MALLET PUTTERS

By Max Adler

Photos by Jim Herity

February 2011

ODYSSEY WHITE ICE SERIES

STREET PRICE: $180-$200
STYLES: Eight (Backstryke D.A.R.T., pictured)
WEBSITE: odysseygolf.com
TECH TALK: This series is three families with intermingled traits, united by the firm, multimaterial insert. The Backstryke's shaft enters the rear of the head to establish the correct amount of forward press and to make the view of the leading edge unobstructed. D.A.R.T. putt-ers have an alignment system of converging white lines whose intersection would be the center of the ball. The 2-Ball models are finished in dark nickel and come with an adjustable weight port.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
L: "There's nothing I can align better than a 2-Ball on short putts."
M: "The Backstryke is funky, but I was ready to fall in love." ..."Triangle optics work. They focus you on the point of impact."

HOT: A favorite and leader because it's so comprehensive. The D.A.R.T. is an interesting new alignment tool. And it's almost impossible to fan a putt with the Backstryke, so steady does it keep your wrists.
NOT: If you like sensing the rotation of the face in your stroke, the Backstryke is not for you.

PING SCOTTSDALE SERIES

STREET PRICE: $160
WEBSITE: ping.com
STYLES: Five (Y Worry, pictured)
TECH TALK: The thermoplastic-elastomer insert is designed to produce a soft feel yet make the ball come off the face as fast as a steel-faced putter. The crimson, white and black alignment aid (offered on all models except the Pickemup) provides a lengthy, high-contrast sightline. All models are cast from 17-4 stainless steel. Custom-fitting for shaft length, loft, lie angle and grip size is available.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
L: "This is what I've been looking for." ... "It lets you think you're going to drain the putt."
M: "The insert plays soft yet firm, and the entire thing is very stable. Surprisingly, the look isn't distracting, though it combines various angles and circles with lines."

HOT: A very stealthy collection of shapes. Any weirdness on first blush is quickly counter-balanced by the clean, dark finish and the easy utility of the alignment art.
NOT: The names. Y Worry? Hohum? Pickemup? Pickemup is what you do when you're putting for double.

TAYLORMADE CORZA GHOST

STREET PRICE: $160
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com
STYLES: One
TECH TALK: The purpose of the white head is to maximize contrast against the green. In theory, this stimulates the retina, enabling a golfer to focus and aim the leading edge. Other alignment helpers include a see-through circle in the crown and three black aiming lines set at the width of a golf ball. The nine-gram face insert is made from a soft titanium alloy and features 14 polymer-filled grooves designed to impart forward roll immediately after contact.

PLAYER COMMENTS:
L: "Steady as can be. The face absorbs the ball." ... "The matte finish is actually really good in the sun."
M: "The ball hugged the ground like a sports car with low-profile tires."
H: "This putter matches my shoes, which I'm not so sure about."

HOT: To us, the science of the shape and the face means miles more than the color.
NOT: Offering only one headweight across three shaft lengths isn't a great effort to tune swingweight.