Friday, May 29, 2009

Nickent Tour Prototype Milled Putter Review

Nickent Tour Prototype Milled MP/05 putter
The most recognized putter in the Nickent Golf portfolio is the PIPE putter, which looks just like its name. While some swear by the PIPE, no one would enter it into a beauty contest. 

Now come the new Nickent Tour Tour Prototype Milled putters ($179), which are the stylistic yin to the PIPE's yang—crisp, clean and very traditional in profile. Is Nickent's trip back to the future worth the price of admission?

Following is PutterZone.com's Nickent Tour Prototype Milled putter review, specifically the MP/05 blade model.

The Storyline
The five new Nickent putter models include two heel-toe blades (MP/01 and MP/02), a Zing-style putter (MP/03), a mid mallet (MP/04) and a softtail-style design, the MP/05 being reviewed here.

Each Nickent Tour Prototype Milled putter is milled from 8620 carbon steel and features a proprietary face insert with "Alternate Groove Technology," which is milled from anodized 7075 aluminum to produce “an extremely true roll with a soft feel.”

The standard loft of the Nickent Tour Prototype Milled putters is 3 degrees, and the available lengths range from 33 to 36 inches. The head weight on all models is 345 grams. The toe hang on the MP/05 is half past five o'clock. 

According to Nickent, the putters will be made in “very small quantities.” In fact, they don’t even appear under the putter category on the Nickent web site. To see the Tour Prototype Milled putters, you have to enter the site’s shopping cart. 

The View from PutterZone.com
Early reports had the price of the Tour Prototype Milled putters at $249, a figure that was even printed in putter previews in at least two national golf magazines. Such a price would have pitted the putters against some pretty stiff competition in the crowded ultra-premium category. 

In a stroke of genius, however, Nickent rolled the putters out of the gates at $179. Suddenly, what sounded like a bit of a stretch had the scent of a steal. And now that I have one in my hands, I can confirm that the Tour Prototype Milled is a sweet putter for the price.

The MP/05 is a riff on the classic softtail design popularized by T.P. Mills, which is a favorite of mine. This design is angular and stubby from the front, but a thing of curvy, symmetrical beauty from above. The MP/05 doesn’t have a cavity, so it boasts a seamless visual flow from topline to flange. A white alignment dot on the crown is the lone adornment visible at setup.

Nickent delivers on its promise of soft feel with the Alternate Groove Technology insert. The insert feels supple but not at all squishy, and it strikes a distinctive chalky note in the hands as well. The roll off the face is clean and tight, with quick topspin when struck well. If you miss the center of the face, the softness yields to a bit of a bite in the hands and ears that informs you of your misdeed.   

The MP/05 is nearly fully toe down in balance, so it really wants to swing on an arc. Therefore, this is not a putter for folks who subscribe to more of a straight-back-straight-through stroke. The 345-gram head feels hefty, at least on the 35-inch model. This weighty sensation is likely amplified by the rotational behavior of the toe-down balance. 

I have a few quibbles with the putter on the accessories front. First, the colorful checkered brand logo dominates the grip right below where the right thumb rests on the club, creating unnecessary visual noise and encroaching on the classic beauty of the putter head.  Also, the head cover that comes with the putter is, to be kind, unattractive. The good news is that if the grip or headcover are really bothering you, they can be easily replaced for about $10 or less.  

I do like the fact that Nickent chose a dark gunmetal gray for the finish of the head, which is a different visual flavor than the familiar finishes of black and stainless steel. I also like the fact that the hue of the insert is consistent with the rest of the head, and that the face displays no logos or paintfill. Such restraint is admirable in this age of over-adornment. 

The Bottom Line
The Nickent Tour Prototype Milled putters offer classy good looks and solid performance at a sweet price. The Alternate Groove Technology insert delivers a crisp roll with a soft yet sturdy feel. The MP/05 model will appeal to golfers with an arcing stroke who want to upgrade their putter without breaking the bank. 
 

