2009 Putter Reviews
Published: Last updated:
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
 Odyssey Black I Series 6 £219.00
Contact: 0800 096 4591, www.odysseygolf.com
 TaylorMade Kia Ma Daytona Putter £219.00
Contact: 00 800 8624 4653, www.taylormadegolf.eu
 Rife Cayman £109.99
Contact: 01204 494080, www.rifeputters.co.uk
 Ben Sayers Benny Adz £59.99
Contact: 0121 748 8081, www.bensayersgolf.com
 Mizuno BC2 Putter £200.00
Contact: 0118 936 2100, www.mizunoeurope.com
 Benross Pure Red Medinah Putter £49.99
Contact: 01932 821200, www.benrossgolf.com
 TaylorMade Fontana £95.00
Contact: 00 800 8624 4653, www.taylormadegolf.eu
 Mizuno BC5 Putter £200.00
Contact: 0118 936 2100, www.mizunoeurope.com
 Spherical Blade Emperor Putter £128.00
Contact: 0845 555 2525, www.sphericalblade.com
 Yes! Golf Ashley Putter £149.00
Contact: 0845 601 5778, www.yesgolf.co.uk
 Wilson Staff 8876 Putter £99.00
Contact: 01294 3162270, www.wilsonstaff.com
 Benross Pure Red Pinehurst £49.99
Contact: 01932 821200, www.benrossgolf.com
 Forgan IW3 Putter £29.99
Contact: 01527 598388, www.forgan.co.uk
 Nike IC 20-10B Putter £110.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
 MD Golf NV Drew Donegal Putter £69.99
Contact: 02894 460333, www.mdgolf.co.uk
 MD Golf NV Drew Tralee Putter £69.99
Contact: 02894 460333, www.mdgolf.co.uk
 MD Golf Seve Icon St Andrews 1984 Putter £89.99
Contact: 02894 460333, www.mdgolf.co.uk
|
 Nike OZ3 Putter £75.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
 Daly Golf Precision 5 putter £129.00
Contact: 028 9752 1847, www.daly-golf.co.uk
 Odyssey White Hot Teron £149.00
Contact: 0800 096 4591, www.odysseygolf.com
 TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Putter £139.00
Contact: 00 800 8624 4653, www.taylormadegolf.eu
 Taylormade Balero Putter £129.00
Contact: 00 800 8624 4653, www.taylormadegolf.eu
 Yes! Golf Athena Putter £149.00
Contact: 0845 601 5778, www.yesgolf.co.uk
 Never Compromise X-Ray Putter £129.00
Contact: 01420 541709, www.nevercompromise.com
 Odyssey White Hot F7 Two Ball £149.00
Contact: 0800 096 4591, www.odysseygolf.com
 Nike OZ6 Putter £75.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com,
 Ram SDX 2 Putter £29.99
Contact: 01895 813613, www.ramgolf.co.uk
 Wilson Staff 8873 putter £59.00
Contact: 01294 3162270, www.wilsonstaff.com
 Rife Two Bar Hybrid Putter £139.99
Contact: 01204 494080, www.rifeputters.co.uk
 Ping Craz-E Putter £140.00
Contact: 01427 619224, www.pingeurope.com
 Spherical Blade Greenstreak Putter £128.00
Contact: 0845 555 2525, www.sphericalblade.com
 Nike iC 20-10 Putter £110.00
Contact: 0800 056 1640, www.nikegolfeurope.com
 Odyssey White Hot Tour No.9 Putter £109.00
Contact: 0800 096 4591, www.odysseygolf.com
 Orka SGS Putter £139.00
Contact: 0845 862 0061, www.orkagolf.com
 Cleveland Classic One Putter £59.00 Contact: 01420 541709, www.clevelandgolf.com
|
