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Page 5 of 7
| | Tech Talk
The Truth About Forward Roll
By Dave Richardson
National Sales Director
Yes! Golf
Many putter manufacturers claim in some form of advertising or another
that they’ve achieved a quicker, truer forward roll. Everyone seems to
be trying to achieve a quicker forward roll because there’s growing
evidence that a putt that rolls sooner rolls more accurately. Thus,
future designs will incorporate technologies dedicated to getting the
ball to roll end over end and with less sidespin. Materials, combined
with past trends such as heel-toe weighting and high MOI, will flourish.
Also, expect putterfitting to become en vogue. One day very soon
golfers will be able to walk into a studio, have their strokes captured
on high-speed video and determine if they’re using the proper putter.
You wouldn’t use a driver with too little loft or too stiff a shaft,
would you? Then why should you use a putter that limits or, even worse,
hinders your natural technique?
Where legalities are concerned, some insiders suspect that the
USGA might be looking at how golfers brace the putter against their
body. While the USGA hasn’t imposed any recent restrictions on putters,
you very well may be witnessing the final days of the mid-length and
belly putter.
—Scott Kramer
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Srixon P-5 Series
www.srixon.com
(888) 4-SRIXON | $235
 The P-5 duo of putters are some of the most futuristic designs in golf. Better yet, they work.
Features: Head shapes straight out of a science-fiction movie that are
both striking and elegant. The lightweight aluminum bodies are paired
with stainless-steel weighting to crank up MOI for less twisting and a
very stable putterhead throughout the stroke.
Advantages: The T shape of the P-514 (pictured) facilitates a squared
alignment at address. The buttress design of the P-513 is more
reminiscent of other high-inertia mallets. Either way, weight is
concentrated where it does the most good.
What We Like: The aesthetics first, but the feel is not that far behind.
Lineup: P-5 Series, P-4 Series
Putterhead: Aluminum, Stainless steel (milled)
Putterface: Aluminum alloy (milled)
Weight: N/A
Design(s): P-513, P-514—Heel-shafted, face-balanced inertial mallet (no LH) |
PING Udrainium Series
www.pinggolf.com
(800) 4-PING-FIT | $200-$235
 The Udrainium Series putters feature the highest MOI of any PING putter ever produced.
Features: The Doc 17 spans 17 cm from heel to toe (the USGA limit). The
Doc 15 (pictured) employs the same design, albeit with a 2 cm reduction
in size. Multiple lengths (and corresponding head weights) and shaft
positions are available.
Advantages: The half-wheel weighting scheme and design enables extreme
perimeter weighting and a mammoth-sized sweet spot. The thick topline
and perpendicular cavity bar help golfers square the putter to the
intended line.
What We Like: The size. If you’re going to go big, why not go all the way?
Lineup: JAS Series, Udrainium Series, G5i Series, G2i Series, G2 Series
Putterhead: Aluminum (milled)
Putterface: Same
Weight: 343-477 grams
Design(s): Doc 12.5, Doc 15, Doc 15.5, Doc 17—Face-balanced mallet (available LH) | PING G5i Series
www.pinggolf.com
(800) 4-PING-FIT | $165
 PING takes the high-MOI route and creates a Tour-preferred feel across the entire line.
Features: PING craftsmanship takes over by slightly tweaking some of
your favorite designs (like the B60, top)—as well as creating some new
ones (like the Ug-Le, bottom)—and manipulating weight to make each
model more stable on mis-hits.
Advantages: Forgiveness is at an all-time high in the PING line, and so
is the feel, thanks to a unique insert that includes a soft polymer
injected with a firmer one. Soft on the outside, firm on the inside,
the new insert structure really relays a good feel and sound.
What We Like: High MOI, great feel and classic shapes. A winner all around.
Lineup: JAS Series, Udrainium Series, G5i Series, G2i Series, G2 Series
Putterhead: Stainless steel (cast)
Putterface: Dual-durometer polymer
Weight: 345 grams
Design(s): Anser, B60, Zing—Heel-shafted heel-toe blade;
Craz-E—Inertial mallet; Mini C—Center-shafted, face-balanced heel-toe
blade; Tess—Heel-shafted blade; Ug-Le—Center-shafted, face-balanced
inertial mallet (available LH) | TaylorMade Rossa Monza Corza
www.taylormadegolf.com
(800) 888-CLUB | $208
 Engineered with numerous performance features that are designed to produce a smoother, more consistent roll.
Features: Rossa’s new Anti-Skid Groove System Insert, constructed from
Titallium alloy. The face of the insert features 12 CNC-milled grooves,
which are filled with a soft polymer that effectively dampens vibration
and allows the grooves to grip the ball.
Advantages: The gripping action helps impart forwardspin on the ball
instead of backspin. The Monza Corza also features TaylorMade’s Movable
Weight Technology. Originally introduced in the r7 driver, this
technology allows players to significantly change the feel of the
putter at will.
What We Like: The outstanding aesthetics.
Lineup: Monza Corza, Mezza Monza, CGB Series
Putterhead: Stainless steel (milled)
Putterface: Titallium (milled)
Weight: 345 grams
Design(s): Heel-shafted mallet (available LH)
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