Tag: Piretti

MLA Tour XDream Putter

When it comes to putting, I’ve tried it all. I’ve always considered putting to be my weakness, even if the numbers don’t support that. Turns out I’m a good putter for my handicap, so perhaps I’m being a little too hard on myself. It’s just that I expect to make more putts than I do, and I’m always looking for a putter that’ll help me do that. Maybe that’s why I have over 20 putters in the garage collecting dust…

The latest putter that’s helping me make more putts is from a small Swiss company called MLA Golf. They make very high quality, 100% milled putters that feel and perform great. The model I have been testing is called the Tour XDream Black Edition. It’s a special version of the regular Tour XDream with black paint fill instead of the usual green. With interchangeable weights and a very forgiving, high MOI head shape, this putter helps your slightly mis hit putts end up closer to the hole.

The almost perfect combination of weight, forgiveness and high quality materials makes the Tour XDream is one of the most solid feeling putters I’ve ever used. Rolling putts with the Tour XDream putter is a joy, with the kind of positive feedback you would expect from a solid hunk of metal hitting a golf ball. There is a small, recessed sight dot on the top edge near the face to help you tell where the sweet spot is, but what really sets MLA putters apart is their unique alignment system.

MLA stands for Multiple Line-detector Activation. Since I’m not qualified to describe what that means, I’ll let someone who is explain it for me:

MLA (Multiple Line-detector Activation) is the new patented alignment technology that will revolutionize your putting. This is how it works…

We all have internal guides to compare and analyze sensory information that control pace and direction of putts. The MLA putters are designed to take advantage of these guides. MLA Putters worked with Dr. Lennart Högman, Ph.D. Dr. Högman has studied the perceptual process for more than 20 years and has performed studies that have revised the science between the human’s perceptions and the human being’s motor skills.

He says: “An alignment system that acts upon multiple line detectors is a key to obtain veridical motion perception and a perfect in-line stroke surface.”

The brain consists of 100,000 line detectors that are divided into a number of groups that help us decide what is straight. A simple line, for example, activates a group of detectors. When several groups of detectors are activated, these help the brain to make correct judgments.

However, the more line detectors that are stimulated will not automatically lead to a better line judgment. On the contrary, this can create a “competition” between the line detectors that will lead to different degrees of (so called) optical illusions, as shown in the illustrations below (front and perspective views).

MLA is developed to activate the maximum number of coordinated detectors
for optimal aiming judgment.

In English Please…

Detectors? Perceptual process? What the heck does all that mean for the golfer? The bottom line is, this MLA alignment system is supposed to make it easier for golfers to line up the putter more accurately. I have no way to test this theory scientifically, but I have no reason to doubt the science behind the MLA alignment system. Personally, I tend to prefer putters with a lack of alignment lines so I was drawn to these immediately. My favorite putters tend to have a sight dot or nothing at all. This putter doesn’t have lines but is still easy to line up because of the MLA alignment and also because it has a mostly square shape with a wide face.

I found the best balance between high MOI (resistance to twisting on off center hits) and feel with the 5g weights. 10g and 15g weights are also included to customize the putter. Heavier weights add MOI but reduce feel, and lighter weights increase feel at the expense of MOI. Even with the lightest 5g weights installed, this is a heavy putter with pretty high MOI. You can miss hit it all over the face and still get good results.

It would be harder to find a higher quality piece of work than this MLA Tour XDream putter. The milling work is clean and precise. The finish is shiny on the bottom where it makes sense to polish it and has a nice matte black finish on the top side where glare could be an issue. I love a dark color putter with dark paint fill like this limited edition Black Series. The weights screw in to the weight slots with surgical precision. This is a very well built putting implement.

SPECIFICATIONS

HEAD WEIGHT: 375g
LOFT: 2,5°
LIE: 71°
LENGTH: 32”, 33”, 34”, 35”, 36”
WEIGHT KIT: 2x 5g, 2x 10g, 2x 15g included
GRIP: Midsize Forward Golf black
COLOR: Black PV

OPTIONS

CUSTOM LOFT: -1° +1°
CUSTOM LIE: -2° +2°
GRIP: Jumbo Forward Golf black

For golfers with a square-to-square putting stroke or those that prefer a face-balanced mallet style, the MLA Tour XDream is a putter you should seriously consider. The Tour XDream is priced at $299 online and the Black Edition I have sells for $349. This puts them squarely in the high-end category along with the likes of Scotty Cameron, Bettinardi and other boutique putter craftsmen like Piretti and Evnroll and that’s right where MLA Golf belongs.

