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The SWAG Handsome Too Flow putter is a beautifully crafted flow neck Anser 2 putter.  Drip Face milling provides extremely soft feel and more consistent roll.  Two finishes available.

Introduction

The Suave Too, the putter that got SWAG their first professional win, is gone.  But not really.

As part of their 2024 Core Collection Putters, SWAG is cleaning up their naming conventions.  Suave is out, making room for more Handsome.  This putter, now known as the SWAG Handsome Too Flow, is the flow neck Anser 2 elevated to perfection.  Let’s dive deep to see what new tricks SWAG injected into this flat stick.

Looks

The primary motif of SWAG’s 2024 Core Putters is melting.  This theme is the perfect fit for the SWAG Handsome Too Flow, a putter that overflows with smooth, syrupy curves.  What stands out most is the neck.  In my review of the Suave Too [review HERE], I called it “a marvel of precision milling,” and that description holds true.  Everything about this putter is perfectly proportioned, sitting behind the ball without a single piece out of place.

The SWAG Handsome Too Flow is identical to its predecessor, the Suave Too (above, left), in terms of size and shape, but here are two major aesthetic changes: the sole design and the face milling.  New for the 2024 Core Collection is Drip Face milling, which is not only stunning to look at, it carries a performance benefit.  The drip motif continues on the sole which is dominated by a melting skull.

The SWAG 2024 Core Collection putters are offered in both Tour Satin Mist and Black PVD finishes.  If you opt for the Black PVD (which costs $499 versus $399 for Tour Satin Mist), the putter comes on a Black Chrome shaft.  You also get to choose from five head covers: a colorful NASA melting skull, a poker king, a Chicago dog, George Washington, and black and green “SWAG Cola” (above).

The Naked version, like the Boss 2.0 that I reviewed HERE, has no paintfill.  It comes with a silver carbon fiber melting skull cover.  The Naked version also gives you the ability to have your putter custom stamped with up to five characters per bumper and your choice of six paintfill colors.

Sound & Feel

The biggest change for the 2024 Core Collection putters is the Drip Face milling, and it’s a big upgrade.  Comparing it to the fly milled face from my 2018 Suave Too, the feel is noticeably softer.  At short range, the difference is minimal, but when you get to fifteen feet and beyond, the Drip Face provides a gentler touch.

This soft feel pairs with a low-pitched, quiet impact sound.  On short putts, it’s barely a “thud.”  On long lag putts, the volume picks up a bit, but the sound is always rotound and subdued.

Like the Suave Too, the SWAG Handsome Too Flow has gentle, precise feedback.  You’ll be able to feel impact location easily when you’re paying attention.  The sound of impact does change slightly as you move away from center, but no impact is ever unpleasant.

Performance

That neck.  Like everything else about a SWAG putter, it’s both beautiful and functional.  It creates 3/4 shaft offset, a little less than a standard Anser.  Additionally, it gives this putter slightly less toe hang than the standard Handsome Too [review HERE].  This is something I’ve always liked about SWAG’s putter line: the majority of their putters fit the middle of the bell curve, but each one has a slight tweak.  If you’re pulling putts, the SWAG Handsome Too Flow might be a better fit than the standard version.  If you like having some toe hang but want a bigger head, get The Boss [review HERE].

While I prefer putters without sight lines, those who rely on them should strongly consider the Black PVD version of SWAG’s Core putters.  The contrast of the white line against the pitch black finish is as stark as anything I’ve ever seen and will be a big help for alignment.

Regardless of the sight line, getting back to the SWAG Handsome Too Flow made me wonder how this model ever left my bag.  The putter swings effortlessly, and the feel made me want to stay on the green until the course shut down.  Obviously there are many more forgiving head shapes out there, but putting with this feels artistic in a way that big mallets never do.  Mishits?  No, just happy accidents.

The Drip Face milling – previously known as Predator, among DGAP collectors – doesn’t just look cool.  Per SWAG, it’s designed to “reduce side spin from off-center putts.”  While my Foresight GCQuad [review HERE] doesn’t measure side spin on putts, I did use it to test Drip Face putters against several other face millings from SWAG.  On the SWAG Handsome Too Flow putter, the Drip Face provided a small but measurable improvement in skid distance and spin consistency.  Like most putter technologies – be that upgraded shafts, higher MOI, or face improvements – the difference is never going to be night and day.  No putter upgrade will turn you into peak Tiger, but small improvements will add up to strokes saved over the course of a round or a season.

Finally, the SWAG Handsome Too Flow comes stock with the Lamkin Deep Etch grip, which has been my favorite putter grip for the last couple years.  SWAG offers it in eight different colors.  If you opt for the Black PVD version, your list of grip options expands to include the Lamkin Sink Paddle with stacked skulls and the Lamkin Sink Fit [review HERE] with stacked kings, each in four different colors.  You can also choose a leather Grip Master grip for an additional $20.

Conclusion

Whether you call it Handsome, Suave, or any of a wealth of positive adjectives, the SWAG Handsome Too Flow is a putter that you’ll never regret having in your bag.  The looks are flawless, and the feel is as soft as it gets.  For all the middle of the bell curve, slight arc putters looking for a flat stick to sweep you off your feet, this is it.

Visit SWAG Golf HERE

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The TearDrop TD-1 putter is an Anser-style putter with a unique face.  Produces more consistent roll for better distance control.

