Sneak Peek: Never Compromise Connoisseur Putters

At this rate, Never Compromise will soon need to enlist Dos Equis' "Most Interesting Man in The World" as its pitchman.

Indeed, Never Compromise's year began with the release of the striking new Gambler Limited putters, followed by the release of the Dinero Limited putters.

Now come the Never Compromise Connoisseur putters, as seen in the accompanying tour van exclusive photo as well as below. Details on the Connoisseur putters are very slim at the moment, but we expect them to be forged and milled, just like their predecessors.

The Connoisseur line consists of four models: the Portofino heel-toe weighted blade; the Robusto classic blade; the Culebra Zing-style blade; and the Perfecto mallet.

At first glance, we won't be surprised if the Robusto grows wings and literally flies off the shelves.

Gambler, Dinero, Connoisseur...The names alone make us want to put on a smoking jacket, light a Cuban cigar and hit the green. Stay tuned at PutterZone.com for updates on the new Never Compromise Connoisseur putters.

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PING's New Balancing Act

PING Golf is making headlines with a new putter app for the iPhone, as well as a new line of putters dedicated to the company's iconic putter model, the Anser. But it's something beyond the headlines that really caught our attention amid PING's latest announcements.

Indeed, PING's new Anser putter line will be the first to clearly identify its putters with fitting recommendations based on the golfer's stroke type: Straight, Slight Arc and Strong Arc.

These designations correspond to the balance of each putter in the line, and more specifically to the degree of toe hang (or lack thereof) of each model. For example, the face-balanced Anser putter will be designated Straight, while the one that hangs full "toe down" will be marked Strong Arc. Putters with less severe toe hang will carry the Slight Arc designation.

Meanwhile, the optional iPhone app is designed to help measure and identify the golfer's stroke type, as well as tempo and face angle at impact. The app is free, but you need a $30 cradle to attach your iPhone to the putter shaft (stay tuned for PutterZone.com's PING putter app review).

But even without the app, PING is doing golfers a great service by drawing attention to a fundamental aspect of putter fitting and, more important, communicating it in terms the golfer can easily understand.

As noted in the new putter fitting guide Putter Perfection by PutterZone.com editor Sean Weir, "A 'face-balanced' putter will generally appeal to golfers who employ a more straight-back-and-straight-through putting stroke, while a putter with 'toe hang' will generally appeal to those with an arcing stroke."

Now, with its new jargon-free designations, PING is poised to help golfers better understand the concept of putter balance and, more important, easily choose a putter that fits their stroke.

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Fitting Exposure for Putter Perfection

We are pleased to share that Golf Digest is turning the spotlight this week on Putter Perfection, the new putter fitting guide by PutterZone.com editor Sean Weir.

In the latest article in the "New Stuff" section of GolfDigest.com, writer John Strege observes, "There are any number of books on putting, but here's one on putter fitting." He adds, "Weir has devoted an entire book (albeit a short one, 96 pages) to setting golfers on the right path."

Strege's piece also references an earlier Golf Digest article titled, "Why Your Putter Hates You," which claims that "at best, one in four golfers are using the right putter...and that's mostly by luck."

When it comes to putters and putting, luck is overrated. You don't want to leave that crucial five-footer to chance. You want to wield a putter that fits, and that therefore puts you in the best position to sink the putt.

There's a misconception among average golfers that putter fitting is complicated or expensive or otherwise intimidating.

But the truth is that it has never been easier to find a better fit for better results. Indeed, personal putter fitting options such as length, loft and lie angle are being offered by more and more putter makers right at the point of purchase.

You just need to understand these options and what they signify, so that you can take advantage of them. The bottom line is that it's never too late to begin your putter fitting journey.

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Jason Day's Putter: The New Ghost Spider

While Rory McIlroy wrote the U.S. Open headlines over the weekend, another young rising star, Jason Day, ripped off a wicked stretch of 45 consecutive bogey-free holes to claim second place.

Along the way, Day aired a veritable television commercial for an unmistakable new putter—the TaylorMade Ghost Spider mallet, which is officially being announced today as a retail offering. Talk about great timing for TaylorMade.

