golf club review Archives

Titleist Scotty Cameron Futura X5/X5R

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Scotty Cameron Futura Review

There are few brands within the game of golf that demand the kind of respect as the Scotty Cameron line of putters from Titleist. Golfers around the world have long loved the products produced in this line, as they represent some of the best tools that you can use on the greens.

Open the Wallet

Of course, that quality comes at a price. Scotty Cameron’s are notoriously expensive, and the story is no different with the X5 and X5R. Coming in with a retail price of $349, this putter is no one’s idea of a bargain. However, if you want the best and you are willing to invest financially in your game, the performance of these clubs is hard to match.

The X5 is a mallet putter with a wing back design intended to give it great balance and feel through the ball. The X5R is a very similar putter, with only a rounded wing design to differentiate it from the X5. It should be easy for you to get this club head aligned square to your target line at address, and the putter features the typical great looks that come with Scotty Cameron models.

Unmatched Feel

One element of this putter that you are likely to love is the feel of the ball coming off the putter face. Above all else, this is what Scotty Cameron putters are known for among golfers of all skill levels. There is a unique feeling that is achieved when putting with a Scotty, and you should find that to be the case with the X5.

If you are looking for a mallet-style putter, this is certainly a model to give careful consideration. The one aspect of this putter that might put off some players is simply its size. It is a large putter, which is not something that every golfer will love. Of course, if you are a player that doesn’t want a large putter head, you probably shouldn’t be looking at mallet designs to begin with. As an entry in this category, however, it is hard to find another option that is going to outshine the X5/X5R.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.

Cleveland Smart Square TFi

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The Odyssey Two-Ball putter is one of the most popular clubs of all time, and this Cleveland Smart Square TFI putter takes a similar direction to that design. However, as the name would indicate, the alignment aids on the top of the putter head, in this case, are square rather than round. Looking down from address, you will see two squares lined up behind the ball, with the idea being that you will have an easier time picking out correct alignment with these squares guiding your eyes properly.

Does it work? That’s going to have to be for you to decide. To be sure, some golfers will see a benefit in terms of their alignment when they use the Smart Square TFi. Other golfers, maybe not so much. Putting is a very individual element of the game, so your results with a specific putter are going to vary wildly from other players on the course. If you are at all interested in this putter, the best thing to do is try it out for yourself before coming to a final decision.

Moderate Price Point

In terms of price, this putter typically retails for around $200, putting it right in line with many of the other mallet putters on the market. For that money, you get a putter which features a copolymer insert designed for softer feel when the ball comes off the club face. This is another point that is individual when it comes to preference. Some golfers love the soft feel of a putter with an insert, while others prefer the crisp and clean feel of metal striking the ball. Decide which is your preferred option, and then find a putter that suits your tastes.

Open to New Ideas

If you have an open mind in terms of club design and you are looking for a putter that will help you get aligned properly, the Smart Square TFi is one worth a second look. Cleveland might not have the same name recognition in the putter world as Scotty Cameron or Odyssey, but they are capable of producing a quality product nonetheless.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.

Brainstorm Golf Happy Putter

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Interested in taking a turn away from the ‘standard’ golf brands in favor of something new and different? The Brainstorm Golf Happy Putter may be perfect for you. This is a unique product that has grabbed on to the concept of adjustable clubs and moved it into the putting space.

While nearly every driver on the market today is adjustable, this is one of the first putters to use that same idea. The Happy Putter is available in both mallet and blade versions, and each is highly customizable based on your needs and preferences.

Quality Materials

The face and body of this putter are made from CNC machined aluminum, so you should be able to expect that satisfying ‘click’ at impact that so many golfers love. With a blue body and green face, however, this is not a putter that is likely to satisfy the eye of a golf purist.

It is a modern aesthetic that comes with this putter, so take a good look at its appearance before placing an order. That isn’t to say that it is ugly – there are certain to be plenty of golfers who love the look – it is just an element to consider before committing to this putter.

Speaking of committing to the putter, you are going to have to make a sizeable financial investment to own this club, as the retail price is $279.99 for the standard lengths of 34’’ or 35’’. While that doesn’t make this the most expensive putter on the market – models like the Scotty Cameron X5 are costlier – it is still a serious price to pay for a flat stick.

Value to Be Found

However, on the other side of that price issue is the customization that this putter offers. Instead of having to purchase a new putter if you decide to try a different putting style, you can simply tweak the settings of this club to suit your needs. In the end, that could wind up making it more affordable than some of the putters that run $200 and offer no customization options at all.

You could find that it makes more sense to invest a significant amount of money one time than to keep buying new putters year after year to fit your changing stroke. From that perspective, the Happy Putter from Brainstorm Golf could represent a value that you need to consider.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.

