Tag: Putter

  • JJ Spaun Leans on LAB in US Open Victory at Oakmont

    JJ Spaun Leans on LAB in US Open Victory at Oakmont

    JJ Spaun tosses his LAB Golf DF3 putter after US Open winning putt

    JJ Spaun started Father’s Day with a 3am run to the pharmacy because his daughter was sick. He finished the day as the 2025 US Open champion on Oakmont’s legendary and treacherous greens. He was four shots back at the turn on Sunday, partly because of a horrendous break on the second hole when his wedge shot struck the flag and spun back off the green and down the fairway.

    He battled bad lies, bad weather, major pressure and a 40 on the front nine, but somehow kept his composure through it all. Over the final seven holes, Spaun made more than 136 feet of putts, including a curling 64-footer on the 72nd hole (the longest putt of the week by anyone in the field) to seal his first major. When it was all said and done, he was the only player to finish the U.S. Open under par.

    While the world watched, his L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter stayed square through nerves, bad breaks, and brutal conditions. After the win, he said he never knew what his ceiling was. The truth is, most golfers don’t. But when you stop fighting your putter, the ceiling goes higher.

    Round 4: 136 feet of made putts over the last 7 holes

    Hole 18: 64 ft 5 in.

    Hole 17: 3 ft 6 in

    Hole 16: 2 ft 11 in.

    Hole 15: 18 in

    Hole 14: 22 ft 1 in.

    Hole 13: 21 in

    Hole 12: 40 ft 5 in.

    Overall Strokes Gained Putting: 2nd (+2.59)

    Round 4 SGP: 4th (+2.62)

    Round 3 SGP: 3rd (+2.78)

    Round 2 SGP: 57th (+0.77)

    Round 1 SGP: 2nd (+4.19)

    JJ Spaun’s L.A.B. DF3 Specs

    • Length: 34 inches
    • Lie Angle: 70 degrees
    • Shaft: L.A.B. Golf x TPT Golf
    • Shaft Lean: 2 Degrees
    • Alignment Marking: Single line (D)
    • Color: Charcoal
    • Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Studio Design
  • 6 Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

    6 Last Minute Father’s Day Gift Ideas

    We’re less than a week away from Father’s Day, and this year more than most is a year to celebrate what we all hope is the return of family gatherings and outdoor activities without restrictions. If you haven’t figured out what to get dear old dad on Father’s Day, here are a few last minute suggestions.

    Try an Arm Lock Putter!

    SIK DW2.0 Arm Lock Putter
    SIK DW2.0 Arm Lock Putter
    SIK DW2.0 Arm Lock Putter
    L.A.B. Golf DF2.1 Arm Lock Putter
    L.A.B. Golf DF2.1 Arm Lock Putter
    putters-2021-2-ball-ten-arm-lock___2
    putters-2021-2-ball-ten-arm-lock___1

    Let’s face it – If you are here, you and dad are probably golfers, and you both probably suck at putting. Why not try an arm lock putter? Several companies fit them and custom make them, and the style helps eliminate left wrist breakdown, which causes missed putts. I know, because I’ve switched and my putts per round stat has dropped by almost 1.5 putts in 4 months!

    Odyssey has a new model called the Arm Lock 2-Ball Ten, SIK putters have a few models and a custom fitting program for those local to Orlando. I was recently fitted for my SIK (Study In Kinematics) arm lock putter and the experience was eye opening! Also, Bryson DeChambeau won the US Open with a SIK arm lock putter, and he’s statistically one of the best putters on the planet. Another great option is the Directed Force 2.1 putter from LAB Golf. LAB stands for lie angle balancing, which is a technology that prevents the face of the putter from opening and closing during the stroke. It just wants to stay square. Pair this tech with the arm lock style and you have the makings of a very accurate putter!

    Recommendation: Book a fitting in Orlando with Greg Harrison from SIK golf to explore every nuance of dad’s putting stroke under a high-speed camera, and they’ll not only fix your stroke, but they’ll build you a putter to make more putts by fitting it to your new improved putting stroke. That’s a win – win if you ask me!

    Walk The Course

    18 months of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions has kept many of us indoors, and that means many of us also got fat or fatter! There’s an easy fix to get rid of those extra pounds – Get out of that golf cart and walk the course! Grab one of Big Max Golf’s Dri Lite Hybrid Bags and the Cape model push cart from Walker Trolleys and you’ll be ready to go in style. You’ll get years and years of use from both because they are built like tanks!

    Dri_Lite_Hybrid_white_navy_red
    Walker Trolleys Cape Model

    Big Max Golf has been selling top quality golf bags and accessories in Europe for years and now they are available in the USA. The Big Max Dri Lite Hybrid stand bag fits all push & pull carts, is 100% waterproof and weighs only 4.4 pounds. That’s what I call versatility. Paired with the solidly built and classic styled Cape pushcart from Walker Trolleys, you’ll be ready for anything the golf course (and Mother Nature) can throw at you.

    Cleveland RTX Full Face Wedges

    Who doesn’t need new wedges? We can always use new wedges. Some PGA Tour pros get new wedges every few weeks! While we common folk don’t have the luxury of having new wedges built for us each week, once per year we can keep our short game sharp with fresh grooves and take advantage of new designs like the new Cleveland RTX Full face Wedges. These clubs feature a high-toe profile and full face grooves, along with Cleveland’s Zipcore technology to reposition the center of gravity for more spin and control. You can also custom order your wedges with several custom shafts and grips, or even personalize the paint fill and add engraving.

    RTX Full-Face
    RTX_Full-Face_Tour_Satin_lrg_V2
    RTX_Full-Face_Tour_Satin_lrg_V4

    Let’s Go Racing!

    Lexus, the official vehicle of Pebble Beach Resorts, is offering a full-day racing experience at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Dad can drive this thrilling, iconic circuit while building his driving skills and confidence – on and off the track. Summer school dates include June 25, 26 or 27, and Aug. 20, 21 or 22, 2021. Fall and winter dates are also available. The experience is $995. To order a gift certificate or to register a participant as a gift, contact the Lexus Concierge at 888-211-8522 or Concierge@LexusPerformanceDrivingSchool.com

    Must Have Accessories

    Most golfers wear a glove when they play, but why not ditch the boring white or black color and add some personality with something from Bender Gloves? They have all kinds of fun designs for gloves that will make you and dad stand out on the course while helping you get a grip. Check out their limited time deals before Father’s Day here: https://www.bendergloves.com/

    Bender Gloved USA Flag
    Bushnell Pro XE

    Bushnell range finders are being used by 98% of professionals on the PGA Tour. In fact, they invented laser rangefinders for use on the golf course. To say they are the industry leader would be a bit of an understatement to say the least. With a full range of devices at every price point and technology like Elements Compensation that adjusts distances based on factors like elevation, temperature and barometric pressure, Bushnell makes the best golf rangefinders on the market. Get more info here: https://www.bushnellgolf.com/golf-laser-rangefinders/#

  • 3 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    3 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is only three weeks away and if you haven’t thought of anything for dad, here are a few ideas that are sure to bring a big smile to his face. We’re keeping it simple this year with one club, one service and one destination.

    Full bag Fitting from True Spec Golf

    https://youtu.be/t8KqXOACe1M

    I’ve lost track of how many times I have emphasized the importance of fitting when buying new golf clubs, but it’s a lot! Golf clubs are expensive, so if you are going to spend upwards of $2000 for a new set, it’s going to be worth a few extra hundred buck to get those clubs dialed in with the right shaft and specs.

    I’ve been to a couple of True Spec Golf’s locations for fittings and on every occasion they’ve knocked it out of the park and helped my golf game. A few years ago a fitting with True Spec Golf in Jupiter led to them building me a three-wood that goes almost 10 yards further than the last, without losing accuracy. Most recently at True Spec in Orlando I discovered a new iron shaft that will give me half a club more distance by optimizing launch and spin conditions for my swing. We’re talking 6-8 yards more distance. That’s a huge gain for irons by just changing shafts!

    If you are buying new clubs or simply want to dial in your existing clubs, a fitting professional from True Spec Golf can and will help your game. They guarantee it! To schedule your fitting today, visit https://www.truespecgolf.com/

    Summer Tee Golf Package at Pinehurst Resort

    Nestled in the sandhills about 70 miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina is the village of Pinehurst, and the surrounding area has some of the best golf in North America. At the center of this Eastern golf mecca is the famed Pinehurst Resort. With nine golf courses (and a great short course) designed by some of the game’s most iconic designers, world-class accommodations and top-notch dining, Pinehurst has it all. Why not send dad and his buddies on a golf trip they’ll never forget?

