a center-shafted version.

* Category Leader

: ODYSSEY SABERTOOTH; STREET PRICE: $170
WEBSITE: odysseygolf.com
TECH STORY
The putter with the highest MOI in the Odyssey line features round "fangs" that place 37 percent of the putter's weight in the outermost perimeter, far from the clubhead's center of gravity. This design is intended to create as much resistance to twisting as possible at impact. The aiming lines assist with setup, and the White Hot XG insert has a soft elastomer base for soft feel, plus a thin, textured outer layer for additional feedback.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"What a surprise. I picked it up and thought it would be a gimmick, but it has a great roll. . . . The weighting is very stable. It feels like it just wants to rock forward. . . . My confidence on short putts soars with this club. . . . Forget the 2-Ball -- this is the new leader for Odyssey."

HOT
High marks for this bold step away from the tired 2-Ball design. It keeps the circular theme and incorporates straight lines for players who prefer them. And it's the niftiest ball-picker-upper in stores today.

NOT
Like with all Odysseys, we need more lengths.

* Category Leader

: PING KARSTEN SERIES CRAZ-E; STREET PRICE: $120
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com
TECH STORY
The elastomer cavity insert in the investment-cast 17-4 stainless-steel head redistributes weight for a high MOI. This design is intended to reduce vibration and create the feel of a steel face. The blue-accented alignment aids stand out against the gray steel, and the myriad lie, loft and length options make this putter easy to customize.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"I like the silver color scheme, and it rolls and feels good. . . . It's nice and heavy: You can just let the putter do its job. . . . The alignment is great, and it has a wonderful 'click' at impact. For balance and stability, this club is unmatched. . . . It's easy to align. I can't miss the short putts with it."

HOT
It's the best-feeling putter in the Ping line and the most affordable. The Craz-E head design offers something for everyone in the alignment department, whether you prefer straight lines or rounded shapes.

NOT
Some will lament the loss of the face insert that was popular on the original.