Power Picks: Best Putters for 2011

PutterZone.com is excited to announce the 2011 PutterZone.com Power Picks, featuring our selections for the best putters of the year as we turn the corner toward 2011.

Over the past year, PutterZone.com has tested and reviewed numerous putters. Our annual Power Picks recognize what we consider the “best of the best” of the putters we have reviewed, based on the factors of performance, craftsmanship, technology, innovation and aesthetics.

We begin today with our Best Putters category, signifying our three favorite putters of the year, along with three honorable mentions. We will continue later this week with our Best Buy putters of the year, signifying those putters that offer the most bang for your putting buck.

BEST PUTTERS FOR 2011

Never Compromise Gambler Putters ($299)

The Never Compromise Gambler putters won’t be officially released for another month, but they already rank among the top of their class. Superior quality? Check. Awesome feel? Check. Amazing looks? Double check. These putters are the total package, and they are poised to generate serious buzz in the first half of the year. Read the PutterZone.com review, and check out The Hacker’s Paradise for more photos.

Nike Method Putters ($250)

Before it was officially released earlier this year, the Nike Method putter made a serious splash by notching two major victories in 2009. Then it made an even bigger splash in 2010, earning its way into the bag of Tiger Woods, who hadn’t switched putters in more than a decade. The hype surrounding the Nike Method putters is warranted, as they combine compelling technology with excellent feel. Read the PutterZone.com review.

Piretti Cottonwood II ($250)

The Piretti Cottonwood II earns high marks for elegantly riffing on the Anser style with a heavier head weight, wider flange and lower loft. This is a putter with a definite point of view, and it will appeal to blade enthusiasts who seek the added confidence of a heavier head and heftier profile. You’d also be hard pressed to find a more gorgeous putter for the price. Read the PutterZone.com review.

Honorable Mentions

Bettinardi BB Putters ($265)

It was a toss up, and the Bettinardi BB putters could have easily made the top three with their exquisite craftsmanship and performance. Bettinardi also has some new putters teed up for 2011 that already sound like candidates for next year’s Power Picks. Read the PutterZone.com review.

SeeMore m7 ($325)

This new offering from SeeMore features a sleek aluminum insert and advances the SeeMore mSeries’ reputation for remarkable quality. The m7 boasts the classic SeeMore look and RifleScope alignment technology, but with a freshly streamlined profile. Read the PutterZone.com review.

TaylorMade Corza Ghost Putter ($159)

On paper, an all-white putter sounds like a mere gimmick—but TaylorMade’s inaugural Ghost putter walks its talk of superior alignment features, and it has become a smash hit in the process. Read the PutterZone.com review.

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Never Compromise Gambler Putter Review

After several years marked by minimal output, Never Compromise is back in a big way with a new line of ultra-premium putters for 2011.

With its new Gambler Limited putters ($299), Never Compromise is clearly betting big on a category—the classic one-piece milled putter category—from which several other companies are currently retreating.

In this context, the “Gambler” motif seems particularly fitting, because it appears that Never Compromise is pushing all of its chips to the center of the table with these putters.

Does Never Compromise know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em? Following is PutterZone.com’s Never Compromise Gambler putter review, with a focus on the Gambler Royal model.

The Storyline

The Gambler Limited putters aren't simply the first high-end putters released by Never Compromise in more than four years—they are, in effect, a reinvention of the brand itself, and they are poised to return Never Compromise to its roots as an elite putter maker.

As Never Compromise’s Adam Sheldon recently told PutterZone.com, “We were inspired by the brand name itself—Never Compromise—to offer a product line in the high-end market. This direction gives golfers exactly what the name stands for, specifically a product that seeks perfection, and a product that does not compromise on quality. And our goal is simple: to make each putter a masterpiece.”

Sheldon added, “The Gambler theme was a way for us to bring some fun, creativity and uniqueness to the market.”

On that note, Never Compromise is going all out on the stylistic attributes of the Gambler Limited putters, each of which enjoys its own individualized design riff on the colorful imagery of a deck of cards.

Additionally, come February, Never Compromise will offer golfers the opportunity to trick out their Gambler putter with numerous personalization options, including custom paint fills, stampings and more.