Introduction

Across popular culture, the 90’s are back, so it’s fitting that we see the same in golf.  TearDrop putters were first introduced about 30 years ago, winning on Tours and grabbing up spots in the bags of regular players.  The company has recently relaunched to bring their Roll-Face technology back to golfers seeking better results on the green.

Looks

The first thing that stood out to me about the address look of the TearDrop TD-1 putter was the heavily rolled top line.  If you look at the picture above, you can see it on the toe side of the top line.  This is a nice detail that subtly sets the TD-1 apart from the sea of Ansers.

Less subtle is the white line on the ball side of the top line, what TearDrop calls their Leading Edge Alignment System.  Contrasted against the black finish, this can help to improve your aim.  I liked the Leading Edge Alignment System because it enhanced the line I already use to aim my putter.

Aside from these two things, the TearDrop TD-1 is a fairly traditional Anser 2 with squared bumpers, a plumbers neck, and a sight line.  The sizes of the top line, shoulders, and bumpers are all proportioned conventionally.  It should be noted that the toe-side bumper is slightly larger and the sight line is placed on the sweet spot, which is about 1/16″ toward the heel.

In the bag, the TD-1 balances prominent branding with a clean black and white color scheme.  There’s a large TearDrop logo on the heel of the face, and the cavity is filled with branding.  “Roll-Face” and “TD-1” cover the sole from heel to toe, but the thin font keeps it from being overwhelming.

Sound & Feel

Rolling premium golf balls with the Teardrop TD-1 putter produces a quiet “knock.”  The audio feedback is surprisingly clear, with the sound becoming raspy on mishits.  What does not change is the volume – pure strikes and mishits are all quiet.

The TD-1 is very solid and responsive through the hands.  The tactile feedback is not as stark as the audio, but it’s not difficult to determine the impact location.

Performance

The main performance feature in the TearDrop TD-1 putter is the Radial Face Design or Roll-Face.  Where most putter faces are flat, the TD-1’s face has an 8-inch radius, giving it zero loft on the bottom of the face up to 4.6 degrees of loft near the top.  Per TearDrop, this, along with the grooves on the face, product “ideal launch and spin rate” on every strike for a smoother, more consistent roll.

If you’re wondering why launch, spin, and roll matter on a putt, there are two reasons.  First is distance control.  If the ball is launching and spinning at different rates on every putt, controlling your distance becomes more difficult.  The second reason has to do with green reading and picking the right line.  Imagine a green that’s heavily tilted from right to left.  If you rolled a ball ten feet on that green, it would break 6 inches to the left.  However, if you threw the ball the first five feet then let it roll the last five, it would break less than 6 inches.  Obviously, this example is extreme – no putt is flying or skidding five feet – but it illustrates the conceptual advantage of getting the ball rolling quickly.

My testing with the TearDrop TD-1 started on a practice green.  I putted with one of my gamers for a while, then switched to the TD-1.  What I noticed immediately was that the ball sounded different on the green.  As soon as I struck the ball, I could hear it turning end over end on the green.  There was no delay where the ball might skip or skid.  I also noticed my putts breaking slightly more with the TD-1.

I felt like I was in a TearDrop commercial, so I went home to my launch monitor to see what the numbers said.  In testing with my Foresight GCQuad [review HERE], the TearDrop TD-1 outperformed two flat-faced Anser-style putters.  I was expecting that the TD-1 would produce dramatically more forward spin or a shorter skid distance, but that wasn’t the case – other putters were capable of matching the TD-1’s best numbers.  Where the TD-1 shined was in consistency.  Across a large sample of putts, the TD-1 never produced backspin, but the other putters did.  Similarly, the TD-1’s range of skid distances was much smaller than those of the other putters.

The TearDrop TD-1 is one of three models available.  It has a “crank hosel” and 25 degrees of toe hang, ideal for players with a moderate arc to their stroke.  There are two modern mallets – TD-7 and TD-5 – which are face-balanced.

You can order the TearDrop TD-1 at any length from 31″ to 35″ in half inch increments. The head weight is 350 grams.  TearDrop also has five grip options.  There are two branded grips as well as the SuperStroke Traxion Tour in 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 sizes.  The SuperStroke grips come with a $20 upcharge.

Conclusion

The TearDrop TD-1 putter delivers on its promise of a more consistent roll.  Traditionalists will be happy find that TearDrop’s technology is packed in a classic head shape.  TearDrop offers a 60-day free trial, so there’s no risk in seeing if this putter can help you find the bottom of the cup more often.

Visit TearDrop HERE

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The SWAG Boss 2.0 putter is their newest model, a full-sized traditional mallet.  Part of the SWAG 2024 Core Collection.  Drip Face milling improves spin and feels great.  Strong forgiveness.

Introduction

After over six years in business, unbelievable growth, a Major win, and a PGA Tour victory, SWAG Golf is giving their putter line up a refresh.  The 2024 SWAG Core Collection consists of six different models, including the all new SWAG Boss 2.0.  As someone who has gamed nearly every model of SWAG putter, testing the Boss 2.0 immediately went to the top of my “Must Do” list.  Here’s what I found.

Looks

The SWAG Boss 2.0 is a beautifully executed, full-sized traditional mallet.  At address, what stands out most is the Tour Satin Mist finish.  This finish is unique in that it doesn’t produce glare, but it isn’t dull either.  It’s a subtle improvement on the norm that reflects SWAG’s attention to detail.

