Mid-Mallet Putters

CLUBS LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

: MACGREGOR DCT SERIES; STREET PRICE: $130
WEBSITE: macgregorgolf.com

TECH TALK: The cast, 17-4 stainless-steel head features "distance control technology," which is a polybutadiene insert with a blend of five responsiveness zones. The farther a strike occurs from the center of the face, the livelier that portion of the insert will be. The purpose of this design is to get mis-hits to roll out the same distance as center strikes.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Looks cheap but doesn't play like it. Deadly accurate." ... (M) "Has a cushy impact." ... (L) "I'm not a soft-face guy, but I like this. The roll is fabulous." ... (L) "I love the diamond as an alignment aid. Original." ... (T) "No hops, baby. Love that true roll."

HOT: Enlivening the outskirts of the face is one of the most inventive putter technologies to emerge in recent years. Usually there's a premium to be paid for such innovation, but this is a great value.

NOT: The ultra-soft face doesn't let you know if you've mis-hit it. Some golfers will want more feedback.

*category leader

: ODYSSEY WHITE HOT XG 330; STREET PRICE: $120
WEBSITE: odysseygolf.com

TECH TALK: The design is based on Odyssey's popular 330 Dual Force model from 1998. This revamped version has the "hi-def alignment system" of two white bars bordered with three thin black lines on the flange and the soft, textured two-piece face insert shared by all XG models. The hosel is a traditional plumber's neck.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "Sets up perfectly square without manipulation. It's just ready to go and has predictable distance control." ... (M) "It's a very good-looking, effective alignment system." ... (L) "This is the first mid-mallet that has truly fit my eye. I've been waiting for this." ... (T) "The insert gives great feedback and good roll."

HOT: Achieves the perfect middle ground that defines this category. After a while the slender body starts to feel and look like a blade, but the forgiveness never leaves.

NOT: A lot of alignment features are crammed into a small space, which will be a deterrent to some players.

*category leader

: TITLEIST CAMERON FASTBACK; STREET PRICE: $300
WEBSITE: titleist.com

TECH TALK: Like the Titleist Newport blade line, the Fastback (shown) and Switchback models are milled from forged 303 stainless steel, and each features a topline that curves slightly upward from heel to toe. The idea is to discourage the user from lifting the toe and inadvertently aiming left. The Fastback has a rounded flange, and the Squareback's is square. Both models are near face-balanced and have double-bend shafts with a half-shaft's width of offset.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (M) "[Designer] Scotty Cameron knows what he's doing." ... (T) "The face has that Cameron 'click.' "... (L) "You get the stability of a big mallet in a compact package, which is awesome." ... (T) "I find the short heel-toe length refreshing."

HOT: You can expect to see a lot of these in play on professional tours next year. Money players rely on Cameron, and so can you.

NOT: What was the rationale behind having a lefty version for the Squareback, but not the Fastback?