ClubTest: Putters

Nickent Pipe PP-02
$199

The company line "Innovative cylinder pipe on the top of the head provides a 3-D visual readout of exactly where the putter is lined up."

Our testers say Despite awarding the Pipe respectable feel and control ratings, our panel couldn't come to grips with the putter's unconventional and "distracting" design. "It looked like they slapped a piece of PVC pipe to the top of the mallet," said Keith Borgfeldt (handicap 18). Hoai Hoang (8) compared it to "a putter that my uncle could have made in his basement." Still, the design "flat out works" and "leads to superb distance control," Hoang said. Others felt the white pipe was a useful alignment tool. "It pointed the way very effectively," said Kirk Fischer (7). Roger Liau (17) praised the putter's solid feel. "Every putt," he said, "felt like I nailed it dead-center."

Additional Comments:

"It's head-heavy, which makes it so easy to swing."
- Jim Perzan (9)

"A clunky feel when not struck square in front of the pipe."
- Mark Waldheim (12)

"Center contact got dependable results."
- Ken Stauffer (14)