Another thing many people miss about SWAG’s putters is that they are 100% CNC milled which creates a level of consistency and precision that hand shaping can’t compete with.  Pairing this approach with an unparalleled eye for shaping and proportion creates putters that are much more than retreads of classic designs.

Putting the SWAG Boss 2.0 (left) next to the original Boss, the Boss 2.0 is clearly larger.  However, when I measured them, the Boss is actually longer from front to back (by less than 1/8″) and it’s slightly wider at it’s widest point.  The Boss 2.0 achieves its larger footprint with a face that’s roughly 1/4″ longer from heel to toe.  It’s also longer across its back edge.  This creates a shape that is fuller and more square than the original.

The other major changes to the Boss 2.0 are the sole design and the face milling.  New for the 2024 Core Collection is Drip Face milling, which is not only stunning to look at, it carries a performance benefit.  The drip motif continues on the sole which is covered almost completely with a melting skull.

We also have to mention the head cover.  The 2024 Core Collection Naked putters – “naked” being a reference to the lack of paint fill – come with a carbon fiber melting skull cover.  You’re not going to find a better stock putter cover anywhere, period.  

Finally, the SWAG 2024 Core Collection putters are offered in both Tour Satin Mist and Black PVD finishes.  If you opt for the Black PVD (which costs $499 versus $399 for Naked), the putter comes on a Black Chrome shaft.  You also get to choose from five head covers: a colorful NASA melting skull, a poker king, a Chicago dog, George Washington, and black and green “SWAG Cola”.

Check out the SWAG Handsome Too Flow HERE

Sound & Feel

The Drip Face milling on the SWAG Boss 2.0 putter is beautiful, functional, and it helps to create a wonderful impact sensation.  It’s quiet, creating a muted “tock” with a premium golf ball.  Through the hands, the feel is soft and very solid.

Feedback from the SWAG Boss 2.0 is precise, but you need to be paying close attention.  Even on big misses, this putter won’t make an ugly sound, get loud, or sting your hands.  However, there are fine changes to the sound, and you can feel the impact location if you’re locked in.

Comparing the Drip Face to the deep milling of the original Boss [review HERE], the differences were subtle.  The sound of the Boss 2.0 is a bit duller which can enhance the soft feeling.  Also, I noticed the additional weight more than I expected.  The Boss 2.0 felt more solid at impact, like it was delivering a heavier blow.

Performance

The SWAG Boss 2.0 looks very similar to the original Boss, but it’s a significant departure in two ways.  First, it’s heavier.  At 365 grams, it weighs 12 grams more than the Boss.  This bumps up the swing weight and, in my opinion, is a very noticeable change.  Where I found the Boss to be nimble, the Boss 2.0 feels as big as it looks.  For players who prefer a heavier head, this is the SWAG putter for you.

The other major change is the toe hang.  The original Boss has toe hang that’s around 4 o’clock, similar to most Ansers.  The SWAG Boss 2.0 has a double bend shaft that creates just a touch of toe hang, similar to the SWAG Savage Too [review HERE].  Like the heavier weight, this isn’t inherently good or bad, it’s simply another fitting option.  This is the only putter in SWAG’s Core Collection that’s close to face balanced, making it the best choice for players who try to swing straight back and through.

On the green, the added size and weight lead to improved forgiveness.  I’ve gamed the Handsome Too [review HERE] for years, so switching to a heavier, near face-balanced putter typically leads to more mishits.  With the SWAG Boss 2.0, the misses didn’t matter that much.  The heavier head kept the ball on its intended line with appropriate speed.

The Drip Face milling – previously known as Predator among DGAP collectors – doesn’t just look cool.  Per SWAG, it’s designed to “reduce side spin from off-center putts.”  While my Foresight GCQuad [review HERE] doesn’t measure side spin on putts, I did use it to test Drip Face putters against several other face millings from SWAG.  On both the SWAG Boss 2.0 and the new Handsome Too Flow putters, the Drip Face provided a small but measurable improvement in skid distance and spin consistency.  Like most putter technologies – upgraded shafts, higher MOI, or face improvements – the difference is not night and day.  No putter upgrade will turn you into peak Tiger, but small improvements will add up to strokes saved over the course of a round or a season.

Finally, the SWAG Boss 2.0 comes stock with the Lamkin Deep Etch grip, which has been my favorite putter grip for the last couple years.  SWAG offers it in eight different colors.  If you opt for the Black PVD version, your list of grip options expands to include the Lamkin Sink Paddle with stacked skulls and the Lamkin Sink Fit [review HERE] with stacked kings, each in four different colors.  You can also choose a leather Grip Master grip for an additional $20.

Conclusion

The SWAG Boss 2.0 is both entirely new and everything I expected.  This full-sized mallet adds important new fitting profiles to SWAG’s Core Putters, allowing those that want a heavier, near face-balanced putter into the fold.  At the same time, the Boss 2.0 delivers everything I’ve come to expect from SWAG: premium craftsmanship, superb attention to detail, and unparalleled style.

Visit SWAG Golf HERE

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The Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 putter has a modern look and features patented SweetFace groove technology.  Extremely consistent.  Soft feel and distinctive sound.

