Blade Putters Under $200

: TAYLORMADE DAYTONA; STREET PRICE: $120
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com

TECH TALK: The 304 stainless-steel construction is finished in Tuscan nickel. This model employs the company's AGSI+ (Anti-skid Groove System Insert) technology, designed to minimize backspin at impact to reduce initial skidding. The 14 computer-milled, polymer-filled grooves are designed to grab the cover of the ball, increasing face friction and imparting forward spin. Lighter material choices for the insert enable saved weight to be distributed lower to improve CG and roll.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "Insert feels soft yet there's some authority to it. It really put a good roll on the ball for me." ... (L) "Wow! I dig the jazz of the matte-red and matte-black colors. Plus, it lined up perfectly." ... (T) "Ball came off the face slow and soft." ... (M) "Even my bad putts felt pretty good."

Hot: The face insert feels so uniform you'll never know if you've mis-hit it. NOT: The face insert feels so uniform you'll never know if you've mis-hit it.

: HEAVY PUTTER K4; STREET PRICE: $170
WEBSITE: heavyputter.com
TECH TALK: At 750 grams, this toe-droop design is about 50 percent heavier than a conventional blade. However, because this is the introductory piece of the company's Mid-Weight series, it has been scaled back from the usual model weight of 850 grams. The idea behind a weighty putter is to engage the larger muscles in the body to create a better pendulum stroke.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "Releases automatically. The block to the right is no more."... (T) "Great on short putts, but distance control could be an issue on long ones." ... (M) "Much sleeker than the company's past models. A little bit of a hollow feel, but I like the simplicity of its alignment."

HOT: Keeps your stroke smooth even after the second cup of coffee. The thin topline and slightly reduced weight will make the company's concept more palatable to a wider pool of golfers.

NOT: A beefier shaft might eliminate the faint wobbly feel.

: PING KARSTEN SERIES ANSER; STREET PRICE: $90
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com

TECH TALK: The tungsten-polymer inserts in the sole serve two purposes: They increase the club's MOI by 25 percent over the original 3DX Ironwood, making the club more stable through the swing, and the polymer backing helps dampen vibration. Six lofts will fill every possible gap you might have in your bag.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Goes right where you're aiming, good swing or bad. Easy to hit." ... (M) "Destined to be a classic. It might not be as forgiving, but when you hit the ball, it goes." ... (M) "The weight and balance made it very easy to swing. Good distance and a nice sound." ... (L) "I think I'm going to hit this well just by looking at it."

HOT: Nickent's reputation was built on this kind of quality. Golfers get tour-proven performance for $100.

NOT: Off-center hits feel worse than on others.