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

TaylorMade Scores Rare Hat Trick

TaylorMade Itsy Bitsy Spider Putter
Having a professional win any tournament with your putter in his or her bag is a big deal in the putter industry, generating fodder for press releases and bragging rights.

But having three professionals win tournaments with your putters in a single week? Such is the remarkable hat trick accomplished by TaylorMade on Sunday. 

Rory Sabbatini won the HP Byron Nelson Championship with a TaylorMade Rossa TP by Kia Ma Daytona putter (try saying that fast). Meanwhile, Michael Allen was victorious in his Champions Tour debut at the Senior PGA Championship with a TaylorMade Rossa Itsy Bitsy Spider mallet. Finally, Yani Tseng won the LPGA Corning Classic with the same Itsy Bitsy Spider in hand. 

Let's review: One brand, two putter models and and $1.75 million in earnings on a single Sunday. To say that TaylorMade had a good weekend would be a gross understatement. 

Click here to read PutterZone.com's review of the Itsy Bitsy Spider and here for the review of the Rossa TP by Kia Ma. 
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Monday, May 25, 2009

Father's Day Golf Gift Guide

With Father's Day just around the corner on June 21, it's time to back away from the ties and power tools and get your dad something he'll really dig: cool golf gear. Following are some unique golf gifts that will help you bridge the generations and put a smile on his face: 

Slotline 581 Hi-Moment Putter ($159)
Back when you were a wee tyke or teenager in the 1980s, there was one big “S” in the putting world, and it wasn’t Scotty. It was Slotline, whose Inertial putter pioneered the concept of ultra-high MOI. Fast forward to this year, when the venerable brand was reborn and reintroduced under the guidance of Chad Lehr and company at Dynamic Brands. Now your dad can reconnect with the putter of his past with the Slotline 581 Hi-Moment putter, a modernized throwback to the original Inertial. It’s no secret why Slotline is red hot on the Champions Tour right now.  

Dixon Earth Balls ($29.99)
Remember the good old days when you just dumped your old motor oil down the storm drain? You don’t? Well, your father does. But it’s a different world now, and he’s just fine with that, because he wants his grandchildren to enjoy clean air and water, too. For this reason, he'll dig Dixon Golf’s eco-friendly Earth golf ball, which is constructed without the use of heavy-metal pollutants and non-renewable synthetic compounds. Even the packaging is made from 100-percent recycled material. Best of all, the Earth ball compares in cost and quality to other high-performance balls. 

Vireo Tees by Evolve Golf ($5.95 for 35 tees)
Is your dad trying to build a fire or knock it close to the pin? You have to wonder with all of those little broken sticks he leaves in his wake. It’s time for him to try the new Vireo-S3 tee by Evolve Golf, which is not only eco-friendly, but also extremely durable. Made from recycled materials, this tee features a proprietary “sweet spot” system comprised of “depth insertion” guides along 
the stem. This system enables the golfer to achieve proper and consistent tee height for optimal sweet spot alignment. 

Golfdotz ($5.99 for two dozen)
Dad used to play with a thin blade putter, now he swears by his mallet. He always had trouble with his 3 iron, now he’s money with his hybrid. Heck, maybe he’s even playing with an eco-friendly Earth ball and renewable Vireo tees. His evolution is almost complete. All he has to do now is put down the messy Sharpie pen and mark his ball in style with Golfdotz. These wicked-cool golf ball tattoos are durable, practical and stylish—sort of like dad himself. 

iGolfrules ($9.99)
Clean up your room before you go out to play. Take the car but be back by midnight. Dad was always a stickler for rules, right? Well, now you can put the rules of golf in the palm of his hand with the iGolfrules application for the iPhone, which is based on the popular Golf Rules Quick Reference book. This program features more than 200 illustrations, and it covers match play as well as stroke play. And if your dad doesn’t have an iPhone? Well, maybe you need to add that to your gift list, too. 