The Gambler Limited putters are forged from 303 stainless steel, then CNC milled and finally hand polished. According to Sheldon, “The forging process produces greater consistency and quality in the metal, which ultimately enhances feel...I have worked one-on-one with some of the best players, refining shapes and sometimes making limited-quantity product for tour use only. I wanted to share some of that product with the consumer."

There are four models in the Never Compromise Gambler Limited series: (1) the Gambler Royal putter, a heel-toe weighted blade with a crank neck hosel; (2) the Gambler Straight putter, a face-balanced mallet with a double-bend neck; (3) the Gambler Boat putter, a Zing-style, toe-down blade with a crank neck hosel; and (4) the Gambler Flush putter, a toe-down mid mallet.

The head weight of the blades is 340 grams, with the mallets weighing 350 grams. The standard loft on each putter is three degrees, while the lie angle is 70 degrees.

The View from PutterZone.com

Prior to getting my hands on the Never Compromise Gambler Limited putters, I enjoyed a sneak peek at the early promotional photos, and what I saw was so unexpectedly cool that I nearly fell out of my chair.

Needless to say, I had very high expectations for these putters, and I can now report that they didn’t disappoint when I finally got my hands on them.

Indeed, the Gambler Limited putters are beautifully rendered, with a perfect balance of class and whimsy. Better yet, they deliver superior feel with performance to match.

I am focusing this review on the Gambler Royal putter, because that’s the model I’ve spent the most time with on the practice green and golf course. But I’ve been fortunate enough to give all four models a spin, and I can confirm that the other three are equals of the Royal in feel, performance and looks.

Every time I pull the cover off the Royal, it puts a smile on my face with the engraved dancing spades that cascade across the brightly polished sole. The look is luxurious yet playful, with just the right amount of both. Another stylish touch is the vertical engraving of the heart, spade, club and diamond shapes along the front and rear of the hosel in alternating black and red.

Meanwhile, the new Never Compromise “NC” logo is efficient enough to be relatively unobtrusive despite being visible on the face, sole and cavity. An elegant swirling pattern is gently milled across the face. The bumpers are boldly stamped with “Forged” on the heel side and “Royal” on the toe end. The stepped flange and sharp cornering give the head a decidedly sleek look, particularly from the rear view.

It’s safe to say that the Gambler putters are going to open some wallets on looks alone—and that’s before we’ve seen the full suite of customization options that Never Compromise promises to offer on the Gambler Limited putters starting in February.

I must admit that I’m personally a sucker for the whole retro-cool vibe of the Gambler motif. After all who doesn’t want Lady Luck on his or her side when approaching that crucial putt?

Am I making too much of the aesthetics of these putters? Perhaps. But let's face it, a $300 putter is a luxury product that should put a smile on your face in addition to offering superior quality and performance. The all-milled putter category has become a bit stylistically sedate over the years. In that context, Never Compromise is serving notice with these putters, and I wouldn't be surprised to see others step up their creative game as a result.

On the performance front, the feel of the Gambler Royal is as gorgeous as the putter itself. I would describe it as pliant and plump, with a crisp resonance in the hands and ears for sophisticated feedback. As such, it deftly splits the difference between firm and soft, with a good dollop of both. It's worth noting that if you prefer a super-soft feel in your putter, you may want to look elsewhere.

Anecdotally, I’ve enjoyed great results with the Gambler Royal. It gives me a consistent roll with reliable distance control, and it just seems to fit my game like a glove. Part of my results could be related to the fact that I really like practicing with this putter, because the sweet spot is so rewarding, and because I simply enjoy its attractive company.

There’s nothing particularly special or out-of-the-box about the upper profile of the putter, but it certainly looks sufficiently sharp and confident at address. The offset is full, and the shaft doesn’t lean in either direction, which keeps the optical presentation on the straight and narrow.

The white Gambler Limited head cover is a joy to behold, with the playing card symbols embroidered on one side and the Gambler Limited logo on the other. The playing card symbols are also subtly imprinted along the underside of the cover. It gives off a retro Vegas vibe that just looks smooth sticking out of the bag. My only quibble is that I would have preferred a magnetic closure to the Velcro closure.

