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TaylorMade ('17) M1 Driver Review

By Jason Bruno

In January of 2016, TaylorMade Golf introduced the M Family of metalwoods

incorporating the use of carbon fiber with titanium to form a potent multi-

material tee box launcher. This past December at Ibis Golf & Country Club

in West Palm Beach (just minutes from LinksNation HQ) and weeks later at

the PGA Merchandise Show in January, TaylorMade unveiled the 2nd generation

of M metalwoods. By now you've seen them on tour and maybe even in your

local retail shop, but what has changed since the original?

2017 / 2016

The new 2017 model on the left has a 6 layer carbon crown design

featuring a slimmed down and flared white front section (Original 2016

model is pictured on the right). Does the new one look better, go farther,

feel better? Some of those answers are subjective to the individual, but

one thing is for sure, the bar was raised awfully high with the original

'16 models, they are absolute monsters off the box.

Any time you're conducting a review of a product known for being the industry

leader for well over a decade, there's a certain buzz and excitement that follows

- and let's be honest, what golfer doesn't get excited over testing new drivers.

We headed to PGA Village (PGA of America's flagship property) in Port St.Lucie

and their state of the art Foresight Sports Performance center for testing, then

a round on the Wannamaker course.

TECH stuff

The success of M1/M2 in 2016 was huge, elevating the #1 Driver in Golf to

another stratosphere of big stick domination. So what could the R&D Team

at TMAG possibly do to further the success of the M Family? The new slogan

for 2017 - "Same Letter. Better Everything". That's great marketing, but will

the performance bear it out? One thing is fact, the adjustability quotient has

taken another leap forward. TM engineers saved 3 grams of weight by using

a lighter 9-1-1 titanium alloy core skeleton paired with a carbon toe panel

('17 M1 has 43% more carbon fiber than last years model) which allows

for a larger T track - providing even greater adjustability. (3 grams doesn't

seem like much to you and I, but in the engineering world it's gold. These

brainiacs fight for every milligram to improve their golf products).

The new T-track (shown in neutral setting) allows for 64% more front to

back movement than the '16 M1. As far as method of adjustability, nothing

has changed - move the 12 gram weight back = higher launch/greater

forgiveness, move it forward = lower launch/less spin. Move the 15 gram

weight to the heel = more draw bias, towards the toe = more fade.

This view illustrates the refined sole design, as you can see the sole plate

lips over the weight on each track, this equals less debris caught in the

T-track and a sleeker sole. Streamlined from the original M1.

Gen One

The original M2 was our pick for the Best Driver of the Year in 2016,

and quite simply it produced performance #'s that no driver in our

stead ever has - EVER. In our opinion, it also produces the ideal sound

and feel at impact. So the new M models have a ton to live up to.

Powerplant

Stock shaft offerings for the 2017 M1/M2 : Mitsubishi Rayon Kuro

Kage TiNi (shown above), Project X HZRDUS and Fujikura XLR8 56.

Select shafts from Aldila, Fujikura, Matrix, UST, and Mitsubishi are

available at no up charge.

Appearance

Certainly appearance is subjective, some prefer last years traditional

red/black color scheme over this years lime/charcoal combination.

Personally, the color means less to me than the design aspects, and

the more I look at the new models (M2 also shown) it reminds me of

a high performance sports car - inspiring confidence.

M1 nameplate located on the rear section of the crown adds a nice touch.

Foresight Performance Testing

Pictured above, a staff member at the PGA Learning Center works on

his game as we set up shop on the adjoining Foresight Simulator. We've

discussed innovation and appearance of M1, but we all know fancy claims

and good looks won't get you onto the shortgrass or produce distance

gains. It was time to get to work . . .

Needing a base of comparison the testing began with my gamer ('16

M2) that's equipped with an Aldila Rogue Silver 110msi stiff flex shaft.

Although my swing speed usually tops out around 107 mph for step on

it all out swings, my normal playing gear is right about 103 mph.