    Pinehurst Resort’s Summer Tee Golf Package includes resort accommodations for three nights, breakfast and dinner each day, three rounds of golf and – a fourth round for free. There’s a surcharge for the no. 2 course, but it’s probably worth it just to walk in the footsteps of the 2014 US Open Champions from the PGA and LPGA Tour.

    I’m heading up to Pinehurst myself on Father’s Day weekend, so stay tuned for lots of social media coverage on our Instagram & Facebook pages. For more information about Pinehurst golf packages and to reserve your spot today, visit their website here: https://www.pinehurst.com/offers/

    Timeless Golf Company – Carbon Steel Putters That Won’t Break The Bank

    To say I’m a putter enthusiast would be a bit of an understatement, as I own no less than 30 flatsticks. I also love learning about new companies and their products, so I was pretty excited when I found out about Timeless Putters.

    Timeless manufactures affordable carbon steel putters and offers two models – The Tradition and the Legacy, each shaped like classic putters from Karsten Solheim (Tradition) and Scotty Cameron (Legacy) that truly have stood the test of time and have become “timeless.”

    Carbon steel is soft and heavy – A great combination for a precision milled putter. Head weights come in at about 350 grams, and plenty of customization options are available such as finish (Black, Satin or Blue PVD) length, lie, loft, shaft and stamping. I personally recommend spending the money to upgrade to the amazing BGT Stability Tour shaft.

    I’ve had my Timeless legacy putter in blue PVD for 6 weeks and have been on a tear with it lately. The feel of a carbon steel putter is second to none, the putter sits perfectly square at address, rolls the ball great and the finish is unique and very attractive.

    The greatest thing about Timeless putters is that they are affordable. Most companies that make customizable carbon steel putters will charge well over $500 for their putters, but Timeless sells their stock models for only $299. This is a disruptive and unbeatable price for this kind of putter. Take a look for yourself – You won’t be disappointed. https://www.timelessputters.com/

  • BGT – Stability Tour Putter Shaft

    BGT – Stability Tour Putter Shaft

    Upgrade your putting performance with the Stability Tour putter shaft from Breakthrough Golf Technology

    It’s no secret that I have been a fan of industry titan Barney Adams and his newest venture Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) for a few years now. I first covered the company and their Stability Putter Shaft a few years ago, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down.

    Be sure to tune in to The Back of the Range Golf Podcast for a great interview with Barney Adams about his remarkable career in making us all better golfers

    BGT’s latest product is the Stability Tour putter shaft. Like the original Stability Tour shaft, it is a graphite & carbon fiber putter shaft designed to improve putter specific motion and performance. Compared to a standard steel putter shaft who’s technology has remained unchanged for over 50 years, the Stability and Stability Tour shafts have increased flexural rigidity, which greatly reduces torsional rotation.

    English Please…

    What are flexural rigidity and torsional rotation? In laymen’s terms, the Stability shafts are 25% stiffer and reduce torque by 50% compared to those old-fashioned steel shafts, without sacrificing feel. With a putter shaft that doesn’t twist or bend as much through the stroke, you will be able to return the putter to impact more consistently, which means your misses will be closer, and in the long run you’ll make more putts.

    The Stability Tour shaft differs from the original Stability in several ways. In addition to the softer feel, it has a thinner profile, weighs more and is balanced more like a steel shaft. All these factors make it easier to transition from a steel shaft without changing the overall weight and balance of your putter, and that’s why tour players requested these features.

    What Took So Long?

    Why hasn’t putter shaft technology changed in so long? Most people buy putters without thinking about the shaft. We just assume it’s a standard putter shaft, right? Nothing to it! The answer is simple – Until recently, we didn’t have the technology to analyze putting performance, so we couldn’t really tell if changing shafts in your putter would make a measurable difference.

    With the help of new technology like high-speed cameras, robots, SAM Putt Lab, Quintic Ball Roll software and Trackman 4, the Stability Shaft was exhaustively tested with hundreds of putters, rolling thousands of putts.

    I have used the SAM Putt Lab before with other putters. It is an amazing tracking device that uses ultrasound and measures 28 parameters of the putting stroke down to a tenth of a degree. One thing is for sure, the data you get from a session on SAM is critical in understanding how a shaft like the BGT Stability and Stability Tour can help your putting.

    Breakthrough Golf Technology claims you are 82% more likely to return the face square at impact with the Stability & Stability Tour shaft. Maybe that’s why 99% of golfers who play with the Stability prefer it over steel.

    Real World Results

    As with the original Stability shaft that I tested, the Stability Tour shaft produced instant results for me in the Bettinardi BB8 putter I installed it in. The first and perhaps most obvious difference is the feel. Dampening the vibration from impact is something that these shafts do way better than steel, which has the effect of deadening the sound and making your putter feel softer at impact.

    It may be hard to notice with the naked eye and seem funny to talk about launch angles with a putter, but the Stability Tour shaft actually launches the ball a bit lower than a steel shaft. What this translates to when putting is a ball that skids less and starts rolling end over end faster. I would love to get this putter on a Quintic or SAM Putt Lab to get some hard data, and if/when that happens I’l be sure to update this post with my findings.

    Price & Availability

    The Stability and Stability Tour putter shafts are available through custom club fitters like Club Champion or direct from Breakthough Golf Technology’s online store.

    Prices range from $199 for the original Stability Shaft to $249 for the Stability Tour. That price included shipping and installation by the professional staff at BGT’s state-of-the-art facility in Texas.

  • Breakthrough Golf Technology Instantly Made Me A Better Putter

    Breakthrough Golf Technology (BGT) is a new golf company that makes putter shafts. Founder Barney Adams is a golf industry veteran and pioneer, bringing Adams Golf from nothing to become one of the major players in golf innovations in the 1990s & 2000s. Adams golf turned the industry on its head with the Tight Lies fairway woods and then changed golf forever by popularizing hybrids, making them a staple in amateur & touring pros’ golf bags around the world.

    Mr. Adams left Adams Golf when Taylor Made Golf purchased the company in 2012 (and promptly killed the iconic brand through neglect) He started BGT a few years later in 2014, and we’re now able to see the fruits of his labor with the Stability putter shaft.

    Breakthrough Golf technology - Stability Shaft

    There are four parts to the Stability shaft that work together to improve putting performance. This “Advanced Materials Integration” uses advanced multi-material design combined with geometries never before used in putter shafts. The Stability shaft has the same look and weight as traditional steel putter shafts but feels more solid and stable. The Stability shaft delivers the face of the putter more square at impact for better accuracy. The shaft also produces a lower launch for more predictable roll, resulting in better distance control.

    Real World Testing

    I found my latest gamer putter – a Scotty Cameron Futura 5W – last winter after my last Scotty Cameron met its unfortunate end at the bottom of a lake at the Mines Golf & CC in Malaysia following one too many three-putt greens. Since then, I’ve been a one-putter man. It has been my gamer for over 8 months, which is pretty remarkable given my history of frequently changing putters.

    I sent my Futura 5W off to Texas for BGT to work its magic, and I got the putter back in about 10 days from the day I sent it. My Scotty Cameron was now attached to the Stability shaft, and I started rolling putts in my living room with it the same day. Almost immediately I noticed the solid feel, free of unwanted vibrations. In fact, I never knew how much vibration you get from a putter until I tried this shaft. The difference to me was dramatic. Breakthrough Golf Technology claims that the Stability shaft launches the ball lower. I can’t confirm that claim without some fancy and expensive testing equipment, but I’ll take their word for it because the end result of lower launch is better roll, and this shaft seems to make the ball roll better coming off the face.

    Another claim made by Breakthrough Golf Technology about the Stability shaft is improved accuracy because the putter face will be more square at impact. Again, without some fancy testing equipment like the SAM Putt Lab, I can’t verify those claims with raw data, but I can tell you that in the five rounds (90 holes) of golf I’ve played since getting the Stability shaft installed, I’ve made (Pardon my French) a shit-load of putts! What that translates to in numbers is 26 birdies in 90 holes, or a birdie percentage of about 34%. Obviously, I can’t attribute all those birdies to my putter alone, but it has been a great month for me on the greens.

    Bottom Line

    Confidence with the putter can be very fleeting for me, but maybe the Stability shaft is what I needed to get me over the hump and get my handicap back in the highly desirable plus range. Even when putting poorly I’m usually around the hole, but the added stability and consistency of Breakthrough Golf Technology’s Stability shaft might be the edge I needed to convert two or three more 10-footers per round.

    The list price for the Stability shaft is $199.99 with free installation, and it’s worth every penny. People don’t hesitate to drop $400 or more on a new driver that they can only use 14 times per round, but balk at spending money on a putter. When it comes to improving the performance of the most-used club in everyone’s golf bag, every dollar is well spent. Just don’t tell my playing partners!