I find the use of the Winn AVS as the stock grip to be a bit uninspired. The Winn AVS is a rather commonplace grip, and is often found on less expensive putters. The good news is that the grip is easy to replace, and I personally think that a white Iomic grip would look utterly righteous as a perfect complement to the white head cover.

The Bottom Line

The Never Compromise Gambler Royal putter hits the jackpot in matters of both style and substance. The feel of the putter is magnificent, offering vivid feedback for enhanced performance. Better yet, it is simply one of the coolest looking sticks on the market. If you are looking for the total package in a putter, you can’t go wrong with Gambler Royal or other Gambler models.

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The Greenside: Gamblers and Legends

PutterZone.com's extensive preview series on the new Never Compromise Gambler putters continues with the latest episode of The Greenside radio show, in collaboration with The Hacker's Paradise.

The Greenside airs on The Hacker's Paradise and is available for download via iTunes. The latest episode features an in-depth overview the Gambler Limited putters, with hosts Josh (The Hacker's Paradise) and Sean (PutterZone.com) both agreeing that these putters are phenomenal in both feel and looks, and are ultimately some of the most exciting sticks to hit the retail market in years.

The show also touches on a bit of controversy with regard to the new Scotty Cameron Casanova putter, which features the same playing card motif as the Gambler putters. Strange coincidence or brazen imitation?

Lastly, the latest episode revisits the question: Who belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of putter makers? After considerable listener input, some hard choices are made, but not without a larger nod to the many worthy candidates.

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First Look: Never Compromise Gambler Models

Never Compromise is set to release its new Gambler Limited putters in early 2011, and PutterZone.com has the first exclusive peek at each of the four models in the series.

As reported in yesterday’s interview with Never Compromise’s Adam Sheldon, the Gambler Limited putters are forged and milled from stainless steel to achieve “masterpiece” quality. Forging refines the grain structure of the metal for enhanced feel while milling ensures absolute precision and consistency in the finished putter.

Each Never Compromise Gambler putter boasts its own unique visual riff on the Gambler motif, with playing card icons such as spades and hearts engraved along brightly polished soles. The face and cavity feature the new streamlined Never Compromise logo.

Following is an overview of the four models in the Never Compromise Gambler Limited putter series:

Never Compromise Gambler Royal Putter

The Royal is a classic plumber’s neck, heel-toe blade design featuring artwork of the spade symbol from a deck of cards engraved into the sole.

Never Compromise Gambler Flush Putter

The Flush is a heel-shafted mallet (toe-down) that features the artwork of the clubs symbol engraved into the sole.

Never Compromise Gambler Boat Putter

The Boat has a plumber’s neck hosel on a classic blade design. The heel and toe flanges flow into one another, creating a soft visual of heel-toe weighting. The sole has all of the suits from a deck of cards engraved around the Gambler logo.

Never Compromise Gambler Straight Putter

The Straight is a face-balanced, heel-shafted mallet that features all of the suits from a deck of cards engraved around the Gambler logo but positioned to complement the shape of the putter.

P.S. Would you like to own one of these new Never Compromise Gambler putters? Stay tuned at PutterZone.com for an exclusive giveaway contest in the days ahead!

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Never Compromise Gambler Putter Interview

As reported recently by PutterZone.com, Never Compromise is poised to reinvent itself with the upcoming launch of its Gambler Limited putters—a set of four forged and milled ultra-premium putters that aim for “masterpiece” quality.

Toward that end, production and distribution of the new putters will be limited. Each putter will be marked with a unique serial number and a certificate of authenticity. Unprecedented customization and personalization options will also be offered. The base cost of the putters is $299 (stay tuned tomorrow for an exclusive overview of each model on PutterZone.com).

PutterZone.com was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at the new Never Compromise putters, and we were really impressed with both their style and substance. Trust us, these putters aren’t just another sedate entry into the high-end putter market—they are a shot across the bow of the entire milled category.

The Gambler putters are nothing like Never Compromise’s earlier forays into the $250+ price range, such as the Exchange Series and Milled Series putters. Nor do they remotely resemble Never Compromise’s most recent line—the futuristic $149 NCX-RAY putters that reestablished Never Compromise’s retail relevance last year, but which also seemed to cause a bit of a brand identity crisis.