Consistency & accuracy were the objectives here, so after a dozen or

so swings reaching normal speed and distance #'s, we went straight

at it with the new M1.

*Just a bit of background on my game: I'm a scratch player who prefers

to work the ball, but have recently gone back to my natural right to left

"push draw" - which means I start my ball barely right of target and it

peels off just left of it's starting point. I never want to see a pull, not even

when I play a fade. My miss often stays straight or is a block right. When

the miss goes both ways it's a smoke & mirrors day for me at best. If the

adjustabilty of M1 can narrow in the miss and tighten dispersion all while

giving me the same carry and roll as the gamer then we'll give it a huge

thumbs up.

Within a half dozen swings after switching to M1, it was evident that

the Mitsubishi Kuro Kage wasn't the correct fit for my aggressive

transition. Spin rates, launch angle and dispersion were all over the

place. A quick swap into the Aldila Rogue, and instantly the #'s were

nearly identical with the M2 gamer. After some fine tuning, we got the

settings dialed in (I prefer a slightly open face and an upright lie angle)

and the data showed a very tight dispersion pattern. In order to keep

the testing non-bias for either model we alternated back and forth between

heads after every 5 swings (once finished and the data collected, we

eliminated the single best and worst extremes with each), and here were

the final results via Foresight.

('16) M2 Stats:

Swing 102.4

Ball Speed 147

Smash 1.45

Launch 15.5

Azimuth 0.4

Side Spin 60 rpm R

Backspin 2245 rpm

Peak Height 37.8 yds

Descent angle 40.8 degrees

Carry 256 yds

Total distance 286 yds

Offline 9 yds R

('17) M1 Stats

Swing 103 mph

Ball Speed 149.2 mph

Smash 1.45

Launch 13 degrees

Azimuth 0.9

Side spin 1 rpm L

Backspin 2371 rpm

Peak Height 32.9 yds

Descent Angle 38 degrees

Carry 254 yds

Total distance 284 yds

Offline 7 yds R

The Foresight results produced virtually identical performance stats (with

launch angle being the only real significant difference). What does this mean?

It means on paper the new M1 is on par with the absolute best driver that

we've ever tested. Driver performance on an an indoor launch monitor is

just one element of testing, these stats are just the beginning. The "reality"

test would be out on the course, and luckily we had an afternoon tee time

set up on the Fazio designed Wannamaker course next door at PGA Golf Club.

Feel/Sound

The original M metalwoods produce my personal favorite sound and feel of

any driver previously tested or gamed here at LinksNation (2014 SLDR 460

gets runner-up honors) and that's saying a bunch. The best way to describe

the sound is as a muted thwack with a springy feel off the sweetspot when it

compresses the ball at 100+ mph at impact. The new M1 feels really solid at

impact and has a slightly louder thwack, somewhere similar to the SLDR.

On Course Performance

It was finally time to put the new TM weaponry to the real exam and see if

it could be trusted under pressure in real conditions.

It was blowing 20 mph all day on the Wannamaker course with intermittent

precipitation, so this would be a stern test. Immediately the M1 impressed

in a large way, rippin slight draws through even the toughest left to right

crosswinds (typically the toughest wind for right handers). M1 showed it

could launch high if need be, but its natural tendency (under this operator's

guidance) was a medium trajectory flat bullet. So far so good . . .

Take a good look at the picture above, the 15th at Fazio's Wannamaker

is where it was put up or shut time for the industry leader's new crown

jewel. The tee box is actually 150 yds back and tucked to the right of

this view with the entire carry over water. At 271 yards to the front pin,

it would normally be nothing more than hybrid and wedge, but this was a

driver test not a stroke play event, so taking on "Fools Gold" was mandatory.

A flared crop duster to the right would certainly end up in the water hazard,

and at 255 yds to the front edge into the cross breeze it would take something

solid. I decided to take dead aim at the mound just left of the green figuring

a slight push would be online with the flag, a straight ball would possibly

bounce back towards the green, and a draw would end up pin high in the swale

leaving a tough but do-able up n down. The tee shot was struck solid and

flew right at the intended target, it had a slight draw of about 3 yds and carried

to the mound pin high and bounced down into the swale exactly the correct

distance. After a decent lob shot and two putt for par, the questions were

answered . . .

