For the August 2008 update on Heavy Putter products, visit Better Results on the Putting Green.
From the Company
Heavy Putter™ by Boccieri Golf comes in six models that can be either matte or the original, chrome/stainless finish. The putter heads weigh between 450 and 550 grams, while conventional putter heads weigh between approximately 330 to 350 grams. With a lighter putter, the company claims, most amateur golfers are more prone to using the smaller wrist muscles in their putting stroke. This can often, especially on shorter putts, tend to cause a jerky stroke and poor results. The heavier mass in the head of a Heavy Putter™ disengages those smaller muscles and forces the golfer to use the larger muscles of the shoulders. Use of these larger muscles produces a smoother stroke, which should be, if not a cure, a potent antidote for, dare we say, "the yips."
The Weight Management System™ (WMS™) is made up of the heavier putter head and a 250 gram insert situated near the top of the putter shaft. The combination of the upper weight and heavier head places the weight distribution 75% higher than in conventional putters. Again, Boccieri claims that this distribution further promotes using the larger muscle group and a smoother stroke.
Another advantage is in the "extreme" heel-toe weighting of the putters. This produces a high MOI (moment of inertia) that prevents the putter head from twisting on off-center hits. As a result of the high MOI and heavier putter head, putts struck off center should not loose much distance and stay closer to the target line.
Putter Tested: A1-M (matte finish) Model (MSRP $199.95)
Feel: Being such a dramatic change from "conventional" putters, the feel of the Heavy Putter™ was a big concern prior to testing. To be sure, the putter review revealed that the putter's weight, as the company stated, disengaged the smaller muscles of the wrist, from where much of the "feel" comes. After several rounds of use and practice time, plus a willingness to embrace a new type of "feel" that comes, in part, from an entirely different set of muscles, the putter was surprisingly effective. The most important feel, that which comes from the hands, remained intact. What was missing was much the waivering, or "looping," that sometimes creeps into the back stroke, which could only be due to the added weight and resulting lack of wrist.
In short, if the average golfer can get past such a new concept and use the putter as it is designed, they should see an improvement in putting. They may possibly even see an improvement in feel. Golfers who are already great at putting may not see a need to change. For most, Heavy Putter™ will be a welcome change. Feel Rating: 9.7 (out of 10)
Forgiveness: Your mother couldn't be more forgiving. The sheer weight of the clubhead and the heel-toe weighting provide a high MOI. The result of this putter review, putts struck off-center, though obviously waivering off-line a bit, did not perceptibly lose the intended distance. Although this goes more toward feel, balls struck virtually anywhere on the clubhead provided positive feedback to the hands. Forgiveness Rating: 10
Stability: As the company intended, the combination of added weight in the clubhead and within the shaft, the WMS™, provides a stable, smooth stroke. As stated above, it reduced the "looping" that can work its way into the putting stroke and destroy a score. With this putter, the putting stroke was easily controlled. As most golfers strive for that smoothness, the Heavy Putter™ should be a good choice. Stability Rating: 10
Design/Concept: Heavy Putter™ comes in a variety of models and one that will be right for most everyone. The A1, and its original-finish counterpart, has a tradional look, as does the A2 and A3 models. The B1-, B2- and B3 models are ball-and-a-half, mallet head putters. Golfers can also choos from center-shafted and heel-shafted models, as well as straight, double bend and plumber's neck hosel configurations.
The overall concept of the Heavy Putter™, though not quite unconventional, is not one that has been seen before to Suite 101 Golf's knowlege, but one that should find a home in a large number of golf bags. Despite the advantages it may hold for many golfers, there will be a fair number who don't want or need such a change. Design/Concept Rating: 9.7
This was a great putter review. Heavy Putter™ has taken putter design in a new direction. If the concept is accepted by the larger golfing world, as it has been by Suite 101 Golf, the company will make a big impact and be successful for a long time to come.
Overall Putter Rating: 9.85
For more golf equipment reviews, visit the Suite 101 Golf Equipment Index.