November 3, 2017
10 Club Companies That Fly Under The Radar

Here in the US, spring is approaching and some of us will be out to buy new clubs. Considering the beating the golf industry has been taking in a down economy, the major brands are still spending millions in advertising to get your business. Everybody knows about the big boys like TaylorMade, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland and a few others who dominate the market, but there are many more companies out there that make great golf clubs that you won’t see in the pages of Golf Magazine or on the Golf Channel. Here are just ten club companies that tend to fly under the radar.

1. Piretti Putters – Founded in 2008 by Mike Johnson, Piretti makes top notch milled putters. His designs are a little different, in that they tend to use more weight (15-45 grams more) in their putters and less loft than most for a smooth, consistent roll. As a result, their putters are some of the best feeling flat sticks I’ve ever used, and the Cortino LN model is a personal favorite of mine.

2. James Patrick Golf – Having studied under some of the finest club builders and grinders in the world, James Patrick started grinding his own wedges a few years later and the rest is history. His wedges are forged by Kyoei in Japan, one of the finest forge houses in the world. Building custom, hand ground wedges isn’t cheap, but the finished product is more than a golf club. For serious golfers, his wedges are works of art. Update 2017: James left for a job at Titleist/Acushnet for a number of years and his website went away, but he’s back and partnered with Titleist to continue pushing the envelope and making awesome scoring clubs.

3. Royal Collection – While virtually unknown in the USA, Royal Collection has been ranked #1 in the fairway woods and hybrids category for 7 consecutive years, according to the Darrel Survey. Once known outside Japan as Sonartec, they’ve since dropped the brand. Known mostly for their fairway woods, they offer a full line of premium quality clubs, including the popular and gorgeous looking Tour VS forged irons. Editors Note – June 2017: This article was written in 2012 and from what I can tell, Royal Collection has pulled out of the US market to concentrate their efforts on the Japanese golf market.

4. Feel Golf – Having designed and built clubs for PGA Tour winners for years, Dr. Lee Miller has created some interesting clubs over the years. The most popular club in their lineup is the 73 degree wedge. Feel Golf is maybe the only company out there to reject the latest USGA groove rule and is still designing and selling square-grooved irons and wedges. Since the average golfer won’t have to switch until 2024, why not? Editors Note – June 2017: Feel Golf is no longer in business. My efforts to reach Dr. Miller were unsuccessful and I can’t find any presence on the web for his clubs.

5. Tour Edge Golf – Many readers will be familiar with Tour Edge, but I feel that they probably don’t get the credit they deserve. Their premium Exotics CB4 and XCG5 line of clubs are as good or better than any on the market, especially the fairway woods. Priced at $499, the Exotics CU irons are probably the best “bang for the buck” iron set in golf.

6. Henry Griffitts – Since the 1980s, Henry-Griffitts has been a pioneer in custom club fitting, and those who have played with their clubs tend to remain loyal for many years. Available only at select golf clubs, each player is fit for his set by a certified club fitting professional. Their new T12 forged blades are sure to appeal to the purists and low handicappers out there.

7. Byron Morgan Putters – Another small putter maker, Byron Morgan has built a cult following on golf websites such as The Putter Place and Puttertalk.com. Byron’s putters are all made one at a time to the exact specifications of the buyer. If you’ve always wanted a putter made just for you, Byron Morgan is one of the few people out there that can make it happen.

8. SCOR Golf – President Terry Koehler has come up with a short game scoring system that is unlike anything in the golf industry. His system replaces your short irons with his, which are precisely fit for your swing and set makeup. They offer every loft available from 41 to 61 degrees to come up with the best-matched set of scoring clubs available. There’s too much info to go over here, but check out their website for more info, and look for a full review of SCOR very soon! Editors Note – June 2017: Terry Koehler joined forces with Ben Hogan golf to revive that brand with his designs, which were an evolution of SCOR. While the company’s clubs were very well received, sales sputtered. While the Ben Hogan brand is still limping along during a restructuring, Mr Koehler has long since moved on to other opportunities.

9. Carnahan Golf – Carnahan is a boutique golf brand, available only in select golf course pro shops around the US. Carnahan’s wedges are as good as any major OEM’s offerings. In fact, my good buddy Tony from hookedongolfblog.com swears by them. Using heavier head weights and a longer shaft for versatility, these wedges are great scoring clubs. If you get a chance to try these clubs, don’t miss out!

