TG Testers
2009 Putter Reviews
By TG Equipment Editor
Gear News
19 August 2009 10:02
The putter is used more than any other club in the bag, so having the right one for you is critical. We've tested 36 top offerings to help you choose...
Our ratings
Each putter has been rated in five categories: looks, feel, sound and confidence as well as a six-foot putting test. Those ratings go to give the putter an overall rating out of five, in order to give you a clear and simple valuing of the club’s merits:
Must Buy
Excellent
Good
Average
Leave it!
Who?
TG equipment editor Jon Greathead (eight handicap) was joined in the test by Belfry professional Chris Chamberlain, who is regarded as one of the best putters at the Midlands facility. Our two amateur testers came in the form of Chris Newnham and Pete Heighway (both 12 hcp).
Where?
Once again, we headed to the West Midlands to the lovely Belfry near Sutton Coldfield. There, we had access to the quick and undulating 18th green on the sumptuous PGA National course. If you would like further information on The Belfry’s facilities, including the world famous Brabazon, visit the website www.thebelfry.co.uk
How we did it?
We invited manufacturers to supply us with both blades and mallet-headed putters. When we checked out the putters after they had all arrived at TG, we felt it was worth creating a third category for those clubs which fall in the middle ground between the blades and mallets – a mid-mallet.
Our testers rated the putters in five categories – Looks, Sound, Feel and Confidence. We also asked our testers, once they felt confident with each putter, to have five putts from six feet.
The amount they scored out of five was recorded then added to the four subjective scores and averaged out to give an overall rating.
The test is a great guide to what's out there, but don't forget that a lot of companies now offer custom-fitting for putters and this will give you a very accurate picture of what will suit your own stroke the best.
Mallets: Are they for me?
Sometimes ugly, always forgiving...
It's fair to say mallets aren't universally known for their stunning good looks.
These are the heavyweights of the putting world, boasting impressive Moment of Inertia levels and funky, innovative looks and designs. They can be very big and very ugly, however, when they start appearing like a satellite dish on the end of a shaft.
Nevertheless, these are ideal if you have a stroke which is essentially 'straight back and straight through'.
Ping Anser
£65.00
Contact: 01427 619224, www.pingeurope.com
- TG's rating
Rife Cayman
£109.99
Contact: 01204 494080, www.rifeputters.co.uk
- TG's rating
Contact: 01527 598388, www.forgan.co.uk
- TG's rating
Nike IC 20-10B Putter
£110.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
- TG's rating
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Nike OZ3 Putter
£75.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
- TG's rating
Nike OZ6 Putter
£75.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com,
- TG's rating
Nike iC 20-10 Putter
£110.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
- TG's rating
Contact: 0845 862 0061, www.orkagolf.com
- TG's rating
Contact: 01420 541709, www.clevelandgolf.com
- TG's rating
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