Although Taylor Made is mainly famous for its drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids, the company does have an interesting line of putters. There are 10 putters offered, and one of the unique features on them is the Rossa insert which uses a technology called AGSI which stands for Anti-Skid Groove System Insert. This 14 groove insert can actually be applied to any putter, and it has been shown that simply adding the insert on the face of a putter will produce less skid, and the ball will begin to roll more quickly. This will of course improve the line the ball rolls on and it allegedly improves distance control for the golfer as well. At this point the attributes of the ten putters offered by Taylor Made will be described.
The Corzina putter is a mallet like club, but the body is made in what is called a wire frame construction. Instead of a solid mallet, the back portion of the putter consists of two bands of semicircular metal which meet in the back middle and are connected to a bar which extends back from the putter face. This design clearly is putting weight at the perimeter of the club head for higher MOI (moment of inertia) which means greater forgiveness for putts not struck exactly on the sweet spot. The head is made of 304 stainless steel and has a black finish for an attractive look. The AGSI anti-skid insert is of course included on this putter and all the putters in the product line.
The Tourismo adds another technology feature in addition to its different head shape and design. That is, it incorporates what is called MWT, or Moveable Weight Technology. There are two ports in the back of the putter where weight can be added or subtracted to personalize the feel of the putter. The head shape is a reverse trapezoid which means that the back of the putter is longer than the face. Putting so much weight behind and at the perimeter of the putter head is meant to increase MOI. The wire frame construction technique is also used on the Tourismo, and of course the AGSI insert is included as well. Once again, the putter is made from 304 stainless steel and has an attractive black finish.
Another trapezoid shape is invoked with the Inza model, although this time the putter back is more solid looking and the wire frame construction is not used. Once again this shape is used to increase MOI. The Inza also uses both the movable weights to customize the putter feel, as well as the AGSI face insert.
Taylor Made offers several putters for golfers who prefer a more classic look. The Siena Classic is a blade inspired design with weight redistributed to the heel and toe areas of the club to increase MOI, although MOI on a design like this is bound to be less than designs like mallets or other shapes that have a larger back. Once again 304 stainless steel and a black finish are employed, as is the AGSI insert on the putter face.
The Imola Classic is another blade inspired design, but it has smoother lines than the more abrupt shapes of the Siena. It has pretty much the same features, including improved MOI from more weight in the heel and toe areas, the AGSI insert, and it also is made from 304 stainless steel with a black finish.
The Modena Classic model looks quite similar to the Siena and has essentially the same feature set, that is, blade based design, heel and toe weighting for higher MOI, the AGSI face insert, and 304 stainless steel with a black finish. The differences are that the Modena has one alignment line on the putter back whereas the Siena has two, and the neck attachment to the shaft is different. On the Modena the neck and shaft seem to be fused, and there is no joint at their juncture.
The Daytona Classic is another blade-type design, and once again, it resembles the Siena. The putter head has smoother lines, however, and there is a slightly higher ridge at the top of the putter. The biggest difference is certainly the shaft offset of the Daytona. Once again 304 stainless steel with a black finish is used, as is the AGSI face insert.
The Monte Carlo Classic is a mallet derived design. The symmetrical rear flange has more weight on the toe and heel sections for higher MOI, and this is enhanced even more because the mallet design puts more weight to the back of the putter head. All the normal features are included, and the shaft attaches to the head at about the mid point between the toe and heel.
The Monza Corza model is a modern mallet style putter that is quite similar to the Corzina, the first model described above. The main differences are that the MWT, or movable weight technology feature has been added by placing two ports at the back-center of the putter head. This model, which also employs the wire frame construction, does not have a black coating. Of course the AGSI face insert is employed on this model as well. The Monza Corza Mid is a belly putter, and it comes in lengths of 38, 41, and 43 inches. Both putters have little or no neck with the shaft connecting directly to the putter head. For the Mid model the connection is in the middle of the top area about mid-way between the heel and toe, while in the standard sized Monza Corza the shaft connects close to the heel area.
Once again, the AGSI insert technology is the single thread on all the different Taylor Made putter models. The putters look to be designed using sound principles, and for golfers who favor Taylor Made woods and drivers, a look at their putter offerings would be worth some time.
The Odyssey Black Series consists of 3 putter head designs all of which take advantage of the design and technology features developed for this product line.
One feature used on all three models is a tungsten flange at the back of the putter head. This flange adds weight to the rear of the putter head and creates a low CG (center of gravity) which is deep in the club face. This feature helps to lift the ball slightly upon impact and get it rolling quicker. Since the golf ball actually is slightly nestled down into the grass of the putting green, hitting the putt initially with an upward angle helps get the ball rolling. In fact there is a short video on the Odyssey Black Series web site that shows a comparison between these clubs and another allegedly typical putter. The Black Series putter got the ball rolling about 1 ? inches before the other putter did. Working in conjunction with the placement of the CG is the loft of the putter face. Each of the putter heads in the line, which are simply called Black Series no. 1, no. 2, and no. 3, have a different loft angle of the putter face which is optimized to get the quickest roll possible for the given CG location of each particular putter head. The theory is that the sooner the ball stops skidding after impact and begins a true roll, the more accurate the putt will be, and this certainly makes sense. It should also be noted that the weighted flange helps to create a higher MOI as well, and this provides some forgiveness for putts not hit exactly on the ?sweet spot? of the putter face.
These putters are certainly top of the line and carry a retail price tag of $249 each. Black Series no. 1 putter has a rounded heel-toe weighted putter blade with a so called ?crank-neck? hosel and a one shaft offset. The crank neck simply means that the offset is achieved by moving the shaft forward at 90 degree angles instead of a gradual bending of the hosel or shaft. The Black Series no. 2 putter has the same features but is more squared-off in appearance. Black Series model no. 3 is a mallet style putter with a double bend shaft that gives the same full-shaft offset.
The putter head is made of 1025 carbon steel and features a mix-milled face design which indicates the proper impact area. In other words the face has two different mill patterns on it. There is also a urethane damping layer between the flange and the milled carbon steel head that dampens vibrations.
The three traditional shaped heads of the Odyssey Back Series golf putters offer an interesting alternative for the serious golfer who prefers a traditional type of look and who can afford to spend $249 on his putter. They are certainly worth a look.
Walter Ballenberger has sinced written about articles on various topics from Sinus Infections, Baby Shower and Arts. Walt Ballenberger is a life-long golfer and founder of ?> Golf Putters, a resource site for golfers. For a Free Report entitled ?Mak. Walter Ballenberger's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.