Introduction

I love learning new things, and I did that while researching the new Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 putter.  Turns out the logo “E” is more than just a cool graphic design, it also represents the essence of Evnroll – the even roll.  The vertical bar of the E represents the putter, and the three horizontal bars the resultant equal rollouts from strikes across the face.  I’ll discuss that further under Performance, but kudos for the meaningful logo.  Now on to the ER5.

Looks

The Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 is a wonderful version of a fang style mallet putter.  I like the look of the almost desk phone shaped topline.  The inside edges of the fangs perfectly frame a golf ball and assist the single white sightline in the cavity floor.  I wasn’t familiar with purpose of the two dots on the top flange until I read Zack’s ER8v review [you can find it HERE], but now understand they assist with eye positioning.

Looking face on, blade height of the ER5 is slim, and I like the gentle curve of the sole.  The black insert looks spiffy against the fine milled stainless steel.  The afore mentioned “E” logo on the face front also appears on the back side cavity.

There’s a lot going on with the sole, starting with two large weight ports that frame a large script Evnroll.  Then there’s eye catching milling on the underside of the fang and the “ER5” model designation.  I understand the significance of highlighting Rife as the designer and USA milling, but those designations are major contributors to the busy look.

I love the coordinated look the grip and headcover provide.  Both are high quality, but the headcover is too big for the putter head which makes it seem generic.  The Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 is also available in black and a women’s satin version with teal paint fill.

Sound & Feel

With a tour level urethane cover golf ball, the Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 produced a high pitched metallic “ting.”  The sound was consistent across the aluminum face insert, but grew louder as putt lengths increased.

Impact felt very soft, and I wasn’t surprised to learn that there’s a layer of polymer behind the insert.  When my club pro Ryan rolled a few putts he exclaimed that he “couldn’t even feel it.”  I had the same sensation with centered contact – a testament to the insert grooves and high MOI.  The soft grip material also contributed to the soft feel.  Location feedback increased slightly away from center.

Performance

The putter head felt light for its size and had wonderful flow.  My putting stroke performs best with toe hang, and the 25° of the Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 felt comfortable.  I also found aiming the putter and aligning my setup quick and easy.

Off the face, the ball engaged in an end over end roll instantly, and consistency of the outcomes was noteworthy.  Part of my testing protocol is hitting putts towards the heel and toe from the same spot to evaluate dispersion and the Evnroll Neo Classic ER5 was as consistent as any putter I’ve tested.

The technology behind the consistency – SweetFace – is what Evnroll was founded on.  While most putters have a sweet spot, Evnroll groove design extends that spot across the full width of their patented milling pattern.  It’s difficult to see in the photo above, but the v shaped grooves vary in width – wider in the center and narrowing progressively towards the heel and toe.  The design keeps ball direction straight off the face with additional energy when off-center.  Take another look at the “E” logo and it all starts to make sense.

Conclusion

This was my first interaction with an Evnroll putter, and I was impressed with the performance of the Evnroll Neo Classic ER5.  The sound is distinctive, and if you are looking for a lot of tactile feedback this may not be the putter of choice.  Regardless, all golfers could benefit from the SweetFace technology.  Priced at $399, the ER5 is a serious investment, but worthy of being considered when compared with other boutique brands.

Visit Evnroll HERE

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The SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX putter is a stable, responsive, center-shafted mallet that is equal parts putter and training aid.  The company’s signature Rifle Scope Technology can make issues with alignment a thing of the past. 

Introduction

For those who don’t know, almost all SeeMore putters feature two white lines sandwiching a red dot near the club’s heel.  That collection of features is called the Rifle Scope Technology.  It’s there to provide easy consistent alignment and set up.  The idea is that by hiding the red dot underneath the putter’s shaft, you know you’re squarely aligned with the target.  It’s almost like having a caddy behind you confirming your line.  

After years of fitting people for putters, I can happily attest to the power of the Rifle Scope Technology.  It’s no joke.  I have seen it be an incredible tool to completely cure people of their misalignment. The SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX continues that tradition as one of the best alignment-aiding putters on the market. 

Looks 

From the address position, the SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX oozes coolness.  The white and red alignment markings accentuate the all-black, high-grade aluminum center-shafted fang mallet.  The wings provide additional alignment when you set up the putter.  The face of the putter also features a stylized crosshair with red paint fill, referencing SeeMore’s signature technology. 

The underside of the putter contains what feels like a paragraph of text that reads: “Made in USA Franklin, TN – 100% Milled – Tour LTD 30423 – Mini Giant HTx – SeeMore Putter Co.”  Besides all of the text, it also features two giant copper weights.  There are four additional copper weights on the tips of the wings and the heel and toe.  While I appreciate that the clubs are made in the U.S., the text and weights make the club look cluttered and busy when looking at the sole.  

Feel & Sound

The feel of the SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX putter was quite pleasant. The milled aluminum grooves make each stroke come off quite smoothly and roll end over end quickly.  It feels reminiscent of Scotty Cameron’s Phantom line of putters.  It is sturdy, hefty, and substantial.  I also love how easy it is to pick the golf ball up from the ground with it, an underrated feature.  

Sound-wise, the putter is unique.  On center strikes it’s reminiscent of old-school PING putters because it creates a “ting” sound that starts in a high pitch and then lowers.  On heel or toe strikes though, it feels like a tuning fork!  There is a ton of vibration felt in your hands and a higher-pitched noise.  However, that’s only felt on egregiously bad hits, so it’s almost not worth noting. 