  • Father’s Day Gift Guide – Summer 2018

    Father’s Day Gift Guide – Summer 2018

    It’s June, and the commercials are already playing on TV for Father’s Day. If you haven’t gotten your golf-nut dad anything yet fear not, because we’ve got some great ideas for every budget. Let’s get right to the list. Here are nine gift suggestions for all you last-minute shoppers!

    Golf Clubs

    2018_C300_Cavity_Iron_HeroWilson C300 Irons – The new C300 and C300 Forged irons feature Wilson’s Power Hole technology – Urethane-filled holes positioned around the face to allow the face to flex and expand the sweet spot. The C300 Forged irons offer the same greater ball speeds for better players that prefer a more traditional shape and feel. Wilson C300 Irons: $799.99 at Amazon.com

    Cobra KING F8 Driver – The KING F8 driver is packed with tech. A precision CNC milled face for maximum ball speed, 360 Aero technology for speed combined with adjustable weights and hosel for a precise fit make this driver a great option for almost everybody. Add in Cobra Connect powered by Arccos Golf and you’ve got the most technologically advanced driver on the market. Better players will gravitate to the KING F8+ driver with less draw bias and heavier swing weights. Cobra KING F8 Driver: $358.87 on Amazon.com

    Pyramid Putters – With a milled face and grooves angled to help steer mishit putts back online, the Pyramid putter can help you make more putts. It also has a pyramid-shaped alignment feature on the top and a proprietary taperless grip for lighter grip pressure. I love the soft feel and positive roll off the face of the Pyramid Putter. The matte black finish reduces glare and it’s cheaper than many competing brands. $279.95 Available direct online at Pyramidputters.com

    Accessories

    UA TUNED™ Golf AssistGlove Ride – When the weather is hot and sweaty, one of the biggest challenges is to keep your golf glove fresh & dry. Glove Ride’s Glove Caddie helps by giving you a place to attach multiple gloves and help them dry up and stay in shape. It attaches to your golf bag with a solid metal clip and has a strong velcro strip to attach multiple gloves while they air-dry. There’s also a poker chip ball marker that can be customized for special events or golf courses. Available online at Gloveride.com for $19.95

    Golf Pride Align Grips – Up to 80% of PGA Tour pros use Golf Pride grips. That’s not likely to change any time soon now that they’ve introduced new grips with ALIGN Technology. A raised red ridge on the bottom of the grip provides consistent hand placement and club face awareness. The ridge is made of 50% firmer material than the surrounding grip to amplify the feel. ALIGN technology is available on three popular grips: The MCC, MCC Plus4, and the new Tour Velvet. Go to golfpride.com for more information.

    Under Armor Eyewear – Under Armor has come a long way in a few short years. As a leading sportswear company, they’ve cut into the market share of giants like Nike and adidas by offering high-quality products at a reasonable price. One department where they’ve excelled is in eyewear. For golf, they’ve developed UA Tuned Propel sunglasses that provide contrast enhancement which helps you to read the course more precisely & track the ball easier. Even better, they’re priced at only $74.99 at underarmor.com

    Tech & Gadgets

    Bushnell HybridBushnell Hybrid – For years people have been asking for a laser rangefinder combined with GPS. I’ve always wanted a device that combined both technologies, but as it turns out, it’s not that easy to make. Good news – Bushnell has finally gotten it right with the new Bushnell Hybrid. The Bushnell Hybrid gives you this information by displaying the lasered distances to the pin and GPS provided front and back yardage readings within the LCD. You can also get GPS yardages for front, center and back on the outside of the device in case you have a blind shot and cannot see the pin. Available for $399 at Amazon.com

    Swing Caddie SC200 – Launch monitors are all the rage these days on the professional tours, but not many people can afford the same models the pros use since in most cases they cost over $10,000. However, there are a number of devices that can give weekend amateurs much of the same information at a fraction of the cost. One of these devices is the Swing Caddie SC200 from Voice Caddie. The SC200 is about the same size as a large cell phone, making it very portable. The Doppler radar displays information like carry yardage, swing speed, ball speed, loft angle and smash factor. Best of all, it only costs about $350 on Amazon.

    Garmin Approach S60 – Garmin is best known for its navigation devices for cars, but they have quietly been making top quality GPS distance measuring devices for a while now. One of these awesome devices is a watch called the Garmin Approach S60. Much more than just a golf GPS watch, the Approach S60 is a full-fledged smartwatch that pairs to your phone via Bluetooth and displays notifications for incoming calls, texts, emails and other alerts. It comes preloaded with more than 41,000 golf courses around the world and using the Garmin Connect app on your phone you can update the course list and get updates for the watch. The full-color display is easy to read in bright sunlight and the battery lasts up to 10 hours in golf mode. Available now on Amazon for $345.59

  • PING Introduces the PLD3 Putter

    PING Introduces the PLD3 Putter

    It’s no secret that PING makes some of the best performing golf clubs on the planet. Their G-series drivers have been one of the best performing and best selling drivers for several years now, and they continue to innovate with their new G700 irons. But when you think of PING, you don’t normally think of them as making beautiful clubs. Functional? Yes. Technologically advanced? Sure. Beautiful? That’s not really a word we’ve used much when describing PING clubs over the years, but that may be starting to change.

    Introducing PING’s limited edition PLD3 Putter. If you like mallet putters, you’ll want to check this one out. Every limited-edition PLD3 is milled from T6 6061 aluminum and distinguished by a multi-colored, flame-torched copper soleplate that’s unique to that putter. Check these beauties out, and scroll down for more detailed specs and pricing.

    PING PLD Putter Soleplates

    PING PLD Putter

    PING PLD Putter

    PING PLD Putter Soleplates

     

    PLD3 Putter Specifications

    • Flame-Torched C14500 Copper Alloy Precision-Milled Sole Plate
    • 100% Precision-Milled at PING From T6 6061 Aluminum
    • 28″–38″ Available Shaft Length, 3° Loft (+-2°), 20° Lie (+-4°)
    • Fits Slight-Arc Stroke Type, Weighs 365g
    • Stepless Steel Stealth-Colored Shaft
    • PP58 Black Midsize Grip
    • Coordinating PLD3 Putter Cover

    The PLD3 putter is available beginning today (June 1, 2018) at PING Authorized golf shops. MSRP is $435 USD.

  • PING Introduces New Products For Spring 2018

    PING Introduces New Products For Spring 2018

    The Engineering and R&D teams at Ping have been busy in the last year. Following the release of the awesome new G400 driver and fairways, Ping just introduced the G400 Max driver along with G700 irons, Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges and Ping Vault 2.0 putters. All the new stuff is available for pre-order right now (Jan 15,2018). First, let’s look at the photos, and we’ll go into more detail after.

    PING G400 Max Driver

     [slideshow_deploy id=’5813′]

    PING Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5812′]

    PING G700 Irons

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5814′]

    PING Vault 2.0 Putters

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5797′]

    Technical Details

    Now for the important stuff – The specs and pricing! Below I’ve removed some of PING’s PR talk from their recent press releases and kept just the details that people want to see.

    G400 Max Driver

    In the G400 Max driver, PING achieved its all-time high MOI measurements by optimizing the crown and face design in the larger-profile, multi-material head. The forgiveness gains are attributable to the 460cc head and nearly four times the discretionary weight created by Dragonfly crown technology and the thin, forged face. Its high-density tungsten back weight wraps around the back of the sole to help bring the combined MOI (heel/toe and high/low) over 9,900 gram cm2. Its CG position is lower and farther back than any current driver on the market to make it the most forgiving driver in golf – surpassing the current G400 driver.

     

    G400 Max Driver Technology and Specifications:

    Multi-material construction: Cast Ti 8-1-1 body, forged T9S+ face, high-density tungsten back weight, lightweight aluminum/thermoplastic adjustable hosel

    Loft options: 9⁰ & 10.5⁰

    Head weight: Std. (206g)

    Head volume: 460 cc

    Std. length: 45 3/4″ (Alta CB); 45 1/4″ (PING Tour and aftermarkets)

    Loft adjustability: Up to +-1⁰

    Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    U.S. MSRP: $435

    Shaft options: PING Alta CB (counter-balanced) 55 (SR, R, S, X), PING Tour 65, 75 (MSRP: $35 upcharge) (R, S, X), Alta Distanza 40 (MSRP: $35 upcharge)

    Aftermarket shaft options (MSRP: $75 upcharge): Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Silver Dual-Core TiNi 60 (R, S, X), Project X HZRDUS Yellow 75 (5.5, 6.0, 6.5), Aldila X-Torsion Copper (50R, 60S)

    Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges

    The Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges’ 8620 carbon steel head and precision-milled grooves deliver a softer feel and higher-spinning shots for greater control. The tour-inspired Stealth finish, which yields less glare and makes the head appear smaller, is applied using a QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) process for added durability. This wedge fits the game and the eye of players for whom performance and appearance go hand in hand.

