By S. Dee Davis

Though the head looks like a mallet, this is a blade putter. It has a slight hook face and gets the ball rolling great off the face. It’s a “cadence” model because it is supposed to help with tempo. It’s surprising how many more putts you hole with this putter. It just jumps off the face with top spin and rolls great. The head is black and slightly offset to assist with getting the ball rolling with topspin. Alignment is easy due to a white alignment line – easily visible off the black mallet head. The face of this putter is not grooved or textured at all which surprised me considering how good it felt at impact. The insert is made from thermoplastic elastomer and gives a solid and soft feel at the same time.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

I can’t say that I like the way most Scotty Cameron putters sit upon address, but the Newport is the exception. It has an extremely solid feel on impact and does not have a hook face at address. It sits square to the target. One caveat on this putter is that it’s heavy. You need a very solid putting stroke to be able to handle a putter this heavy. It requires rhythm in your stroke. The brushed chrome head is beautiful to look at and it’s easy to see that the materials involved in producing this putter are more extensive and expensive than competitor brands. Thus the higher price on this putter. The milled design on the putter face will help you put top spin on the ball if you so desire. I like the traditional blade design on this putter best of all the Cameron putters.

Quick Specs:

• 303 stainless steel face inlay
• Heel, Toe weighted blade

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

When I tested the 35′′ version of this putter I noticed immediately that the offset design (plumbers neck hose) beckons back to the Ping Answer days when that was one of the best putters. It’s a similar design with the offset heal­toe weighted features that have been so popular since Tom Watson. The head on this putter is a little larger. It has a tacky soft rubber contoured grip that feels good in the hands and will not lose its grip when sweaty or wet. The head is very hard and matte silver in color. The face has the Odyssey’s white super hard and very slightly textured polymer face. The blade of this putter sits very nicely square at address. No hook or open face.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

Laguna 2

Back to Top Putters

By S. Dee Davis

OK it might seem conspicuous to have so many Odyssey putters in out list but they are sort of dominating the putter space right now and have so many models and styles that you have to give them all a shot. Plus, they really concentrate on the technology in manufacturing good putters. Oh, yes, they have some dogs as well, but this is probably my favorite of all their putters except the long putters. It combines two top elements in putters – a traditional heal-toe blade design that is face-weighted with a lined two ball alignment device that makes for a darn easy to line up putter. The hard polymer face does a nice solid job of sending the ball on its way though I do wish it were more textured. I cant say if this putter would be better for the beginner, middle handicapper or low handicap player. I may have to give it a try myself after putting with it for a while. It’s mid-priced at $179.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

Has the double offset shaft and two ball design that Odyssey has been so popular for ever since it came out. The bronze finish is just for appearance, to give the putter a premium look. The grip is slightly contoured and has a very nice tacky sensation. It will also perform well in hot or wet conditions. This is a forgiving putter with lots of great characteristics. Lots of beginners and middle handicap golfers like the two ball design for alignment purposes. It’s a compelling choice and replaces the classic mallet head design Odyssey two ball putter. It sells for around $179.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

These Seemore putters are odd looking but you put them down and stroke them a few times and you realize how comfortable they are and how much effort has gone into their engineering. They are easy to hit – maybe less precise than some, but very good for that groove player that gets hot and starts making everything. The modified mallet head is black with a textured insert face. The putter produces a great roll off the face and that’s why it;s in this list. The insert is softer than most (made from thermoplastic urethane) so should be great on faster greens and I found that the putter sets up very easy. It’s obviously that way to give you great feel off the putter face. There is little work to do with these putters. You just set up and your all lined up with toe down. The blade is nickel finished which looks nice. These putters have precision casting from 303 stainless steel ( not as good as precision milled and it shows).

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

This mallet head styled putter from Ping had the best feel off the putter face of all the putters tested, that is to say – butter. It just jumps off the face with top spin and rolls great. The head is black and slightly offset to assist with getting the ball rolling with topspin. Alignment is easy due to a white alignment line – easily visible off the black mallet head. The face of this putter is not grooved or textured at all which surprised me considering how good it felt at impact. The insert is made from thermoplastic elastomer and gives a solid and soft feel at the same time. The price is exceptional at only $129.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

Scotty Cameron putters have the hardest, heaviest metal I have ever felt in a putter. There is just no doubt in your mind that the putter is going to make solid contact with the ball on impact when you pick this putter up. I like this older style blade design for Scotty Cameron putters because that’s what they started with when they first introduced putters a few years ago. The company is very proud of the fact that each putter head is precision milled from 303 grade stainless steel. The address and set up of these putters is very nice and you can just see the balancing. This putter is heal-toe weight balanced and may appeal to more advanced players. Scotty Cameron putters are among the most expensive and this one retails for around $299. Do not bother comparing prices – they are the same everywhere. On the bottom of the putter there are two round weights. You might think at first glance that you will be able to adjust the weights yourself if you purchase this putter. Think again. First the putter does not come with any additional weights and second neither does the tool to unscrew them. They are adjustable though – you just have to send the putter in to the Scotty Cameron office in San Diego and possibly join Club Cameron as well (currently $93). We did not find out the price of changing out weights.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

