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In the market for a new putter in 2018? Equipment editor James Savage tests out some of the latest models and gives his verdict
Which are the best putters 2018?
This is a very difficult question to answer because what works for me might not work for you.
There is no way that we could say one putter is better than another.
But we can pick out a few of our favourites and give a run down of what’s available.
Every brand has dozens of different models with different head-shapes, colours, hosels, weighting, lengths and alignment aids.
Before selecting your putter for 2018, have a think about two things – does it help you aim and does it help you control speed?
Work closely with a fitter or a PGA pro to find a putter that helps you do those two things.
Try and find a putter that matches your stroke rather manipulating your stroke to a putter you like the look of.
Yes, looks are important. If you like the look of something then the chances are you’ll putt better with it.
But think about how that putter is going to help you get the ball in the hole, or at least closer to the hole to eliminate those three-putts.
In my opinion (and from painful experience) holing a few more putts is the quickest and easiest way to knock a few shots off your scores.
Anyway, here’s a look at what’s available…
Best putters 2018: Odyssey
Odyssey are the number one putter brand on tour and have .
There’s now an all-new, 12-model O-Works Black line as well as adding six new models to its existing Red putter range.
They all feature Microhinge Face Insert Technology, which produces more topspin to get the ball into a better roll quicker, reducing skid.
The full range of O-Works Black putters includes: #1, #7, #1 Wide S, #7 Tank, #1 Tank, 2-Ball Fang, #2M CS, 330M, #2W, Jailbird Mini, #3T, Black Marxman.
Added to O-Works Red for 2018 are: #1 Wide S, #1 Tank, 2-Ball Fang, Jailbird Mini, #7 Tank, Marxman.
Already in the O-Works Red range (launched July 2017): 2-Ball, #7, R-Line, V-Line Fang, #7S.
SRPs: £189
They have also introduced the EXO range which is a mix of the red and the black but comes in at more of a premium price point.
The EXO putters have a White Hot microhinge insert which will feel a bit more solid than the insert in the other O-Works models.
Available in versions of the classic Number 7 and Rossie headshapes along with an Indy model which takes inspiration from the Toulon range.
Odyssey say each head is precision-milled, with a weight-saving aluminium red section contrasting with an elegant, milled black stainless steel body.
Scotty Cameron putters are also hugely successful on tour. They are in the hands of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Tiger Woods to name but a few.
And for my money, they are the best-looking models around. They’ll set you back a few quid but you’ll never tire from removing the head cover – at home when your partner isn’t looking, and on the golf course.
“Everything I’ve learned from refining and redesigning Newport-style putters over the last two decades has gone into this 2018 Select line.
“I always strive to raise the bar by incorporating new materials, milling and manufacturing techniques. I’m at the point with the Select line of putters that now I’m hyper-focused on the finest details.
“Tour players pick up on things most people don’t, but those details can make a big difference in how a putter performs.
“We’ve reengineered the sole to account for the shaft and grip weight by actually moving metal in minute increments to help the putter align perfectly. I call it four-way sole balancing because we’ve balanced the putter from face to cavity, and from heel to toe.”
Ping have introduced an updated line of their popular Vault putters.
The premium Vault 2.0 range features some classic shapes from down the years with four blades and two mallets to choose from.
Golfers can choose from three premium finishes (Stealth, Platinum or Copper) in five models precision-milled from 303 stainless steel,
These include include the new Dale Anser, which is inspired by one of the original Anser putter moulds created by Allan Dale Solheim.
The award-winning Ketsch mallet (Stealth or Slate finish) combines a fully-machined 6061 aerospace-grade aluminium body with a stainless steel sole plate for an extremely high MOI (moment of inertia, resistance to twisting on impact).
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All the models are fit for a particular stroke and designed with varying alignment aids.
“The Ping Vault 2.0 putters are luxurious works of art that are engineered to perform,” said John K Solheim, Ping’s president.
