2009 Putter Test In Review

It’s a club you use every hole (well almost). Most players would be happy with a 2 putt from almost any where outside of 10 feet, heck from anywhere on the green, anything to avoid the dreaded 3 putt.

Because this club is chosen second only to the big dog during an average round, there is a great deal of mystic surrounding the flat stick. We had forty different choices for the Rankmarkers to test this year. The putting test is probably one of the most highly anticipated tests of the year due to the overwhelming options available. We are extremely pleased to be able to help golfers narrow their search for the best putter for their game.

Anyone that has ever been lucky enough to go the PGA merchandise show in January understands the enormity of the industry and how many different putter companies there are. Within each of these companies, there are numerous different models and styles. It’s daunting.

So rather than have you go the local retailer and try only the brands the (commissioned) salesman suggests, we hope our results will offer some suggestions that lower your 3 putt stats, I mean stats…

We tested for Feel, Look, Short Putt and Long Putt.

This time because of the sheer number of submissions and requests to test, we produced the tests at 2 different facilities. First we partnered up with the Public Links Golf Association in Los Angeles. They suggested we use the putting green at the Links at Victoria for the test, we agreed. The good folks there were exceptionally helpful.

Initially we received some strange looks from the course superintendant when we asked him to punch 20 holes on the green. Once they understood that we had ten stations, each with a short and a long putt, they were fine.

We then worked with the Executive Women’s Golf Association back in Orange County at the other facility, an indoor one. The Golf Coast, whose Wedges and Drivers have tested well in the past, did not have putters to be tested, so we felt good about testing putters at their new facility, and what a facility it is! They really have a nice space their with a 15 station indoor driving range, golfer simulator and all the latest launch monitor and swing analysis equipment.

The testers went about their business, eager and anxious to find the putter with the right look, feel and that sank every putt effortlessly. Some even found it! Mostly though we heard a lot of the usual, “Wow, I would never have even tried this, but I’m really glad I did!” We also heard a lot of comments to the contrary like “I heard this was a good putter, but it’s not right for me.”

We didn’t test belly putters, only 34” and 35” blades, mallets and I don’t even know what to call some of the others.

Here is a list of the putters we tested (in alphabetical order):

So you can see there are a lot of choices out there. Remember we offer you the Winners and 4 other places in over 18 different categories. Our appreciation to all our testers, thank you. Good Luck and keep coming back.

P.S. Practicing you putting stroke is not a bad idea either!