Putters: golfdigest.com

Mallet Putters

Photos by Jim Herity

By Max Adler

February 2009

ODYSSEY BLACK SERIES I 2-BALL

STREET PRICE: $270
WEBSITE: odysseygolf.com

TECH TALK: The head is constructed of multiple materials and includes a urethane bridge between the top and sole. It has a 58-gram tungsten plug that pulls the CG deep. According to Odyssey, in a comparison of mass properties against the White Hot XG 2-Ball, this putter's MOI is 25 percent higher at 4,580, and the CG is 28 percent deeper at 1.58 inches back from the face. It features the line's two-piece elastomer face insert.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (T) "Couple this with a soft ball and you can really control your putts." ... (L) "It's one of the more conservative-looking mallets." ... (M) "It's the best 2-Ball they've made. Refined. The heavier head feels very solid, and the metal finish is handsome without being reflective." ... (T) "The 2-Ball has become a classic look."

HOT: This isn't just a cosmetic tweak. The landmark optical innovation of the last decade has been retooled for the better.

NOT: If you want a mallet with ultimate forgiveness, other putters have higher MOI.

PING IWI CRAZ-E

STREET PRICE: $200
WEBSITE: pinggolf.com

TECH TALK: The shape places weight along the perimeter to increase MOI. An elastomer backing is designed to improve the feel of a machined 304 stainless-steel face insert. The black-white-yellow alignment aid is raised to sit even with the topline to avoid the two-dimensional look of the original model. Two ports in the heel and toe accommodate 12-, 20- and 28-gram weights, allowing for nine customized possibilities.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "Impact was very responsive. The distance the ball rolled was true to how it felt."... (T) "Love the subtlety. The features are easy to line up, but then mentally you can get away from the lines and think about making your stroke." ... (M) "Ping keeps making a good thing better."

Hot: Ping is already one of the best when it comes to offering stock length and lie options. The iWi takes fitting a leap further. NOT: Still charging an extra $70 for the weight kit? Seriously, without that upcharge this space would be blank.

TAYLORMADE ITSY BITSY SPIDER

STREET PRICE: $200
WEBSITE: taylormadegolf.com

TECH TALK: The 303 stainless-steel frame and lightweight aluminum core save weight, which is concentrated into heavy screws in the rear cartridges. The screws are movable so total weight and face balance can be customized. At first glance it appears to be a shrunken version of its older sibling, but the black wings have been pulled inward, and the white alignment decal has been abbreviated for a simpler look. With an MOI of 5,500, it still has 82 percent of the stability of the previous (and bigger) version. The face has the Rossa AGSI+ groove insert.

PLAYER COMMENTS: (L) "Still looks like a spaceship with two engines, but I'm OK with that." ... (M) "The way the Spider should've been made in the first place." ... (L) "Heavier than it looks, which is good. Rolls beautifully."

HOT: A symphony of function over form. The two hosel options--plumber's neck or double-bend--nicely anticipate different tastes.

NOT: Even 82 percent of the world's fattest man is still a lot to look at.