This was not the usual "get used to the driver somewhere on the front 9" type

of experience that often accompanies new driver on the course testing, it was

an instant love affair of long and precise tee shots all day long. Basically point

and shoot from the every tee box, golf journalists Len Ziehm and Dan Hauser

were first hand witnesses to the M1 highlights, "get your own", I said. The exam

was passed and with honors.

Summary

Certainly the Indian has something to do with how a test subject performs,

but after you've done enough of these reviews you know a blue ribbon

arrow when you see one. The '17 M1 is just that - worthy.

Is the Gen2 version an upgrade though? That depends on exactly where you

stand. If you're already gaming the original M1/M2 driver, than any type of

distance upgrade is likely to be minimal at best, but if you're in the market

and want the very latest top of the line technology, it's a no brainer - but

keep this in mind, the proper shaft and head model are absolutely critical

as we detailed during testing. GET PROPERLY FIT, it WILL change your game.

Value wise, there are good deals to be had on the original M drivers Dustin

won the U.S Open with, JDay ruled the world rankings with and Justin Rose

won the Gold Medal with - TM is the #1 driver brand in the game and for

good reason. As far as my gamer is concerned, the testing will continue

as we try to figure out exactly which one to go with, but as of this moment

there's a refined new "M" in the bag . . .

For more info on M1 and Taylormade products: http://taylormadegolf.com/

Exotics EX10 Fairway Metals

By Jason Bruno

The Tour Edge/Exotics brand has been long known for their superior fairway

metals, and with the launch of their EX10 model David Glod and the gang in

Batavia, Illinois didn't disappoint.

The latest deck blaster from Exotics features the next step in the evolution

of their slip stream sole. The EX10 version has channels and rails that are

shallower and more compact than previous models - designed to minimize

turf interaction.

This angled view shows off the new streamlined design for better aerodynamics.

Due to the new sole weight placement, EX10 has lower and deeper CG than its

predecessors. The 9 gram sole weight is housed in a 12 gram weight pad that

adds up to 21 grams of deep back weighting (6, 11 and 14 gram weights are also

available in a separate weight kit that allows you to adjust swingweight).

Featuring a new Japanese high density steel cup face, the HT980 steel allows

the EX10 fairways to have a thinner face across from heel to toe for the highest

C.O.R possible. The EX10 Beta model features a tour preferred pear shape and

TSP 910 Beta Titanium cup face.

Our test model came in the stock Graphite Design Tour AD50 shaft, which

is a worthy powerplant producing high missile like tee shots and approaches.

Mitsubishi Bassara E series (42-49 grams) and Aldila Rogue M-AX (66-80

grams) are also available as a stock shaft in the EX10.

Performance: As usual, the EX10 performs like an Exotics fairway, crisp high

bombs jump off the face with the exact sound and feel every player would want.

No problem working shots in either direction or dialing in trajectory. We did find

the EX10 to be a bit more forgiving than we expected on mishits, while also being

about easy as can be to launch off the deck. Distance wise, the EX10 delivers

as good as any we've tested from a carry stand point. The 56 gram Tour AD provides

serious pop, but might be a bit light for my taste. Perhaps the Aldila Rogue may

be a better fit for my violent transition. Overall, the EX10 has a shot to become my

gamer once we can dial in the proper shaft.

