Meridian Milled Series putters: What you need to know

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Meridian Putters expands its lineup of Milled Series putters to feature new models and new face-milling options. The collection of milled stainless-steel classic shapes now features seven models, including three additions (the tri-sole Seaside blade, the clamshell half-mallet Kiawah and the wide-body blade Savannah). There’s also now a new fourth face design, the overall softer Tack Cut, as well as a redesigned Fine Fly Cut for a soft, responsive feel.

PRICE: $250. Mallets: Tybee, Key West, Kiawah. Blades: Savannah, Seaside, Charleston, Okatie.

3 Cool Things

1. A different way. The Meridian approach to milling offers a take on efficiencies that aim to lower costs with still offering a distinctive approach toward constructing putters that maintain classic looks. The lynchpin of the operation involves a unique Electrical Discharge Machining process along with fully robotic, around-the-clock manufacturing to make these designs uniquely priced in the milled-putters market. The process cuts as many as a dozen starter blanks out of a large block of stainless steel with five five-axis milling machines precisely dialing in each angle and curve.

The company’s design methodology grew from its experience milling intricate parts for the plumbing and engine parts industries combined with the pause brought on by the COVID pandemic, said Meridian CEO Ryan Duffey.

“I had machines, I had steel, I had guys and we really didn't have much to make,” Duffey recalled, whose business previously had worked on concepts for the nascent Nike Golf. “I had this idea in the back of my mind: I think I can make a stainless-steel putter. And I think I can make it high end with these high-end machines. And I think I can do it at a price point that is substantially less than those in the marketplace.”

Now entering its fourth year, the milled-putter operation is compact but cost-effective, Duffey said.

“What we were able to do was come up with a manufacturing process that was able to minimize the direct labor involved with the assembly and creation of each putter head,” he said. “We were able to automate it so that we can run a lights-out manufacturing process, and that's how we are able to keep our costs down. it's a very substantial investment in terms of capital equipment, in terms of robotics, in terms of automation, but that’s how we can be so efficient.”

2. Consideration set. The other element that’s intriguing about the Meridian method is the customization aspect. Many of the seven models accommodate a choice of hosels for different toe hangs, including single-bend, plumber’s neck, slant neck and sweep neck. Players also can choose among four face-mill options. In addition to the smooth-face option, there is the Meridian Cut, which features soft feel with responsive player feedback and groove paths for overall balance. The Tack Cut, new for 2025, removes more material from the face than any of the milling patterns for a medium soft feel. Finally, the Fine Fly Cut, for softer feel with enhanced feedback compared to past versions of the fly cut.

3. The three additions. The Meridian Milled Series features three new shapes for 2025, but as in the past all incorporate a slightly taller face height, designed to raise the center of the face to increase the likelihood of a more solid impact feel on off-center strikes. The three new models include:

Seaside offers a sole with raised heel and toe sections and rounded contours. A longer blade length gives this model the moment of inertia (the measured stability on mis-hits) of any model in the lineup.

Savannah is designed with a wider sole and flange for alignment and stability help while still maintaining a blade look. The deeper center of gravity is designed to help golfers better sense the clubhead during the stroke.

The Kiawah mallet features a heel-shafted look to a mid-mallet shape, resulting in a higher degree of toe hang for strokes with more natural face rotation in them. It offers more forgiveness than in the smaller Okatie model.