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OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME
If you are in the market for a mallet putter in 2019, this test is for you.
At MyGolfSpy our job is to provide independent, unbiased, and objective testing of products to help you make more confident purchasing decisions. We do this by employing consistent testing methodologies and advanced golf analytics inside our 100% independent test facility. You are then able to leverage the industry’s richest set of head-to-head data to help unlock your full potential. Our testing yields unparalleled data which equals unparalleled insight for the golfer.
For 2019, stop buying golf equipment you like and start buying equipment you want to keep. Don’t spend a dollar unless it improves on what’s already in the bag.
Most Wanted:
Putter Buying Considerations
LENGTH
The length of your putter can affect both your ability to control distance and direction. Typical stock putters are either 34″ or 35″ in length; however, many golfers will better fit into a shorter length putter. You want to choose a putter that will allow you to have a relaxed set-up based on how you address the ball.
LOFT
Loft may affect the distance of your putt more than the direction, and speed control is extremely important in putting. If you have too much, or too little loft, your ball may either hop or dig into the ground, making distance control inconsistent. We always recommend getting fitted for a putter. A fitting specialist can help determine the proper loft for your putter.
BLADE vs. MALLET
Choosing between a blade and a mallet should come down to both personal preference and your natural putting stroke tempo. According to PING, if you tend to have a quicker tempo putting stroke, a lighter, blade style putter might suit your game. Conversely, if your stroke is smoother and slower, a heavier, mallet-style putter might be your fit.
TOE HANG
As much as your tempo plays a factor into the right putter, so does the amount of arc in your stroke. If you tend to have a large amount of opening and closing of the face, you’ll want to consider a heel shafted putter that allows for rotation – if you balance the putter on your two index fingers, the putter head should hang with the toe closer to 6 o’clock. On the other extreme, a face-balanced putter will have the face pointing to the sky when you balance it. This style putter is generally well suited for golfers who have more of a straight back straight through stroke.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Runner-Up: TaylorMade TP Red-White Ardmore
The TaylorMade TP Red-White Ardmore was again a strong performer, finishing second in our 2019 Most Wanted Mallet Test. Featuring an improved alignment system and aluminum Pure Roll Insert, the TP Ardmore Red-White ranked near the top in all three of our subjective feedback categories - looks, feel, and alignment.
If you're looking for a mallet this year, make sure the Ardmore is in your consideration set.
FIELD NOTES
During each test, we look for trends that provide us insight into where the market as a whole is moving, as well as what noteworthy changes manufacturers have made to improve year-over-year performance. We also solicit feedback from our testers. We want to understand what they liked, what they didn’t like, and why. While we do collect and share noteworthy portions of this subjective feedback, it does not factor in our rankings.
TRENDS AND TWEAKS
- Of the 30 models tested, we would categorize five as being slight arc, one as strong arc, 23 as straight back straight through (face-balanced), and one as torque-balanced (toe-up).
- Traditional pistol grips are increasingly uncommon. Only 8 out of the 28 putters tested featured a pistol or pistol-like grip. Almost every manufacturer offered some sort of midsized to oversized grip. Whether it be the P2 Aware Tour grip on the MLA Tour X-Dream putter or the new EVNROLL Gravity Grip – several models offer a unique twist on the grip designed to help stabilize the hands and square up the face. Even Bettinardi putters with their classic cord pistol grip were midsized at the smallest. Mostly gone are the days of the ultra-thin pistol grip.
- The number of Fang style putters, like the Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven is on the rise.
- The common theme with the larger-head mallets is to push weight to the perimeters of the head to increase MOI, thereby boosting forgiveness.
Matching Your Putter to Your Tempo
According to PING, golfers with slower tempos, often better fit into heavier, mallet style putters. On the flip side, quick tempo golfers (think Brandt Snedeker), would likely benefit from a lighter, blade style putter.
NOTES FROM THE TESTING POOL
- The Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven was rated highest by the test pool, with an average score of 7.9 across Looks, Feel and Alignment. The Stroke Lab Seven was rated the highest in each individual category, as well. Testers noted exceptionally soft feel, stability, and ease of alignment with this putter.
- The EVNROLL ER5, Scotty Cameron Futura 7m and the PING Sigma 2 Tyne 4 ranked among the highest for looks.
- Among the top putters for feel were the PING Sigma 2 Fetch and Tyne 4. Both of these putters feature PING’s all new Soft Feel insert.