But the identity crisis is clearly over, and Never Compromise appears poised to not only to recapture its original mojo, but also to take the brand to unprecedented heights of quality and style.

PutterZone.com recently spoke with Adam Sheldon, the man and mind behind the creation of the Gambler Limited putters. Following is our exclusive interview:

The Never Compromise brand seems to be heading in a new direction—can you describe this direction and what inspired it?

We were inspired by the brand name itself—Never Compromise—to offer a product line in the high-end market. This direction gives golfers exactly what the name stands for, specifically a product that seeks perfection, and a product that does not compromise on quality. And our goal is simple: to make each putter a masterpiece.

What is the driving idea behind the Never Compromise Gambler putters?

Over the years, we have created thousands of putters for professional players all over the world. I have worked one-on-one with some of the best players refining shapes and sometimes making limited-quantity product for tour use only. I wanted to share some of that product with the consumer. With the new Gambler series, we will only manufacture a limited quantity of putters, but these putters will be made using the best materials and the best manufacturing processes available. The Gambler theme was a way for us to bring some fun, creativity and uniqueness to the market. Over the next few years you will see a number of ‘one-off’ limited artworks designed into the product so that every shape and every putter has its own unique attitude.

Who are these putters for?

These putters are for golfers of all levels who are looking for classic styles with a modern design. Next year we will launch a personalization section to our website which will allow customers to add their own personal touch to the product. Putters are personal and we want to give everyone the same freedom in design as the touring pros.

What sets them apart from other ultra-premium milled putters?

These putters have an attitude. They are modern in design but display craftsmanship and uniqueness. We have spared no expense. These putters hold some of the tightest tolerances in the industry. They are also machined from a forging which has been shaped to allow directional grain flow into the hosel, which gives these putters an unprecedented feel. Also, the putters will only be made in small quantities, which really separates us from the mass-produced products in the marketplace.

You forge the metal before milling it—can you explain this process in more detail, and what it brings to the putter in terms of feel and/or performance?

As we discussed earlier, we want to give the golfer his own masterpiece and this forging process produces greater consistency and quality in the metal. Forging is a metal forming process, which by applying a suitable compressive force, helps refine the grain structure and improve physical properties of the metal, which ultimately enhances feel. Once we create the forging, we CNC machine the shape within ½ of a thousand of an inch. To give you an example how small that is, it is 1/6 the thickness of a piece of paper. Once the part has been machined we hand polish it, refining the shape to give each putter beautiful lines at address. Afterwards, it’s off to paint fill where we hand paint all of the cosmetics and personalization.

How did the “Gambler” motif come about?

Through a lot of creative time over the course of the past year! We love sketching and creating new artwork. It’s a daily process here and the logo we chose really matched the theme of the series and gave the product an added touch of class.

What custom options are available, and how does the golfer go about ordering those options?

We will have a number of custom options for this product line, which will be a big part of our new website launch. You will see multiple grips, length, lie, paint fill and personalization options.

Thanks, Adam. Stay tuned tomorrow for an exclusive overview of each model in the Never Compromise Gambler Series putters.

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Cool Golf Gifts and Stocking Stuffers

Here we are—exactly two weeks before Christmas, and most of us are still scrambling around, looking for the perfect gifts while trying to keep a lid on the credit card.

Well have no fear, because PutterZone.com has you covered with the following recommended affordable stocking stuffers for the golfer(s) in your life:

Rule 21 Towel ($12)

Our longtime favorite golf towel just got better, as the Rule Twentyone by Rule Golf (pictured above) has been enhanced with the addition of a quick-release clip. So now, in addition to stuffing the towel in your back pocket, you can also clip it to your belt or bag. This small portable towel is the ultimate choice for cleaning your ball or putter around the green. You simply moisten the soft interior of the towel prior to your round for easy cleaning. Meanwhile, the waterproof exterior protects your pants and keeps your hands dry. Pure genius, and a remarkable value at $12.