10. Fourteen Golf – Another Japanese brand, Fourteen is picking up momentum in the competitive US golf market. Having signed PGA Tour players Ryuji Imada and Arjun Atwal to endorsement contracts, their awesome new RM-11 wedges are being played by many other touring pros without an endorsement. I’m also playing the RM-11 wedge, and I try dozens of different wedges every year. Fourteen’s wedges really are that good.

Well there you have it. Just ten of the golf industry’s lesser known brands. I’m sure I left off some good companies. There is also the accessories, apparel, golf balls and more. Maybe we’ll cover those next time. What company did I leave off? Which do you think belong or don’t belong on this list? Let me know what you think!

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March 27, 2012
5 Golf Companies You Have Not Heard Of

The golf industry is so huge that every year at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Florida, the industry fills up most of the exhibition and meeting space in the Orange County Convention Center. That’s almost 14 million square feet of golf clubs, apparel, accessories, trinkets and gadgets. More than 1000 companies come to show off their stuff to over 40,000 golf industry professionals from 75 countries. It’s all quite overwhelming. Every year we do our best to see everything, and every year we fail miserably. So I thought I would take a little time to introduce you to a few companies that most casual golfers may not know about. (Click on the photos to zoom in)

Putter Lounge – Based in Colorado, these folks perform small miracles with putters. Want to refinish an old Scotty Cameron or Bettinardi? They offer seven different options, from the classic black oxide to midnight oil and the super popular candy white finish. Their new “element 29” finish (See photo above) is also sure to turn heads. These guys will make an old putter look brand new, and even fit your flat stick with a new shaft and grip if you want. I sent my Bettinardi BB8 to them to have the candy white finish applied and the results were stunning. Check out the photos here. Prices hover around $100 for refinishing. Very reasonable! Check them out at www.putterlounge.com

Kikkor Golf – Kikkor makes golf shoes that your dad wouldn’t wear. The casual, skater inspired styles are very popular with the younger generation of golfers and are designed to be an alternative to the standard golf shoes we all grew up with. They are very comfortable, supportive and reasonably priced. With many different styles and colors available, there is something for everyone. I love them because I can wear them out of the house and to the bar after golf! They just look like a pair of sneaks. Check out our full review here and use our special promo code “intothegrain” at checkout to save 10% for yourself!
Energy Athletic – Ever spend $30 for a little rubber ionic bracelet? Oh yeah, I’m sure it really works… Seriously though, for those who tout the benefits of these bracelets, wouldn’t you like to enjoy the benefits of that ionic material all over your body, rather than just on your wrist? Energy Athletic Golf Apparel has the solution. The IonX Ionized Energy Fabric, exclusive to Energy Athletic Golf, delivers ionized energy to the entire upper body through a negatively charged electromagnetic field built into the molecular structure of the fabric. This is supposed to increase your energy, focus and performance. The shirts look good and cost about $70, which is a way better deal than a stupid looking rubber bracelet. www.wearenergy.com Piretti Golf – Piretti makes putters. Lots of companies make putters, but the smaller guys seem to do a better job at it than the big companies. Piretti is no exception. Their flat sticks are made with more weight and less loft than most, and they use soft metals and CNC milling to get the specs perfect. At the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show I saw and rolled putts with dozens and dozens of putters, but the Piretti Cortino LN that I tried was the best. With the added weight and slightly less loft, the ball seems to roll off the face especially well on faster greens. Piretti’s prices are also excellent. Unlike some of the bigger guys who charge almost as much for so-called “limited edition” head covers, for just under $300 you'll get a custom built, ultra premium putter that will have your playing partners wishing they heard of them first. View the full line at www.pirettigolf.com Royal Collection – Remember Sonartec, the popular fairway woods that took the PGA Tour by storm and were endorsed by Nick Price? If not, you need to get out more! The parent company of the now defunct Sonartec is Royal Collection. Based in Japan, they have been the #1 fairway woods and hybrid on the Japan PGA Tours for 7 years in a row. Known for the familiar “driving cavity” feature, they produce the best feeling and performing fairway woods on the planet. Not sure how they do it, but if you want to find out they will now be available in the U.S. through select dealers. Save your pennies though, because the best fairways in the world don’t come cheap. Expect to pay over $300 per club. I think they are worth it. Check out the whole line of fantastic drivers, woods, irons and wedges at www.royalcollectionusa.com. You can thank me later.
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July 29, 2011