- In terms of alignment, the EVNROLL ER5, Scotty Cameron Futura 7m, and Odyssey Exo Marxman were ranked the highest. For all three of these putters, many testers noted how easily these putters set up square to the target when placed on the ground.
- Several putters that performed well were not popular with the tester. One putter, in particular, the MLA Tour X Dream , was rated near the bottom, despite finishing T2. As we’ve noted previously; in opposition to what many golfers believe, there is little correlation between what looks good/suites the eye and what performs well.
- It was a rare occurrence for a putter to be highly rated for one metric and poorly for another. Putters were generally highly rated or poorly rated as a whole.
- An interesting exception was the Argolf Mordred, which while not rated highly for looks and feel, was rated among the best for alignment.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - MLA Tour X-Dream
A previous Most Wanted Mallet Test Winner (2016), the MLA Tour X-Dream has been a consistently strong performing putter since the inception of MyGolfSpy's putter testing. MLA putters feature an alignment designed to activate the many line detectors in our brain. While not a favorite for looks, many of the testers provided positive feedback for alignment.
2019 Most Wanted PUTTER DATA
2019 Most Wanted Mallet Data
| Club | 5' Score | 10' Score | 20' Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Tommy Armour Impact No.3 Check Price | 27% | 60% | 20% |
 | MLA Tour X-Dream Check Price | 23% | 55% | 21% |
 | TaylorMade TP Red-White Ardmore Check Price | 33% | 45% | 21% |
 | Scotty Cameron Futura 7m Check Price | 27% | 50% | 21% |
 | Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 12 Check Price | 20% | 55% | 21% |
 | EVNROLL ER5 Check Price | 40% | 35% | 21% |
 | Cleveland TFI 2135 Elevado Check Price | 17% | 55% | 21% |
 | Scotty Cameron Futura 6m Check Price | 23% | 50% | 19% |
 | PING Sigma 2 Fetch Check Price | 30% | 40% | 19% |
 | Bloodline RG-1 Center Shaft Check Price | 27% | 40% | 20% |
 | Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven Check Price | 27% | 40% | 20% |
 | Odyssey EXO Marxman Check Price | 33% | 30% | 23% |
 | PING Sigma 2 Tyne 4 Check Price | 30% | 35% | 20% |
 | Tour Edge Biarritz Check Price | 20% | 45% | 20% |
 | Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 6 Check Price | 20% | 40% | 23% |
 | TaylorMade Spider X Copper Check Price | 23% | 40% | 19% |
 | Tommy Armour Infusion Aero Check Price | 13% | 50% | 19% |
 | Wilson Staff Infinite The Bean Check Price | 23% | 40% | 18% |
 | Bettinardi Queen B #10 Check Price | 20% | 40% | 20% |
 | Tommy Armour Infusion Newhaven Check Price | 10% | 50% | 20% |
 | Bettnardi Studio Stock 38 Check Price | 10% | 50% | 19% |
 | TaylorMade Spider Tour Check Price | 13% | 45% | 20% |
 | Tommy Armour Infusion Phoenix Check Price | 10% | 50% | 18% |
 | Tour Edge Alps Check Price | 17% | 40% | 20% |
 | Argolf Mordred Check Price | 20% | 40% | 15% |
 | Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11 Check Price | 17% | 35% | 21% |
 | Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle Check Price | 17% | 35% | 18% |
 | Wilson Staff Infinite The "L" Check Price | 17% | 30% | 21% |
 | Wilson Staff Infinite Bucktown Check Price | 23% | 20% | 21% |
 | Edel E-4 Check Price | 3% | 40% | 20% |
EXPERT TIP - WHICH WAY DO YOU MISS?
Matching a putter to your natural stroke type is essential if you want to make more putts. If you tend to miss it to the right, your putter might have too much toe hang, or the arc is "too strong." Conversely, if you consistently pull putts, or miss it to the left, your putter may not have enough toe hang.
Putters with more toe hang typically match a stoke that has a lot of rotation, where putters with less to hang match more of a straight back-straight through stroke.
MORE BUYING TIPS
GET FIT
95% of amateur golfers haven’t been fit for a putter. Would it surprise you if 85% of PGA Industry Professionals (the guys fitting you for a putter) haven’t been fit as well? The bottom line is – you’re leaving strokes on the green if you’re playing the wrong equipment for your game. Don’t choose a putter just because it looks or feels good, get fit for a putter that works with YOUR stroke to start making more putts.