Overall, the EX10 looks sharp, has great clean lines at adress and performs about

as well as any fairway club we've tested. The only "fly in the ointment" may be the

lack of available adjustability in the EX10. For many this isn't an issue, but the glue

in shaft is inconvenient at best (and no option to change loft or face angle) may deter

some from checking out the EX10. Of course, proper fitting for the most part makes

most of these issues a moot point. EX10 $249, EX10 Beta $299

EXOTICS EX10 FAIRWAY WOOD SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL	LOFT	FACE ANGLE	HEAD SIZE	LIE ANGLE	LENGTH
#3	13.0°	SQUARE	173cc	57°	43"
#3*	15.0°	SQUARE	173cc	57°	43"
#4	16.5°	SQUARE	165cc	58°	42.5"
#5	18.0°	SQUARE	158cc	58°	42"
#7	21.0°	SQUARE	150cc	59°	41.5"
Available in men's and women's right hand. *Indicates left hand available. Standard stock grip option is Lamkin Exotics UTx.
Information is provided from design specifications and may vary due to manufacturing tolerances.

For more info on Tour Edge/Exotics: http://touredge.com/products/ex10fairway.asp

Best New Products of the 64th PGA Merchandise Show

By Jason Bruno

Orlando, Florida - The 64th PGA Show finished up just over a week ago, and

as usual we kicked off our show week with the innovative folks from Tour Edge

/Exotics at the spectacular Lake Nona Country Club. While other media sources

contemplate whether the show is on an up swing or is in decline, we celebrate

the gathering of golf industry professionals and media.

The products featured are those that impressed us the most. This year we covered

more companies than ever before, and bring you our most comprehensive coverage

ever.

This year's Tour Edge Media event was held at the magnificent Lake Nona

Country Club. There aren't many days when the golf writers all convene in

one place, especially in a setting such as this. Certainly was one of those

days that won't soon be forgotten. Although high winds made scoring tough,

Lake Nona shined.

The scene moved from Demo Day at OCN on Tuesday to the Orange

County Convention Center on Wednesday. 40,000 industry professionals

from 84 countries gathered to see the latest products from over 1,000

companies (including 271 new companies to the show).

Clubs/Equipment

Tour Edge /Exotics

Exotics, well known for their exceptional metalwoods, introduced the

new EX10 line in Orlando. Featuring HT980 steel cup face technology

and its newly designed slip-stream sole rails (re-designed to be

shallower and more compact for smoother club/turf interaction).

Throw in the stock Graphite Design Tour AD shaft and you have a

winner. Big thumbs up here.

Exotics XJ1 is a lightweight high launching big distance metalwoods

line for the moderate to slower swing speed player looking to gain

some extra length off the tee. Featuring a carbon crown and 9-1-1

titanium chasis which allows the walls of the clubhead to be thinner

and more responsive to shots hit by players with less than tour player

swing speeds, the XJ1 offers a super-lightweight high performance

product and at a premium price tag - $699

http://touredge.com/

Callaway

Callaway seems to have the new club with the most buzz at the moment

- the EPIC driver. The booth display (shown above) was a celebration of

the brand's recent resurgence.

By now you've probably seen the chevron's new EPIC metalwoods line

featuring "Jailbreak" technology. In fact, Callaway Metalwoods Senior

Manager of R&D Evan Gibbs told us "The EPIC line was 3 years in the

works before being launched this year. Jailbreak technology consists

of two titanium rods that connect the crown to the sole, minimizing

the amount the clubhead body flexes at impact - this allows the face to

flex more freely. Jailbreak improves the efficiency of the energy transfer

between the clubhead and golf ball generating more ballspeed."

more from them in 2017.

https://bonobos.com/shop/golf

UFM

I know what you're thinking, why is there underwear here in the PGA Show

feature?! I get it, but I urge any man that's reading this to go to UFM and

check out there website. I was skeptical as well, but I'm going to say that

since I've been wearing them, I'm ready to toss all of my current boxer briefs

and stock up on these. Simply, UFM puts everything where it's supposed to

be and whether you're working or playing golf that can't be a bad thing.