This black heel-toe design blade putter has interesting horizontal lines in the putter face insert. Taylor Made dubs it the Pure Roll Surlyn insert. I’ve never seen this before but can imagine that if you put a slightly upward stroke on the ball at impact it should help the ball roll quite quickly on line with some topspin. Regardless, our results with the putter were very positive – it just seems very easy to control and use. The head weighting is medium to light. It has a nicely contoured tacky rubber grip and is priced very reasonably at $99 for a top quality putter. These putters with classic head design have been around for a long time because this offset hosel heal toe design works well for lots of people.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

Though I didnt like the looks of the putter and didnt like the feel of separating my hands to putt the ball, the results were nothing short of spectacular. Ball after ball rolled in the hole during my testing using the left top, right claw grip. I was impressed. The putter is not inexpensive at $189, but at least you get a lot of metal. The version I tested was 48″ however the 50″ is better for my height. The D.A.R.T. Acronym stands for directional and realignment technology. Seems a bit gimmicky for a long V-shaped line but anyway, results speak and I didnt seem to have any issues lining up putts with this putter. Long putters like this can help take the wrist hinge or handsy movements out of the putting stroke and thus deliver better results. We’ve confirmed with many stores that these putters are selling very well and up to around 30% of total overall new high-priced putter sales. The tacky rubber grip is almost as ugly as the putter head; it’s red with a black spiral line running through it.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

When I tested the 35″ version of this putter I noticed immediately that the offset design (plumbers neck hosel) beckons back to the Ping Answer days when that was one of the best putters. It’s a similar design with the offset heal-toe weighted features that have been so popular since Tom Watson. It has a tacky soft rubber contoured grip that feels good in the hands and will not lose its grip when sweaty or wet. The head is very hard and matte silver in color. The face has the Odyssey’s white super hard and very slightly textured polymer face. And the fact that the putter is not the latest and greatest out from Callaway means you get a reasonable price on a very good putter ($99).

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

It must be called Zebra because of the black and white stripes in the top back of the putter. This putter does not compare in price with all the higher end brands of putters but it does compare in alignment, a textured grooved hard steel face and great feel. It’s a heavy putter with two white alignment lines on the top back to help with lining up the put. In my tests and review with the putter its very accurate from both short and long range and will do well on fast or slow greens due to the natural motion created by the mallet heads design and weight. I found it very accurate. The grip is large and soft and tapers down towards the shaft. The putter is generally not a looker in the appearance category, but it’s functional and well designed. The grip size is a plus to help stead the putter due to the weight of the head. It retails for around $39 well below the average.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

By S. Dee Davis

We had to include one belly putter in this years list since they have become so popular. This on is a reliable choice with a solid feel off the putter face and a black classic style blade head. The degrees lie on the model tested was 73 while the loft is 3. The metal milled face is very textured which is to my liking. A 6′ or above person will likely want the 45″ model while a shorter person will prefer the 41″ version. The classic style blade head is heavy to help optimize swing weight for balance and feel. The toe-down design will appeal to many due to the exceptional feel at set up. It also helps develop a repetitive swing path. This putter is very reasonably priced at $119.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Prices

By S. Dee Davis

Although some of selecting a putter is about “feel” there is more to it than that. We rate the best putters below on the following criteria: Appearance, “feel”, how well the ball rolls off the putter face, alignment characteristics, weighting balance and price/value. See the putter comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years and his work has appeared in numerous publications including CBS, the San Fransisco Chronicle… See more about S. Dee Davis

Featured Golf Articles

Buy the Right Golf Ball to Lower Your Golf Handicap

Many golf balls these days contain a rating for various optimum swing speed ranges. Look for it on the packaging or the manufacturer web site to find out. It’s easy to find your average swing speed. Most high end golf stores have speed reading meters on their simulated driving ranges. It … [more]

More Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Golf Drivers

We tested many of the drivers that are out there in the market today and came up with our top 10 list. There are a couple holdovers from last year. Testing and consideration were given based on distance and accuracy with the same neutral swing speed (110) in a controlled distance … [more]

Top 10 Golf Balls

The following list of the best top ten golf balls was determined from the authors opinion using the following criteria: Consistency in length off the tee, spin control and the ability to hold greens, “feel” of the ball around greens for chipping and putting, durability, and price/value. Combining … [more]

Top 10 Golf Wedges

A club class of its own, the wedges have high lofts, the short shafts, and the heavy clubheads. Out of all the irons wedges take all of these to the extreme. The purpose of a wedge is to aid players in making accurate short-distance “lob” shots, to get the ball onto the green and out of hazards….[more]

Top 10 Golf Clubs

Following are some of the factors that we felt are most important in evaluating the top 10 golf club iron selections. Clubs were tested at a testing facility and loosely measured for the below quality points: 1. Comfort at Setup (Instilling Confidence), 2. Solid Feel at Impact, 3. Workable Ball Flight … [more]

Top 10 Golf Bags

The following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria: Durability, Price, Stability of Stand, Access and Organization, Extra Pockets for Accessories, Comfort of Harness strap… [more]

Top 10 Golf Rangefinders

Following are our choices for the top 10 golf rangefinders for the year after some testing and research. We’ve taken price, quality, and value into account when developing these ratings. Rangefinders were tested based on the following factors… [more]

More Putters