FACE TECHNOLOGY
The face of the putter is one of the most critical parts of the club; after all, it is the contact point with the ball. Every manufacturer has proprietary technology whether it’s EVNROLL’s variable grooves, PING’s TR face, or the traditional milled face, pay attention to what is on the face of the club.
GRIP STYLE
Pistol, counterbalance, and oversize – just some of the many styles of putter grips available. Feel is the trade-off here, a thicker grip that will stabilize the wrists may lose a little feel, whereas a more traditional pistol grip may give you more response but could cost you some control.
HOW WE TEST
Our Mission is to help you find the best putter for your game.
We are 100% independent and unbiased, and always put the #ConsumerFirst
ABOUT OUR TESTERS
Our pool of testers consists of 20 golfers with handicaps ranging from plus to the mid-teens. As a group, they span a broad range of putting stroke characteristics.
Over the course of several sessions, each golfer is required to putt and finish 18 holes with each putter. Putter groupings and order are randomized on a per tester basis.
LIMITING VARIABLES AND GATHERING RELIABLE DATA
To minimize variables, all testers hit Bridgestone Tour B-RX Golf Balls inside our dedicated Lab X testing facility located in Yorktown, VA.
While it doesn't affect the final results, subjective feedback on looks, feel and alignment is taken from each tester on every putter in the test.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
To arrive at our final results, we analyze the data for statistical significance. Top group percentages (the percentage of the time a putter finishes in the statistically significant top group across the testing pool) are leveled to account for performance at distances and weighted to favor 10' putts as our tests show it's where the greatest differences are found. The Most Wanted Winner is the putter that finished with the highest adjusted top group percentage.
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
2019 Most Wanted Mallet Specifications
| Club | Loft* | Lie* | Length* | Swingweight* | Headweight | Toe Hang | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argolf Mordred Check Price | 2.2 | 72.3 | 34 | E 4 | 360g | Straight |
| Bettinardi Queen B #10 Check Price | 3 | 70 | 34 | E 1.7 | 362g | Slight |
| Bettnardi Studio Stock 38 Check Price | 3 | 70.4 | 34 | E 0.2 | 358g | Straight |
| Bloodline RG-1 Center Shaft Check Price | 2.6 | 69.4 | 34 | E 6.9 | 395g | Straight |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 6 Check Price | 3.2 | 70.5 | 33.875 | E 5.4 | 365g | Straight |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11 Check Price | 3.1 | 70.2 | 33.875 | E 8.4 | 370g | Slight |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 12 Check Price | 3.1 | 69.8 | 33.875 | E 9 | 370g | Straight |
| Cleveland TFI 2135 Elevado Check Price | 3.2 | 69.9 | 33.75 | E 3.5 | 370g | Straight |
| Edel E-4 Check Price | 3.2 | 71.3 | 33.875 | C 4.5 | 345g | Toe Up |
| EVNROLL ER5 Check Price | 1.5 | 70 | 34.875 | E 1 | 355g | Straight |
| MLA Tour X-Dream Check Price | 2.4 | 71.3 | 34 | F 4.1 | 375g | Straight |
| Odyssey EXO Marxman Check Price | 2.9 | 70.1 | 33.875 | D 4.6 | 360g | Straight |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven Check Price | 3.1 | 70.4 | 35 | E 5.7 | 365g | Straight |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle Check Price | 3.2 | 70.5 | 33.875 | E 1.1 | 365g | Slight |
| PING Sigma 2 Fetch Check Price | 3 | 70 | 34 | D 9.9 | 365g | Straight |
| PING Sigma 2 Tyne 4 Check Price | 3.1 | 70 | 34 | D 3 | 370g | Strong |
| Scotty Cameron Futura 6m Check Price | 3.6 | 70.3 | 33.875 | D 9.9 | N/A | Straight |
| Scotty Cameron Futura 7m Check Price | 3.5 | 70.1 | 33.875 | D 9.7 | N/A | Straight |
| TaylorMade TP Red-White Ardmore Check Price | 3.4 | 70.2 | 33.625 | D 6.2 | 355g | Straight |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour Check Price | 3.5 | 70.3 | 33.875 | D 5.9 | 350g | Straight |
| TaylorMade Spider X Copper Check Price | 3.1 | 69.4 | 33.75 | D 9 | 355g | Slight |
| Tommy Armour Impact No.3 Check Price | 3.1 | 69.7 | 33.75 | E 1 | 365g | Straight |
| Tommy Armour Infusion Aero Check Price | 3 | 70.3 | 33.875 | D 9.5 | 360g | Straight |
| Tommy Armour Infusion Newhaven Check Price | 3.3 | 70.1 | 34 | E 0 | 355g | Straight |
| Tommy Armour Infusion Phoenix Check Price | 3.6 | 71.1 | 33.875 | D 4 | 365g | Straight |
| Tour Edge Alps Check Price | 2.3 | 70.3 | 34.75 | F 7 | 360g | Straight |
| Tour Edge Biarritz Check Price | 2.1 | 70.8 | 34.75 | F 9 | 370g | Straight |
| Wilson Staff Infinite Bucktown Check Price | 3 | 70.8 | 34 | D 6 | 360g | Straight |
| Wilson Staff Infinite The "L" Check Price | 3.1 | 71.2 | 34 | D 6 | 360g | Slight |
| Wilson Staff Infinite The Bean Check Price | 3.4 | 71.2 | 34 | D 6.1 | 360g | Straight |
* denotes measured value vs. manufacturer’s stated spec.