Golfdotz ($5.99 for 24 Dotz)

Golfdotz are another perennial PutterZone.com favorite. These ultra-cool, durable golf ball tattoos enable you to mark your ball in style. Natalie Gulbis, Rory Sabbatini and Bubba Watson are among the tour professionals who have embraced Golfdotz. Among the latest designs are an aces playing card, football helmet and pink martini glass. Applying Golfdotz is easy, and they can take a beating, too.

Forrrre! Card Game ($9.99)

This new card game is perfect for after-meal holiday revelry. You need to play it a few times to get the hang of the rules, but after that it's quite easy and always entertaining. Sure, there’s some luck involved, but what makes it really fun is the opportunity to take your brother-in-law out with a timely “lightning strike” or sneaky gopher while enjoying the benefits of drawing the cart girl. Find it on Amazon.

Performance Golf Stats for iPhone (99 Cents)

You can't stuff this item into a stocking (unless, that is, you plan on sticking an iPhone or iPod Touch into the stocking as well), but you can gift it to any iPhone or Touch user. This nifty app allows you to easily track your golf performance on an ongoing basis. Would you like to see your rate of birdies to bogeys? Want to track your average putts per hole? It's all here. But this app is not just for stats geeks. For example, the "Rounds Played" tab simply tracks your rounds by course, date and score, enabling you to monitor your progress over any period of time. Best of all, this app costs less than a small cup of coffee at Starbucks.

SeeMore Poker Chip Ball Markers ($10 for Set of Five)

The SeeMore Putter Company—maker of some of the world’s finest putters—now offers a set of affordable branded poker chips to help you mark your spot on the green. These chips just feel great in the hands, and they look cool, too. Plus, they are just large enough to not get lost in your pocket. In other words, no emptying your pockets in search of that dime under the impatient glares of your partners.

Puttle ($15.95)

Puttle is an inventive game that combines the fun of bowling with the challenge of putting, enabling you to improve your stroke along the way. The Puttle kit includes a Dixon Earth golf ball, three small wooden pins and easy-to-follow rules, making it fun for the entire family.

Cleveland Classic Black Platinum Putters ($79)

The Cleveland Classic is now back in black with the new Black Platinum model. While the finish is new, the remarkable price tag remains the same. Simply put, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better putter for the price. You might also consider the Cleveland Classic BRZ putter ($89), which offers the same performance, but with a copper-infused insert and a stunning bronze finish.

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Insider Interview: Ashdon Putters

Ashdon Golf was founded in 2004 by Ron Pritchett, a professional golf instructor and life member of the PGA of America. "After teaching thousands of people about putting, I said to myself that there had to be a better way to help people make more putts," Ron says. He consequently created two putters with unique hosel connections, specifically the Bermuda Triangle and Round-A-Bout putters.

According to Ron, he applied "simple engineering to the putter...by widening the hosel with the shape of a triangle or a circle." He was thus able "to balance the putter head and give the golfer more control and stability during the putting stroke...If you have a putter with a wider connection you will putt better, it’s just that simple.”

Following is PutterZone.com's interview with Ron Pritchett of Ashdon Golf:

What are the core unique selling points of Ashdon putters?

By widening the hosel of the putter across the top of the putter head through the shape of a triangle or a circle, the putter head is stabilized during the swing. So instead of the toe rotating around the heel during the swing, the toe—with the added circle or triangle connection to the heel—swings with the heel, keeping the face square to the target line. As an added bonus, the center of gravity is higher, which creates a true roll every time the ball is hit. Additionally, since the connection is much wider, the MOI is increased by approximately 78 percent. Through simple engineering, our putters allow the golfer to putt better with more confidence.

How did you first conceive your heel-toe connection design?

As a golfer, I was like everyone else. When I would swing my traditional-style putter, it would open and close like a door or a gate. The odds of squaring the face of the putter back to my intended line were ‘slim and none,’ because as with all golfers, my tempo would change with each swing. I would push and pull putts all the time, and I would leave the face open or closed most of the time.

I was a tennis player in the seventies, and when the tennis company Prince took the racquet and widened the connection of the racquet, it completely changed how the racquet performed. I realized that the same concept should work on a putter. and it did.