Moisture Wicking Fabric
Support For Your Manhood
Isolation from Your Thighs
Elimination of Chafing
Tapered Leg Design That Stays in Place With Movement
No Squishing or Suffocating Your Manhood
Improved Profile View

https://www.ufmunderwear.com/

Puma

Ignite Disc is the next stage of perfect fit in golf footwear, it's been

around for a few years with many of the top brands but leave it to

Grant Knudson (Puma's shoe creator) to give it his spin. Puma's

version is located on the outer side where you can easily see what

you're doing (as opposed to other brands that call this device - BOA

and locate the dial on the back of the shoe behind the heel. $120

Knudson never stops creating new styles and developing comfort

technologies. All of these styles now come in disc version as well.

http://www.cobragolf.com/pumagolf/

Ecco Golf

The new ECCO COOL golf shoe features GORE-TEX® SURROUND™

technology, it's an air channeling system within the sole structure,

that allows 360° breathability and channels out unwanted moisture

created by your feet each day while walking and playing golf. $280

(top: photo credit from Ecco Golf)

I snapped this as we gave the new Ecco Cool shoes the plunge in the

water test. The shoe has a HYDROMAX® treated leather and sock

liner to increase comfort and give a seamless feel. A polyurethane

midsole provides cushioning, and ECCO COOL comes with a removable

inlay sole that offers extra width in the toe box area for those who

require it.

http://global.ecco.com/en/sport/golf

Under Armour

The Spieth One is the latest

golf shoe from Under Armour

created for two time major

champion Jordan Spieth.

Sporty in appearance, the

Spieth One is available on

March 1st. featuring a single

seam micro-fiber upper, the

outsole was designed for a

firmer heel for support and

a softer forefoot for flexibility

and comfort while walking the

fairways. Spieth One also

features Rotational Resistance

traction which prevents foot

rotation from load to impact

$200

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us

New Balance

New Balance Golf 3001 features a waterproof microfiber upper and

REVlite midsole for comfort and responsiveness, traction comes

from Champ Spikes SlimLok Zarma Tour cleats. The 574 LX spikeless

was inspired by the popular 574 NB sneaker, full grain leather upper

featuring semi-translucent NDurance outsole provides the traction.

REVlite midsole provides the comfort. Both models retail $189

http://www.newbalance.com/men/shoes/golf-1/

Accessories

Dormie Workshop

The Bishop Brothers from Nova Scotia are a great group of guys

that founded Dormie Workshop and create the impressive premium

leather headcovers and accessories. From aiming sticks covers, putter

covers, hybrids, fwys and drivers covers the possibilities are endless.

Creativity and style have no limits at the Dormie Workshop. If you

have a design or an idea for something unique, they can create it

for you, custom works are they're specialty. Order your very own

Dormie Workshop headcover today.

http://www.dormieworkshop.com/

Zero Friction

Zero Friction's John Iacono may have created the absolute best new

tech product at this year's show. Not a fan of wearing a GPS watch

while playing golf, John sought out to create a GPS device that would

be a part of his already successful one size fits all compression glove

line and the Tour Quality Cabretta Leather Motion-Fit glove line as well.

Iacono had the device built so his glove line didn't even need modifying.

Using the already existing elastic sleeve that was previously a tee

holder and also the magnetic ball marker tab, he was able to create the

first GPS glove system in golf - DistancePro. Loaded with nearly 40k golf

courses, the DistancePro pairs up to your smart phone thru the Zero

Friction App providing real time course info while on the links. Genius!

each box contains 2 gloves and a DistancePro GPS - $139 Compression,

$159 for Motion Fit model.

http://www.zerofriction.com/

The Frogger Catch Latch is an really useful magnetic fastening system

to help manage your golf accessories. Cell phone, GPS, keys etc. are all

secure with Frogger's new Catch Latch system.