FAQ
Buying a Putter
Q: Should I get fit for a putter?
A: Without a doubt. Don’t just go to the putting corral at your local golf store and choose the putter that feels the best. Do your research, know the facts, and take your knowledge to your local golf course or store with the intention of being fit for the right putter for YOUR stroke.
Q: Can I fit myself for a putter?
A: To a degree, yes. PING developed an App that pairs with an attachable sleeve to your current putter shaft to determine your stroke type, lie, and loft to help you understand what to look for in your next putter.
Q: How do I find the right length putter for me?
A: A quick test would be to take a comfortable putting stance with a putter; if the putter is too short, it’s likely it will sit too upright, or the heel of the putter will be off the ground. On the flip side, if it’s too long, you’ll feel as though you’re crowding the ball and the putter on the ground and the toe will be pointing up slightly.
Q: What is the price range for a typical putter?
A: Most putters range in price from $50 into the thousands; however most putters average between $150 and $350. Ultimately, it’s about finding the best putter for YOUR game. Price may always be a factor, but don’t assume the best putters are the most expensive.
EXPERT TIP - DISTANCE STRUGGLES?
If you tend to struggle with short putts, you might want to try a heavier putter. On the other end, if you need help on long putts, you might want to try a lighter putter. Blade putters tend to be on the lighter side, whereas mallets are typically bigger and heavier.
Most Wanted
Q: How is the Most Wanted Winner determined?
A: To determine the Most Wanted Blade Putter, we run the data through three tests of statistical significance (5′, 10′, and 20′). Throughout our test, golfers 1-putted from 5′ 77% of the time, 2-putted from 20′ 77% of the time, and 2-putted 54% of the time from 10′. Not that 10′ performance is weighted more highly in our rankings as that’s where our data suggests the most significant differences in performance are found.
Q: How are the best putters for stroke type determined?
A: At the beginning of the test, each putter is classified by its toe hang/stroke type. The best within each designation are those that finished highest overall with respect to toe hang/stroke type.
Q: How much does subjective feedback like looks, sound, and feel factor into your rankings?
A: ZERO. Our rankings are based purely on total putt counts and quantifiable performance metrics. We include subjective notes only because readers have asked for more feedback directly from the testers.
Q: Will you publish an overall winner between the Blade and Mallet putter tests?
A: Yes, those results will be published in the coming weeks.
Geoff Johnson
2 years agoAny thoughts on Odyssey EXO Seven Mini vs TaylorMade Spider X.
Sebastian
3 years agoReally frustrating finding putters for lefty’s. Most are either out-of-stock or they don’t make them. Does anyone have any suggestion before I just give up and attempt to switch to right lol?
Dave Winn
3 years agoTommy Armour has to correct the rusting problem on their black shafted putters. They shouldn’t be rusting after three months.
Dave
3 years agoMaybe a case of you get what you pay for?
Matt Vandevere
3 years agoWhere are you storing the putter? I haven’t noticed any rusting so far..
Dave
3 years agoI have read that most golfers are not straight through putters. Most have an arc. that being said interesting that the winner is the Tommy Armour which is face balanced. Does this make the balance of the putter less relevant?
