What is the single most important thing you look for in a putter?
We think it should be results. That sounds obvious enough, but we know that lower scores aren’t always at the top of every golfer’s list. That spot is usually reserved for feel, sound, and even looks.
At MGS we’re all about performance. We believe in data, we believe in technology. And most of all we believe in real-world results – the kind of things that actually lead to lower scores.
Unfortunately, for every technology or product that actually works, we find hundreds, maybe even thousands that offer a little bit of paint and lot of marketing hype. You might even call it BS.
At this year’s PGA Show we were reminded of one of those products where performance far exceeds the hype. In fact, there really isn’t any hype at all. While it’s safe to say that MLA Putters didn’t have the most trafficked booth on the show floor (I don’t have hard data, but I suggest that award goes to Callaway), we did observe plenty of showgoers crowding its space to find out more about what MLA claims is its difference maker.
Alignment Matters
We’ve learned a lot through putter testing over the last several years. One of them is that alignment aids on putters absolutely make a HUGE difference. Case in point, the alignment aid on PING’s now famous Ketsch putter. A well-conceived alignment aid – one that works for you – can improve your putting…instantly. Seriously.
Last summer, we tested 28 putters, and to our surprise a putter almost no one had heard of almost beat the most accurate putter of all-time. Test results posted by the MLA Tour Classic putter don’t happen every day, so we wanted to dig a little deeper to see why the unheralded MLA performed so well. What we found is a secret weapon of sorts. It’s an alignment aid that could revolutionize the way you putt. MLA claims its technology actually speaks directly to your brain.
It’s based on 20 years of research from a PhD Graduate Professor based on the field of visual perception.
According to MLA, here’s how it works:
“An alignment system that acts upon multiple line detectors is a key to obtain veridical motion perception and a perfect in-line stroke surface.
The brain consists of 100,000 line detectors that are divided into a number of groups that help us decide what is straight. A simple line, for example, activates a group of detectors. When several groups of detectors are activated, these help the brain to make correct judgments.
However, the more line detectors that are stimulated will not automatically lead to a better line judgment. On the contrary, this can create a “competition” between the line detectors that will lead to different degrees of (so called) optical illusions, as shown in the illustrations below (front and perspective views).”
Sound complex?
We’re not sure we completely understand it either, but our test results suggest it actually works.
In a field of 28, a putter almost no one had heard of finished #2 overall. Only the Ping Ketsch beat the MLA. That is saying a helluva lot.
Try It For Yourself
Part of our job is to find the equipment world’s hidden gems. We want you to put the best equipment in your bag at the best price you can get. We think MLA’s Line of Putters qualifies. It’s not every day that a product from Switzerland gets the coverage it deserves in the golf industry. We’re trying to change that.
If you are planning on buying a putter in the near future, we think this putter should be near the top of your demo list. Since we know that most of you won’t be able to find an MLA putter at your local shop, we worked with MLA to put together a 30-Day #MostWanted Guarantee for all our readers.
Go test it out, tell us if you notice a difference, if you don’t make more puts, send it back.
Steve
6 years agoI noticed that in the DF video demonstrating the “revealer” on youtube that none of the other brands of putters were center shafted. Would have liked to see a number of center shafted putters tested. Not that I would spend $400 on any club.
Nigel Day
6 years agoMla putter is cheaper and does the same job .. No brainier , however your putter is so personal it might not be everyone ” cup of tea ” ..
JM
6 years agoActually the MLA putter and the Directed Force putter are comprable in price. And they don’t do the same thing. Directed Force is lie-angle balanced. It requires absolutely no torque from your hands or arms to remain square through impact.
We get fit for every club in our bag. Why not get fit for the putter too? I’d much rather a custom putter (with a ball scoop I might add) that fits my size and putting stroke style.
JM
6 years agoTake a look at the Directed Force putter. It wasn’t included in your list of 28 and definitely should have. It’s the first I’ve seen that does as advertised. It truly stays square through the putting stroke. And the grip is very unique. I love it and my putter. True innovation!
