The putter. The most important golf club in your bag, so it's pretty important you choose the right one.
One of the biggest changes we have seen in 2019 when it comes to new flatsticks is price. They seem to be more expensive than ever due to the influence of even more technological innovations than ever before. But is it really worth it? Can it really help you hole more putts. We've picked out a few that we think just might... In no particular order:
Released: 05/02/2019
RRP As Reviewed: £299
Quick Hit: As a tenth birthday present to itself, TaylorMade has revamped the Spider Tour putter design to create the Spider X putter.
The Tech: Two blue steel weights feature on the Spider X that move the mass towards the rear corners of the putter. The body of the Spider X may look the same from above, but now the steel outer frame houses a central section that is made of carbon composite. The face insert is made from 80% Surlyn with 20% aluminium flakes incorporated in the mix to give it the same firmer feel as the Spider Tour Black insert.
Golfalot Says: "The only drawback might be that the Spider X is a pricey putter, but for once, I am not sure I really care. For something that looks this good and manages to create a high MOI design in a mid-sized head with easy alignment, I am willing to break the bank."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 08/02/2019
RRP As Reviewed: £239
Quick Hit: The Odyssey Stroke Lab range features a complete rethink of putter weighting and shafts.The engine of this performance, like any golf club, is the shaft, which is a combination of a steel tip and a graphite upper section.
The Tech: The lighter carbon section saves 40g of weight, of which 10g is added back into the head and 30g is added to the end of the grip. The weight of the heavier 360g head is offset by the extra weight of the grip. The Stroke Lab grip is 10g lighter than normal, so the weight of the grip is actually 40g to create a counterbalanced putter. Counterbalanced putters are nothing new but the way Odyssey have designed these putters certainly is.
Golfalot Says: "It is great to see real innovation in putters and, as an advocate of MOI matching and counterbalancing for years now, it is good to see it moving from the specialised fitters to the masses thanks to the Odyssey Stroke Lab range. They are a bit more expensive than Odyssey putters have been in the past, but I think it's well worth it."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 01/09/2019
RRP As Reviewed: £239
Quick Hit: A new combination of black nickel and copper create worn-looking 'reveal' patina finish on the TP collection, now in it's third generation.
The Tech: This putter collection features: TM's PureRoll aluminium insert, which is now 5mm thicker like the Spider X putter. The insert is fastened by two exposed screws in the cavity of the putter whilst removable sole weights from 2.5 up to 20 grams are available.
Golfalot Says: "With seven different models available there's something in there for everyone, and although the looks and patina finish may divide opinion, if your putting skills are a little rusty and you're contemplating a putter change then the TP Patina models should definitely be among your testing list."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 17/05/2019
RRP As Reviewed: £399
Quick Hit: Replacing the Futura line of mallet putters, Scotty has decided to give it a new name because the Phantom putters use a new, modern style of head design.
The Tech: In the Phantom X the whole of the face is black aluminium and it will either wrap around the front of the putter from the crown or the sole, depending on which of the five different head styles you choose. As with all Scotty Camerons, the different length shafts come with variable sole weights to ensure that the swing weight is consistent. This means there are 10g weights in the heads on the 35 inch shafts, 15g in the 34 inch and 20g in the 33 inch.
Golfalot Says: "I feel that an all metal putter is always the best for sound feedback and using aluminium in the face combines that with a softer feel. In the Phantom X range, Titleist seem to have finally got the combination of aluminium and steel in the head about right. the only thing left to justify is the price..."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Released: 01/03/2019
RRP As Reviewed: £379
Quick Hit: The premium mid-mallet that putting dreams are made of with addition of Stroke Lab technology.
The Tech: A classic mid-mallet head shape with a simple squared-off back. The head is milled from a solid block of soft 303 stainless steel but features a new Charcoal Smoke finish. The face featured the same Deep Diamond Mill groove pattern that all Toulon Design Putters have had in the past. However, this time all of the face is milled – not just the sweetspot of the putter. The Stroke Lab shaft technology is also added, where weight is redistributed at the top end of the putter for a smoother, more consistent stroke.
Golfalot Says: "Since getting the putter in May of this year, it hasn’t left my bag and to be honest, unless something else extremely impressive comes along, I can’t imagine that changing any time soon."
Read the FULL REVIEW here
Best Putters Of 2019 Summary
So there's our short and sweet list of the putters in 2019. Which was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below...