Gary Cox
3 years agoWhy have you not included any of the cure line? I have the cure RX-5, with the optional additional weight kit, giving my putter an MOI of 18,000, compared to most of the tested models being in the 6-8,000 range. My 2-3 foot yios are GONE! I am bullet proof at all ranges now. Best putting ever.
Stephen J Gamble
3 years agoJust had a fitting with Travis at Evnroll putters in Carlsbad Ca. After analyzing my stroke I had a ER5 with 0 degree loft and 66 degree shaft angle made. Results were amazing!! My long putts rolled instead of hopping and my distance control was great. First time out 26 putts, no 3 putts, 4 makes of 20+ feet, 6-8 from inside 10 ft. I am sure I won’t do that everytime but if i don’t it will be me not the putter..Highly recommend Evnroll and if you are in the area a fitting at the factory. [ask for travis]
Michael
2 years agoHow much did that cost?
Martin
3 years agoI really like my Scotty Fastback great weight and balance for me. If you have not been fitted for a putter you should give it a try. Just make sure it is from a reliable fitter and knowledgable
bill
4 years agobought a TM putter-hated it 🙂 no feel or distance accuracy. Felt like it was hollow upon impact
MG
3 years agoHere is my story. Got fitted for Edel putter, spent $425 for a basic model with my initials on it. Beautiful putter. Played it for 1.5 years. Went to a PGA Professional for putting. He recommended a faced balanced putter, 34 inch and we changed my grip, stance, set up to the ball. After the lesson, I stopped at my locale Golf Galaxy Store. Found the Tommy Armour Impact 3 putter. Putted with it for 15 minutes. Confirmed with the store manager Neil it was face balanced. It had stickers identifying it as a mygolfspy #1 putter. Bought the TA3….have cut 6 strokes off my putting. It has 3 degrees off loft which is about 1 degree too much for me, but you can order on the TA website different degree lofts. Very good value and it works. I have also used the SAM putting lab prior to the Edel and TA3 putter, good info, but if your grip, set up, and putter don’t all line up then you are not going to be in the optimal position to putt well. See a PGA Professional and check out mygolfspy recommendations! I was a 3 handicap before the putter change. MG
THOMAS
4 years agoComment: Nothing to do with malet putters
But I have asked several time in MGS contacts WITH NO REPLY. When will the data be published for MOST WANTED DRIVERS by SWING SPEEDS???????
James
4 years agoWhy are no Toulons tested? Seems like a pretty big omission to leave out a brand that large.
Ryan Moszynski
4 years agoWhat’s the best mallet for my “slight figure 8” stroke path?
Cody Wright
4 years agoI have one questions. Does toe hang and flow not hurt the results of this test? Ive read so much on the need for correct toe flow and stroke but all the putters have different amounts of toe hang. I feel like I really struggle with putters that have toe hang. So, I could promise you that all the putters with toe hang would be low on my test scores. But if you got that putter for me in a SBST I might do better than most. I know this proves the importance of fitting and It would be difficult to get this many test subjects but just curious. Love the testing though. Yall are doing a great job.
scott
4 years agoPutters are very personal,and cost is the last thing to consider, What looks and feel right in your hand and eye.what works for me is a $70 used Rossie. I’ve had 5 putters in 48 years so if you find the right one wear it out at any cost..
Will
4 years agoAs always, good information. I don’t quite understand why the arguments as to what the Tour Pros’ use; a) they are custom fit, more than you & I would ever have available to us, b) they practice much more, as this is how they support themselves, c) They don’t absorb any of the cost, it’s a freebee – how would you putt if you had those bene’s? If you like a mallet & it looks/feels good to you, use it well & enjoy. It looks like some of these putters are fairly large, but different strokes for different folks; not too many of them are cheap. I have always prefered a blade; if that’s your choice, as with the mallet, pick one the looks/feels good to you & putt well…
HDTVMAN
4 years agoI would like to know if the putters tested had the same grip? If they were all different, I’d have questions on the results. I personally prefer midsize, like a 2.0, and I don’t like the feel of putters with smaller pistol grips. But put a midsize on and it is a completely different putter.
Taylor
4 years agoIf you’re buying a new putter and you knowingly putt better with a midsize grip, wouldn’t you want a midsize grip put on the putter when you test? Conversely, if you putt better with a smaller grip, wouldn’t you want a smaller grip on the putter when you test? Putting the best grip for each individual tester, of stock options, on the putter provides us with the best overall test in terms of performance of each putter. If everyone is at their supposed best for putting, and an individual putter outperforms a different one, then we can confidently say that putter is better. The gripsize is irrelevant to that.
