SILVER
SILVER
SILVER
OVERALL RATING ★★★★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★
OVERALL RATING ★★★★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ ½ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★
OVERALL RATING ★★★★ PERFORMANCE ★★★★ INNOVATION ★★★★ LOOK • SOUND • FEEL ★★★★
‘The materials and shaping work together. Light but strong at impact, and I feel the forgiveness of
‘Everything feels high quality – from the face to the matching shaft and head. I made everything inside 10 feet.’ – 0-HANDICAP
‘Swings light but is firm off the face, which helps me get the ball to the target without really trying.’ – 6-HANDICAP
the face.’ – 13-HANDICAP
CLEVELAND HB SOFT MILLED R3 700
COBRA 3D PRINTED Price TBA
COBRA VINTAGE Price TBA
WHY WE LIKE IT Milling a putter serves a purpose. Although generally expensive, perfectly cutting the metal from a solid block of steel (as opposed to pouring a liquefied metal into a mold) results in a consistent-feeling putter. Cleveland’s R&D team sought a more affordable approach, only milling the critical parts of a cast putter blank. The milling creates the face’s varying surface-texture densities for consistent ball speed and eliminates porosity in the raw cast head for better feel.
WHY WE LIKE IT Computer 3-D printing has been part of club prototype design for two decades, but it had no practical value in making finished clubs. Cobra’s engineers found a way to 3-D print certain parts that could not be cast, forged or machined by traditional means. The intricate nylon lattice structure in the heel and toe sections is one- seventh the density of steel yet provides a stable core that supports the heavier materials around it. The support provided by the 3-D printed section damps vibration for better sound and feel.
WHY WE LIKE IT Putters usually don’t come up in the rollback discussion, but the insert used in these traditional-shaped blades might raise an eyebrow. Light, soft and flexible Pebax is a “block copolymer” that has been referred to as “technological doping.” This has to do with its use in running shoes and its ability to be soft and resilient in terms of energy return. That’s a good thing for a putter seeking consistent roll out on mis-hits. Of course, it also helps that the insert varies loft from top to bottom for a skid-free consistent launch. • Face insert is made of a soft thermoplastic elastomer. • Two styles, three models (Sport-40, Sport-60, Widesport); head weights: 330-390 grams; lengths: 34, 35 inches (86-89cm); loft: 1-4 degrees
You might have been told to get really good with one of your wedges and rely on it for most of your short-game shots. But let me ask you something: Why do you have three or four wedges in your bag if you’re only going to pull out the same one every time? Get to know all of your wedges. Focus on technique and tempo, and just switch out which wedge you’re using to regulate distance and trajectory (they go hand in hand). For technique, set up with more weight on your lead leg and keep it there while you make a swing that relies mostly on body rotation, leading your arms into impact ( above ). Your arms and hands simply come along for the ride. For tempo, I know it’s tempting to go all out with these clubs or even throttle back just a little. I think it’s much easier to control these shots when you focus on 50-percent effort. Don’t worry so much about how far you’re taking the club back. You can’t really see that anyway. Just try to make the same-length swing at half your full-out effort and see how distance and trajectory change solely by what club you select. You won’t need a lot of practice to get consistently good results. – with Ron Kaspriske YOU’VE GOT ALL THOSE WEDGES IN YOUR BAG. USE THEM! BY JASON GUSS
• 3-D printing method is used to make weight-saving lattice work to support structures inside the head. • One model (Grandsport-35); plumber’s neck; head weights: 345-395 grams; lengths: 34, 35, 41 inches (86-104cm); loft: 1-4 degrees
• Face milling differs in densities to control off-centre speed. • Four models (1, 4, 8, 8P); head weight: 345-370 grams; lengths: 34, 35 inches (86-89cm); loft: 3 degrees
FEEL
FEEL
FEEL
Firm
Cushioned
Firm
Cushioned
Firm
Cushioned
HEFT
HEFT
HEFT
Light
Heavy
Light
Heavy
Light
Heavy
SHAPE
SHAPE
SHAPE
Angular
Soft curves
Angular
Soft curves
Angular
Soft curves
Jason Guss is one of Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Illinois. The Jason Guss Golf Academyis at Naperville CC.
TOP 5 SOFTEST FEELING, BLADE PUTTERS, LOW-HANDICAPS
TOP 5 FIRMEST FEELING, BLADE PUTTERS, HIGH-HANDICAPS
TOP 5 SOFTEST FEELING, BLADE PUTTERS, HIGH-HANDICAPS
109 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA 110
HOTLIST 2024
HOTLIST 2024
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