Performance

The SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX is a larger mallet with dramatic heel and toe weighting for a high level of MOI and a large sweet spot.  That makes it ultra forgiving.  Often center-shafted putters can be some of the most prone to deflection on heel and toe misses, but I found that this didn’t close or open much with heel or toe strikes.  Being nearly face-balanced, this putter does lend itself to players with minimal face rotation and straight-back-straight-through strokes.  

My experience with the SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX did highlight that it may not be best suited for everyone.  I tend to put a good amount of forward press on the putter and that rendered the red-dot alignment nearly useless for me.  Despite seeing the red dot when I putt, I was able to make my fair share of putts during testing, and speed control was extremely consistent even on mishits.  Giving it to other playing partners who didn’t have that forward press, I saw improvement in aim and consistency compared to their putters.  

The putter is also very customizable.  Going to SeeMore’s website reveals a ton of different ways to tweak the SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX to suit your style and needs.  Length, lie angle, the color of the shaft, grip, head weight, and even grip weights can all be specifically adjusted to make it completely your own. 

Conclusion

The SeeMore Black Mini Giant HTX should be something you seek to try out if you are looking for a new putter.  While it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I’ve seen the Rifle-Scope Technology work wonders for many others and this specific model provides fantastic feel, forgiveness, and responsiveness.  If you struggle with alignment, this putter may be your cure.  

Visit SeeMore Golf HERE

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The Toulon Atlanta putter blends expert milling and modern performance features in a beautiful compact mallet design.  Wonderful feel and noteworthy consistency.

Introduction

The Toulon Atlanta is our initial look at the putters released by the new company Toulon Golf.  If you’re thinking, “Wait, Toulon isn’t new,” you aren’t wrong – but you are about Toulon Golf.

Toulon Design began making putters back in 2015, and it only took a year for Callaway Golf to bring them under their Odyssey wing.  Callaway not only loved the Toulon milled putters, but were thrilled to bring Sean Toulon into their management fold.  Last summer, Sean retired from Callaway – but not from making putters – and co-founded Toulon Golf.  The change allowed Sean to bring on sons Tony and Preston Toulon, as well Toru Kamatari, as co-founders.  If the story sounds too good to be true, it gets better – Callaway is still a partner.

Looks

The 2024 Toulon Golf First Run collection features a luxurious rich chocolate PVD finish.  The finish takes on a different look depending on the light, but my camera skills are limited and non-flattering.  The main thing to note is that the putter head looks fabulous in all conditions.  The chocolate color also pairs well with the Toulon green, and allows the cream accents like the alignment line to look distinctive without being distracting.

I love the overall shape of the compact mallet Toulon Atlanta at address.  The rounded heel and toe give the shape a softness, while the straight trailing edge reinforces the parallel lines of the face, helping me achieve a square setup.  Subtle, but clearly by design, the ball width cavity that splits the shoulders and bumpers was a great aid for aim.

While the First Run Atlanta may look like a one piece milled putter from a putting position, flipping the head over reveals an aluminum sole plate and dual weight ports.  I’ll discuss those more in the Performance section, but as to looks, the sole exhibits a modern, technologically-focused design.

Before moving on, I have to give a tip of the cap to the craftsmen at Toulon Golf.  The co-founders clearly have vision, but execution requires expertise on the shop floor.  The photo above isn’t upside down, but taken to spotlight the angled top of the logo cavity.  I can’t speak to the purpose of the slant but can say it takes skill to produce.

Check out Toulon’s take on the Anser, the Toulon Madison, HERE

Sound & Feel

We use some crazy terms in golf, but the feel  of the Toulon Atlanta is best described as soft but solid.  The First Run Atlanta features Toulon Golf’s new mid-depth Double Fly Cut face milling that’s intended to produce a “soft yet responsive feel.”  Paired with a tour caliber golf ball, the feel is simply wonderful.

Initially I wrote down “quiet” for the contact sound, but later added “medium” for a final medium-quiet ‘tock.’  More than pleasant on reasonable contact, the sound was brighter when center struck.  The feedback offered an enticing reward for an accurate stroke.

Performance

The Toulon Atlanta has a toe hang of 44° according to Toulon Golf, and features a “H4.5 short slant neck hosel.”  I always prefer toe flow, and the First Run Atlanta felt absolutely effortless to putt with.  The smooth release really stood out on long putts.

Also noteworthy was the consistency of the Toulon Atlanta.  Center struck or mishit, roll-out was near equal.  Remember that aluminum sole plate?  It allowed Toulon Golf designers to move mass to the perimeter of the putter head, which boosts MOI.  And as PIG readers know, higher MOI equates to more forgiveness.

As to those weight ports, Toulon Golf placed them forward for ball speed consistency across the face.  The stock 360 gram First Run Atlanta can be ordered in a heavier 390 gram setup.   There are also choices for loft, lie, and length as well as a couple of grip options.

Conclusion

The Toulon Atlanta is a marvelous compact mallet putter.  It has the look and feel of a milled putter, with the performance benefits of some modern sole features.  At $600, the First Run Atlanta is certainly an investment, but on par with other boutique, premium brands like SWAG.  And don’t get me started on the craftsmanship – it’s excellent in every regard.  If you think you know Toulon, it’s time to check out Toulon Golf.

Visit Toulon Golf HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Edel Array F-2 putter is a highly customizable version of the Fang head shape.  Multiple necks, alignment options, and removable weights.  Premium feel.