Dan
4 years agoSo the Odyssey marksman strokelab was a higher percentage in 5’ and 20’ than everything and middle/high percentage on 10’(don’t know how that happens) yet it’s not ranked highly at all even though the stroke labs are far better than everything else and the number 1 used putter company on tour and by the public. The Tommy Armoir went 20/60/20% and got #1 ? Love the data don’t get the rankings.
Mike Hendo
4 years agoMaybe because Odyssey/Callaway doesn’t pay to advertise on this site. Seems like it’s 1995 and Tommy Armour is the number one in golf with the 845 line!! Right.
Tony Covey
4 years agoYup…that must be it. If Odyssey doesn’t win, the fix is in.
FYI – Callaway (owners of the Odyssey brand) finished on top for Most Wanted driver this year. Won Most Wanted fairway last year.
As we covered in the How We Test section for those who take the time to read before tossing ridiculous accusations around…
Here you go:
To arrive at our final results, we analyze the data for statistical significance. Top group percentages (the percentage of the time a putter finishes in the statistically significant top group across the testing pool) are leveled to account for performance at distances and weighted to favor 10′ putts as our tests show it’s where the greatest differences are found. The Most Wanted Winner is the putter that finished with the highest adjusted top group percentage.
Sluggo
4 years agoHaha, I’ve got the winning putter in the back of my Yukon where it’s been ever since I bought my er3.. it’s ready and waiting ever so patiently should the evnroll ever falter….
Nice to know it wins AGAIN!
Maybe I have the wrong putter waiting patiently… hmmm
kevin
4 years agowhat going on with the percentages. is this the best way to present the data results? the stroke type is cut off on my desktop .
Shannon
4 years agoI concure…..
Tony Covey
4 years agoWe’re trying to find a better way of listing/describing it. There’s a little bit of math involved, and it’s not the most intuitive thing, but we don’t want to misrepresent anything either. I’m looking at converting it to an ‘out of 100 score’ to try and simplify.
We’re open to suggestions.
Andrew Han
4 years agoI guess you will explain in another video, but why did the TA outperform the group? No visible groove tech of sort. Are other manufacturer just overdoing it or the larger testing pool giving better reliability?
TA is doing well, but correct me if I am wrong, they seem to be followers. They don’t really innovate, but rather just take other manufacturers tech/ innovation and package it in the most cost effective way? Very obvious to me in the driver, but the putter just looks too simple. Maybe the putter head hit a wall. Yes, I read your piece on TA, but memory tells me that they use high end welding process (via third party) rather than pushing the envelope in design. In other words, without the big boys, TA wouldn’t exist or would get costly due to R&D. To me, they are like the Kirkland brand of putters.
Rich
4 years agoAmen! Well said .!Could some of the “extra” stuff be cosmetic on ?
VanTrago
2 years agoAndrew Han, you remarked that Tommy Armour seems to be a follower.
While I appreciate innovation and technical leadership, what is most important to me is, how well does the end product work for me..
If a putter makes fewer putts for me than any other, I don’t care who made it or how much it cost to develop or to build. or what country it came from. I don’t even care what it looks like. I just want it in my bag.
THOMAS
4 years agoFor whats its worth:
Bought TM Mallet last year played last few months of summer
Overall good and best in price.
My issues: leave some putts short or miss to right. Need more work with it. However I have used a Wilson 8802 for maybe some 40 years while trying Pings and Scotty Cam from time to time. But always go back to my 8802
Adam
4 years agoWhat happened to Evnroll’s dominance?
Brad
4 years agoThe much vaunted groove “tech” on putters just doesn’t make a statistically significant difference that’s why. That’s coming from someone who purchased and used Evnroll ER7 for several months after it won the Most Wanted a couple of years ago. There is simply only so much that a groove on a putter can do, and given the speed that a putter impacts the ball, that so much is so little indeed.
Other factors such as having a putter with the correct length, lie, balance and alignment have far more impact on your results. MGS have just helped prove that with the TA putter winning it all. A proven design, but no special “tech” to speak of. For the money though, the TA putter might be hard to beat, if it fits you and your stroke.
Rich
4 years agoI agree with you completely !! Great that others don’t take it hook line and sinker..
Allan Taylor
4 years agoWell ER-8 won last year against the same Tommy Armour impact, and ER-7 won the previous year. This year an ER-5, but in a black colour was tested?