    A patented precision wheel-cut half groove near the lead edge on the 56⁰, 58⁰ and 60⁰ improves engagement with the ball (specifically low on the face) to significantly increase spin and control from all conditions. The wheel-cut milling process was developed by PING’s engineering and manufacturing teams to enable grooves with a sharper edge radius, which increases interaction with the cover of the ball at impact, creating more friction for improved spin and trajectory control. The grooves in the lower-lofted wedges (46°, 50° & 52°) are milled with a 20° sidewall and a .005″ edge radius for optimal full-shot performance. The higher-lofted versions (54°, 56°, 58° & 60°) are milled to a .004″ edge radius and a 28° sidewall to impart more spin, especially around the greens.

    The patented design is offered in four sole grinds (SS, WS, ES and TS) to ensure Glide 2.0 Stealth wedges can be fit to a golfer’s divot depth or attack angle and most common turf conditions.

    SS GRIND  (46°/12°, 50°/12°, 52°/12°, 54°/12°, 56°/12°, 58°/10°, 60/10°)

    An all-purpose mid-bounce sole with heel and trail edge relief to create versatility on touch shots around the green. Ideal for moderate attack angles and divots. Fits most golfers.

    WS GRIND (54°/14°, 56°/14°, 58°/14°, 60/14°)

    Full-sole design that provides turf security for players with a steep angle of attack. The reduced camber and added width prevent digging.

    TS GRIND (58°/6°, 60°/6°)

    A PING WRX-inspired design based on the Tour-proven half-moon grind. The TS grind facilitates shot making and precision from even the most difficult lies. The heel relief allows shots to be executed with an open face to difficult pins or from firm lies without fear of the lead edge sitting too high.

    ES GRIND (54°/8°, 56°/8°, 58°/8°, 60°/8°)

    Eye 2-inspired sole design provides the ultimate in bunker performance, resulting from the classic dish profile and the tapered hosel. A refined lead edge upgrades all-around performance with the iconic ES grind.

    Glide 2.0 Stealth Wedges Technology and Specifications:

    Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 Wedge; Stock graphite shaft — PING CFS 65/70/80 (Soft R, R, S)

    Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)

    U.S. MSRP: $150 per club w/steel shaft; $175 per club w/graphite shaft

    G700 Irons

    In the G700 iron, PING engineers put a high priority on creating an iron that offers power and forgiveness by leveraging the advantages of a hollow-body design and a thin, maraging steel face, creating PING’s longest, highest-flying iron to date.

    The hollow-body construction of the 17-4 stainless steel head allows for an internal geometry design that positions weight away from the face, creating a frame for metal-wood-like flexing and high COR to greatly increase ball speed and produce launch results that will amaze golfers.

    Maraging steel, which is also used in the G400 fairway woods, hybrids and crossovers, is one of the strongest alloys in the world and is commonly employed in the aerospace industry, where strength and flexibility are necessities. Those properties make it an ideal face material to deliver more flexing for faster ball speeds that launch shots farther and higher.

    G700 Iron Technology and Specifications:

    Multi-material construction: Hollow-body 17-4 stainless steel head, C300 Maraging Steel face, HydroPearl finish

    Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW in 10 color codes (lie angle). Black is standard.

    Std. grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet in six sizes (Blue -1/16″, Red -1/32″, Aqua -1/64″, White Std., Gold +1/32″, Orange +1/16″)

    Shaft options: Stock steel shaft — PING AWT 2.0 (R, S, X); Stock graphite shafts — Alta CB (counter-balanced) powered by AWT, UST Recoil 760 ES SMACWRAP (A), UST Recoil 780 ES SMACWRAP (R, S)

    Aftermarket steel shaft options (no upcharge): True Temper Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 105 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100) Project X LZ (5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5), True Temper XP95 (R, S,), Nippon NS Pro Modus 105 (S, X), KBS Tour (R, S, X)

    U.S. MSRP: $160 per iron w/steel shaft; $175 per iron w/graphite shaft

    PING Vault 2.0 Putters

    The next generation of PING’s 100%-milled putters are crafted and engineered to provide tour-caliber touch and performance through proven innovations like precision-milled, patented True Roll Technology (TR), plus a new custom-weighting system. The new system offers sole weight options in steel (standard weight head), tungsten (15 gms heavier than standard) and aluminum (15 gms lighter than standard) to match a golfer’s feel and balance preferences.

    Precision-milled TR technology ensures full-face forgiveness for consistent speed off the face. The individually milled face pattern varies in depth and pitch across the face, which speeds up off-center impacts, improving consistency and ultimately leading to fewer three-putts.

    Golfers can choose from three premium finishes (Stealth, Platinum or Copper) in five models precision-milled from 303 stainless steel, including the new Dale Anser, which is inspired by one of the original Anser putter molds created by Allan Dale Solheim and detailed by his father, Karsten Solheim. The award-winning Ketsch mallet (Stealth or Slate finish) combines a fully-machined 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum body with a stainless steel sole plate for an extremely high MOI and offers exceptional alignment features. All the models are fit for stroke and designed with varying alignment aids to fit a golfer’s preferred look and alignment style.  As part of the custom building process that ensures optimal balance, putters between 34″ and 36″ in length are built with steel sole weights; models 34″ and shorter feature tungsten weighting; putters built 36″ and longer use aluminum weights.

    Four proprietary PING Pistol tapered grips provide golfers with variances in shape and feel. The PP60 is a midsize, lightweight design with a foam under-listing and dominant flats for face awareness. The PP61 has an exaggerated pistol to fit the contour of the golfer’s hands, and a rubber under-listing for a softer response. The PP62 is a lightweight, oversized grip with a rounded profile. The CB60 is standard on custom counter-balanced putters in the line.

    PING Vault 2.0 Putter Technology and Specifications:

    Dale Anser (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Copper, Platinum or Stealth finish

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Voss (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    B60 (Blade)

    • 355g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth or Copper finish (Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    ZB (Blade)

    • 350g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Platinum (Copper or Stealth available special order)

    • Slight Arc

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-4º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Piper (Mid-Mallet)

    • 360g, fully machined 303 stainless steel

    • Available in Stealth finish (Copper or Platinum available special order)

    • Slight Arc or Straight

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

    Ketsch (Mallet)

    • 365g, fully machined 6061 aluminum head, stainless steel sole plate

    • Available in Stealth finish (Slate finish available special order)

    • Slight Arc or Straight

    • 35″ std. length, 3º std. loft, lie angle adjustable +-2º

    – U.S. MSRP: $325.00

  • MLA Tour XDream Putter

    MLA Tour XDream Putter

    MLA Tour XDream Black Edition PutterWhen 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…

    MLA Tour XDream Black Edition PutterWe 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.

    MLA Tour XDream Black Edition PutterIn 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.

  • 2017 PGA Show – 6 More Standout Products

    2017 PGA Show – 6 More Standout Products

    We’ve been walking around the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando for a few days and we’re overwhelmed as usual with the sheer size of it and the volume of information that is available to attendees. Day two at the show was more of the same. With over 1000 companies exhibiting their products & services it’s impossible to see everything, but we managed to highlight 6 companies on day one and for day two we’re drawing attention to 6 more that made an impression on us.

    Hole More Putts

    Hole More Putts

    All the way from Dublin, Ireland, Hole More Putts has designed an ingenious tablet device that analyzes your putting stroke, calculates a score based on five key metrics and even shows you specific drills to help work on your weaknesses. The technology is similar to something I’ve used before called the SAM Putt Lab but is far more affordable, portable and easy to use. This product will have a significant impact for avid golfers and golf instructors and deserves a feature length review, which we will have right here very soon!

    EVNROLL

    EVNROLL

    Mad scientist Guerin Rife has been designing putters for years, and his latest endeavor is going to make big waves. You may recognize the name from his former company Rife Golf. Rife was the first to put grooves on the face of a putter over 20 years ago – a design that is copied all over golf now. Having moved on from Rife Golf, he started EVNROLL in 2015 and is now making some of the best performing putters in golf. EVNROLL’s unique milled grooves use gear effect to actually steer mis-hit putts back on line with dramatic results.

    Golf Buddy WTX

    Golf Buddy WTX

    Golf Buddy has been one of my favorite gadget companies in recent years, and they continue to innovate and make easy and fun to use distance measuring devices for golf. The Golf Buddy PT4 is one of the best full screen handheld GPS devices on the market, with a bright color screen and lots of cool features. This year Golf Buddy gives us the WTX watch. The only GPS watch that gives you a hole layout view in color along with plenty of other info. It comes pre-loaded with 38,000 courses, syncs with your smartphone and even adjusts the green view based on the golfer’s position. I can’t wait to try this one out.