Introduction

When it was first introduced, the Fang or #7 head shape was polarizing.  Now, virtually every putter maker has a version of it.  So do we really need one more?  When it does everything that the Edel Array F-2 putter does, the answer is yes.

Looks

The Edel Array F-2 putter is an attractive version of the popular Fang design.  My favorite design element is the slopes on each side of the head that seem to shrink the footprint.  That, combined with the subtle mill marks, let you know that this is an elevated version of the modern classic.

At address, the space between the fangs frames the ball precisely, which is my preference.  That space also provides a natural home for Edel’s alignment plates.  There are six options to fill this space.  To my eye, the double line is a great fit, but everyone can find an option that works for their aim bias.

Sound & Feel

The feel of the Edel Array F-2 is very similar to the F-1 [review HERE].  On center, it’s soft but not mushy like some inserts.  The carbon steel face gives the strike a solid, rewarding feel.  This feel pairs well with the “thud” sound produced by a urethane-covered ball.

Mishits feel progressively firmer as you move away from the center of the face.  Small mishits might escape notice; they feel similar to centered hits.  If you hit substantially toward the heel or toe, the feel is almost hard.  This same change occurs in the sound, going from “thud” on center” to a light “knock” on small misses to a full “clack” on big misses.

Edel Array Putter System

Before diving into this specific model, let’s discuss the Edel Array putting system.  This is a comprehensive fitting system built around the ideas of customization, adjustability, and modularity.

The family includes four head shapes – the B-1, F-1, F-2, and F-3 [review HERE].  The B-1 is a wide-body Anser [review HERE].  Each of the F models is a different mallet, as shown above.

In addition to the four head shapes there are four necks/hosels.  There’s a single bend, a short plumbers neck, and a slant neck, all seen above.  Edel also offers a long plumbers neck.  Changing hosels will affect both the look of the putter and the toe hang.

The final major piece of the Array putting system is the interchangeable alignment plate.  If you’re familiar with Edel’s putter fitting philosophy, you know that aim is a huge part of it.  With six different alignment plates featuring everything from dots to lines to perpendicular lines, they’ve covered every aim bias to help golfers get properly aligned.

This system gives golfers a total of 72 mallet combinations and 8 different blades, and that’s before factoring in head weight, counter weight, and grip.   Finally, huge kudos to Edel for making everything user friendly.  All of the components can be adjusted with a Torx wrench (just like adjustable drivers), and all the pieces of this system will be sold separately.

Performance

As with the other putters in this family, I started my testing of the Edel Array F-2 by trying different necks and alignment plates.  With the four necks, this putter can go from face balanced (single bend) to 44 degrees of toe hang (slant neck).  Having a moderately arcing stroke, I found that the short plumbers neck and slant neck worked better for me than the single bend shaft.

For alignment, I liked the fit of the Array F-2 with the dual sight lines.  To my eye, those lines fit naturally between the prongs.  Having been through a formal Edel fitting [more on that HERE], I know that aim bias can have a major impact on your putting stroke.  Every golfer believes that they’re aligned properly, but few are.  That can typically be fixed with the right combination of putter specs and alignment aid.  You’ll be amazed at how much more free your stroke feels when you’re not compensating for poor aim.

The final piece of the Edel fitting puzzle is weight.  Like the other mallets, the Edel Array F-2 can range in weight from 340 grams to 390 grams.  I tested it at 370 grams, which felt noticeably heavier but not uncomfortable.  In addition to considering the weight of the head, I think anyone considering an Array putter should think about where the weight is.  In the F-2 and F-3, the weight is closer to the face.  In the F-1, the weight is at the rear of the head.  This changes the feel substantially, and should be given as much consideration as the look of the head when making a buying decision.

Conclusion

With the ability to fit your aim bias, your weight preference, and your stroke, the Edel Array F-2 putter is not just another Fang.  If you’re interested in getting a putter that’s built just for your stroke – or one you can tinker with endlessly – the Array F-2 should be on your very short list.

Visit Edel Golf HERE

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50 Words or Less

The L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter is like a magic wand for starting the ball on your target line.  Shockingly stable and forgiving off of mishits, it refines what was already one of the most technologically advanced and customizable putters on the market. 

Introduction

L.A.B. Golf putters are catching fire.  They used to be the occasional oddity seen in the bags of gearheads or golf junkies.  Now they’re a staple in the bags of thousands of golfers including winning professionals like Lucas Glover, Adam Scott, and Camilo Villegas.  The reason why is that they make golf simpler.  The L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter – despite being so new – has already found its way into the bags of pros like Phil Mickelson and Garrick Higgo. 

If you haven’t read about the Lie Angle Balance putter technology in previous reviews on this site, the short version is that they are torqueless putters.  That means they square themselves to the arc of your putting stroke.  It’s a particularly fantastic fit for those of you with minimal arc and face rotation for your strokes, but I have seen it improve those with other styles as well. 

Looks 

The aesthetic of the original Directed Force 2.1 (review HERE) was infamous.  The putter was consistently reviled, mocked, and roasted for its looks.  With that said, L.A.B. has always seemed to revel in the online discussions, and has been quick to respond that looks don’t matter if you make more putts.  The putter’s shape is actually the logo for the company. 

The L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter, the updated model, is more palatable in the looks category.  While it still retains the general shape and overall branding-iron look of the original, it’s in a much smaller, more streamlined profile.  With that said, the CEO of the company recently took to Instagram and said that it looks a bit like a toilet seat… so, it’s still not exactly a handsome putter. 