Adidas Trophy Belt ($40)
Your dad might not be ready for a fashion statement in the vein of Ian Poulter’s pink pants, but he could probably use a bit of an upgrade in the belt department. The Trophy belt by Adidas offers just the right amount razzle-dazzle in an otherwise classy and conservative package. Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia are among the PGA Tour pros who have sported this belt. If dad is feeling his oats like Phil Mickelson, he can opt for the white leather version. But the all-black model is probably the safer bet. 

Homer Kelley’s Golfing Machine ($17 on Amazon.com)
The first time Homer Kelley played golf, he shot 116. The next time he played, which was six months later, he shot seventy-seven. No joke. Obsessive and inquisitive by nature, Kelley immediately set out to solve the mysteries of the golf swing that would account for such a vexing variance from one round to the next. In his new book Homer Kelley’s Golfing Machine, Scott Gummer pays tribute to Kelley’s quest, which resulted in a controversial book that has been touted by Bobby Clampett, Steve Elkington and others, including up-and-comer Morgan Pressel. Sometime it's the old dog who teaches the new tricks, eh?
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

And The Payne Stewart Putter Winner Is...

The winner of our recent contest for a Payne Stewart commemorative putter by the SeeMore Putter Company is Ron Ehrlich of Yorba Linda, California.

Ron's winning entry was identified after all entries were placed in randomized order, after which a number chosen by a SeeMore representative matched his slot in the order. 

Ron is a longtime golfer and self-described “equipment nut” who just happens to own an original SeeMore FGP—the same model that Payne Stewart used to win the 1999 U.S. Open. 

He says that he was a fan of Stewart’s and that he remembers watching the U.S. Open on television when Stewart stroked his epic putts to secure the victory. “That’s something I won’t forget,” he says. “I’m absolutely thrilled to win this putter. It means a lot.” 

Ron says that he will display the putter as a keepsake and heirloom. 

The SeeMore Putter Company, which is becoming legendary in putter circles for its customer service, has already contacted Ron and will be shipping the putter to him this week. 
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Drill Bits: Nail Your Putts

Eben Dennis
Eben Dennis wants you to putt better by narrowing your focus and finding your natural stroke. 

"Golf is over-taught and over-analyzed," he says. "If you keep it simple and unclutter your mind, you will improve your game."

Eben is currently a teaching professional based in McKinney, Texas, and his students include PGA Tour Professionals, collegiate golfers, amateurs and beginning golfers. His current and former students include PGA Tour players such as Nick Faldo, Billy Mayfair, Robert Gamez and Shaun Micheel. Eben learned golf at Champions Golf Club while growing up in Houston, where he received tips from Jackie Burke and Jimmy Demaret as well as Ben Hogan, Julius Boros and Bruce Crampton. He attended Florida State University on a full golf scholarship and played professionally in the United States and Australia. His brother is Clark Dennis, who played in 207 PGA Tour events and who finished sixth at the 1994 U.S. Open.

Eben was kind enough to share the following drill, which exemplifies his emphasis on simple concepts that can have a substantial impact: 

"This is a drill I taught Nick Faldo in 2000 that improved him from one of the worst putters on tour to number one in putting at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, where he averaged 25 putts per day. It's called the thumb pointing drill. Even though there are a couple of other elements (such as how to hold the club for control and how to get in the best setup) that will enhance your putting performance, this drill will immediately help you become a much better putter.

First, you must focus on the relationship between your hands and the intended target. Now, feel the corner of your lower thumb on the grip that is closest to the target. On your right hand (for right handers) it will be the corner of the nail on the outside of your thumb. Take some practice strokes feeling that corner pointing at your target at the end of the motion. Now execute some three to six-foot putts making sure to hold the point at the finish of the stroke. 

By doing this you will discover that the ball goes the direction you pointed good or bad. Two things will come from this drill: (1) your focus will shift away from the putter head and ball; and (2) you will complete your stroke, giving you better rhythm and distance control. When you get a good feel for short putts, increase the distance until you feel comfortable from all distances. Once you learn to narrow your focus to your hands and where they are going, the act of putting will become simple and fun."