“The craftsmanship and materials used in our milling and finishing processes ensure premium, eye-catching designs that appeal to the most discerning golfers. The ability to customise the weights provides golfers a putter uniquely built to fit their game.”
SRPs: £275
More information can be found on the Ping website.
Best putters 2018: TaylorMade
After the success of the Spider Tour Red it’s no surprise to see TaylorMade introduce a full line.
But there’s a lot more here than Spider Red’s with different hosels and alignments.
We’ve also got Spider Tour Black, Silver and the all-new Spider Arc putters which features a 3.65 in heavy stainless steel ring for more stability and an arced geometry cup design for better visual alignment.
“Putters are unique, perhaps the most unique of any club in the bag,” said Bill Price, senior director, product creation, putters and wedges.
“What we continue to experience inside the TaylorMade putting lab is that different players line up better with and without sightlines as well as different hosels.
“We’re now able to offer consumers the opportunity to experience the Spider Tour putter with the ability to match their eyesight with a variety of hosels and sightlines.”
There’s also the new Spider Mini which we have seen Dustin Johnson using which takes some of the stability from the Spider but mimics the dimensions of a classic blade with a T alignment aid.
SRP: £269
And there’s the TP Black Copper collection which includes the Soto which Rory McIlroy has been using this year.
Cleveland first launched their TFi 2135 putters a couple of years ago.
They featured a raised sightline which was designed to line-up exactly with the centre of the ball.
The new TFi Satin range features, high-contrast alignment lines and a customised milling pattern on each of the six head shapes.
“Traditional putters come up short when you hit the ball even just a bit toward the heel or toe,” said Jeff Brunski, director of R&D at Cleveland Golf.
“We lowered ball speed on center strikes and added ball speed on off-centre strikes to produce uniform distance no matter where you strike the ball.
“The exact magnitude of these changes varies slightly based on the shape and weighting of the putter model. So we’ve actually produced a different face for every model within the family to make sure each one provides perfect distance control.”
You can’t help but admire the craftsmanship which goes into Bettinardi putters. They always have engineering and clever technology at their heart.
But it seems within their new line-up for 2018 there’s more shelf-appeal than ever. This has been underlined with the launch of some stunning new wedges which complement their extensive putter range.
We’ve got five new models making a total of 12 across the BB, Inovai, Queen B and Studio Stock ranges.
Finished in a ‘stealth’ matte black, the four new BB models feature the distinctive Bettinardi putters branding in eye-catching electric yellow.
Following on from the successful 3.0 model which we reviewed earlier this year, the new iNOVAi 5.0 is a striking putter that is extremely stable throughout the putting stroke.
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Matt Kuchar has had success with the Studio Stock models (SS3, SS8 AND SS28) which incorporate the brand’s F.I.T. Face milling (Feel Impact Technology which removes the need for a face insert).
The Queen B Series was the UK’s best-seller this year and features the Bettinardi Micro Honeycomb Face milling, allowing for a muted, yet crisp feel at impact for players looking for constant speed and feel.
EvnRoll unveiled seven 100% milled designs featuring their “Sweet Face” Technology at the PGA Show two years ago.
Just two years later, there are five striking new models for the 2018 season, including the super-stable ER9-10K Extreme mallet.
EvnRoll putter designer Guerin Rife set himself a challenge to design a putter with double the MOI of many of the most popular high MOI head designs on tour.
“I noticed more and more lately that many players on the PGA Tour are opting for high MOI oversized putter head designs,” said Rife.
“They have to stand over a 4-foot putt worth $200k to $1m that will change their life. The pressure can be paralysing.”
Wilson have redesigned their Infinite putter range with six new models.
The new putters (three blade and three mallet) are all named after landmarks and neighbourhoods in the brand’s home city of Chicago – Windy City, Lake Shore, Michigan Ave, Grant Park, South Side and The Bean.
Featuring counterbalance technology, the putters combine a heavier head and grip weights, moving the balance point closer to the hands for a smoother and more controlled putting stroke.