Just like the prior model, the DF3 is one of the most customizable putters in golf.  It’s offered in 8 different colors: black, blue, red, green, pink, orange, platinum, and cappuccino (pictured).  Moreover, you’ll have 33 different alignment aid options to make the putter completely your own. 

One last detail is their new “Gimmie Getter,” a little nickname for the golf ball-sized hole on the back of the putter.  While it could be argued it’s a bit of an alignment aid, its main purpose is to pick up a golf ball, which, coincidentally, was a big critique of many fans of the MEZZ.1 and MEZZ.1 MAX (review HERE).  I can happily say in my testing of the putter, I didn’t have much use for this feature, because the golf ball was going in the hole more often. 

Feel & Sound

The looks of the L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter aren’t the only customizable thing – the feel and performance are customizable as well.  They can be personalized with several graphite shaft options from Accra, BGT, LA Golf, and TPT.  On top of the upgraded shafts, there is also the ability to make the putter counterbalanced or a broomstick.  

I decided to make my L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter a counterbalanced one with an Accra shaft.  That caused a different feel when compared to the MEZZ (review HERE) and Directed Force models I’ve tried in the past.  While the Accra shaft makes strikes feel softer off the face, the longer and heavier counterbalanced shaft and grip give a feeling of stability and weight.  

Performance

While I have had excellent experiences with both the LINK.1 (review HERE) and MEZZ.1, the L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter is unquestionably an improvement from those models.  In using it for hours of practice and several rounds of golf, I have never had an easier time starting the ball on my intended target line.  

Speed control was initially an issue (I tended to miss putts short), but nearly every attempt finished in the jaws of the hole.  On top of that, I didn’t have any three putts.  The putts from 11 feet and in felt nearly automatic.  While putting is the strength of my golf game, this putter gave me even more confidence.  

That added confidence came from the sheer mass of the head.  The larger head presented a ton of MOI and there was almost no noticeable deflection from heel or toe misses.  While L.A.B. has admitted that they weren’t able to give the DF3 model all of the stability of the Directed Force 2.1, I can’t say that I noticed a drop in forgiveness. 

Conclusion

While putter technology has been at a standstill for years with some manufacturers, L.A.B. is working tirelessly to up their game.  They continue to find ways to reinvent the wheel.  L.A.B.’s slogan is, “You’re a better putter than you think” and it is true for many.  If any new putter can earn a spot in my bag in the 2024 season, it’s the L.A.B. Golf DF3 putter.  

Buy the L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter HERE

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50 Words or Less

The Edel Array F-1 putter is the most modern-looking mallet in the Array line, and the most forgiving.  Allows golfers to choose from several necks and alignment aids.

Introduction

Over the last few years, putter makers have done a better job giving golfers more options.  Not every mallet is face balanced.  Not every Anser has a sight line.  But there are still worlds of combinations that are unexplored.

The Edel Array putter system aims to explore them.  With four necks, three mallet bodies, six alignment aids, plus grip and weight options, you can create the exact putter that you need.  In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the Edel Array F-1 putter.

Looks

The Edel Array F-1 is known as the “modern mallet” in their material, and its inspiration is obvious.  The F-1 is a descendent of the TaylorMade Spider with the “wings” at the rear that pull more weight away from the putter face.

The look at address is a mixed bag for me.  I like the body a lot with the different levels adding emphasis to the shape.  However, I don’t like the way that the alignment plate sits inside of the head.  To my eye, there are too many stops and starts, and the color contrast adds to the feeling of disjointedness.

Flipping over the Array F-1 reveals a beautifully designed sole.  As with the F-3, Edel filled a majority of the space without making it feel cramped.  The winged E logo is perfectly sized and the color combination is clean and classic.

Sound & Feel

Putting a premium golf ball with the carbon steel face of the Edel Array F-1 putter creates a feel that’s soft but still solid.  I’d add the word powerful as a result of my configuration’s higher head weight.  This feel meshes well with the “thud” of centered impact.

When your strike moves off-center, the sound turns to a light “knock.”  Bigger misses get even uglier, creating a louder “clack.”  This gradient of feedback is valuable to the player – the worse the strike, the worse the sound.  There is feedback through the hands – misses are firmer – but the audio feedback is more obvious.

Edel Array Putter System

Before diving into this specific model, let’s discuss the Edel Array putting system.  This is a comprehensive fitting system built around the ideas of customization, adjustability, and modularity.

The family includes four head shapes – the B-1, F-1, F-2 [review HERE], and F-3 [review HERE].  The B-1 is a wide-body Anser [review HERE].  Each of the F models is a different mallet, as shown above.

In addition to the four head shapes there are four necks/hosels.  There’s a single bend, a short plumbers neck, and a slant neck, all seen above.  Edel also offers a long plumbers neck.  Changing hosels will affect both the look of the putter and the toe hang.

The final major piece of the Array putting system is the interchangeable alignment plate.  If you’re familiar with Edel’s putter fitting philosophy, you know that aim is a huge part of it.  With six different alignment plates featuring everything from dots to lines to perpendicular lines, they’ve covered every aim bias to help golfers get properly aligned.

