Equipment Review: Part I - These Hole Seeking, Aim And Fire Putters Rock And Roll The Ball Directly Into The Cup
Last Updated on Monday, 02 July 2012 20:18 Monday, 02 July 2012 17:15
by Dr. Barry Lotz
In this two part series, renowned author and the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America, Dr. Barry Lotz and his team of testers present the results of their findings on some of the hottest putters available on the golf equipment market today. Here is part I.
Scotty Cameron by Titleist Select GoLo Mallet Putter
Used by Tour favorite, Ricky Fowler, the GoLo is a slightly asymmetric half moon-style mallet that is milled from 303 stainless steel.
It has a thick top line and an inset black sightline. It comes with a choice of no offset or the 3/4 offset Fowler uses.
The GoLo includes Cameron’s Select weighting technology, with weights embedded in the heel and toe for enhanced balance and stability.
The GoLo also features a “triple angled sole for square set up with camber for smooth takeaway.”
In addition, its rich, dark, glare free black finish combined with red-dot graphics definitely creates a modern, but timeless look.
The GoLo has framed, double milled red-dot graphics and framed, double bevel weights which makes this putter not only a hole- seeking weapon, but a eye-catching and elegant looking putter.
Our testing group really liked the "aim and fire" attributes this putter offered. They felt it was easy to line up a putt and the buttery feel and response was excellent.
TaylorMade Ghost Manta
The TaylorMade Ghost Manta putter has a club head that the company refers to as a "neo-mallet shape."
The Ghost Tour putter series features six different models, three mallets and three blades.
The Ghost Manta's aluminum mallet head features two black rails on top to improve alignment and aim.
Two 50-gram tungsten weights, plus an adjustable weight in the center of the club head, add stability.
The 50-gram weights are in the heel and toe; the adjustable weight in the back center.
Both the Manta and the Tour family, being members of the Ghost line, utilize the white, non-glare finish on the club head. That color offers better contrast with the turf and makes sight lines stand out.
The putter is forgiving and gets the ball rolling easily, just be sure you get the correct loft for your stroke. The shaft is double-bend.
The TaylorMade Ghost Manta putter comes in lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches; the 33- and 34-inch putters weigh 360 grams and the 35-inch is very slightly heavier.
$179. The belly and long versions are also available at $199.
The Tour series in 2012 will include three mallets - models Ghost Tour Corza, MA-81 and FO-72 - plus three blades (DA-12, DA-62, SE-62). All but the Corza incorporate two adjustable sole weights.
PING Nome 355 Putter
The putter was a winner the first week it was on the Tour ---used by Hunter Mahan to win at the 2012 WGC Match Play Tournament.
The Nome is a precision milled geometric mallet putter made from high-grade aluminum and features tungsten weighting in the sole which lowers the center of gravity and boosts the MOI (Moment of Inertia).
Standard and belly-length versions are available.
The Nome's ability to improve aim and accuracy is a result of the putter's black alignment bar and contrasting white sightline.
More importantly is the feel, extreme forgiveness and responsiveness of this putter which can be attributed to its lightweight, high-grade aluminum frame featuring tungsten sole weighting that optimizes the CG position and elevates MOI, making the Nome highly accurate.
The Nome is 355 grams and 405 grams in the belly model.
PING's research has found that when the putter model matches a player's stroke type, the putting stroke becomes more consistent, the key to making more putts.
There are three different shaft bends are available to fit Straight, Slight Arc, or Strong Arc putting strokes.
Golfers can determine their stroke type using the iPING Fit™ feature on the club maker's new iPING™ putter app, a free download through the App Store™.
Matching the putter model with stroke type is a new form of putter fitting that PING calls Fit For Stroke™.
$250.00 wwww.pinggolf.com
STX Golf XForm Series 3 Putter
STX Golf’s Xform 3 putter pairs cutting edge aesthetics with high performance insert technology.
The Tour inspired mallet features a cleanly milled alignment rail for increased accuracy.
The design also features extreme perimeter weighting for ultimate forgiveness.
The stylish head is complimented by a glare free, soft satin finish and distinct milling lines to create a rich texture.
For golfers who prefer a softer feel, STX developed a thermoset insert that maximizes forward spin.
For traditionalists who want the sound, feel and response of stainless steel, STX offers its Xform putters with a 100% stainless steel face, featuring a deep diamond mill pattern that increases friction while producing that desired feel.