According to TaylorMade, the Ghost Spider “combines the head construction, size and high MOI of the Monza Spider with the white alignment benefits of the Corza Ghost.”

When TaylorMade’s new Ghost line was met with both retail fanfare and tour success last year, we presumed that TaylorMade’s Spider line had been mothballed. The Spider Vicino and Spider Balero putters failed to build upon the momentum of the original Spider putters. Meanwhile, the Ghost putters seemed to have eclipsed the Spider line altogether.

But TaylorMade says that several tour professionals requested “ghosted” Spider prototypes, and thus the new hybrid was born. As with the original Spider, the Ghost Spider features TaylorMade’s Moveable Weight Technology for personal head weight customization. It also features TaylorMade’s new Pure Roll surlyn insert. The white finish of the Ghost Spider and other Ghost putters is designed to heighten visual contrast with the green for improved alignment.

The TaylorMade Ghost Spider putter costs $179, and is expected to be available during the first week of July. Stay tuned for PutterZone.com’s TaylorMade Ghost Spider putter review.

P.S. The Ghost Spider is one of many putters you can purchase that are exactly the same as those used on the professional circuits—but with one distinct difference: the professionals are fanatical about putter fitting. Check out Putter Perfection by PutterZone.com editor Sean Weir to learn about how you can take simple steps to achieve a better fit for better results on the green.

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Rory McIlroy's Putter: Cameron Newport

Rory McIlroy is off to a wicked start at the U.S. Open, holding a seven-shot lead midway through the second round as of this writing.

Rory McIlroy's putter is a Titleist Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS prototype, which is a classic Anser-style blade. This putter represents a switch from the Cameron Fastback prototype mid mallet that McIlroy wielded at the 2011 Masters, and that he used to win the Quail Hollow Championship last year.

Another interesting note: McIlroy stands at five feet, 10 inches, which is the average male height. However, his putter is 33 inches long, which is shorter than the so-called standard 35- and 34-inch putters that are predominant in retail outlets.

This is yet another example of how the professionals are careful to make sure that their putters are fit to their individual physique and stroke. For the professionals, there is no such thing as a "standard" putter, because they can't afford to be careless about how their putter fits.

Can McIlroy maintain his momentum and deliver a Tiger-like beatdown of the U.S. Open field with his new putter in hand, or will he fade down the stretch with shades of Augusta? Stay tuned.

P.S. For more information on how you can take some simple steps for a better fit and better results on the green, check out Putter Perfection by PutterZone.com editor Sean Weir.

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Never Compromise Dinero Putter Review

Shortly after Never Compromise released its new Dinero Limited putters, David Toms promptly put one into play and racked up more than $2 million in earnings within a two-week period. If you’re going to call your putter “Dinero,” you couldn’t have dreamed up a better publicity stunt.

The Dinero Limited line is a fitting successor to the Gambler Limited putters that boldly ushered in a new era for Never Compromise earlier this year.

Like the Gambler putters, the Dinero putters ($299) are forged from 303 stainless steel prior to being precision milled and hand polished. According to Never Compromise, “The forging process produces greater consistency and quality in the metal, which ultimately enhances feel.”

The Dinero line is composed of four models: the Dinero Mogul, a heel-shafted mid mallet; Dinero Exec, an Anser-style blade with a plumber's neck hosel; Dinero Baron, a heel-toe weighted blade with a slant-neck hosel; and the Dinero Tycoon, a classic snub-toe blade with swan-neck hosel.

The putters come with a stock lie angle of 70 degrees and a loft of three degrees, but Never Compromise offers a full suite of putter fitting and paintfill options with its cutting-edge “My Custom Putter” platform. Ordering a custom putter adds $50 to the price, which is quite fair considering all that you get.

Some acute similarities are noted between the Gambler and Dinero putters. For example, the Dinero Mogul is very similar to the Gambler Flush, while the Dinero Baron is a slant-neck riff on the Gambler Royal. The Tycoon and Exec models, however, are entirely new.

The Dinero putters also extend Never Compromise’s aesthetic winning streak, with a black-and-gold color motif and whimsical dancing money signs that cascade across the sole of each putter.