Thank you Eben! To learn more about Eben Dennis, as well as his clinics and book, visit www.powerfeelgolf.com
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

TaylorMade Introduces Spider Balero Putter

TaylorMade Spider Balero Putter
TaylorMade continues to spin its short-game web with the upcoming release of the TaylorMade Rossa Monza Spider Balero putter, which joins the original Spider and Itsy Bitsy Spider in the growing family of Spider putters.

TaylorMade will release the Spider Balero putter on May 21 for a suggested retail price of $149, which is $50 less than the original Spider and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. You first heard about the Balero here on PutterZone.com back in January

The Balero is billed as "a large mallet that combines the forgiveness and feel of the Monza Spider with a uniquely shaped head that makes it dramatically easier to aim the clubface correctly."

Like earlier Spider models, the Balero boasts high MOI for enhanced forgiveness. It also includes TaylorMade's proprietary AGSI grooved face insert, which is designed to put a truer roll on the ball. 

Where the Balero really stands out is in its alignment features, including a "ball in cup" visual cue that consists of a ball-sized cutout in the flange that is visually embraced in a cup-sized semicircle. According to TaylorMade, this feature "provides a visual cue that makes it incredibly simple to line up the clubface with the intended line."  

For the past few years, it seemed like $250 and above was the hottest price point in putters, with putter companies racing to join the ultra-premium category. This year, it's the $149 price point that's sizzling with the TaylorMade Spider Balero putter, Never Compromise X-Ray putters and Rife IMO putters, all of which are being released later this month. 
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Never Compromise X-Ray Putter Review

Never Compromise X-Ray Alpha Mallet
Despite remaining dormant on the new product front for the entirety of 2008, Never Compromise managed to rack up $34 million in prize money on the PGA Tour last year with its existing putters.

Now, Never Compromise is back with its new NCX-RAY—a.k.a. X-Ray—putters ($149; May 22 release), which aim to light a fresh retail fire under the brand while advancing its success on tour. So are the new putters worth the long wait?

Following is PutterZone.com’s Never Compromise NCX-RAY putter review, which will compare and contrast two models—the Tau blade and the Alpha mallet.

The Storyline
The name X-Ray is derived from the translucent appearance of the proprietary red “Suspended Face Technology (SFT)” insert found on all four NCX-RAY putters—the Alpha full-sized mallet (which is technically known simply as NCX-RAY, but Alpha is its nickname), the Beta half mallet, the Sigma single-sightline mallet and the Tau blade.

The Never Compromise X-Ray putters have already made a bit of a splash on tour. Several notable Cleveland Golf staffers (Cleveland is the parent company of Never Compromise), such as Stephen Marino and Vijay Singh, have switched to the new putters. Word is that even some non-Cleveland staffers, such as Fred Funk and J.B. Holmes, have decided to bag them as well. Not bad for a $149 stick.

The SFT insert is designed to heighten the MOI of the putters while delivering enhanced feel. The insert consists of horizontal metal ribs embedded in an “ultra-lightweight” material that allows for 25 percent of the overall head weight to be distributed to the extremities of the putter. Such weight redistribution lowers and deepens the center of gravity for the achievement of high MOI.

The promise of consistent directional dispersion was backed up in a recent test conducted by Hot Stix Golf for Golf Magazine. Out of 13 mallet putters tested, the Alpha was the putter that lost the least distance roll on putts struck toward the toe and heel compared to the center.

Meanwhile, the protruding metal ribs reduce the surface contact area to provide “consistent ball velocity off the face.” The surrounding lightweight material aims to reduce vibration while still offering “responsive feedback.”

The Alpha’s head weight is a hefty 365 grams, while the Tau weighs in at 340 grams. The loft is three degrees and the lie angle is 70 degrees on both putters. The Alpha is face balanced, while the Tau has a slight toe hang.

Never Compromise NCX-Ray Tau putter
The View from PutterZone.com
The Never Compromise NCX-RAY isn’t your father’s putter. It’s not even your older brother’s putter. This is something entirely different.