The two strongest forms of stability in the engineering world are a triangle and a circle, so by applying either of these two forms of structure to the putter head, it stabilizes the putter so the golfer can have a better opportunity to make more putts.

Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Ashdon Golf and how is has grown in recent years?

Ashdon Golf is named after my two children Ashley and Brandon. Five years ago, no one had heard of Ashdon Golf, and now we get emails and calls from people all over the country looking for our putters. They will call or email me thank-you notes for developing such a great putter, either the Bermuda Triangle T-180 putter or one of the Roundabout putters. I tell people that I am not reinventing the wheel, but just balancing the putter a little better.

If you can play a round of golf and knock off two strokes per side by eliminating three-putting and by making that extra three footer, you are improving your game just because of better equipment. That is the mission of Ashdon Golf.

During the course of the last five years, I have developed six models that have been nationally ranked ‘Best of the Best’ and ‘Number One’ in the United Sates. All of our putters have been played on the PGA Tours, including the Champions Tour and the LPGA Tour.

Do you have any new putters in the works--if so, can you give us a sneak peek?

I have a new putter patent that is pending and will once again improve a golfer’s game based on simple engineering. Golfers have been asking me for years when we would also come out with woods and irons. So, in the past year and a half, I have developed new woods with redesigned technology in the shaft which gives the golfer more control and distance. I also have a patent pending on new irons that will be coming out by the end of 2011.

The woods are now available in 9.5 degree, 10.5 degree, and 12 degree lofts with various shaft flexes to fit the individual golfer. The irons are to follow. I have also designed new golf bags, gloves, and a golf ball called the ‘SSD’, which stands for ‘Super Soft,’ ‘Super Spin,’ and ‘Super Distance.’ These should be available by the spring of 2011.

Thanks, Ron!

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Exclusive: Peterson Fine Mill Liberty Putter

One of the most righteous-looking putters we’ve ever seen was officially unveiled today—the limited-edition Liberty putter by Peterson Fine Mill.

We actually got a sneak peek at this putter 11 months ago while touring the milling shop of proprietor Kevin Peterson in San Diego County. While Kevin is the picture of humility, he has actually been a major, if relatively anonymous, force in the high-end milled putter category for more than a decade, helping produce putters for several familiar brands.

Several years back Kevin had an idea for something new—a line of limited-edition, finely milled putters featuring custom artwork on the face. After coming up with the initial design and concept, it took him three years to perfect his vision and introduce his own line. His website was just launched this morning (PetersonFineMill.com) with his first piece, the Peterson Fine Mill Liberty putter.

As we saw with our own eyeballs back in January, the detail work on the Liberty putter is truly stunning, with artful renderings of Old Glory, the Statue of Liberty, the American bald eagle and the magnificent words of the U.S. Constitution: “We the people…”

But there’s also considerable substance to go along with the putter’s remarkable style. As Kevin states, "Our first goal was to make sure that we had the very best performance putter to use for the base of our artwork…Though our pieces are likely to be seen in a display case more often that the green, they would nonetheless rival any professional model being used today.”

So how can you buy a Liberty putter and what is the cost? Well, that remains to be seen. They're not joking when they call it a "limited edition." So for now, you'll just have to contact Kevin through his web site.

Stay tuned to PutterZone.com for more details on the Peterson Liberty putter.

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The End of Yes! Putters?

In a vivid sign of the times, Yes! Golf, maker of the C-Groove putter, has filed for bankruptcy.

We're not lawyers here, but the bankruptcy proceedings seem to be signaling the end of Yes! putters, at least for now. The company owes $2 million and is liquidating its assets.

Of course, the brand could be acquired and revived at a later date. The Yes! web site alludes to "a potential change of ownership." But why would a pending new owner wait for the company's assets to be liquidated before taking over?

Yes! is far from alone in struggling amid an increasingly competitive equipment market that is also facing a challenging economy. Slotline and other putter makers have gone quiet recently, and we wouldn't be surprised to hear of more shuttered doors in the year ahead.

At PutterZone.com, we consider this a sad day. We made friends with the folks at Yes! over the years, and they made numerous fine putters, including the standout Yes! Dawn putter. They will be missed in the marketplace.