So, are these putters ultimately worth your dinero? Tune into PutterZone.com's Never Compromise Dinero putter review, in conjunction with our friends at Golfland Warehouse:

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Get Fit for Success

Are you fit for success on the green? That's the question asked by a new article authored by PutterZone.com editor Sean Weir for the golf division of About.com.

The article delves into the benefits of putter fitting, and how the average golfer can reap these benefits like never before: "The good news is that more and more putter companies are offering expanded putter fitting options at the point of purchase, particularly with online orders."

Indeed, the choices in personal fitting options have never been more robust or more accessible, with several companies now offering a range of choices for loft, lie, length, grip size and more.

However, "such options are meaningless if you don't understand what they signify and how you can apply them for a better fit."

Click here to read the full story on About.com.

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Harrison Frazar's Putter: Odyssey Sabertooth

Harrison Frazar fended off Robert Karlsson in overtime to win the St. Jude Classic on Sunday, and to secure his first PGA Tour victory in 355 tournaments.

Harrison Frazar's putter is an Odyssey White Hot XG Sabertooth mallet with an oversized SuperStroke grip.

Just seven days ago, we reported on the White Hot line's red-hot success on tour over the past year, and now it's already back in winner's circle. Like last week's PGA Tour victor, Steve Stricker, Frazar is a Titleist staffer who prefers to wield an older Odyssey putter.

The Odyssey Sabertooth is distinguished by its multi-layer face insert, outer fangs and inner "aiming channel" alignment feature. While the White Hot XG version is no longer in production, the Sabertooth remains a central model in Odssey's newer White Ice line.

As for the SuperStroke grip on Frazer's putter, it's similar to the one popularized by K.J. Choi. SuperStroke grips aim to relax the hands, inhibit wrist breakdown and engage the shoulders for a smoother, more consistent putting stroke.

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Bettinardi Studio Stock Putter Review

Designer Robert Bettinardi belongs in any conversation about the world’s elite putter designers, and his latest line of Studio Stock putters aims to broaden the golfer's access to some of his finest works.

Indeed, while the Studio Stock putters were previously only available at Bettinardi’s own fitting studio or through the Bettinardi web site, but the new 2011 models have been released for sale via select retailers.

The 2011 Studio Stock putters are precision milled in the U.S.A. from what Bettinardi calls a fusion of soft carbon steel and “special ingredients” for enhanced feel. But perhaps the real calling card of the new line is the exquisite "Borealis Black" finish, which boasts a luxurious rainbow-like quality when the light hits it just right.

Each Studio Stock putter features Bettinardi’s patented F.I.T. face (for Feel Impact Technology), whereby grooves are milled into the face of the putter to reduce the surface contact area for a softer sensation at impact. The head weight of the Studio Stock putters is 345 grams, and the length, loft and lie angle are customizable. Such putter fitting options are boon to the golfer who seeks a precise fit for better results.

The 2011 models are:

Bettinardi Studio Stock #5 putter: An Anser-style blade with a longer hosel for less toe hang, to accommodate a wider range of putting strokes.

Bettinardi Studio Stock #6 putter: A traditional heel-shafted, three-quarter toe hang blade that foregoes alignment markers for a clean, classic look.

Bettinardi Studio Stock #7 putter (pictured above): A half-moon mallet putter with a semi-circle cutout in the flange, originating from a Bettinardi tour prototype.

Bettinardi Studio Stock #5 putter: A snub-nosed blade with a raised toe profile and heel-toe weighting.

Do the new Bettinardi Studio Stock putters deliver on their rather hefty $375 price tag? Tune into the following Bettinardi Studio Stock putter review by PutterZone.com, in conjunction with our friends at GolflandWarehouse.com.

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Steve Stricker's Putter: Odyssey White Hot #2

Steve Stricker survived an up-and-down weekend and a rain delay to win the Memorial tournament by one stroke. Stricker birdied six of the first nine holes on Sunday, but needed some clutch putts on the back nine to secure the victory.

