STREET PRICE: $300. One model (MOD-00, shown)TECH TALK: Based on a classic mallet shape (the 1970s-throwback Ram Zebra), the MOD-00 is face-balanced and has seven sight lines on the back flange. The computer-milled face features polymer-filled grooves to start the ball rolling quicker and to reduce skidding. Heel and toe sole weights increase forgiveness.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "The smooth sole is slippery across the grass. It's impossible to fat a putt." (M) "Wow. Super accurate. I couldn't miss in the 10-foot range. A couple of putts I thought were short rolled out."HOT: These smaller mallets with a traditional shape offer a comfortable look, but the innovation here gives them big-mallet performance.NOT: Some testers didn't like so many lines.INFO:nikegolf.com
ODYSSEY METAL-X MILLED
STREET PRICE: $300/$350. Three models (#7, shown)TECH TALK: These putters are milled from 1020 carbon steel and feature a face with a chemically etched surface pattern. The interlocking oval dimples on the face are designed to reduce the contact area for a quieter impact sound and to increase friction between the face and ball for a quicker forward roll. Adjustable weights in the sole can change head weight from 340 grams to 360 grams.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "The #7's alignment is foolproof. It's like it has four eyes."..."The ball melts into the face like butter, then comes off nicely and rolling smooth." (M) "True roll. I can feel it in my hands. Nice distance control."HOT: The Metal-X Milled shows that Odyssey doesn't need an insert to deliver face technology.NOT: We love the Tank model, so it's really missed here. And not having a 2-Ball version seems darn near sacrilegious.INFO:odysseygolf.com
ODYSSEY VERSA/TANK
STREET PRICE: $170. Twelve models (Jailbird, shown)TECH TALK: The Versa features black-and-white (or white-and-black) contrast lines to help golfers better visualize when the putter isn't square to the target line. The White Hot insert is laser-cut for a consistent feel. The Versa line now includes two counterbalanced Tank models.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "This putter is as stable as a six-legged basset hound. Delivers consistent distance, even on 30-footers." (M) "Extremely accurate and stable through the swing. The contrast of white and black makes you zoom in and focus."HOT: The idea seems simple; the execution is exceptional. We also like that the popular SuperStroke Slim 3.0 oversize grip is one of two stock offerings in most models.NOT: If you don't like referee stripes, you're out of luck.INFO:odysseygolf.com
ODYSSEY WHITE HOT PRO/TANK
STREET PRICE: $130 to $190. Eight models (Havok, shown)TECH TALK: The White HOT: insert is cast instead of injection-molded for consistency in the molecular structure. The insert was revised on last year's model to improve sound and feel. Designers used a laser-milling process to cut a more precisely thick and flat shape. The counterbalanced Tank versions feature a 400-gram head with 30 to 40 grams of weight in the butt end of the grip and a 150-gram shaft offered in four lengths.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "Soft feel off the face. Seems like you get the benefits of a mallet with the playability of a blade." (M) "The alignment on all of these can't be beat. The putters felt very stable, especially through impact."HOT: The insert gets the headlines, but the alignment features and high moment of inertia (MOI) do the really special work.NOT: More could be done on properly fitting the Tank versions.INFO:odysseygolf.com
PING NOME TR
STREET PRICE: $180 to $230. Three models (Slight Arc, shown)TECH TALK: The frame is made from lightweight, high-grade aluminum and has tungsten-composite sole weights to produce a higher MOI for better stability on off-center hits. The face features variable-depth grooves to promote consistent impact across the face. An adjustable-shaft version allows for putter lengths of 31 to 38 inches.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "Quiet and soft. The head automatically swings on the right path on long strokes." (M) "This is exactly what you want a putter to feel like. The roll was pure, end over end. Scary good. You get a feeling of joy knowing you're going to hit a good putt with it every single time." HOT: This prototypical mallet exudes consistency, and the three shaft bends are a nice bonus for a mallet. NOT: The size is not subtle.INFO:ping.com
PING SCOTTSDALE TR
STREET PRICE: $150 to $200. Seven models (Craz-E, shown) TECH TALK: The variable-depth grooves are designed to improve ball-speed consistency across the face. Adjustable-length shafts are available in all models. The midsize cord grip is included to help stabilize the wrists.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "The variations of black with one white alignment aid is money. Ping also hit the jackpot with the insert. You can mis-hit it and still get a good roll." (M) "It's forgiving of toe and heel hits and produces identical distance."..."There's a lot going on when you look down, but all that craziness is incredibly useful."HOT: A full range of mallets with an intriguing face story. We like the counterbalanced Senita B and its adjustable shaft.NOT: Some wished there were a way to brighten the dark center patch caused by the variable-depth grooves.INFO:ping.com
SEEMORE X SERIES
STREET PRICE: $195. One model (X3, shown) TECH TALK: Thermoplastic urethane is poured into the face cavity, and it's then milled flat. The putter features the company's RifleScope alignment system, and there are two white lines on the flange that are the width of a golf ball, as well as a single line on the top edge.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "I like the boutique aspect of this putter, and the alignment system helps you retool an off-line stroke." (M) "The dense insert makes it sound pure at impact. It feels as if two tour balls are hitting each other."..."It's extremely HOT: off the face, but very consistent. You can really gauge distance to an inch." HOT: A simple mallet—with a precisely engineered face insert—that benefits from the unique alignment technology.NOT: A forward press diminishes those benefits.INFO:seemore.com