Never Compromise is based in Huntington Beach, California, but this putter looks like something created at Area 51. The translucent red plastic of the SFT insert is probably the most alien material I’ve ever seen on a putter. The thin metal ribs embedded in the insert look like they might pick up a shortwave signal. The SFT face makes the Odyssey White Hot urethane insert look positively organic.

In other words, Never Compromise is going boldly where no manufacturer has gone before in terms of insert aesthetics. And you know what? Good for them. The futuristic look of the X-Ray putters will no doubt have its naysayers, but I’ll bet that a lot of people will go wild for it. One thing is for sure: No one will accuse Never Compromise of looking drab anymore.

Moving on to performance, I conducted my own unscientific version of the aforementioned Hot Stix test, and I was very impressed by the stability and distance consistency on miss-hits with both the mallet and the blade. At one point, I sank three evenly paced practice ten-footers in a row with the Tau blade—one deliberately off the heel, one deliberately off the toe and one off the center (and no, I’m not boasting; trust me, I miss plenty). This experience made me a believer in the SFT face’s promise of “consistent ball velocity off the face.”

It would be hard to make a blanket statement about the feel of the SFT insert, as it varies significantly between the mallet and the blade. I prefer the feel of the Tau over the Alpha, as it has a soft, supple quality that makes good on the promise of responsive, vibration-free feedback. On the Alpha mallet, the SFT insert feels firmer and tinnier, a sensation that is likely related to the acoustics of the open-air frame.

Where the Alpha really excels is on the alignment front, with the two parallel red sightlines framing the ball and offering a vivid sense of directional reference. The frame of the head unfolds as a bright black and silver ribbon, to which the sightlines provide a bold yet complementary contrast. Indoor retail lighting just doesn’t do this putter justice—you need to see it outside to absorb the full effect of the design and its coloration.

The Tau sets up nicely, too, with an elegantly angled flange and a silver bumper that complements the black finish. The plumber’s neck hosel actually angles slightly toward the target, resulting in an unusual amount of offset (see photo and notice how far the leading edge of the shaft is from the leading edge of the face). Offset, of course, is ultimately a matter of personal preference.

The stock grip on the X-Ray putters is excellent on both the tactile and cosmetic fronts. Never Compromise smartly avoided the carnival-like grip designs that seem to be proliferating in the putter industry, opting instead for a clean black with white lettering that doesn’t intrude on the eyes at setup.

The Bottom Line
Never Compromise appears to have a hit on its hands with its new NCX-RAY putters, which offer cutting-edge visuals as well as rock-solid performance. The Tau blade boasts a supple yet responsive feel, while the Alpha mallet excels in matters of alignment. Both putters boast remarkable directional consistency and overall accuracy on miss-hits as well as pure strikes. For $149, the Never Compromise X-Ray putters ultimately deliver serious bang for the buck.
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Monday, May 11, 2009

John Daly Rocks The Heavy Putter

Long John Daly tamed his short game over the weekend as he wielded a Heavy Putter MID-WEIGHT K4 blade en route to finishing tied for second at the European Tour's BMW Italian Open. Daly closed with a 66, prompting him to remark via Twitter, "Funny how they actually start talking about my game and not my pants today."

PutterZone.com has been taking note of the Heavy Putter's sudden rise through the professional ranks, recently observing that "it is starting to gain tour traction." Bernhard Langer used a Heavy Putter protype to win the Champions Tour's Legends of Golf a few weeks ago, while Fabrizio Zanotti used a Heavy Putter to finish second at the Open de Espana last week. Heavy Putter's hot streak continued this week in the hands of Daly. 

John Daly's putter, the Heavy Putter MID-WEIGHT K4 by Boccieri Golf, is pictured above. In an earlier review of the K4 model, PutterZone.com concluded that "it offers traditional beauty with an innovative edge, and will particularly appeal to golfers who seek a 
stabilizing influence on their stroke." 

