GOLF MAGAZINE ClubTesters spent a full day with each of the putters you will read about in this test.

We assigned each of our 13 ClubTesters a putting lane on a practice green at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, NJ. 34-inch and 35-inch length clubs were available. The surface was flawless and ran 9.5 on the Stimpmeter. Testers struck 12 putts per putter from 3 feet to 40 feet. Results were recorded; testers took note of feel as well as overall impressions.

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TaylorMade CGB Daytona 1
$158; taylormadegolf.com

THE COMPANY LINE "Our Anti-skid Groove System Insert (AGSI) consists of 12 CNC-milled grooves. It promotes forward spin and reduces skid and bounce, for superior distance control and accuracy"

OUR TESTERS SAID
Pros

"This putter has pop. I usually have trouble leaving putts short, but not with this baby." -Rich Sullivan (handicap 12)

"The metallic insert doesn't deaden all feedback. I have a strong sense of firmness of the hit on center strikes." -Charles Neivert (2)

"Easy to square and I like the way it controls distance." -Jim Malisse (10)

"I like the red hot insert, red-trimmed heel and toe weights and sleek black-and-red grip. Yet all you see at address is an uncomplicated sight line." -Rich Bernstein (13)

"Sets up square and is accurate on short putts." -Zach Fasman (10)

Cons

"If you want corrective measures to eliminate the extremes, this is not the best choice." -Robert Friedrich (8)

"An odd metallic, but muted feel. Impact isn't soft like putters with polymer inserts but not hard, either." -Michael Kaye (14)

Ping G5I Anser
$135; pinggolf.com

THE COMPANY LINE "The dual durometer face insert combines a soft perimeter with a firmer impact surface to provide the feel and feedback required for optimal distance control. The insert cavity ensures consistency."

OUR TESTERS SAID
Pros

"Mis-hits deliver very good feedback. You can definitely tell the difference between square and off-center contact." -Rich Bernstein (handicap 13)

"The putter has a nice weight, which is comfortable to swing smoothly, and the Winn grip promotes a relaxed stroke." -Rich Sullivan (12)

"Better forgiveness than expected. Misses are almost dead-on." -Zach Fasman (10)

"Softest feeling of the putters we tested." -Joe Botta (15)

"Unique half-moon shape makes it easy to line up putts." -Jim Malisse (10)

Cons

"Very busy-looking and potentially distracting." -Robert Friedrich (8)

"I like the look of the holes in the sole, but question whether those are what cause the lack of a totally solid feel." -Donna Miller (24)

Mizuno Bettinardi C-Series C-01
$320; mizunousa.com

THE COMPANY LINE "The head is 100 percent precision milled from 11L17 carbon steel. It features Bettinardi's patented Honeycomb face for consistent ball striking."

OUR TESTERS SAID
Pros

"The face response is intuitive for both distance and direction and allows easy adjustment from fast to slow greens." -Robert Friedrich (handicap 8)

"Impact is well-defined, due to not having an insert. Feedback is precise and accurate and gives a very nice thump." -Charles Neivert (2)

"On short putts, you can really let the putter do the work. No need to try to manipulate it with the hands." -Jon Kotraba (10)

"The gummy Winn grip makes this easy to control." -Andy Simon (25)

"Distance control is very good with all putts—no real jumpers or duds. Heel and toe weighting seems to compensate for all types of contact, giving consistent results." -Michael Kaye (14)

"Even my mis-hits seem to roll out and finish hole-high." -Adam Zisserman (11)

Cons

"Forgiveness on directional misses is not a strong suit. You have to make a good stroke." -Zach Fasman (10)

Odyssey White Hot XG #1
$150; odysseygolf.com

THE COMPANY LINE "Our multi-layer insert combines a soft, resilient elastomer core that gets the ball rolling quickly with a thin, firm urethane cover that delivers exceptional feel and feedback."

OUR TESTERS SAID
Pros

"The heel-toe balance minimizes twisting, keeping the putter square through impact." -Charles Neivert (handicap 2)

"The sight line is on top of the face, making its alignment aid the closest to the ball out of the group." -Andy Simon (25)

"The ball stays on the textured face longer than with harder clubs. It is slightly less responsive than a hotter face, but more forgiving." -Robert Friedrich (8)

"The soft dimpled grip delivers a comfortable feel." -Rich Bernstein (13)

"The putting stroke seems effortless. It feels like the putter is putting for me." -Donna Miller (24)

"I feel the head throughout and don't need to muscle it." -Rich Sullivan (12)

Cons

"Well-struck putts deliver a satisfying click, followed by a disappointing muted feel. That feel made it difficult to judge distance." -Adam Zisserman (11)

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How they stack up: Testers voted on their faves using a 100-point scale. Our star system rewards the top picks

Club	TaylorMade CGB Daytona 1	Ping G5i Anser	Odyssey White Hot XG #1	Mizuno Bettinardi C-01
Look	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
Feel	3 stars	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars
Control	4 stars	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars
Total Performance	3.5 stars	4 stars	4 stars	4.5 stars

*Ratings

5 Stars Excellet

4 Stars Very Good

3 Stars Good

2 Stars Average

1 Star Poor