The concern here is that the putter market is losing its middle ground and stratifying into two extreme categories: big global brands and independent artisans.

We love the artisans, but they are often out of reach of the average recreational golfer in matters of price and availability. And there's nothing wrong with the global brands, either—in fact, some of the finest putters in recent years have come from the big boys.

That said, we are also fans of the Davids as well as the Goliaths, the up-and-coming companies that have enough resources to forge a strong retail presence, and who bring diversity and innovation to the broad market.

Who will replace Yes! Golf, Slotline Putters and, possibly, the next mid-level putter brand to go by the wayside?

Unfortunately, the answer may be a long time coming.

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A New Chapter in Tiger's Putting Saga

In a wild finish, with Tiger Woods losing a four-shot lead for the first time in a final round, it was Graeme McDowell who sunk the clutch putt in overtime to seal the victory at the Chevron World Challenge.

As reported here earlier this year, Graeme McDowell’s putter is an Odyssey White Hot #7. Meanwhile, interest remains high in the Nike Method putter that Woods rode to near victory before faltering with it early on Sunday. Tiger Woods’ latest putter is the Nike Method 003 model, the third putter he has put into tournament play this year. More on this putter below.

This latest chapter in the Tiger Woods putter saga proved to be a fitting end to his 2010 season. Everyone is still trying to figure out how deep of a hole Woods is trying to climb out of, and that question remains unanswered heading into 2011.

His performance at the Chevron certainly bodes well, but winning—not contending—remains the goal (his) and expectation (ours, or at least most of us) of Tiger Woods. And we still don’t know how long we’ll have to wait for that.

Much is being made of Woods' "new" full swing under the guidance of instructor Sean Foley. But what's interesting about Tiger Woods' new putter is that it, too, swings differently than the Anser-style blade putter he has used for more than a decade.

Some are fond of saying that it's the "puttee" and not the "putter" that makes the difference. That's largely, but not entirely, true. Otherwise, why would a player of Woods' caliber bother switching at all? With all of the change he's been going through, it's hard to imagine that he would pile on a putter switch just for fun.

Tiger Woods' new putter, the Nike Method 003, is a heel-shafted mid mallet. Woods said recently that this putter encourages him to "release" the head through impact. Click here for our earlier story on what that means.

Simply put, the heel-shafted Method 003 putter has a steeper "toe hang" than the Anser-style putter Woods has used in the past. It therefore performs differently, with more of a swinging-gate sensation through the stroke. Woods has always talked about the importance of releasing the putter through impact, and he's now apparently trying to recapture that mechanical move by changing the balance of his putter.

In other words, it doesn't sound like Woods is trying to develop a new putting stroke. Rather, it seems that he has switched putters in an effort to regain his old putting stroke.

And so the Tiger Woods putter saga continues. It will be interesting to see what's in his bag, and what he does with it, in the new year ahead.

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About Tiger Woods' New Putter

Heading into the weekend at the Chevron World Challenge, Tiger Woods is playing his best tournament golf in more than a year, and he’s doing it with a new putter—the Nike Method 003 mid mallet.

Needless to say, interest in Tiger Woods’ new putter is soaring, and since we’ve been following Woods’ putter saga since the British open, it now behooves us to take a closer look at the Nike Method 003 putter and what it means to Woods’ game.

The backstory is that Woods wielded the same Scotty Cameron Newport 2 blade for more than a decade, a period during which he won nearly all of his major tournaments. But at this year’s British Open, Woods switched to the Nike Method 001 putter, citing the slow greens at St. Andrews. Click here for PutterZone.com’s earlier story on why the Method technology can be perceived as a good fit for slower greens.

Woods famously switched back to the Cameron halfway through the British Open, and that was allegedly the end of the story. That is, until Woods broke out the Nike Method 003 putter at the Australian Masters last week, again citing slow greens.

Many assumed that he would switch back to his trusty Cameron upon returning to the not-so-slow greens at the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. Yet not only did he stick with the Method 003, he’s been on fire with it over the past two days.

