GEAR GUIDE

We put designers’ claims to the test using the latest launch monitor software

Putter Face Grooves Shaft Weights

Every new major putter launch promises to roll putts better nowadays. Where some putter designers reckon face grooves grab and grip the ball at impact, creating more topspin and reducing skid, others insist hinges on the face lift putts into a better roll. Some even say you don’t need face tech at all. With so many options out there, we thought it was time to find out if any actually work. And if they do, which face design works best...

How we measured skid and roll

We’re huge fans of Foresight Sports’ GC Quad launch monitor, and its latest update for 2018 means it measures the data of putts in exactly the same way it does for drivers and irons. It was the natural choice to capture data for our test. We picked a mallet/moi style putter from each of the leading putter brands who boast face groove tech. We spent a day at Foresight’s HQ in Guildford, with PGA pro Andrew Hillman hitting putts from six-12 feet as the Quad collected data for each one hit. To ensure every putt was hit from a perfect lie we used a Putt Out putting matt, eliminating discrepancies which could occur outside on a real green’s surface. And to make sure we had a base line with which to compare the grooved models against we also tested a Wilson Staff Infinite South Side putter, which has no grooves on the face whatsoever.