    Frogger Latch-it Ecosystem

    I’ve known Frogger Golf founder and CEO Jeremiah Bohannon for about 5 years. He’s one of the good guys in the golf industry, and just happens to make very high quality golf accessories. With the digital revolution that led to golfers having all manner of gadgets, people need a way to manage them all. Frogger has solved the issue with their clever Latch-It ecosystem. It enables you to quickly mount and unmount your GPS, laser rangefinder, towel, brush and smartphone to your golf cart, bag or even yourself. It uses a magnetic closure system and locks into place with a dynamic lock so it won’t fall off. I stopped by Frogger’s booth this year to thank Jeremiah personally for this product, and the very next day it was named Best New Product at the 2017 PGA Show. Clearly he’s doing something right!

    Chef’s Cut jerky

    Tucked away in some of the less travelled back aisles of the PGA Show was Chef’s Cut Jerky, but you couldn’t tell they were in a small booth by the size of the lines out front to sample their amazing jerky. After sampling their many flavors of jerky and meat sticks, I found myself coming back again and again like that one house on Halloween when I was a kid that used to give out full cans of coke. While Chef’s Cut jerky isn’t a “golf” product, it was born on the golf course and became a huge hit because of golf. As far as a mid-round snack it works well. Low in fat and high in protein, jerky is my favorite snack, and now Chef’s Cut if my favorite jerky.

    PerryGolf

    If you’ve ever wanted to spend a week playing golf in Scotland or Ireland, then PerryGolf is a good place to start looking. They are probably the number one tour company in golf, offering cruises and guided trips for guys, gals and couples to destinations all over the world. New for 2018 are guided trips to Argentina. The 11 night vacation includes six rounds of golf and plenty of activities to make your vacation a truly memorable one. A week of golf in Scotland is still at the top of my personal bucket list. Perhaps with the help of PerryGolf I’ll make it a reality very soon!

  • Cure Putters 2016 Lineup

    Cure RX3Cure Putters was born in 2013 in Flagler Beach, Florida – Just up the road from where I live. The concept was simple. Make a putter that has high MOI, is adjustable for weight, lie angle and also has interchangeable shafts. Once designers Steve Davis and Jeff Ryan showed their putter to former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman, he liked it so much he wanted to be a part of the company. Since their official introduction at the 2014 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando the response has been overwhelming.

    If professional tour usage is a measure of success for a club, the Cure Putter is doing very well indeed. Since its introduction a few years ago Cure Putters have gained a strong following on the PGA Tour Champions, LPGA Tour and PGA Tour.

    Whats the Deal with MOI?

    MOI stands for Moment of Inertia. MOI is a term used in physics to describe an object’s resistance to twisting. In this case the object in question is a putter. The higher the MOI, the less the putter will twist on off-center hits. Simply speaking, the higher the MOI, the more stable and forgiving a club will be. With putters that means a poorly struck putt will stay on line better with a high MOI putter.

    Most blade style putters like the Ping Anser and Scotty Cameron Newport have an MOI of around 4000. One of the most popular high MOI putters on the market, the Taylor Made Daddy Long Legs mallet, has an MOI rating of about 8000. By comparison, the 2016 Cure RX5 has an MOI that can be adjusted (via interchangeable weights) from 8500 up to 18,000! Cure is the highest MOI putter on the market, and it’s not even close.

    Cure Putter Goes in the Bag

    Last summer I got the 2015 RX3f model putter and it rolled the ball so well that I put it in play just a few weeks before the WAGT National Championship in Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania. Despite not making as many putts as I wanted, I rolled the ball beautifully all week. In fact, one of my competitors I played with on all 4 days of the tournament remarked after the final round that most putts I rolled that week had perfect speed and most of them had a chance to go in. That was my “A-HA!” moment with the Cure Putter. As a player all you can really ask for is for your putts that don’t go in to finish close to the hole, and it’s exactly what Cure is promising – More consistent speed and line on all your putts, even if it doesn’t go in. That’s what high MOI will do for your putting.

    Low Loft, High CG

    Most putters come standard with 3 or 4 degrees of loft these days. Cure’s RX series have half that with 1.5 degrees of loft. The reason it works is because Cure Putters have a high center of gravity (CG) and a deeper face than traditional putters. The deep face and high CG combine to impact the ball closer to the equator which eliminates backspin and produces a more consistent roll.

    2016 RX Series

    Cure RX6For 2016 the RX Series get some updates. The shapes have been streamlined, three of the four models have a flange and the silver alignment disks that a few models had in 2015 are gone. The RX1 and RX2 models are also gone. The RX3 is a more compact size, with a face that is 5.25″ wide. The RX4 model is slightly bigger with a 5.5″ face, and the RX5 and flange-less RX6 model have a 6″ face for the greatest forgiveness and MOI. All models have adjustable weighting and a full adjustable hosel to custom fit the lie angle. Interchangeable shafts allow golfers to switch between straight and offset shafts. Every RX Series putter is adjustable for lie angle from 62 to 80 degrees (most upright allowed by the rules of golf) and has 1.5 degrees of loft.

    RX3 – The adjustable weighting system may be the feature that sets the Cure Putters apart from the competition. The RX3 is adjustable from 332 grams up to 586 grams. At over 500 grams this putter can be a sledge hammer, but you can hit it anywhere on the face and still make putts. The RX3 is the smallest putter in the RX series.

    RX4 – The RX4 is the middle child in the RX series. The 5.5″ face is a little bigger than the RX3 but still looks more compact compared to the RX5 and RX6. The RX4 is adjustable for weight between 349 grams and 603 grams for an MOI range of 6900 to 14600.

    RX5 – The Cure RX5 is the biggest putter Cure makes with a flange. With a full 6″ wide face and adjustable weights from 361 grams to 615 grams with the extended weight kit, this putter is also the most resistant to twisting model Cure makes. At a weight of 615 grams, the MOI rating is 18000, which is the highest in golf.

    RX6 – The Cure RX6 is similar to the other models in being adjustable for lie and weight, plus having the ability to change shafts. Unlike the other models however, the RX6 has zero degrees of loft, no flange and is available in 5 different colors.

    2016 CX Series

    Cure CX1Known as the Classic Series, the CX1 and CX2 putters from Cure have more traditional shapes while still offering high MOI and weight adjustability. The CX Series measure 5″ wide and have 2.5 degrees of loft. Weights range from 334 to 376 grams for the CX1 and 342 to 384 grams for the CX2. Both models have a spiral milled face and a 70° lie angle.

    If the RX Series are too big or look too unconventional for you, but you still want high MOI with the design advantages of a Cure Putter, then the Classic Series may be the best option for you.

    Availability & Pricing

    Cure Putters are available at all major golf retailers and online directly from www.cureputters.com. Prices range from $229 for the RX6, $259 for the RX3,4 & 5 and $299 for the Classic Series putters.

     

  • BioMech AccuLock Ace Putter – First Look

    BioMech AccuLock AceIn case you were living under a rock for the past year, the arrival of 2016 ushered in the USGA’s not-so-popular ban on anchored putting strokes. What this means is that golfers can no longer lock or “anchor” the putter shaft to their bodies. The familiar broomstick long putter and belly putter styles of putting will be changed forever as everyone from PGA Tour players down to weekend hacks at the local muni are forced to adapt to the post-anchored stroke.

    One style of putting that stands to gain more acceptance with this rule change is the arm-lock style. You may have seen it before. Matt Kuchar has used it for several years to cash in on the PGA Tour. I spent several months playing with his unique putter a couple of years ago and wrote a review of it here. Being familiar with the arm-lock style, I was excited to see someone take the next step with this trend and make a putter specifically designed for the arm-lock method.

    2016-02-09 10.05.39BioMech Sports is hitting the market with their AccuLock Ace putter, and you may see some in use on the PGA Tour with Heath Slocum. During the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am you may also see some of the amateurs using the AccuLock Ace as they are being given to all the participants to try out. I spoke to the founder of BioMech – Dr. Frank Fornari about the design at the 2016 PGA Show and I’m excited to try it on the course. Stay tuned for the full review of this unique and interesting looking putter soon!

    2016-02-09 10.05.18

  • 6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    6 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

    Christmas is only 10 days away, and if you are anything like me, you haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet! Time is running out, especially for internet shopping. With that in mind, here are a few ideas for the golfers on your gift list. Happy shopping!

    • New grips! Most golfers wait too long to change their grips, and their game suffers. Lamkin is one of the leaders in golf grips and have been doing it since 1925. Try the new Wrap-Tech or UTX grips. Lamkin’s pricing is awesome and they have many styles and materials to choose from. I’ve been using the iconic Lamkin Crossline Cord grips for years. You can’t go wrong with Lamkin grips.

