New Clubs for 2014 – Part Three – Putters

It’s the club you take most shots each year with by a considerable margin, yet for many, it is the club they pay least attention to when purchasing a new set.

The shortest stick in the bag has gone through many radical overhauls in recent years and 2014 promises to be no different with some interesting new putters on the market.

Take a look at four of the best for 2014 below and why not give one a try at your local range under the careful instruction of a pro, who knows, you may even take a few shots off your round.

If you are looking for an innovative, yet relatively cheap putter that could shave putts off your round in 2014, and especially if you seem to have trouble aligning putts correctly, then the Cleveland Smart Square Putter may well be the answer.

The putter was released on November 15^th 2013, so is available now and its striking two-square design on the back makes it easily recognisable. However, their inclusion is more than just merely down to aesthetics.

Cleveland claim that players who use the Smart Square improved their putting accuracy by 25 per cent over a leading putter from another brand, simply due to the ease at which it is to align putts.

For $139, it won’t break the bank and there will be more than a few golfers happy to pay that if it can save them shots on the green in 2014.

2. Ping Scottsdale Anser T Putter

Ping have always enjoyed a great reputation when it comes to golf clubs and their Anser range is one of the most highly-respected names on the fairway. The new Scottsdale Anser T putter is a welcome addition to Ping’s large selection of customisable putters.

The design is actually, according to Ping, a mid-mallet, rather than simply a blade putter. However, avoiding getting too bogged down in technical aspects (it is all to do with the alignment line reaching the putting face due to a metal loop over the cavity), it is suffice to say that the putter looks excellent and by early reviews, plays equally well too.

It’s not a cheap putter at $300 but it delivers the expected level of performance from a Ping Anser product that many golfers have come to expect.

3.Odyssey Metal-X Milled No 1 Putter

Odyssey are arguably the most popular name in putters nowadays, with a vast range of top quality items used by amateurs and professionals across the globe. For a little while now they have been teasing us with the Mystery Milled viral campaign on Social Media and now we know what the fuss has been about.

The new range of Metal-X Milled Odyssey putters are available in a number of designs but it is the number 1 putter which catches the eye for me. Simple, offset and with the oval dimple pattern on the face increasing the friction between the ball and putter, this helps produce a lower launch angle and improved roll.

Odyssey also say their new putter also produces a softer sound when played, as well as a truer roll.

You can even customise the weights in the putter to help fine tune the putter to your own taste. The club comes with two 10 gram, two 15 gram and two 20 gram weights, of which you can use three to get the ideal weighting for you.

Odyssey putters are not cheap but coming in at $299, this looks a decent value model.

4.Titleist Scotty Cameron GoLo 5 Putter

Every new Scotty Cameron putter is eagerly awaited by the legions of fans of this putter designing maestro and one of his 2014 designs looks a real winner.

It’s the GoLo 5 putter from the Titleist Scotty Cameron range and this mallet putter has been beautifully designed and engineered to craft a real quality item.

As you would expect with a Scotty Cameron, the weight and feel are fabulous and it encourages a smooth, flowing stroke with the club, allowing you to make more precise putts, even over longer distance.

You can tailor the shaft and weighting of the club to suit your own style of stroke on the greens and its black mist finish make it look elegant when in use.

The name Scotty Cameron is legendary amongst putters so its no surprise that the GoLo 5 comes with a $375 price tag. Whether it is worth it, is down to you and your ability on the greens!

Images Courtesy of:  Cleveland Golf, Ping, Odyssey, Titleist