Apparently, we can put to rest the absurd notion that Tiger was simply toying around with the Method putter to give Nike some free publicity in gratitude for the company’s loyalty to him throughout his recent troubles. And we can also conclude that there’s more madness to his Method than “slow greens.”

In fact, Woods tipped his hand the other day by noting that the Nike Method 003 helps him release the blade through the ball.

This would more plainly explain why he’s not using the Method 001, which is nearly a replica in shape and balance of his Cameron putter. If it was simply a matter of green speed, the Nike Method 001 putter would certainly suffice.

But what Woods now seems to be seeking is a sensation of more toe weight, as rendered by the Method 003’s heel-shafted design. When a putter is shafted directly at the heel, it has a balance with more “toe hang,” and putters with toe hang favor an arcing putter stroke (as opposed to straight back and straight through). Click here for more information on putter balance and its relation to the stroke.

So when Woods talks about the Method 003 helping him release the putter head, it means that he wants to feel more rotation of the head through impact, to ensure that he doesn’t block the ball or otherwise get “stuck.”

Our conclusion is that Woods is aiming to recapture his natural stroke. He’s been fighting his putter all year, and his putting mojo got lost along the way. So for now he has switched to a putter with a difference balance, one that offers more rotational force through the ball.

The thinking behind this can, in fact, be found in the instructional book that Woods published 10 years ago, in which he wrote: “Some players are so desperate to avoid pushes and pulls that they shove the putter head down the target line, keeping the club face dead square from start to finish. It’s a very unnatural action. It doesn’t do much to provide square contact, and it’s almost impossible to impart the right speed consistently.”

It reminds us of the old cliché: the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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Tiger Woods Sticks with Nike Method Putter

Word from the Chevron World Challege is that Tiger Woods is sticking with the Nike Method 003 putter for a second consecutive tournament after adding it to his bag at the Australian Masters.

As the Associated Press reports, "Woods also has stuck with the Nike putter he used in Australia, with the shaft in the heel to help him release the blade through the ball. He made it sound as though he was ditching the putter that brought him 13 majors.

'It's permanent for this week,' he said."

First, Woods cited slow greens in Australia (and earlier, at the British Open) for his allegedly temporary use of the Nike Method putter. Now it sounds like he's embracing the deeper toe hang of the Method 003 putter as well.

As PutterZone.com readers know, we've been following Woods' putter saga like an episode of "As The Putter World Turns." We don't care what happened on Thanksgiving last year, but we are always very curious about what's in his bag, particularly after he used the same Scotty Cameron putter for more than 10 years, and with people saying not long ago that he'd never part with it. What a difference a year makes, eh?

If you'd like to get caught up on Tiger Woods' putter saga, which began at the British Open, click here for our Tiger Woods Nike putter thread.

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Inside Scoop: Never Compromise Gambler Putters

Armed with “a new attitude and a new direction,” Never Compromise is poised to unveil a new line of putters that promises to take the brand to the next level—and PutterZone.com has the inside scoop:

The ultra-premium forged and milled Never Compromise Gambler Limited putters will be officially revealed in January, and they are just the beginning of what the company says is a new era for Never Compromise—including a new logo and a new website that will launch in January prior to the PGA Show.

In other words, “new” is clearly the rallying cry for Never Compromise in 2011.

A source at the company tells us the following: “We were inspired by the brand name itself—Never Compromise—to offer a product line in the high-end market. This direction gives golfers exactly what the name stands for, specifically a product that seeks perfection, and a product that does not compromise on quality. And our goal is simple: to make each putter a masterpiece.”

Toward that end, production and distribution of the new putters will be limited. Each putter will be marked with a unique serial number and a certificate of authenticity. Further details are under wraps for now.

Our source tells us, “Over the years, Never Compromise has created thousands of putters for professional players all over the world, and we work one-on-one with some of the best players, refining shapes and sometimes making limited-quantity product for tour use only. We wanted to share some of that product with the consumer.”

Stay tuned to PutterZone.com for additional exclusive insights into the Never Compromise Gambler Limited putters in the weeks ahead.

P.S. Another putter designer recently released a special-edition putter featuring a similar playing card motif, two months after a photo of the Gambler Series putters was leaked. Coincidence or conspiracy? Inquiring minds want to know!

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