Putters Buyer's Guide 2006
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Page 3 of 7
Delacruz PW Series
www.delacruzgolf.com
(877) 430-4653 | $99
The PW Series shows that Dick De La Cruz can make something special out of something as simple as stainless.
Features: The PW-1 (pictured) features a rear perimeter-weighting bar
that places more mass in just the right spot for a true end-over-end
roll.
Advantages: The weighting bar on the PW-3 putter includes a golf
ball-sized alignment aid. Place a ball in the circle and practice
rolling putts. The design allows you to improve alignment and grooves a
smooth stroke by watching the balls roll as you move back and through.
What We Like: The PWs weigh in at a rather hefty 360+ grams, consistent with the current trend of heavy putters.
Lineup: PW Series, Bolero
Putterhead: Stainless steel (cast)
Putterface: Same
Weight: PW-1350 grams; PW-3365 grams
Design(s): PW-1, PW-3Heel-shafted, perimeter-weighted blade (available LH)
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Gauge Design GAA Series
www.gaugegolf.com
(760) 591-9869 | $325
If you prefer top-tier quality and manufacturing and Tour-proven head
shapes, then look no further than Gauge Design putters from master
craftsman Dave Whitlam.
Features: The name Gauge should give you a clue about the exacting
tolerances to which these putters adhere, including the popular
GAA Series. These stainless-steel beauties include Gauges Aluinser
insert structure, which creates a very solid feel and actually raises
the CG to promote a quick forward roll. The unique hosel configuration
is state-of-the-art.
Advantages: The design of the GAA putters create Tour-level performance
with a good dose of perimeter weighting. The new GAA3 ETBW (pictured)
features tungsten heel-toe weighting.
What We Like: Gauges purity and performance.
Lineup: J-Spec Series, GAA Series, Type M
Putterhead: Stainless steel (milled)
Putterface: Aluinser (milled)
Weight: 350 grams
Design(s): AA3, AA8Heel-shafted heel-toe blade; AA8Face-balanced mallet (available LH) | Goolie BGS Series
www.gooliegolf.com
(858) 699-4331 | $179
A very sharp-looking and well-conceived design that earns the title game-improvement putter.
Features: Goolie artfully combines an aluminum body with two
nickel-chromium sections. The nickel has a specific gravity three times
that of aluminum, which creates a high polar MOI.
Advantages: The resultant MOI and CG location (positioned directly in
line with the strike area) successfully negates twisting during all
segments of the stroke for more consistent contact. The CG also
promotes more topspin for a truer roll.
What We Like: We really like the look and shape of the Goolie. If you
need directional control on the greens, the BGS will help (especially
the larger BGS-Ex model, pictured).
Lineup: BGS Series
Putterhead: Aluminum, Nickel chromium (cast)
Putterface: Aluminum (milled)
Weight: 355 grams
Design(s): BGS-33, BGS-ExHeel- or center-shafted, face-balanced mallet (no LH) | Macgregor FLS
www.macgregorgolf.com
(800) 841-4358 | $179
One of the most popular names in putting in the mid-1990s returns with
major technological upgrades and a greater potential to help you make
more than your fair share of putts.
Features: Bobby Graces original Fat Lady Swings and its renegade shape
paved the way for most modern mallets. Add to that classic profile some
MacGregor ingenuity, including three-way weighting for a high polar MOI
and user-adjustable heel-toe weighting, and you have one of the top
flatsticks for 2006.
Advantages: Excellent feel, controlled stability and ease of alignment. The FLS flat-out works!
What We Like: MacGregor and Grace made magic with the GT line, and this is even better.
Lineup: The Fat Lady Swings, GT Series, GT Mini, M-Series
Putterhead: Aluminum (milled)
Putterface: Beryllium copper (milled)
Weight: 352 grams
Design(s): Heel-shafted mallet (no LH) | |
Mizuno Bettinardi A Series
www.mizunousa.com
(800) 966-1211 | $179
Another modern classic from the mind of renowned putter creator Bob Bettinardi.
Features: Mizuno is one of the top forgers in irons, so it makes sense
it teamed with one of the great putter millers in Bob Bettinardi to
create two face-balanced mallets with high-MOI properties (as well as
heel-toe models in the B Series).
Advantages: Purchase either the A-01 or A-02 (pictured) and you receive
an artfully milled, high-performance putter with Bettinardis classic
Honeycomb face for consistent contact. How much quality can you expect?
Every putter receives 20 checks against exacting tolerances.
What We Like: The modern shape without all of the distractionsa clean, pure mallet.
Lineup: Bettinardi A Series, Bettinardi B Series
Putterhead: Aluminum steel (milled)
Putterface: Same
Weight: N/A
Design(s): A-01, A-02Heel-shafted, face-balanced mallet (A-02 available LH)
| Never Compromise Milled Series
www.nevercompromise.com
(800) 999-6263 | $255
These premium putters are 100% milled from a single piece of high-grade
Japanese carbon steel, which is among the softest and most consistent
in the world.
Features: A tungsten sole weight for not only an increased MOI, but a
precisely centered sweet spot directly in front of the sight line. Each
of the six heel-toe models has a different neck structure and design
for varying putter preferences (#3 pictured).
Advantages: The Milled Series offers proven, high-MOI performance plus the feel of a pure carbon-steel putter.
What We Like: A lot of options and a lot of feel.
Lineup: Gray Matter 2 Series, Milled Series, Speed Control Series
Putterhead: Carbon steel (milled)
Putterface: Same
Weight: 335-345
grams
Design(s): Milled Series 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7Heel-shafted heel-toe
blade; Milled Series 4Heel-shafted half-mallet (available LH) |
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