    • Golf GPS – SkyGolf makes some of the best Golf GPS products on the market. In fact, the SkyCaddy TOUCH is probably the most full-featured and accurate GPS device on the market. Paired with your smart phone and the Sky Golf 360 app, you can get the latest updates to over 35,000 pre-loaded golf courses as well as tracking your scores and stats. I’ve used the SkyCaddy Touch for several months and it has been invaluable to me in tournament golf to get more data to help me plan my way around a course.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsbfVMe9cEM

    • Socks! Kentwool makes the best golf socks. Period. Just try a pair and you’ll see. If I have to walk a golf course with a forty pound golf bag on my back, I want a good pair of shoes and some Kentwool socks to keep my feet happy. The Tour Profile sock is their best all around golf sock and they’ll make any golf shoe feel better. Combine these socks with some shoes from True Linkswear or Ecco and you have an unbeatable combination.

    Kentwool Tour Profile Socks

    • World Amateur Golfers Tour membership – Does the golfer on your gift list want to be challenged? Make new friends? How about a chance to play for your country at a top golf resort, all expenses paid? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then perhaps a membership to the nearest local World Amateur Golfers Tour would be a great gift! Play against players of similar ability in handicapped events for points in the national order of merit and to have a chance to qualify for Team USA and represent your country at the World Championships. I just returned from the 2015 WAGC in Turkey and it was an experience I’ll never forget.

    2015 WAGC in Antalya, Turkey

    • New Driver – When in doubt, you can always fall back on the old standby and get your golfer a new driver. It’s the most oft-changed club in a golfer’s bag and there are always shiny new models to try. One of the best new drivers of 2015 is the Knuth Golf High Heat driver. It has the lowest center of gravity in golf and produces straighter drives that go further on mishits (probably) than your current driver. Its inventor Dean Knuth also invented the USGA’s Slope Rating system for golf courses. Basically what I’m trying to say is, he’s way smarter than you and me. Try his driver. It’s very shiny and I think you’ll like it!

    • Another Putter – Seriously, how many putters do us golfers have? The answer is always “One too little!” At least in my case it is. I’m always looking for the BBD – Bigger better deal. Believe it or not, I think I found it. It’s called Cure Putters, and they are quickly becoming very popular. They may not win any beauty contests, but when it comes to rolling a golf ball they excel. The high-MOI design makes even mis hits roll true and they are customizable to every golfer. I put the Cure RX3F putter in the bag and promptly won the WAGT National Championship. Then I used it to finish 3rd in my flight at the 2015 World Amateur Golfers Championship in Antalya, Turkey. It just works!

     

  • Ping Introduces New Clubs

    PING GMax cavityPing Golf is one of those companies that takes their sweet time to launch new products, usually on a two year development cycle. Ping also benefits from one of the most loyal customer bases in the industry, and for good reason. They make quality golf clubs that perform well, and they take care of their customers. People that buy Ping golf clubs tend to stick with them for the long haul. I know a few people that still hit their Eye2 and ISI irons.

    Ping has been on a roll for about a year, since introducing the G30 line of drivers, fairways and hybrids in July 2014. The G30 driver continues to be the best selling driver in golf, and their market share is impressive. In June 2015, 62% more G30 drivers were sold than the next closest driver model, and for the entire year (since January), they’ve sold 44% more drivers than any other. I’ve stated on several occasions that I think the Ping G30 driver is the best I’ve hit in over a decade.

    This summer, Ping is riding the momentum of the fantastic G30 line and introducing some new irons, wedges and putters. There are two new iron sets, called GMax and the “i” irons, a new Glide ES (Eye Sole) and two new putters in the Cadence TR line.

    GMax Irons

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5284′]

    The new GMax iron introduces COR-Eye Technology, a revolutionary design that increases flexing across the entire face for faster ball speeds that produce unprecedented distance and forgiveness. The irons are squarely aimed at mid-to-high handicap golfers that want more distance and help getting the ball airborne. These clubs will fall in the “max game improvement” category.

    – Available 4-9, PW, UW, SW
    – Stock steel shaft: PING CFS Distance (Soft R, R, S, X)
    – Stock graphite shaft: PING CFS Graphite (65 Soft R, 70 R, 80 S)
    – After-market stock shaft options (no upcharge): Dynamic Gold S300, X100; Project X 5.0, 6.0; XP 95 (R, S), N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)
    – U.S. MSRP: $121.25 per club w/steel shaft; $ 136.25 per club w/graphite shaft

    i Irons

    [slideshow_deploy id=’5283′]

    The new i iron, PING’s first model to utilize 431 stainless steel, is a softer players-style head that offers some workability and ball-flight control with forgiveness to help low-to-mid handicap golfers. The Ping i irons will be replacing the i25 irons in their lineup. Both new models are available with the stock Ping CFS Distance shaft, but you can also choose one of four popular after-market shafts with no upcharge.

    – Available 3-9, PW, UW
    – Stock steel shaft: PING CFS Distance (Soft R, R, S, X)
    – Stock graphite shaft: PING CFS Graphite (65 Soft R, 70 R, 80 S)
    – After-market stock shaft options (no upcharge): Dynamic Gold S300, X100; Project X 5.0, 6.0; XP 95 (R, S), N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (S, X)
    – U.S. MSRP: $135 per club w/steel shaft; $150 per club w/graphite shaft

    Glide ES Wedges

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    The new wedge is the Glide ES (eye sole) that combines technology of the original Eye2 sand wedge with the new Glide wedge design to add even more options to the Glide wedge line that already offers the Glide standard sole (SS), thin sole (TS), and wide sole (WS), creating 16 loft and sole combinations to suit a player’s style and adapt to the most common turf conditions.

    – Available in 56º, 58º, 60º
    – Dyla-wedge grip: ¾-inch longer, grip-down markings at 1 3/8″ intervals, softer tapering profile
    – Stock shafts: CFS Wedge (stiff flex, 118g); TFC 419i (Soft R, R, S)
    – U.S. MSRP: $140 w/steel shaft; $160 w/graphite shaft

    Cadence TR Putters

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    Ping’s market share in the putter segment may have dropped over the years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make a good putter! They are still one of the best. The popular Cadence TR putter series grows with the addition of the Craz-e-r and Ketsch Mid models. The Craz-e-r, an evolution of the highly successful Craz-E design, is a high-MOI model with a sightline that extends from the top to the back of the putter. The Ketsch Mid, a smaller version of my personal favorite and award-winning Ketsch, provides golfers a fully machined, high-MOI mallet-style head with advanced alignment features. Both models are engineered with True Roll Technology grooves and are available in two weight options.

    – Traditional, 350g; Heavy, 375g
    – Straight, Slight Arc and Strong Arc stroke types
    – Adjustable +/- 2º from std. lie angle
    – U.S. MSRP: $245; Adjustable-length upcharge: $35

  • Cleveland Golf Introduces New TFI Smart Square Putter

    Cleveland Golf Introduces New TFI Smart Square Putter

    Cleveland Golf/Srixon have been a little quiet lately, and their focus has shifted a bit in the last year. Cleveland has always been known as a wedge company, and they are focusing more on that this season and allowing Srixon to be the main club company for a change. But Cleveland has put out some nice putters also, and the new TFI Smart Square is their new flagship flat stick. Here are some excerpts from the press release introducing the new putter.

    Cleveland® Golf , the leader in short game innovation for players of all abilities, is pleased to introduce the new TFI Smart Square® putter.  The TFI (True Feel Innovation) Smart Square putter is the most advanced putter that the company has ever created.  The tour-inspired design features a milled, copper-infused face cap over a copolymer insert for the ultimate in feel and consistency.  The combination of materials allows for immediate feedback from sound and feel when striking the ball, while the putter’s copolymer insert creates soft feel and consistent speed across the club face.  The TFI Smart Square putter, which features Smart Square alignment technology, couples a High Density Stabilizing Wing with a Low Density Aluminum Body resulting in increased head MOI for greater stability and minimal distance loss on off-center hits. 

    Smart Square Alignment Technology 

    Following intensive research into the most successful putters of all time and what golfers focus on when they align a putt, the new TFI Smart Square putter, along with its highly successful predecessors the Smart Square Blade and Mallet putters, incorporates alignment technology that has proven to be the most advanced – and simplest – that Cleveland Golf has ever created.

     The key to the Smart Square technology is Dual Axis Alignment®.  Two squares create parallel lines that frame the ball at address and provide a clear visual path to the hole.  They also generate two perpendicular lines that easily highlight when the putter is misaligned – even by a fraction of a degree. Cleveland Golf’s testing shows players aligned Smart Square putters 23% more accurately than one of the most popular putters of all time.