Catch Latch Bag C-Clamp securely attaches to the top of your golf bag
Catch Latch Belt Clip slides easily over your belt
Attach your favorite accessories via the dongle ring
Magnets in dongle and receiver attract and self-align to connect
Dongle pulls straight out to easily disconnect from receiver
Receiver has a dynamic internal lock to secure product while in motion
Receiver rotates to a fully locked position when orange indicator visible
$12.95
https://www.froggergolf.com/

BigMax

Blade Quattro is the latest from BigMax, makers of quality golf trolley pull

carts. The Quattro has all of the convenience of a compact fold up cart,

but with the added stability of four wheels for hilly terrain or windy days

where a three wheeled cart may fall over. Having one of these would

influence even the everyday golf cart user to get healthy and walk the

fairways. Blade Quattro will be available in spring of 2017.

https://us.bigmaxgolf.com/

We're already looking forward to the 2018 PGA Show, but for now we'll

be busy testing and reviewing these and many other fine golf products

as they launch throughout the year.

Greg Norman Collection (2017)

By Jason Bruno

Although you may not ever become the Champion Golfer of the Year and

hoist the Claret Jug, you can look as sharp as the Shark while walking the

fairways and out on the town. From dress to golf performance wear, Greg

Norman has an outstanding assortment of fabrics and styles to have you

looking and feeling your best all day long. Performance Stretch, ML75,

Weather Knit and Solar XP are the latest threads in the '17 Greg Norman

Collection.

1/4 zip Heathered Mock is the perfect long sleeve pullover for those

cool mornings and late afternoons on the links. The 88% poly/12%

spandex blend is a comfort stretch garment that features UPF 50 sun

protection. (Grey Heather shown above).

The ML75 multi-stripe polo is the perfect companion layer to the 1/4 zip mock.

The ML 75 multi-stripe polo features a superfine microfiber yarn in a

classic design. Preferred by tour players, these are premium threads

of the highest order. In zoom mode you get a view of the timeless

style of Greg Norman's tailored collar. (color shown: Black/Light Orchid)

Another ML75 polo

is the Tonal Stripe,

constructed of 100%

microfiber poly

fabric featuring

UPF 50+ sun

protection.

Available in 12

colorways (including

British Red shown

right)

Made from 100% microfiber polyester, the Solar XP Weather Knit long sleeve

performance polo offers super sun protection (featuring chemical free 50+

UV coverage) and Play Dry technology (Aquamarine shown above).

Silver Shark logo adds a classy touch on the back yoke.

The Shark's Weather Knit polo is an ultra light aerated micro grid fabric

designed to keep you cooler on those humid days. UPF 40+ sun protection

comes standard (Calypso Coral shown above)

GN's versatile long sleeve button down is a high performance stretch and

easy care casual dress shirt that is ready for any event. This is bar none

the most comfortable button down we've ever worn (British Red shown

above).

Summary

The latest from Greg Norman has you decked out in style with fabrics

that handle and impress for every activity, and all at a very reasonable

price point (all garments featured here in this review have an MSRP

between $60-$80). Offering free shipping on all orders over $100,

get your Greg Norman style at: https://gregnormancollection.com/

Shaftlign Putters

By Jason Bruno

Shaftlign Putters, created by Lafayette, Louisiana's own Clay Judice

- golf equipment innovator and admittedly a long suffering golfer

with the Yips. When the USGA's Anchoring Ban was announced it

sacked not only his putting method, but his business as well. Judice

was the inventor of a very successful product a few years ago called

"Belly Putt". The device came as a kit that allowed you to convert

your standard length putter either temporarily or permanently to a

longer length belly putter for a very modest cost. Now, with the

anchoring method being exiled to Azkaban, "Belly Putt" is no more.

However, as any addicted golfer will attest to, the game goes on

and Clay was left searching for a way to save his own golf game.

Judice found that alignment especially on the shorter putts may

have been the culprit for his demise on the greens. So he started

by laying a thin pin stripe (like those found on automobiles) down

the shaft and he began using the shaft line as a reference when he

addressed shorter putts. Seeing some immediate success, the idea

progressed into a cutoff piece of shaft that he mounted directly

above the putterhead topline. He painted both the shaft and the

affixed attachment white to create a perpendicular line. At that

point Judice knew he was on to something. Although that particular

version was deemed non-conforming, Clay worked with the design

until it evolved into the model you see here in this review - the CJ1.