Steve Stricker's putter is an Odyssey White Hot #2 putter, a Zing-style blade with a short goose-neck hosel.

Odyssey's White Hot line has been, well, white hot lately. Graeme McDowell, Stuart Appelby and Luke Donald are among the professionals who have won with an original White Hot or White Hot XG putter over the past year.

Known as one of the better putters on tour, Stricker remarked, "I feel good when I've got the putter in my hand."

It's interesting to note that Stricker's bag is otherwise loaded with Titleist gear. But with the putter accounting for more strokes than any other club, brand loyalty often goes out the window in favor of personal affinities—such as looks, feel and feedback—that can make all the difference.

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2011 Father's Day Golf Gift Guide

Remember the time you broke the neighbor's window? The time you got called into the principal's office? The time you drove the family car into a ditch? The time you...well, let's not talk about that one. The point is, your dad did his time, and now it's time for you to step it up and get him something he'll love (and actually use) for Father's Day. Following are some of our favorite items fit for a father:

Players Towel – Starting at $20

Is your dad still playing golf with that ratty old towel hanging from his bag? Help him step it up in style with the microfiber Players Towel, which can be personally embroidered for free with his name, nickname or even his favorite four-letter word (fore!). Developed by a former tour caddie, this high-performance towel absorbs up to 300 times its weight in water, and it has been used by seven winners on the PGA and LPGA circuits already this year.

Callaway uPro MX Golf GPS - $199

Your dad may still prefer having a Leatherman in his pocket instead of an iPod, but that doesn’t mean he can’t use the latest technology to select the right club and raise his game. With the uPro MX, he will have access to real-time data for more than 25,000 preloaded courses right out of the box. A touch-screen interface makes it easy to navigate, there are no extra fees or hassles unless your dad wants to go all out and purchase added ProMode features, which include high-resolution images and flyover videos. You can get it from our friends at Golfland Warehouse.

RuleSixteen Ball Marker & Divot Tool - $15

From the creative minds at Rule Golf comes this nifty two-in-one tool in a slim stainless steel package. When dad is ready to mark his ball and repair the damage from his awesome wedge shot from outer space, he'll just slide the ball marker out with his thumb to reveal the divot repair tines, James Bond style. Better yet, the wafer-thin marker is rectangular, so he can use it to help visualize the line of his next putt.

Piretti Cottonwood II Putter - $250

Dad’s not getting any younger, and that means that he might be getting a little yippy on the greens, too. To the rescue comes the sleek Cottonwood II blade by Piretti Fine Putters. At 365 grams, the head on this putter is heavier than most blades, which may help your dad recapture the smoothness of his former stroke. Best of all, this carbon steel putter boasts an old-school look and superior milled quality that your dad will appreciate.

Sumi-G Money Clip - $21.99

It's time for dad to say hasta la vista to that bulky old wallet that weighs him down on the course. Sumi-G offers a full line of ultra-cool golf accessories, and when your dad finally hits that elusive hole-in-one, he'll be proud to whip this stylish money clip out at the 19th hole, unfurl a Benjamin and buy drinks for everyone. This one-piece clip is double sided, so it holds cash on one side, and cards on the other, with no hinges or magnets.

Putter Perfection by Sean Weir - $12.99 on Amazon

In the shameless self-promotion category, we recommend getting your dad Putter Perfection, the new book on putter fitting by PutterZone.com’s Sean Weir. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, and that includes putter fitting. Ask your dad about the loft and lie angle of his putter. If you get a blank stare in return, then he needs this book.

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The Greenside: SeeMore ONEcs, Putter Fitting and More

The Greenside radio show is back with an action-packed episode, covering David Toms' blaze of glory with the Never Compromise Dinero putter and SeeMore's latest model in its mSeries line, the ONEcs putter.

Click here to listen. You can also download the show in podcast form via iTunes.

The Greenside is a collaboration between Josh of The Hacker's Paradise and Sean of PutterZone.com, with a focus on the short game and a heavy emphasis on putters.

The new episode also features the news about Putter Perfection, the new book on putter fitting. It also stirs up the show's running (and at times hilarious) debate about long putters. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

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