Not your father's blades
Years ago, you'd be out of luck if you mis-hit a blade putter. These six flat sticks prove that's not the case anymore.

Hot Stix anchored each of the 35-inch putters to a mechanical putting device. Clubs made the same consistent backswing to hit a 17-foot putt (approx.) and we measured results for center hits, 3/4 inches toward the heel and 3/4 inches toward the toe. The chart on the left shows how each putter faired:

WHAT WE LEARNED
• Distance: The SeeMore, Titleist and Mizuno roll it the farthest on center hits. By contrast, the Boccieri, Odyssey and Never Compromise hit it the shortest. Neither way is better or worse; it's whether you prefer to make a longer or slightly shorter stroke to reach the hole. The difference on center contact between the longest and shortest model is less than two feet.

• Forgiveness: All six putters do a respectable job when you compare distance output on center, heel and toe strikes. The most consistent putters, though, are the Odyssey White Hot Tour #2 and Boccieri Heavy C2-DF.