Putters

: TAYLORMADE TOURISMO; STREET PRICE: $180
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
TECH STORY
A reverse-trapezoid shape places weight toward the back and into the corners behind the small putterface for a high MOI. Movable weights in the rear help you customize the putter's feel to your preferences, and polymer-filled grooves in the face are designed to optimize roll.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It looks so strange at first, but it lines up really well and rolls putts beautifully. . . . There's no room for error with a face this small, and that's actually a good thing. . . . The body looks like the crown of a king, and that's appropriate -- because this one's a king. . . . The ball comes off the face great. The single line on top is helpful and doesn't distract."

HOT
Talk about the little engine that could: This is the perfect design for those who can't stomach the big-mallet look but want the stability of high MOI. Custom lengths are available from 32 to 37 inches, and the black finish reduces glare.

Not
Open space behind face can be distracting.

CLUBS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Silver: Blade Putters: MIZUNO BLACK CARBON SERIES; STREET PRICE: $250
WEBSITE: mizunousa.com
TECH STORY
To help achieve a soft-insert feel in a non-insert putter, designer Bob Bettinardi uses a milled face with a punch pattern on the carbon-steel head. The pattern is designed to reduce the contact area on the face while maintaining its precision-milled characteristics because of its one-piece construction. The Black Carbon Series includes two blade-like models with a glare-reducing black-chrome finish.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Has a nice, standard look at address and a good, heavy weight in your hands. The face feels almost like a composite material at impact. . . . The carbon face is a little softer than others, but in a pleasant way. It's not mushy at all. . . . This is a contender. It fits your eye behind the ball, it's easy to line up, and it has good weighting throughout the stroke."

HOT
Bettinardi's technique is a new approach to the complicated subject of feel. The dark look is classy and effective.

NOT
We find it strange that there's no Anser-like heel-toe version.

: NEVER COMPROMISE GM2 EXCHANGE; STREET PRICE: $230
WEBSITE: nevercompromise.com
TECH STORY
The company's signature black-on-gray color blocks (milled 304 stainless steel) are designed to help you line up the putter squarely. The removable sole plate reveals a weight system that you can customize: The putter comes with six weights that can be arranged in the sole of the club to accomplish different head weights (from 330 to 360 grams) depending on your preference. This includes changing the amount of weight in the heel and toe.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"Put this down as my favorite, right there. It just feels right. . . . The two-tone color really helps you line it up better than most. And it has a nice, tactile feel that induces a good roll. . . . She's pretty, and she's the girl you keep. . . . I really like how it sounds off the clubface, and the roll was one of the best."

HOT
The adjustable-weight system is like having a host of putters in one head. Marrying it with such a good feeling face is a bonus.

NOT
Leave home without the wrench and kit and you're, um, screwed.

: SEEMORE MFGP; STREET PRICE: $325
WEBSITE: seemore.com
TECH STORY
This milled update of the original SeeMore putter has "rifle-scope technology" that helps players use their eyes to set up in the correct position over the ball. The alignment system is designed to help you execute a proper pendulum stroke by hiding the red dot behind the shaft at address and throughout the stroke.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"The larger grip eliminates wristy, inconsistent strokes, and the alignment aid helps you make the right stroke. . . . My unusual putting stance likes this putter. I prefer the center-shaft design and the way the ball feels coming off the clubface. It's easy to judge distance on long and short putts. . . . The SeeMore technology is borderline brilliant. The center shaft promotes a smooth back-and-through motion. Great sound and great roll."

HOT
Forget the clunky looks and embrace the philosophy. Putts will always go where you're aimed. The half-inch shaft lengths are genius.

NOT
Make sure you remember to focus on the putt and not on the dot.