Doesn’t that mean the ER-8 is still the most wanted putter???
Tony Covey
4 years agoActually, the Tommy Armour and Evnroll tied last year. We listed alphabetically, so the Evnroll was listed first, but both graphics clearly have #1 on them.
Evnroll submitted new/different mallets this year.
Tim
4 years agoTo me, mallet Putters are the New Balance Dad Sneakers of the golf world. I really don’t think they would help me, and if they did, I’d rather lose a couple of strokes than carry those goofy things around. It wouldn’t even fit in my bag anyway.
Yes, Dustin Johnson and all those guys are wearing dad sneakers..
Terry
4 years agoBad analogy there Tim. Mallets can look very cool whereas New Balance sneakers will never look cool.
Brad
4 years agoI’m thinking a fair proportion of us will disagree with you here Terry, probably on the mallet piece but definitely on the New Balance comment. Older generations I could agree with you but not the newer generations! They look great, and are super comfortable!
Kevin
4 years agoI find 2 big differences between mallet and blade putters. First is the size of the alignment line. On my blade putter that’s about 3/4″. On my mallet putter it’s about 2.5″. This means I line up my putt more accurately. The 2nd difference is that my mallet weighs more than my blade. Laws of physics hold true that with a heavier putter I can swing softer/slower than I would have to with a lighter blade to move the ball the same distance. A softer/slower/easier stroke is easier for me to control so I deliver the club face more accurately. As a bonus the slower swing has also improved my consistency on distance control. I wouldn’t argue if you called mallet putters “Game Improvement” putters. But in truth I putt better with my mallet. To me, a lower score is worth “wearing Dad sneakers.”
robin
4 years agoI guess if you’re never been a athlete you would never know how good new balance running shoes are.
Michael
4 years agoI bought the Tommy Armour Impact putter based on the mygolfspy article on it a few months ago. I agree that it is the best value. However, I disagree with the mygolfspy comment that it ranks high on feel. The feel is firm and I do not get a lot of feedback unless I hit it on the extreme toe or heel. I think there are better putters out there for feel but they come at a far higher price.
Steven C
4 years agoI bought the Ping Sigma 2 Tyne 4 after a fitting. I have really liked it. The adjustable length is good for fitting, but I ended up special ordering one at 36″ and putting a Forward Golf Grip on it. I have been very happy with it.
Greg Johnson
4 years agoI tested the Tommy Armour over the winter. I didn’t feel quite right. However, the Ping Sigma G Tyne H right next to it that felt great. The previous version sale price was only a little more than the $79 Tommy Armour. The Ping came home with me.
Pip
4 years agoFunny, felt the same thing. I had last years TA 38inch (duel balance) and wife had the Sigma G Tyne. Yanked the heads off each and glued on the Sigma G Tyne to the TA duel balance shaft. Putt real well with it.
VanTrago
2 years agoPip, I find that really interesting.
After you switched the shafts, did the putters face-balance as they did before? If not, how did the balance change?
shortside
4 years agoTommy Armour bringing it. Wonder why the new Infusion series wasn’t tested?…….That said if you haven’t tried MG Golf Cambridge be smart and buy now.
Mygolfspy Commenter
4 years agoNot only were they tested. They even tested 3 of the infusion mallet models.
raymond Chastel
4 years agoUgh!!!How can you ever put with such ugly looking mallet putters !
The best putters ever to have played the game used blade putters :BOBBY JONES ,BOBBY LOCKE ,BEN CRENSHAW ,TIGER WOODS ,LOREN ROBERTS etc,etc..Whenever I come to play a round of golf with a player who totes a mallet putter I know immediately he’s a poor putter
JR Rems
4 years ago5 of the top 10 PGA Tour players in Strokes Gained use high moi mallet putters. 50% must be poor putters…
OWGR Top 10 using Mallets:
1. Dustin Johnson
2. Justin Rose
4. Rory McIlroy
5. Justin Thomas
6. Bryson Dechambeau
8. Jon Rahm
9. Xander Schauffele
7 out of 10. 70% of the OWGR Top 10 use high MOI putters.
Facts Matter! Step in to the future where science, statistics, and innovation can improve your life and even your golf game!
JR Rems
4 years agoI must amend my previous post because facts do matter. Upon viewing the WGC match play I noticed that Justin Thomas is not using a mallet putter at this time. OWGR 6 of 10 using High MOI Mallet putters.
