Putters

: TAYLORMADE SPIDER; STREET PRICE: $180
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
TECH STORY
In addition to high-MOI features, such as enormous volume, and a variety of alignment guides, the Spider's primary attribute is the "anti skid groove system insert." Made of a lightweight but durable seven-metal alloy, the insert is designed to reduce skid and impart forward roll on the ball as early as possible. This is achieved in part by 14 tiny polymer-filled face grooves.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It looks like two jet ports that want to ignite, and it feels like I could drop it off a 10-story building and nothing would come loose. . . . Has a nice, pleasing tone at impact. It pleasantly surprised me that the sole didn't scuff the green like it does on so many other high-volume putters. . . . The feel is great, and what do they say -- beauty's in the eye of the beholder? . . . The face feels like hard butter. Great balance and feel."

HOT
There's no doubt about it, with a beast this big and balanced, you can make toe and heel hits all day long and still get predictable results.

NOT
Looks like Mothra.

: TITLEIST RED X3/X5; STREET PRICE: $300
WEBSITE: titleist.com
TECH STORY
These two classic mallets, the new Red X3 and X5 (which has a plumber's neck hosel), have subtle design features. Both have a charcoal finish designed to reduce glare and hidden internal weighting under the aluminum soleplate. The precision-milled 303 stainless-steel head is weighted differently for each shaft length.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"It has a clean look without too many distractions. It also has good balance. . . . The compact head shape is a pleasing change because it doesn't make me feel like I have to hammer the ball to get the clubhead through. It's easier to stroke it with this one. . . . Unlike most mallets, it's toe-weighted, so it allows for some nice arc putting. It's a flexible putter -- sort of the best of both worlds."

HOT
For feel, Scotty Cameron reigns supreme, even in mallets. The truth is, you have to work pretty hard to engineer old-school mallet simplicity like this putter has.

NOT
We miss the German stainless-steel face insert found on the original Red X.

: YES! HANNA; STREET PRICE: $150
WEBSITE: yesgolf.com
TECH STORY
Yes! is best known for its C-Groove face design, which is intended to prevent skidding and impart topspin on the ball immediately upon impact. The Hanna model takes this technology and combines it with a thin mallet flange. It's also toe-heel weighted for forgiveness on off-center strikes. The putter features a long, single sightline, a center shaft and face-balanced weighting.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"A fantastic putter, especially with regard to distance control. . . . I generally don't like center shafts, but this one is easy to line up and really shows where you're aimed. . . . The clubface gets through the ball nicely, and it rolls the ball as good as any putter on the market. . . . It's such a simple look -- you can really clear your mind before putting with this."

HOT
Yes! hasn't been a player in mallets, but there's no reason why its emphasis on feel and roll wouldn't play just as strongly in this form. An ideal choice for pendulum strokes.

NOT
The center-face grooves don't help hits on the heel and toe.

: ZEN ORACLE RDE MALLET; STREET PRICE: $325
WEBSITE: zenoracle.co.uk
TECH STORY
The lines in the face of the milled stainless-steel RDE Mallet might look like grooves, but don't call them that -- they're "micro ridges" designed to reduce the surface area that's in contact with the ball at impact. The purpose is to eliminate inconsistent roll because of off-center dimple contact.

PLAYER COMMENTS
"How uncomplicated is this one? It gives you what you need and nothing more. That's very refreshing. It has great alignment, sound, feel and roll. . . . At first, I didn't like the space-age look, but I was pleasantly surprised by the feel. . . . It looks cool. If your natural stance is pretty upright, you'll set this very square."

HOT
Putter fans might remember the Zen Oracle training aid/putter. As a training tool, the inner cavity or "aperture" was designed to encourage a smooth putting motion. This design also allows weight to be distributed to the perimeter. Not impressed? Then skip the seminar and just use the putter. Any questions? We didn't think so.

NOT
Look is a little unsettling. Checkout is, too.