This system gives golfers a total of 72 mallet combinations and 8 different blades, and that’s before factoring in head weight, counter weight, and grip.   Finally, huge kudos to Edel for making everything user friendly.  All of the components can be adjusted with a Torx wrench (just like adjustable drivers), and all the pieces of this system will be sold separately.

Performance

Regardless of your feelings about the look of the Edel Array F-1 putter, it is the most forgiving shape in the line.  Like most Spider descendants, the F-1 places its weight in the rear corners.  This boosts the MOI and makes the putter more resistant to twisting on mishits.  The result is that mishits stay closer to their intended line and retain more ball speed.

If you want to take that forgiveness to the max, you can do that with the removable weights.  I tested the Edel Array F-1 with 15 gram weights.  That put the total head weight at 370 grams – hefty but not unwieldy.  Removing the weights can bring the total weight as low as 340 grams, and the F-1 can be as heavy as 390 grams with 25 gram weights.  Unlike some makers, Edel sells the weights separately so you can experiment on your own.

Changing hosels allows you to create toe hang anywhere from zero (face balanced) to 35 degrees with the Edel Array F-1.  The single bend shaft in the pictures is the classic choice for a mallet, and it’s best for straight back straight through putting strokes.  As a player with a moderate arc to his stroke, I found more success with the slant and plumbers necks.

Conclusion

The Edel Array F-1 putter brings a variety of new elements to this modern classic mallet.  The carbon steel face offers a traditional, premium feel.  Four necks allow you to find the toe hang that fits your stroke.  And six alignment plates let you eliminate your aim bias so you can aim with precision every time.  Whether you get fit or choose to experiment on your own, the Array F-1 gives you choices you didn’t have before.

Visit Edel Golf HERE

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The Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 putter is a super wide Anser style putter.  Lives at the intersection of blades and mallets.  Four neck options to fit more players.  Good forgiveness and feel.

Introduction

The INOVAI line is where Bettinardi experiments with multi-material construction and bolder, less traditional head shapes.  The Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 uses a combination of steel and aluminum to stretch the boundaries of the traditional Anser.  I tested one to find out if this also pushes the performance to new highs.

Looks

If the BB1 Wide [review HERE] is a widebody Anser, that makes the Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 a super widebody.  From front to back, this putter measures approximately 2.125″ compared to 1.375″ in the BB1 Wide.  This is balanced by the fact that it’s about 0.5″ shorter from heel to toe.

Overall, the address look is that of a traditional mallet.  The two-tone look may stretch that definition a bit, but the shape and size are right on.  Bettinardi’s use of three sight lines is interesting.  To me, the two lines on the flange are so close to the edges that they’re almost out of sight.  I like this, as I prefer a top line to a “normal” sight line.  For me, the combination of the well-proportioned cavity and the top line are excellent for alignment.

Flipping the putter over reveals an excellent design job by Bettinardi.  There is a lot happening on the sole of the INOVA 10.0, but the minimalist use of white and grey paint makes it work.  The milling on the sole is echoed on the headcover, which, like the 2024 BB1 Wide, uses magnets.  Once again, a round of applause to Bettinardi for making that oft-requested upgrade.

Sound & Feel

The stainless steel face of the Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 putter produces a very solid feeling when striking a Tour caliber golf ball.  On short, well-struck putts, there’s a measure of softness, but the overriding sensation is the strength of the hit.  Interestingly, the feeling becomes softer and sweeter on longer putts that are perfectly hit.

The sound of impact is a middle of the bell curve “tock.”  It’s average in volume, ticking up slightly on longer putts.  There is a hint of extra crispness to the sound on premium strikes, but it’s very demanding.

Feedback is delivered primarily through your hands.  There is almost no change in the character of the sound, even on truly bad strikes.  Your hands, however, can feel the impact location exactly.  Also, when you get to twenty feet and beyond, mishits become noticeably firmer than pure strikes.

Performance

Looking over the specs of the Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 putter, the first thing I noticed was the array of neck options.  This putter comes with four different necks, more than I can remember seeing on any Bettinardi putter.  That’s an exciting evolution because it allows more players to be well fit.

The neck seen in these photos is the spud neck/double bend.  This creates a nearly face balanced putter, best for putting strokes with minimal arc.  The center shafted model is very similar, though it offers a different look.  Players with more arc in their stroke can opt for the mini plumbers neck – 1/3 toe hang, per Bettinardi – or the slant neck – 1/4 toe hang.

Moving to the construction of the head, the INOVAI 10.0 has a stainless steel face with an aluminum flange.  This multi-material construction is seen in most modern mallets to boost MOI, something Bettinardi claims for the INOVAI as well.  While this putter is measurably more forgiving than a traditional Anser, it comes up well short of more extreme mallets for forgiveness.  Aluminum is lighter than steel, so this head’s forgiveness comes primarily from the Anser-style shape pushing weight away from the middle.

The benefit of this more conventional weight distribution is that the Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 is easy for a blade player to transition into.  For me, this putter swung naturally despite its slightly heavier weight (360 grams) and stretched head shape.  Additionally, it didn’t take much time before I was able to competently control my distance.

Conclusion

Over the last couple years, Bettinardi has firmly staked their flag in the liminal space between traditional blades and extreme mallets.  The Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 putter may have multi-material construction and a large footprint, but it doesn’t lose the feel of a more conventional flat stick.  If you’re looking for a change on the greens but don’t want to fight your new putter, this is one to try.

Buy the Bettinardi INOVAI 10.0 HERE

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