Meanwhile, the C-Groove pattern on the face of Henrik Stenson's putter was unmistakable under the bright television lights yesterday. Indeed, it was a Yes! C-Groove Donna model that helped Stenson fire a 66 yesterday to win the Player's Championship and $1.7 million. 

In a recent interview with PutterZone.com, Yes! Golf's Blair Philip noted that the company doesn't pay any tour professionals to use its clubs. The proprietary C-Groove face on Yes! putters is designed to impart immediate topspin for a truer roll. Henrik Stenson's putter, the Donna ($229), is a "hybrid" putter in the shape of a blade but with added girth from front to back for enhanced MOI. 
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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Heavy Putter Hot in Europe

Heavy Putter Original B2-M
A week after helping Bernhard Langer win the Champions Tour’s Legends of Golf in partnership with Tom Lehman, the Heavy Putter remained red hot at the European Tour’s Open de Espana, helping Fabrizio Zanotti earn the equivalent of nearly $300,000 as the tournament's runner up. 

Zanotti’s model is the Heavy Putter B2-M (pictured here), which is one of the original Heavy Putter designs. He closed with a 65, and placed in the top ten in putts per GIR and putts per round. In four rounds, he didn’t record a single three-putt. It was his first overall top ten finish since joining the tour in 2007.

Word is that Zanotti switched to the Heavy Putter jus a few weeks ago. So far, so good, apparently. 

There’s a sense here that the Heavy Putter is starting to gain tour traction as well as retail momentum, with the new Heavy Putter MID-WEIGHT models widening the net of consumer appeal. 
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Quick Hit: Nike OZ Putter 2009

Nike OZ Putter 2009
Nike Golf's value-priced OZ series putters have undergone an extreme makeover for 2009, including a new kelly green face insert. Also, two traditionally styled blades now accompany the futuristic OZ mallets. The new Nike OZ 2 blade borrows from the classic softtail design popularized by T.P. Mills. It features a matte black finish with dual sightlines on the crown to assist with squaring the face. The lightweight polymer insert aims to redistribute weight to the perimeters for enhanced forgiveness.  

Sweet
The Nike OZ 2 blade is a true beauty at address, with clean flowing lines and a quiet confidence. Nike avoids the common mistake of cluttering the lower portion of the grip with bright colors and logos, further enhancing the putter's visual calm. The ball rolls sharply off the face. The grip and included head cover do justice to the price point. 

Bittersweet
While the words "polymer insert" typically imply a soft feel, the insert on the new OZ putters is quite firm and clicky. Some will like the edgy green face, while others will find it gaudy. 

Who’s It For?
Golfers on a budget with an arcing stroke and an affinity for the softtail design.

Final Word
The Nike OZ 2 blade delivers solid performance for the price, especially for those who aren't too picky about feel.

Lowdown
Street Price: $99
Head Weight: UTD
Lie Angle: 71 degrees
Loft: 3 degrees
Length: 33 to 35 inches
Toe Hang: Half past 4 o’clock
Material: Cast steel with polymer insert
Included Accessories: Head Cover

Stay tuned for PutterZone.com's comprehensive review of the Nike OZ 2 putter. 
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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

NCX-RAY Putters to Arrive on May 22

Never Compromise X-Ray Beta Putter
It's official: The much-anticipated retail return of Never Compromise begins on May 22 with the release of its new Never Compromise X-Ray putters, a.k.a. NCX-RAY putters. The street price is $149. 

The X-Ray putters are already a familiar sight on the PGA Tour, where seven professionals put them into play at the recent Zurich Classic, including J.B. Holmes and Steve Marino. V.J. Singh has also made the switch to an X-Ray putter. You first heard about these putters here at PutterZone.com back in January

Out of 13 mallet putters recently tested by Hot Stix for Golf Magazine, the Never Compromise X-Ray mallet was the putter that lost the least distance roll on putts struck toward the toe and heel compared to the center. Such high MOI performance was achieved by using an "ultra-lightweight" face material, allowing Never Compromise to relocate 25 percent of the head weight to the extremities. 

