I Tried Another Sub-$180 Putter. This Is Getting Complicated.

Well, I did it. I tried another “cheap” putter. If you remember my last piece on the Tour Edge HP-Series #6, you’ll know that, for $100, I think it’s a great putter. This time around, I stuck with Tour Edge and tried the Exotics Wingman 801 Slant Putter. I’ll keep things brief: it’s $70 more than the HP-Series #6, but it’s worlds better, and worth every dollar of the upgrade.

We’ve entered into a bizarre new reality where a new putter runs you $350 or more. That’s ridiculous. You definitely don’t need to spend that much to get a good putter.

What immediately stood out to me before I even rolled a putt was the step up in overall quality compared to the HP-Series #6. The headcover alone feels like a different class of product. It’s thicker, better constructed and looks and feels like it should come with a much more expensive putter.

The same can be said for the head. The alignment lines are a great visual aid especially if you’re like me, a fan of alignment golf balls. Additionally, the overall shape of the mallet will look very familiar to anyone who has ever liked or used a TaylorMade Spider. I’m not calling it a clone but the comparison is unavoidable. Another area I think elevates this over the HP-Series #6 is the sole. If you recall, I really didn’t like the HP-Series #6’s sole and thought it looked, for the lack of a better term, cheap. With the Wingman, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The reflective blue sole is unique and, in my opinion, really cool.

Then there’s the face. Tour Edge’s W-milling (yes, “Wingman” milling) looks awesome to me. Without an insert, the face feels soft and the feedback is extremely solid. With every stroke, I knew exactly where I caught it. Distance control has been excellent for me, particularly on longer putts. That said, the lack of an insert does mean this isn’t going to be for everyone. If you need that extra burst from an insert, this may not be your cup of tea. But if you appreciate a more traditional, responsive strike, the Wingman absolutely delivers.

I’ve been gaming it with a round Golf Pride Reverse Taper Grip, which I’m really enjoying because it’s doing a good job of helping keep my hands quiet through the stroke.

At $170, this is an outstanding mallet putter. It doesn’t feel or look “cheap” and it more than stacks up to big-name OEMs. Full stop. Once again, this is your reminder: you don’t need to spend $350 or more to get a genuinely good putter. The Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 801 Slant Putter proves it.