    In case you didn’t figure it out, the putter they are referring to is the Odyssey Two-Ball. But anyway, let’s see some photos of the TFI Smart Square!

     

  • Tru-Roll Putters

    Tru-Roll Putter face viewEvery year at the PGA Show in Orlando, a few new products are awarded with awards for their innovation and design. In 2014, Tru-Roll Putters won the Top Buyer’s Choice Award. Given the volume of products on display every year this is quite an accomplishment. On the putting green during the PGA Demo Day when I met Sheldon Long, the inventor of the Tru-Roll Putter, I overheard several people talking about the product and nobody had a bad thing to say about it. The Top Buyer’s Choice award reflects observation. The design and concept of the Tru-Roll putter is simple – to get the ball rolling immediately.

    The barrel shape of the Tru-Roll putter is a unique look and takes a bit of getting used to, but the design is clean and functional. There aren’t any over the top graphics or alignment aids to distract you, just a single line denoting the sweet spot and a brushed metal head. My tester was the TR-II satin putter, which has a single bent shaft, but other models offer a standard plumber’s neck hosel or straight center shaft.

    By making the putter a metal tube shape instead of the traditional flat face with loft, Tru-Roll arrived at a design that consistently strikes the ball at the equator, regardless of your hand position. You can have a forward press or lock your hands slightly behind the face at address like PGA Tour player Zack Johnson, it doesn’t matter. The Tru-Roll putter will strike the ball with the same face angle and roll the putt the same way every time. The concept of a round tube putter is similar to the way a cue ball is used to roll balls across a pool table.

    Tru-Roll PutterDuring play testing, I found the Tru-Roll putter to be most effective on faster greens. The ball tends to come off the face with slightly less perceived energy than a standard putter because the ball starts rolling much faster. With a traditional flat faced putter, on a long putt the ball becomes airborne temporarily, then skids for a while and starts to roll a few feet down the line.

    Once I adjusted to the way the ball comes off the face I was rolling putts with very consistent speed. The nature of the design make it very forgiving on off center hits and less than perfect strokes. People who sometimes scuff their putts or tend to top the ball a bit will find the Tru-Roll putter will help them.

    Because the putter head is not cambered or curved on the bottom, the putter lies very flat against the ground, which can be an issue if the lie angle isn’t fit properly for the golfer. A proper fit is always important for putters, and this putter is no exception. The other thing that takes getting used to is the rounded face. Since the face sits slightly in front of the shaft on my TR-II model, alignment was a little awkward. The TR-I model with an offset hosel would probably fix that.

    Mr. Long has created a very simple and very functional putter that will help just about anybody roll the ball better and more consistently.

  • SuperStroke Flatso Putter Grips

    SuperStroke Flatso Putter GripsBack in 2007 while struggling with my putting I decided to take drastic measures and install a huge, weird-looking new putter grip called SuperStroke. It felt about as fat as a baseball bat, had a reverse taper design and it attached to the shaft of my putter using set screws, a couple of tap screws and some epoxy to make it a “permanent” install and allowable under USGA rules. Using this funny looking grip all summer, I went on to win 7 of 10 tournaments on the fledgling Golf Channel Amateur Tour in Orlando, earning Player of the Year honors in the Championship Flight.

    The SuperStroke brand has come a long way since the early days of the screw-on grip that destroyed your putter shaft. They have a complete line of putter grips for all kinds of putters in many different sizes. All of their grips are now installed using the more conventional method of grip tape and solvent, and they are widely used on the professional tours all over the world. The television exposure SuperStroke gets with players like Jason Dufner and Jordan Speith has helped the company grow fast.

    I have about 6 or 7 putters fitted with SuperStroke grips, and often when I get a new putter the first thing I do is rip off the stock grip and replace it with a SuperStroke Ultra Slim – my model of choice. But there is a new sheriff in town. It’s called the Flatso. Some people prefer a grip that has a more pronounced flat part on top, and it seems SuperStroke heard these people and created the Flatso line.

    The SuperStroke Flatso grips feature a unique pentagonal shape with a distinct flat top. They have three different models, including the Flatso 1.7, Flatso Mid 1.4 and the Flatso Ultra 1.1. The numbers indicate the grip width in inches. The grips weight 100, 60 & 85 grams, respectively. All three models share the same soft, tacky feel and solid construction of all SuperStroke grips, and they are sure to be a big hit for players that like a less rounded shape and prefer the feel of an enlarged flat section on top. I think the Flatso Mid 1.4 will be the best option for most golfers, as it seems to be just the right size for most hands and is also the lightest.

    The SuperStroke Flatso grips are sold individually at many golf retailers and cost around $25. Some OEMs have also started offering their putters with various SuperStroke grips pre-installed. I know Odyssey Golf has done well with SuperStroke grips on the Versa models. My current “gamer” is an Odyssey Versa Black #9 with a SuperStroke Ultraslim 1.0, but the Flatso 1.1 may soon be going on it!

  • Bridgestone True Balance Putters

    Bridgestone True Balance PutterBridgestone Golf is one of the more conservative companies in golf.  They seem to know what they are good at, and they stick with it. By and large they release solid products, but don’t make waves around the golf world. Their most recent irons came out a few years ago without much fanfare. The J40 Cavity Back and J40 Dual Pocket Cavity irons combine classic lines with modern cavity back technology to result in one of the best irons on the market, in my opinion. But Bridgestone is a golf ball company. That’s their sweet spot. The B330 and E series golf balls are some of the more popular in golf. I think the E6 is probably the best overall golf ball for “average Joe” golfers out there, and the new B330 is every bit as good as some of its competitors like the Titleist Pro V1 and Srixon Z-Star. When we showed up at the PGA Demo Day last January in Orlando, the last thing we expected from this quiet, conservative company is a radical new putter.

    The Bridgestone True Balance putters are something unique, and an unexpected move for Bridgestone. With the current industry trend moving away from belly and long putters into a counter-balanced design, the Bridgestone True Balance putter goes in the other direction altogether, looking at the competition and saying “Talk to the hand!” Where many manufacturers are adding weight to the grip end of putters to counter-balance them, Bridgestone took as much weight away from the grip and shaft as they could to come up with a very interesting flat stick.

    They achieved the weight savings by using an extremely light 35 gram graphite shaft and using a grip made of 100% EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) which is a chemist’s fancy way of saying “waterproof foam”. The standard size grip weights only 10 grams and the oversize version goes up to 20 grams. Compared to a standard rubber grip that weighs about 80-85 grams and steel putter shafts that weight over 100 grams, this putter has lost a lot of weight. Mated with a putter head that is 360 grams, the extremely head-heavy design leads to a balance point that is less than five inches from the sole.

    2014-06-05 10.37.23With such a low balance point, the feel of the putter changes dramatically. You immediately get a better sense of the putter swinging like a pendulum as you stroke a putt. A grooved insert provides better feel and a true roll off the face, and the ball pops off the face with a solid clicking sound. This is a stainless steel putter, so the fell will be firmer than more expensive carbon steel putters, but the insert does a good job at dampening impact and the important thing here is that the ball comes off the face consistently and predictably every time. The other nice thing about this putter is because all the weight is at the bottom of the swing arc, it seems to want to square itself up at impact with greater ease than a standard putter.

    My testing model was the TD-03 model, which is the classic heel-toe cavity back model. The putter resembles the classic Ping Anser and Scotty Cameron Newport designs that have become the standard for modern putters. The TD-01 model is a half-mallet design with a long neck to achieve a face-balanced putter. As mentioned above, there are two sizes of grip available. The standard grip is a 3cm x 2cm taper, and the oversize grip is 4cm x 3cm taper design. My tester had the oversize grip, but I prefer the standard size personally. Standard length is 34 inches, but it can be ordered anywhere from 32 to 36 inches online. Street price is $199.

    2014-06-05 10.37.29I own a lot of putters, but very few have earned a regular spot in my bag. Many end up collecting dust in the garage, and some are given away to friends in need. I like this putter a lot, but there are a few things that can be improved upon to make this putter worthy of a spot in my bag on a regular basis. First is the price. I can understand someone paying $300+ for a limited run carbon steel putter from a boutique manufacturer like Bettinardi, Bobby Grace or Piretti, but $199 for a mass-produced stainless steel putter from a large company is a hard sell in my opinion. I predict we’ll see this putter do best in the $139-$159 range, but we’ll see.

    The second minor complaint I have with the Bridgestone True Balance putters is the grip. While it certainly is very light, it isn’t very tacky. The oversize grip especially could be a little tougher to hold secure in smaller hands. I could see people using a tennis wrap over the EVA grip for a tackier feel without adding too much weight. You don’t want to regrip this putter with a rubber grip, as this would defeat the purpose. Even a tennis overwrap would dramatically alter the balance point, so beware. I think for most hands the standard size grip is much better.