Mike B
4 years agoJustin Thomas uses the new SC Phantom X5
Mike B
4 years agoI stand corrected… Just watched in earnest, and Justin Thomas is using a “blade” type putter. He’s been bagging the Phantom X5, hmmmm.
Sapp
4 years agoThis is beautiful
Andrew
4 years agoI really can’t stand ignorant people. Who let this guy in?
Terry
4 years agoYou might be too old to understand what trolling is but you are trolling. I am a very good putter and I use a mid mallet.
Richard H.
4 years agoI’m surprised a guy stuck this far in the past would even know how to use the internet! Keep your blade, I’ll take the skin.
kevin
4 years agoall those guys you mentioned also used steel shafts in woods. you still playing steel? lol
technology changes. try to keep up
Chris Troxell
4 years agoDid you seriously just write this?! I guess Justin Thomas, Rory MciLroy, Jason Day, Webb Simpson, Justin Rose, John Rahm, just to name a few, aren’t very good putters. Or how about Kevin Tway, Xander Schauffele, Charles Howell III, Adam Long, Dustin Johnson, Adam Trainer, Keith Mitchell, Rory MciLroy – all winners in the current PGA season. To take that a step further – 6 of the Top 10 players in the world currently use mallets. But what do they know….
Todd
4 years agoRaymond drove his Edsel to the club, wearing his plus-4s, pulled the knit headcover off his hickory shafted persimmon driver and cranked one out about 220 on the screws. And remained an amateur like Bobby Jones.
Mike
4 years agoWow, you must be a joy to play with.
McaseyM
4 years agoHappy to see Tommy Armour do so dang well, and holy schnikes, Scotty Cameron made the top 5!! I really like the alignment on the Cleveland HB SOFT 12, I actually have that same style on my custom Honey Badger Putter. Thanks for the work again MGS
Jordan
4 years agoThe data is the data, but damn is that thing ugly. Thats like the Ronaldinho of putters.
Nilav
4 years agoYeah, but like Ronaldinho, a legend ?
Scott R
4 years agoEven looking at the explanation, I’m still struggling to understand what the % mean on the most wanted data. Can someone explain that to me a little better…thank you
Art
4 years agoScott, agreed. The presentation and explanation isn’t very clear. And it’s interesting how some questions and comments get a barrage of MGS replies, yet others go ignored. Anyway…maybe this helps, it’s how I interpret the results.
The % indicates how often a putter performs better than average (we don’t know how much better, they don’t tell us). So let’s consider a 10-person test group, and look at a 20% score for a putter—2 out of 10 people (20%) performed better than average (not great, or best…just better) with this putter, and 8 people performed lower than that.
All of the 20′ foot results are 20% because everyone is going to 2-putt from that distance most every time. Put a brick on the end of a broom stick and you’ll probably 2-putt. The putter just doesn’t matter that much at 20′.
The 5′ results vary a little, but not much. Most scores appear to fall in the 20-30% range (2 or 3 out of 10 agree a putter is better than average). The putter makes a small difference at 5′.
The 10′ results start to show some appreciable agreement between testers. For some putters, there’s actually majority agreement–6 out of 10 testers, or 60%, for the winner. But for most putters it’s 3 or 4 out of 10 testers in agreement. The putter makes a slightly larger difference at 10′, but there is rarely a consensus.
Scott R
4 years agoThanks Art, that helps some.
I like they old way they used to do this. They would just post the actual data. If you’re gonna do the percentages, let me see % made from 5ft, 10ft, etc…
That would be much less confusing
Jonah Mytro
4 years agoI tested the TOMMY ARMOUR MALLET a few months ago… very impressed with design and feel and it was on sale for $79 instore… Congrats on making a nice putter but i am sticking with my SPIDER from TMADE 🙂
Luis Ramirez
4 years agoIs that Tommy Armour putter the same as last year?
Frank
3 years agoI got the odyssey stroke labTuttle. I had it made to 32 inches and have it turned up fairly upright I like the heel slightly off the ground and I love it The feel and roll are the best
Carlos Rivas
4 years agoWow. Another strong year for the Tommy Armour Impact No.3.
Mike C
4 years agoWhy is it no one shows the grip when showing/testing putters?
Brian
4 years agoGood point but, FWIW, grips are easy to change – and the first thing I’d almost certainly do with any new putter. SuperStroke Flatso 3.0 is my grip of choice.