The Heavy Putter by Boccieri Golf is about to get lighter with the upcoming introduction of the Heavy Putter Mid-Weight series.
The new Mid-Weight putters ($169) weigh a total of 750 grams, inclusive of head, grip and shaft—an average of 150 grams lighter than previous models, but still considerably heavier than conventional putters.
The Storyline
Heavy Putter burst onto the putter scene a few years ago as an innovatively weighty solution to a common putting problem—the tendency of the wrists and other small muscles to interfere with a fluid stroke. Troy Matteson has since wielded a Heavy Putter with success on the PGA Tour, as have others on the European Tour.
The Mid-Weight putters follow the original Heavy Putter models (both satin and matte) and last year’s Heavy Putter Deep Face series, all of which averaged around 900 grams of total weight. The 750-gram Mid-Weight putters, therefore, represent a nearly 20 percent weight reduction compared to the earlier models (yet still 250+ grams heavier than conventional putters).
As with the previous Heavy Putters, the Mid-Weight putters include a counterweight in the butt end of the grip, which raises the balance point of the putter while keeping the heavy head in check.
In an earlier interview with PutterZone.com, founder Stephen Boccieri said, “The Heavy Putter’s greater total weight engages the golfer’s larger and more stable muscles, while the higher balance point disengages the golfer’s hands, promoting a smoother, more consistent pendulum stroke. Lighter putters that have a lower balance point tend to cause the golfer to have more wrist breakdown.”
The Zing-style K4 is one of five models in the Mid-Weight Series, which is composed of two mallets and three blades. The Heavy Putter Mid-Weight models are offered in a black “PVD” or silver satin finish. The standard loft is three degrees.
The View from PutterZone.com
The Heavy Putter Mid-Weight K4 is a beauty to behold—sleek and shapely, with a rich matte black finish and slimming ornamental grooves along the sloping rear flange. At address, a thin topline and a single white sightline exhibit a quiet confidence.
The Heavy Putter K4’s aesthetic poise carries over to its accessories as well. The mid-size Winn grip is rendered in an elegant two-tone black and gray with white accents, and the black pleather head cover features white embroidery and a gentle magnetic closure. The entire presentation is smooth and seamless.
At 750 grams, the K4 is still pretty heavy, just not as sensationally heavy as the original models. I felt like I could grip the Mid-Weight putter with a lighter touch compared to earlier Heavy Putters, which helped in matters of both comfort and performance.
The Heavy Putter has always been money on shorter putts, and the K4 is no exception. Longer putts require some acclimation when switching from a conventional putter to a Heavy Putter, but soon enough it feels quite natural. You sacrifice a bit of feel with any Heavy Putter, but some will find this well worth the payoff in matters of stroke stability.
The sweet spot of the K4 is soft and quiet, with a slight chalky quality in the hands for added tactile nuance. In contrast, miss-hits feel stubby, so you know exactly where your stroke stands with the K4.
The K4 is almost fully toe down in balance, so it appeals to golfers with an arcing stroke. Additionally, the weightiness of the head means that the toe really wants to rotate, and resistance is futile. Golfers with a shallow arc or a straight-back-straight-through stroke will find themselves better suited for the companion face-balanced Mid-Weight models, such as the Mid-Weight CX2 putter.
I felt that Heavy Putter went through a bit of a sophomore slump with last year’s Deep Face (DF) line, which was the successor to the inaugural Heavy Putter models (matte and original finish). The DF putters were solid enough from a performance standpoint, but the designs were a little eccentric and the aesthetics were questionable. To me, the DF series stopped short of the next level for Heavy Putter.
Well, the next level has arrived with Heavy Putter Mid-Weight series. These putters represent a substantial leap in brand aesthetics and an exciting evolution in the Heavy Putter technology.
My gut tells me that many golfers who previously needed to be convinced to pick up a Heavy Putter will now be drawn to them. The Mid-Weight putters are simply more approachable in both style and substance, which bodes well for cultivating a new generation of Heavy Putter converts.
The Bottom Line
The evolution of the Heavy Putter hits its high mark with the Mid-Weight Series. By going a full shade lighter with the Mid-Weight models, Heavy Putter has broadened its appeal without compromising its core technological values.
The K4 offers traditional beauty with an innovative edge, and will particularly appeal to golfers who seek a stabilizing influence on their stroke.
