Putters

: WHITLAM SIGNATURE SERIES; STREET PRICE: $325
WEBSITE: whitlamgolf.com
TECH STORY
Every putter in the line is computer-milled exclusively by designer David Whitlam, which means there is a limited number of them. This Anser-like design features just 100 in the series, and each is milled from a solid billet of 303 stainless steel. Every putter goes through a 15-step finishing process and features a six-way angled sole to help with setup as well as a unique three-dimensional parallel-hosel design.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"A nice, solid, no-frills putter. Has great balance. . . . A classic look with such a good finish. The roll is probably as good as any. . . . I love the grip, and it's solid even on mis-hits -- especially on the heel. . . . If there's something out there that rolls better than this, you need to show it to me. One word describes this putter: pure. . . . I've never heard of this guy, but I'm pretty sure I'd like him."

HOT
Everybody has a boutique putter these days, but none is more precisely conceived and executed than Whitlam's.

NOT
Of course, you'll pay for the privilege.

: YES! ABBIE; STREET PRICE: $250
WEBSITE: yesgolf.com
TECH STORY
This computer-milled-carbon-steel version of the popular C-Groove putter looks prettier, feels smoother and rolls better than the less-expensive models from the company. However, the putter comes with the same face-groove technology, which is designed to improve roll. The head features an extended slant-neck hosel with a single sightline positioned in the cavity.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"This putter has just the right weight, balance and size, and the sound and feel are perfect, too. . . . What a superior look. It's one of my favorite blades. The weighting and balance are ideal. . . . There's nothing flashy that gets in the way, unlike some others. . . . This has the most touch of any putter I've hit."

HOT
Our favorite in the Yes! family. The use of milled semicircular grooves results in a unique feel, and the face pattern might actually help you focus at address. An elegant design, but more important, it's effective.

NOT
Less loft than most, so if you putt on mildly shaggy greens, that will be a problem.

: ZEN RDE PREMIUM TOUR; STREET PRICE: $275
WEBSITE: zenoracle.co.uk
TECH STORY
RDE stands for "reduced dimple error." It refers to the hairline ridges in the face that are designed to minimize the amount of contact area. This helps reduce the possibility of the putter catching the edge of a dimple, which might send the ball rolling off-line. The standard line includes four styles. The Premium Tour line (ZPC3, above) includes customization of head, finish and hosel for more than 60 variations.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It's very pretty, and I like the gooseneck shaft. . . . The face-balanced feel is really nice and promotes a pendulum stroke. . . . Unbelievable. It was like it was just leading me to the hole. . . . The finish makes the sightlines pop, and that helps with the alignment. . . . You feel the transfer of the ball's energy right up the shaft."

Hot
Not just a putter company but a way of putting, Zen should be on the emergency contact list of every frustrated putter. The classic look of these models is first-rate in every way.

NOT
$275 is a lot, even for a moment of Zen.

Silver: Mallet Putters: CLEVELAND VP5; STREET PRICE: $130
WEBSITE: clevelandgolf.com
TECH STORY
A dual-axis alignment system alerts players to a faulty setup: If you see the three white rings inside the clubhead's middle bar, your eyes are set too far outside or inside the ball. If the circles are invisible, your eyes are directly over the ball. The elastomer insert is for soft feel, and the black finish reduces glare.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It looks like the ace of spades, and I can make money with that. . . . This alignment feature really works, and the feel is the same as what I'm used to from a blade. . . . It's a killer on short putts. . . . The sound and feel are solid, and the ball rolls really well. . . . This one is a great choice for beginners because it makes you set up square."

HOT
The alignment system might take most of the glory, but this solid putter also comes packed with plenty of forgiveness on off-center putts thanks to its elongated head shape and the resulting high MOI. Its three standard-lie options add to the appeal.

NOT
We would like to see the insert stretch a little farther across the face.

: GUERIN RIFE TWO BAR HYBRID; STREET PRICE: $200
WEBSITE: rifeputters.com
TECH STORY
Where do we begin? A tinkerer's dream, this putter features two adjustable back-weighted bars for easy alignment and a high MOI. Its face grooves are tightly spaced to "grip and lift" the ball and get it rolling forward immediately. The face insert's high-durometer polymer provides a responsive feel that's meant to improve distance control.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"The two bars look James Bond-ish, but the putter is easy to line up. The ball comes off the face nicely, and it has a very pleasant sound and feel. . . . The face seems to bite the ball as you putt, which feels surprisingly good. . . . It has a loud, solid feel that I like -- not wimpy and dead like some others."

HOT
The adjustable features are awesome, and they allow you to switch the removable back weights in the two bars to accommodate the speed of the greens you're playing. You can also adjust the putter's lie angle up to 5 degrees in either direction.

NOT
How can a putter with so many customized options come in only two lengths?