Putter Reviews (an epic journey)

[Scaldy]

After some debate I decided to replace my old Odyssey blade putter with a new one. After many hours-days-months I settled with the Yes Tracy and the Bettinardi C02. Both 32" and both with Yes Winn AVS grips. Finding putters I liked was great but really it was the journey to find them that was actually interesting.

I bought my first new putter two months ago from Golf Town. After not liking it I took advantage of Golf Towns 30 day exchange policy and basically exchanged mint condition putters with Golf Town many times to find the right one. Here's a quick review of the putters I "test drove".

Qualifiers: My price range was max $200. Each putter got a thorough test at Golf Town, at the putting range and at a round of golf.

1. Odyssey White Hot XG Putter #3 (blade)
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P2635C25.aspx

Very similar to my old putter but I found the insert tricky to control distance with. Great soft feel though.

2. Taylormade Rossa Daytona (Anser style)
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P9379C25.aspx

The Golf Town employee raved about the insert and it's "true roll" so I gave it a shot. I found the head a little on the light side and the craftsmanship was poor. Small paint mistakes and overall poor construction made the putter feel very cheap. It gave a great roll to the ball though.

3. Ping Anser IWI (individual weight system)
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P9373C25.aspx

Sticking with the Anser blade style I gave the Ping a shot. I liked the idea of customizing weights but at $70 US for the weight kit the overall cost would have gotten me darn close to a Scotty Cameron. The default weights that came with it were not heavy enough for my taste. The insert however was a pleasant surprise.

4. Yes! Nicky (old school blade)
http://www.golftown.com/gtcommerce/s...-P8601C25.aspx

I really liked the head weight and the ball roll with this putter. It just didn't match my putting stroke and I found it pushing and pulling because of that. Great putter for a true "open-closed" stroke. Good price for the quality too.

5. Yes! Tracy (Anser/blade hybrid)
http://www.yesgolf.com/store/models.php?model=100

I found this putter very comparable to the Scotty's for head weight, ball roll and quality. I liked the grip so much I had my Bettinardi re-gripped the same. And same as the Yes Nicky, the price and quality of the Tracy was outstanding.

6. Mizuno Bettinardi C02 (Anser style)
http://www.scorelow.com/item--Mizuno...OCSERIES2.html

After reading these forums I couldn't pass on a $99 Anser Style milled putter. It was the only putter I couldn't return so I was taking more of a risk. I will say the quality is superb but the head is a little light for my tastes. After cutting the putter down to 32" I'm finding it more appealing but I'm finding that I play the Tracy far more than the Mizuno.

Now that this journey is over I think everyone at Golf Town knows me by name.