Jeremy Ellis
6 years agoIs only Lingmerth using one on Tour?
Gabriel Jones
6 years agoI wont even try a putter if I cant pick a ball up with it….
Dave S
6 years agoHands-down my biggest complaint with the Ping Ketsch. I still got it, bc frankly, i’d rather make more putts than be able to scoop up a ball w/ my putter, but there are definitely times I miss that feature.
Josh Sanford
6 years agoIf putter #1 is cheaper and the results are better, why even consider #2 that almost beat it?
Dave S
6 years ago^^ This.
Eddie Austin
6 years agoCool article!
Donovan Childers
6 years agoI’m pretty sure that Bruce’s stats said that you are better off without lines, possibly even being naked. I’m pretty sure we know who has the most hard numbers.
Eddie Austin
6 years agoWait till you see what Bruce has came up with next!
James Murphy
6 years agoJust for the hell of it I’ll say the one that costs the most.
Elie Anquetil
6 years agoThe thing is to find the head for your perspective. it’s not the same for everybody.
MyGolf Spy
6 years agoData so far proves that theory wrong. Looks do not correlate with performance.
dr. bloor
6 years agoYou guys really shouldn’t be allowed to use the word “data” until you wrap your brain around the concept of a “standard deviation.”
Teaj
6 years agoCarry the 2….. Numerator
Tony Covey
6 years agoWe’ve considered standard deviations with each and every test we’ve done over the last several years.
dr. bloor
6 years agoThen you should actually use them. Instead, you anoint something the “best” based on differences that are almost certainly not statistically significant, involve minuscule effect sizes, ignore error variance, and then subsequently use that data to say something like “data so far proves that theory wrong.”
It’s one thing to run a test and say “we had people hit these clubs, this is what happened, keep it in mind when you’re shopping this spring.” That’s fine, it’s fun, it’s interesting. It’s quite another to assert that your results “disprove” an established body of evidence on human perception and performance. It’s the MSG equivalent of “17 yards longer.”
And it’s “data prove,” not “data proves.” “Data” is the plural of “datum.”
Dave S
6 years agoTo MGS’ defense, they never say a club is the “best”, but only the “Most Wanted”. Second, at the conclusion of every Most Wanted test they do, I’ve always seen them discuss the data and explain that the results may fall w/in the margin of error. Third, MGS always provides the data for your to sort and filter as you wish.
Stop using the MGS message board to show off how smart you think you are. It’s a bad look. Stop reading the blog if you don’t like or disapprove of it.
Duncan Castles
6 years agoSorry Dave, but Dr Bloor makes a valid point. Statistical significance is important here, particularly with the tiny distance margins posted for different clubs in the “Most Wanted” driver tests.
When it comes to putters, the article above refers to “almost beat[ing] the most accurate putter of all-time”; no qualifications, not “My Golf Spy’s Most Wanted putter of all-time”. And the article links to a test article whose biggest font is dedicated to the phrase “2015 BEST MALLET PUTTER”. http://www.mygolfspy.com/2015s-most-wanted-mallet-putter/
I may be missing something but I don’t see the phrase “margin of error” mentioned anywhere in that article.
This is a great site with a different way of operating and a welcome focus on attempting to measure real performance. But that doesn’t mean the testing methodology is perfect.
Matt Judge
6 years agoIf your not comfortable over the ball your confidence won’t be there and performance will fall off until that confidence is there.
Donovan Childers
6 years agoHow much data is this based on?
MyGolf Spy
6 years agothat is what people say in player testing surveys but once again looks have been shown to NOT correlate with performance. What people think and what really happens are often very different.
Alex
6 years agoRather pricey even with the discounts, lack of loft/lie adjustments options on the purchase page, does have 32 inches though unlike most other manufacturers, gonna have to pass on this one even though I really do want to try it.