There are two other Xform putters available: XForm1 and Xform2.
MSRP: $249.99 www.stxgolf.com
Odyssey FLIP Putter
Callaway has either added new golf addicted scientists and engineers to their development staff, changed the water supply, or simply awakened from a deep slumber.
Their new products, especially the RAZR Fit Driver, the RAZR Fit #3 Wood, the HEX Black Ball and the Odyssey FLIP FACE putter, have been the best to date, probably since the original Big Bertha introductions to the golf world.
Shown in the photo is the Flip Face #5 model. This is a rounded mallet with a single-bend shaft and full-shaft offset.
This new putter, available in three different models (Odyssey #1, 5 and 9), has two face plate options to choose from - the Metal X insert and the more traditional White Ice.
You can switch them by literally pulling the toe and heel apart, and flipping the face over in less than 30 seconds --- there is only one removable screw; the rest of the putter head is fully-contained.
Why switch the face? Simply because you can, depending on the speed of the green, adjust your feel and performance of the putter to your liking or course conditions.
As to the White Ice Insert: This is a Multi-layer insert that has been fine-tuned to enhance responsiveness, sound, resiliency and consistency.
Here the inner core enhances the feel and resiliency which in turn leads to consistent distance control. Face surface has been roughened to enhance the sound at impact with softer golf balls and increase friction to promote forward roll.
The Satin Chrome Finish provides a premium, elegant and beautiful look that is favoured by Tour players.
With regard to the Metal-X Insert: This lightweight aluminium outer layer utilizes oval depressions to maximize the Coefficient of Friction, which helps quickly generate straighter topspin for reduced skidding and the truest roll in the game.
The Urethane inner layer provides soft feel and saves weight to optimize performance.
The Odyssey Metal-X putters have metal face inserts, but over a urethane backing layer. Odyssey touts the result as crisp but softer than a fully metallic putter face.
Our testing group concurred and really enjoyed testing the Metal-X putters.
The highly responsive aluminum metal face insert, is textured in a manner that Odyssey says creates greater friction between putter face and ball, which should help increase topspin and reduce skidding.
The urethane layer also saves precious grams of weight, which helps in optimizing the weighting properties of the entire club head.
The Metal-X putters' midnight black finish helps reduce glare. The core models are labeled #1, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Rossie, priced at $149 each. The DART and 2-Ball models cost $179 .
For an extra $10, a golfer can choose DART or No. 7 Metal-X models in belly or long putters; or the No. 1 in a belly model.
Devotees of the Metal X putters are Tour playersKevin Streelman, Stuart Appleby (Metal-X #7 Belly), Tommy Gainey (Metal-X #1), J.B. Holmes (Metal-X #7), Troy Kelly (Metal-X #7), Derek Lamely (Metal-X #1) and John Rollins (Metal-X #1) are also using the new putters.
$349.99 www.odysseygolf.com
SeeMore Putters
The Crème de la Crème of these latest putters is the SeeMore m 5x Mallet Black Satin 303 stainless mSeries Private Reserve.
Once again this Franklin, Tennessee based company has introduced a truly useful putter that simply makes sense and definitely lowers your putts per round.
Our testing group always eagerly awaits the latest putters from SeeMore.
In my humble opinion, if you cannot afford to be custom fit for a putter or simply do not have the time for whatever reason, the SeeMore line of putters, are without a doubt, going to increase your putting ability.
This mallet putter was designed for the player who is most comfortable with the look of a larger centre shaft mallet.
The m5x features a unique sole design and weight design which optimizes the benefits of SeeMore's patented and proven RifleScope Technology alignment system by allowing the putter to swing on the golfer's natural plane, whether that be closer to a natural arc or straight back and straight through stroke.
The m5x also includes a bi-metal design with a milled aluminium face insert for optimal feel and performance. The m5x has a single top line and two sightlines on the back flange and is available in 3 material and finish options.
Milled Options:
- m5x Private Reserve. Black satin 303 Stainless mSeries Private Reserve, $395 retail
- m5x Platinum. Platinum 303 Stainless mSeries, $325 retail
- m5x CS. Black gunmetal carbon steel, $325 retail
About The Writer: Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry.
He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His latest book,” The Right Mind for Golf”, released in February, 2012 is already in its third printing.
He can be reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