Odyssey Works Versa

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Odyssey has made some of the most-successful putters in the history of the game, and this mallet model is likely to follow in that path. The Odyssey Works Versa putter comes in a couple of different styles, each of which has its own benefits to be enjoyed. This review is going to focus on the Marxman Fang model, which is a large mallet-style putter that features a long stripe running down to the top of the putter head.

Visual Aid

It is that stripe that will be the first thing you notice when you look down from address. Obviously, the stripe is meant to aid in your alignment with the target line, and it will do a good job for most players. Odyssey has provided a dramatic contrast between the stripe and the rest of the head, so your eyes will instantly grab on to that feature. If you are a player who has historically struggled with your alignment on the greens, there is a good chance that the Works Versa Marxman Fang will help you get pointed in the right direction.

Steady Through the Ball

As with any mallet putter, it is really the perimeter weighting that makes this model of interest to the golfer looking to hole more putts. That perimeter weighting should help you hold the club head steady through the stroke, meaning you will be able to hit the target line more frequently. No putter can do all of the work for you, but the stability offered from the Works Versa should leave you feeling more confident than ever – especially on the short putts that you absolutely need to make.

To add this putter to your bag, you are likely going to need to spend around $200. That is a price tag which puts this putter in the same general range as most of the brand name mallet putters on the market today. Given the reputation for quality and performance that has been built by the Odyssey brand over the years, most golfers will find that $200 is a fair price to pay.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.

Odyssey Works Tank Cruiser

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The name of this putter should tell you all you need to know about its design. What would you expect from a putter named the Tank Cruiser? You would expect it to be big – and you would be right. This review is for the 2-Ball model of the Tank Cruiser, which is a mallet putter that features the classic 2-Ball design which has been so successful over the years. If you have owned previous 2-Ball models and enjoyed the alignment benefits they offered, you will likely love this Tank Cruiser model right from the start.

Weighting Magic

So why would you opt for this version instead of the traditional 2-Ball? Simple – counterbalancing. Counterbalanced putters – putters that have some weight above the level of your hands to balance out the stroke – are becoming the latest and greatest technology in the game today. The Tank Cruiser putters have adjustable counterbalanced technology which should allow you to make a smoother stroke while achieving a great roll. There are two standard lengths for this putter, 35’’ and 38’’, so you should be able to locate one that is a comfortable fit for you on the greens.

A counterbalanced putter, especially one with a mallet head design, is a great idea for a player who has struggled with the yips. If your hands tend to be too active during the stroke, this kind of putter just might be the answer. The heavier overall weight of the putter, combined with the size of the mallet head, can make it easy to produce a smooth stroke without the twitching action sometimes experienced in the hands. For players who often struggle to hole out from five feet and in, the Tank Cruiser 2-Ball could be a major stroke saver.

Tailored to Your Needs

This is an adjustable putter, meaning both the weight of the head and the handle can be adjusted to fit your preferences. This has been a trend lately in ‘full swing’ clubs, but it is now making its way into the short game as well. Adjustability is a great thing to have on your side, especially since you will need to spend around $250 to put this club in your bag. If you have been wanting to try a counterbalanced putter – and you want to do so with a proven club head like the 2-Ball – this version of the Tank Cruiser is a great pick.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.

Nike Method Converge

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Nike Method Converge

If you watch any amount of golf on TV, you have undoubtedly seen the spread of counterbalanced putters among the professional ranks. These are putters which feature weighting at the end of the grip to even out the stroke as it moves back and through. Often, players will hold onto the grip several inches down from the top so they can utilize that weight effectively. While plenty of golfers still putt well using a ‘traditional’ putter, the counterbalanced movement has more than its share of believers.

High Tech Putting

The NIKE Method Converge is a putter that falls into the counterbalanced category. This review covers the Converge Bend Counterflex model, which has a large mallet head and a heel-shafted orientation. If you are looking for a large putter head to iron out the inconsistencies in your stroke, this is a model to watch closely. The perimeter weighting of the putter should help to stabilize any hits that are slightly off-center, and the RZN groove insert will help you get the ball rolling quickly.

Great Value

One of the many positive attributes of this putter is the competitive price point at which it is offered. With a retail price often around $240, it is less expensive than some of the other large, counterbalanced putters on the market. Considering the size of the mallet head featured in this putter, and the long grip with weighting that is included, it would be easy to see this club selling for a higher price.

Getting the ball rolling as quickly as possible is one of the most important attributes of a good putter, and those who use the Method Converge Bend Counterflex should have no trouble with that point. This putter has been designed to get the ball rolling nicely, and its size and design should help you align yourself correctly over the ball as well. For those looking for a putter with a large head and a counterbalanced design, this is a model that certainly requires a closer look.

Click here for our list of the best mallet putters.