TAYLORMADE GHOST SPIDER MALLET/DADDY LONG LEGS
STREET PRICE:$200. Two models (Daddy Long Legs, shown)TECH TALK: These counterbalanced putters feature wider, heavier grips and more total weight than previous models for improved stability. Example: The Spider Mallet has a 360-gram head counterbalanced with a 130-gram grip to increase the MOI. Grooves on the Surlyn face insert are designed to reduce initial spin for a smoother roll.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "Even though the Daddy Long Legs is large, it's easy to stroke properly. It sits square without manipulation, and the alignment aid frames the ball nicely at address." (M) "Distance control was my favorite selling point. Putts finished within two or three inches of one another."HOT: A complete commitment to counterbalancing, especially in the grip. Hard to beat Daddy Long Legs' MOI.NOT: The Spider Mallet head seemed a tad light by comparison.INFO:taylormadegolf.com/
TITLEIST SCOTTY CAMERON FUTURA X
STREET PRICE: $375/$400. Two models (Dual Balance, shown)TECH TALK: The milled-aluminum head has a heavy stainless-steel center section with steel heel and toe weights. A balance bar at the rear of the putterhead places additional weights at the heel and toe to increase MOI and forgiveness.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "The center bar and cross line are great for aiming on short ones. It's absolutely a given from three feet. Just swings itself—a super stable performance. There's a lot of forgiveness here." (M) "Every single putt is a carbon copy of the last. It's stable and forgiving and has very true roll off the face."HOT: When it comes to stability, this is a beast with a soft touch. The counterbalanced model (50-gram weight in the grip end) seems very easy to adjust to.NOT: The red eyes challenge some Cameronistas' sensibilities.INFO:titleist.com
TITLEIST SCOTTY CAMERON SELECT GOLO 5
STREET PRICE: $350. Two models (GoLo 5, shown)TECH TALK: It features a CNC-milled stainless-steel body and aluminum soleplate with an internal ring to enhance the sound. Factory-adjustable heel and toe weights are included to generate greater forgiveness. Two neck configurations (straight or single bend) are available, and it comes with a Pistolero grip.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "It's classic and clean, and it sits square. You hear exactly what you feel and see. The roll is consistent no matter where you strike it." ... "Anybody could use this putter." (M) "It delivers a pleasing, crisp, typical Scotty Cameron feel. A very balanced and enjoyable club."HOT: Form meets function, the hallmark of a Cameron putter.NOT: At this price, isn't it time for the weights to be adjustable by the player?INFO:titleist.com
HEAVY PUTTER EL SERIES
STREET PRICE: $170. Twenty-eight models (L3, shown)TECH TALK: These counterbalanced putters come in three head weights—465 grams, 400 grams and 375 grams. All feature a 17-inch grip that helps an individual find the optimal hand position. The thin face is CNC-milled to enhance feel.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L)"I can feel the consistency of the weight throughout the putter, no matter where I hit it. It takes no effort to get the ball to the cup, and you won't leave it short." (M) "The weighting makes sense. You don't have to worry about getting anything to the hole. It feels soft at impact, but it's not muddled, and it offers a ton of useful feedback. You know exactly where it'll go the moment you hit it."HOT: Heavy Putter was counterbalanced when counterbalancing wasn't cool. Now it has three weight classes.NOT: Plenty of models, but few for left-handers.INFO:boccierigolf.com
NICKENT OMEN TOUR TECU SERIES
STREET PRICE: $120. Three models (TS/04B, shown)TECH TALK: These putters have a soft, tellurium-copper face insert and a thermoplastic polyurethane cavity insert that's as wide as a golf ball to help with alignment. Ten grams of sole weight increase the MOI and can be adjusted for feel. It's also available in a counterbalanced version.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "The SuperStroke grip is cool. This produces easy roll with zero negative feedback. The balance is spot on, and there is a nice rollout at the end of putts, which is the sign of a good putter." (M) "I had no expectations of liking this, but when you make a good stroke, it flushes it. This club does what it's told."HOT: This is a fresh combination of materials and technology in restrained shapes, and the price is a nice bonus.
NIKE METHOD CORE
STREET PRICE: $140 to $170. Five models (Drone 2.0 CS, shown)TECH TALK: The multimaterial face insert is made of aluminum and includes polymer grooves to get the ball rolling and reduce skidding. Heel and toe weights increase the MOI to enhance forgiveness on off-center hits.PLAYER COMMENTS:(L) "So well-balanced with a head that is just the right weight."... "The back really does help with alignment. I love the big grip on this; it keeps my right hand out of the putting stroke." (M) "Incredibly easy to align. It does all the work, and it talks to you."..."Very symmetrical, elegant and easy to get on target."HOT: Three levels of mallet shapes provide the right range of options, and the low face height is subtle but effective.NOT: The smaller mallets would be more effective if the alignment line started even with the front of the face.INFO:nikegolf.com
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