    Overall, the Bridgestone True Balance putter is a winner. Fitted with a standard size grip and a slightly longer 34.5” length, this putter will certainly find a spot in my putter rotation. I’m that guy that likes to tinker with clubs (especially putters), so it’s not uncommon for my regular playing partners to ask, “So, what putter are you using today?” I have two or three putters that I rotate into play, based on course conditions and (more importantly) my mental condition. The Bridgestone True Balance putter has now further complicated my decision…

  • Bettinardi Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock Putter

    Bettinardi putterMatt Kuchar is on to something. He may not be the one that invented his Arm-Lock putting style, but he is quickly making it famous. I once heard Johnny Miller claim on the air at Doral that he invented the Arm Lock style, but that’s disputable. Either way, he’s using it with great effect and I wanted to see what all the fuss is about.

    Kuchar used a unique Bettinardi putter to win more than $5.5 million in 23 starts on the PGA Tour in 2013 without missing a cut. That’s an average of $244,209 for every tournament he played. The guy is simply a check cashing machine, and his putting has a lot to do with it. A quick look at his putting stats reveals that he made 88.25 percent of all putts inside 10 feet for the season, and an incredible 97.56 percent inside 5 feet. For the season, Matt had 1268 putts inside that critical 10 foot scoring range, and made 1119.

    Bettinardi putter - km1_toplineIf you don’t think those numbers are all that impressive, try it yourself! Line up 100 five foot putts on the putting green at your club and try to make 97 of them. Then try it on different courses with different grasses and greens rolling at 12 on the stimpmeter, and put $244,000 on the line. The PGA Tour is right on with their catchphrase: “These guys are good.”

    I just spent three paragraphs talking about Matt Kuchar and his putting stats because I think his putter has a lot to do with it. I would be skeptical reading this had I not tried this putter first hand and almost immediately put it in my own bag. Kuchar’s tool of choice is the Bettinardi Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock putter. Designed specifically for him, it varies greatly from Bettinardi’s standard Kuchar Model 1. The special Arm Lock model has seven degrees of loft, 2.5 degrees of shaft offset, a 400g head weight and is 42″ long. Like all Bettinardi putters it is 100% milled in the USA and looks fantastic with a striking pewter PVD finish.

    First Impressions

    At first glance, this Bettinardi putter looks weird. Most putters have between 3 and 4 degrees of loft and slight offset, but the Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock has 7 degrees of loft and a large shaft offset, which makes it look strange when at address. This high loft and amount of offset is by design of course, because the arm lock style requires a pretty healthy forward press to anchor the top of the handle to a right handed golfer’s left forearm. Once locked in to the required stance, the putter sits perfectly square and is easy to align.

    The 400 gram mild carbon steel head and milled F.I.T. (Feel Impact Technology) face give this putter a classic Bettinardi feel. The ball rolls off the face with a soft feel, yet isn’t mushy like most insert putters. The weight and face balanced design make it very forgiving on off center hits, and the traditional Bettinardi hex face milling and beautiful pewter PVD finish gives the putter a classy look.

    Performance

    Photo Credit: GolfWRX Bettinardi putter
    Photo Credit: GolfWRX

    The Arm Lock putting style is such a radical departure from my standard putting style that it felt very strange and uncomfortable to get into such an extreme forward press with this putter. However, once I figured out where to grip down the shaft and how to align the putter properly, I found that the ball was rolling on target immediately. I was starting to see what made the Bettinardi putter so solid on short putts. The key to this style of putting is to make sure the shaft remains anchored to the left forearm (for righties) throughout the stroke. Imagine pulling with the left arm during the stroke with the right hand just along for the ride, and you’ll have the right feeling. The main drawback to the arm lock style is the same as any anchored putting style – distance control. I’m used to letting my wrists hinge a bit on long putts for better feel, but any anchored stroke eliminates the wrists and engages the big muscles of your shoulders instead. Distance control can be an issue with the anchored strokes, so a little practice outside 20 feet will go a long way to fixing that.

    SAM Putt Lab Data 1I was fortunate enough to have the Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock in the bag during my visit to PGA Village in Port St Lucie, FL recently. There I met golf technology specialist Mark Drenga, PGA  who put me through the paces with the SAM Putt Lab. This amazing ultrasound tracking device measures 28 parameters of the putting stroke down to a tenth of a degree. During my session, the Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock allowed me to keep the face almost perfectly square at impact, and I also had minimal face rotation (about 1 degree) before and after impact. What this means is my putts will almost always start on my aim line. The SAM Putt Lab also showed my stroke path going 1.2 degrees right, which is a slightly in-to-out direction. While not perfect, I am able to repeat this path with 99% consistency, which is key.

    SAM Putt Lab Data 2 - Bettinardi putterWhat does all this data mean? According to Mark who guided me through my session with the SAM Putt Lab, my stroke with the Bettinardi Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock putter is on par with PGA Tour players. That was a huge ego boost for me. Unfortunately my speed control, green reading and aim are not quite at the same level, which explains why I don’t make as many putts as the guys on the PGA Tour. What I can say with a high degree of confidence is that the Arm Lock putter style has dramatically improved my putting inside 10 feet, just as it has for Matt Kuchar. I have played quite a bit lately (9 rounds in 12 days) and have seen the results of better ball striking converted into better scores because of my improved putting. My handicap has fallen a full stroke to +2.4 in just over 6 weeks due to improved scores with the Bettinardi putter.

    Conclusions

    Robert Bettinardi has taken his mastery of the flat stick to another level with the Kuchar Model 1 putter. Matt Kuchar has wielded this wand with great effectiveness on the PGA Tour, and now everyone can try it out for themselves. The anchored arm lock style is USGA legal also, since the butt of the club is not static. It swings with your arm, so by definition isn’t illegal like belly and long putters who’s anchor point doesn’t move. This putting style isn’t for everyone, but it has worked wonders for me and I look forward to getting better with it at longer distances. The Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock putter is available at select Bettinardi dealers around the country. To find a dealer, visit Bettinardi’s website for a complete list. MSRP for the Kuchar Model 1 Arm Lock is $375.

     

  • Cleveland Smart Square Putter

    Cleveland Smart Square PutterCleveland Golf is taking a shot at one of the most popular putters in history with a new spin on the tour proven design. Odyssey’s legendary Two-Ball putter is still in use by many, but they say that they have come up with something better in the new Cleveland Smart Square putter. We took a close look at it before it is released to the public on November 15, 2013.

    The first thing I noticed was the obvious square design on the top of the putter. By using squares instead of circles, Cleveland claims that players aim the Smart Square putter 23% more accurately than the two ball design. The second thing you’ll notice is the color. It is a matte black with white paint fill that stands in sharp contrast with my white (or sometimes yellow) golf balls. It has a pretty standard looking mallet style head and double bend shaft to make it face balanced. This balance encourages a full release of the putter during the stroke and helps keep the face square through impact. The grip is a common Winn type with a soft and tacky feel.

    Most new putters I get start out by rolling balls on my putting green at home, aka my office carpet which stimps at about 11. I then take them out to the course for a few rounds and some putting green sessions. My takeaway is that the Copolymer face insert gives the putter a nice feel, with the impact feeling firm but muted with a nice sound and low vibration. The insert is similar to competing putters on the market, but feels slightly firmer and the ball doesn’t spring off the face like some other inserts. It’s just right in my opinion.

    Cleveland Smart Square PutterAiming properly is this putter’s raison d’etre, and the key for Cleveland is the Dual Axis Alignment feature. The two squares provide parallel lines the frame the ball at address, and the perpendicular lines help to show if the putter face is misaligned at address. As mentioned before, Cleveland Golf testing shows players aligned the Smart Square  23% more accurately than the Odyssey Two Ball Putter. Although they don’t mention it by name, we know that’s the putter they are talking about.

    The Cleveland Smart Square putter will be available in three different variations. The standard heel shafted model and center shafted models will be available in lengths from 33″ to 35″, and there will also be a 39″ model with a heavier 400 gram head and heavy grip for a counter balanced feel. In my experience, the counter balanced design is worth trying out. I really like the way a counterbalanced putter swings.

    The Cleveland Smart Square putter is a simple idea that makes plenty of sense. The putter rolls the ball very well and should be easy to align. The matte black paint job will not be distracting in the sun and should hold up to regular use. MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) for the standard models is $139.99 and $179.99 for the 39″ model, but street pricing may be a bit lower than that. The Smart Square putter hits stores on November 15, 2013. For more info, visit http://www.clevelandgolf.com/smartsquareputter/ and check out the video below.