THE RETURN OF ZEBRA PUTTERS

Almost 50 years ago, Zebra created the first mass-market alignment putter. It won Majors, then suddenly disappeared. But now it’s back

Easy-to-aim putters are everywhere in the modern game. Triple Track, 2-Ball and True Path are great alignment aid stories, all of which promise to help golfers aim consistently better.

But back in 1976, when golf was played with persimmon drivers and muscleback irons, Zebra took the game by storm with their unique black-and-white stripey putter. It won multiple Majors and sold hundreds of thousands as golfers bought into the first mass-market alignment putter to hit the game. Then, for no apparent reason, the brand vanished. Now, almost 50 years later, the brand is making a comeback with a brand-new Zebra model – shown here.

So where did Zebra go?

Dave Taylor invented Zebra putters in 1976. Ray Floyd won the Masters that year using the original model. Between 1979 and 1980 Taylor and his son sold the rights to produce his putters to Ram, before handing over the trademark and patent rights, too. Ram doubled in size, tons of golfers bought into the Zebra’s stripey system and Nick Price won the 1994 Open with a Zebra in the bag. In 1997 Zebra merged with Teardrop before falling off the radar.

Big-name engineer

Zebra’s new designs have been developed by 30-year golf industry veteran and legendary putter designer Austie Rollinson.

Rollinson has been a 23-year Odyssey die-hard, has played a role in 500-plus putter models and his name can be found on 300 patent applications. Incredibly, his putter designs have amassed more than $2 billion in sales. His philosophy leverages Zebra’s heritage for brilliant alignment aids, adjustable weight tech and face-balanced shafts. He’s built on that platform with modernised head shapes, a multimaterial face insert and optimal balance/inertia properties.

Face off

Zebra’s new face insert (the original was a flat steel face) is constructed from a 303 stainless steel face plate and urethane backer. The combination maximises the ball’s contact with the ground, which reduces skid for more consistency between putts. The lighter weight construction also allows additional weight to be removed from the front of the putter (depending on the model, between 16 and 29g is freed up) to up MOI forgiveness.

‘THE ZEBRA MERGES THE BRAND’S HERITAGE FOR BRILLIANT ALIGNMENT AIDS WITH ADJUSTABLE WEIGHT TECH AND FACE-BALANCED SHAFTS’