The NCX-RAY putters get their name from their translucent dual-density face insert, which employs horizontal ribs embedded in a softer composite material to provide "ultimate dampening yet responsive feedback."

The four models are the Alpha, Beta and Sigma mallets, as well as the Tau blade. 

With the X-Ray putters, Never Compromise appears to have turned up the volume on aesthetics and technology while taking their price down a notch, making them a good fit for these value-oriented times. 
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Monday, May 4, 2009

Lucas Glover's "Secret" Putter

It's getting harder for Nike to keep the worst-kept secret on the putting green these days, as its Nike Victory Red putter keeps showing up atop the leaderboard and, consequently, across your television. 

Of course, the Nike Victory Red putter doesn't officially exist, despite the fact that Lucas Glover was using one yesterday during his near triumph at Quail Hollow. Lucas Glover's putter is the new Nike prototype with a distinctive red face groove pattern that is easily identified under the bright lights of Sunday tournament coverage.

If the putter looked familiar to you, it was because Paul Casey used the same prototype to win the Shell Houston Open four weeks ago. Trevor Immelman has been spotted using a mid-mallet version, too.

Officially, the putter is just a prototype without a name, and Nike remains tight-lipped regarding any details. 

But as PutterZone.com observed recently, evidence is mounting that this new putter will fall under the banner of Victory Red, which is currently limited to Nike's new line of irons and putters.

With Nike apparently phasing out its high-end Unitized putter line, and with its new prototype scrorching the greens on the PGA Tour, don't be surprised if this new creation comes out of the "Oven" (the nickname for Nike's R&D facility) soon to a store near you.
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Friday, May 1, 2009

Win A Payne Stewart SeeMore Putter

PutterZone.com is excited to offer readers a chance to win a commemorative Payne Stewart SeeMore FGP putter as we approach the 10th anniversary of Stewart's epic putting performance to win the 1999 U.S. Open.

Stewart's putter that day was a SeeMore FGP blade. The commemorative putter is a SeeMore FGP crafted from aluminum bronze alloy. The face features an etching of Stewart's classic victory pose, as well as a rendering of his signature and the words "1999 U.S. Open Champion - Pinehurst #2." Only 1,999 of these putters were made, and each putter is numbered. Payne Stewart was a great man as well as a magnificent golfer, and this putter honors his crowning achievement on the golf course. 

You might recall that Zach Johnson also wielded a SeeMore FGP during his major victory at the 2007 Masters. The secret to SeeMore Putter Company's success is its signature RifleScope alignment technology. With the RifleScope system, the shaft visually hides a red dot on the crown, allowing you to achieve a consistent setup and proper alignment. 

Now is your chance to own the putter wielded by two major champions! 

How to Enter / Rules
Simply send an email to sean@putterzone.com with “Payne Stewart Putter” in the subject line. Inside the email, provide answers to the following questions (the answers are above):

1. In what year did Payne Stewart win the U.S. Open with a SeeMore putter?

2. In what year did Zach Johnson win the Masters with a SeeMore putter?

3. What is the name of SeeMore's signature alignment technology?

4. Be sure to also provide the following: Your full name, shipping address and telephone number.

IMPORTANT: Follow the above instructions carefully to ensure qualification. Deadline for entry is noon on May 14, 2009. Contest prize is limited to one putter, which will go to one winner. Sorry, eligibility is limited to residents of the United States and Canada. Only one entry allowed per household. Area codes and zip codes will be monitored to ensure that the proverbial ballot isn’t stuffed. The winner’s provided name, address and phone number must all be legitimate and accurate. Anything less will result in disqualification. Winner’s name will be publicized on PutterZone.com.

Determining The Winner
PutterZone.com will collate all qualifying entries and assemble them into a random order. The entries will then each be assigned a unique number. PutterZone.com will then ask a SeeMore Putter Company representative to randomly select one number within the final number range. The selected number will determine the winner.

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