Appearance/Objective

It's not conventional, but it's really an eye opener when you

see how easy it is to line up square to your target.

After receiving the Shaftlign we began testing and noticed the

reaction of golfers that see the putter for the first time: "What is

that putter?" Also, "Hmm, that's interesting" are the some of the

typical comments heard. Although unorthodox, It's objective

exceeds the need for putter vanity. Looking down at address you

realize that the singular white perpendicular line is so simple,

that you can't help but think "Wow, why didn't I think of something

so simple as that.

Not to be forgotten, and always to be admired for his innovation,

it was Karsten Solheim who first brought out the Ping Anser putter

50 years ago. At the time, he was laughed at by many of the best

players in the game. Today that design is THE Standard of which

every manufacturer copies. I'm not saying the Shaftlign will take

on the same significance as the Anser, but let's just say it gives

us reason to believe that great new ideas in putter design can still

be achieved. As Judice said to me, "Everyone thinks the inventor

is a kook, until his idea takes off."

Testing

The reason there is not a standard center aiming line on the flange

is that Judice found that using a horizontal line to aim at your target

causes issues. Standing to the side of the ball often confuses the

eyes because of the skewed perspective. I somewhat agreed with

him on this point (but have been a captive of the horizontal line

method for years, so I was still holding out a bit of skeptism on his

theory). Recently I tried an experiment while playing with a friend

in the industry who specializes in marketing innovative golf products.

I played the front nine using a conventional Anser style blade with

the line on the ball as well as the center aiming line of the putter as

I always have. On the front nine my speed was spot on, but missed

almost every 4 to 6 foot putt I had. I was struggling to get set up

comfortably over the ball, which I know means I wasn't sure if I

was aligned correctly. Sounds odd to admit that your struggling with

alignment from inside 6 feet, but painfully, it is what it is.

This indecision created a lack of confidence, so at the turn, I went

to the trunk and grabbed the Shaftlign. It wasn't a make or miss

test, it was about seeing if using a bold perpendicular line would

help regain some confidence standing over the ball. Just simply

knowing that you're aimed where you intend to. My buddy Rick

immediately commented on the tenth green, "whoa, you made a

putter switch, what's that?" After I drained a curling 10 footer on

the eleventh, he said "Let me see that thing!". He commented how

solid it felt but that it was odd in appearance. No argument here,

but concentrating on the solid white verticle line freed me up. I

did lip out a few 12 to 15 footers but made a ton including every

putt inside 8 feet to shoot a back nine 32, and my first sub-70

round in quite sometime. I was convinced, it's one thing to see

the line and roll it good on the practice green, and entirely another

to feel comfortable with game time pressure on the line. I'd be

remiss if I didn't mention how pure the feel of the strike is, every

tester commented just how sweet and solid impact feels and how

smooth the ball rolls off the Shaftlign CJ1.

Specs/Price

The Shaftlign has a CNC milled 304 stainless head that weighs a

hefty 356 grams. The CJ1 comes standard with 70 degree lie angle,

and 2.5 degrees of loft. Available in right or left hand in lengths of

33" to 35". Currently there are two versions of the CJ1 available:

100% milled model that's featured here is $249, and a cast model

which is face milled but has the same specs is $199.

The stock grip on the Shaftlign wasn't our favorite, like most

golfers, we replaced it with one of our own preference - Clay

does offer a midsize model from PURE Grips that would be

much preferred.

Judice refers to the his CJ1 creation as an inline style (not a

centershaft design), sort of a hybrid between the classic Bullseye

and the SeeMore putter made popular by Payne Stewart and Zach

Johnson.

Summary

Overall the Shaftlign more than exceeded any expectations, the

perpendicular (or vertical) line method is something that every

golfer should try out, it makes too much sense. If the appearance

isn't as conventional as you prefer, Clay expects to have a few

new models coming out in the near future and has a few famous

major winners now on the Champions Tour currently testing

Shaftlign models.

For more information on Shaftlign: http://shaftlign.com/

More Articles...

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