Equipment
London design firm introduces PuttOut training aid
In the pantheon of indoor putting aids, you’ve basically got the glass laying on its side and this thing.
Not requiring electricity and a heckuva lot more aesthetically pleasing than our old green friend above is PuttOut. Developed in-house by London-based design firm Therefore, PuttOut is a simple, inexpensive (primarily) indoor putting solution.
I spoke with Cam Slaughter from Therefore about the training aid and its development.
BA: First of all, tell me how this thing works.
CS: Essentially, there is a silicon disc at the base of a slope that is “the hole,” however, the real aim of the product is to get the ball to stay within the micro-target half way up the slope. To do this, the ball must go in at an exact pace (only a putt close to what would be 18-inches past the silicone disc/the hole) and exact line will suffice. Because this is a difficult achievement, on a missed putt to the micro-target the ball rolls back down the slope and returns back to you, saving bending and reaching to draw back the ball every time.
The ingenious part of PuttOut is that although the goal is to get the ball to stick in the micro-target, whenever the ball is rolled into the opening of the slope this would indeed be a made putt on a regulation hole, so the user is practising twice as hard without realising it!
So who at Therefore came up with the initial idea?
CS: The inventor of the product is one of the four key founders of Therefore, Martin Riddiford. A keen player himself, playing off four, and has a bit of a history with golf. In fact his grandfather, Cecil Hayward, made it to the 1926 English Amateur Championship at Walton Heath G.C, and his mother, Pru Riddiford, was twice crowned British Senior Ladies’ Open champion. Now 90-year-old and still walks the course daily at Royal Ashdown G.C!
What was the basic concept?
CS: Originally Martin was just going to create a better putt returner; the ball would simply go up the ramp and return, similar to the electric version that still sells 20k+ units a year, but more aesthetically pleasing, easier to carry and didn’t have those strange whirring and pinging noises.
The creation of the product which we now know as PuttOut originally came about as Martin was only playing very sporadically and not having a chance to get to the course to practice putting at all (not great in any case but certainly more stressful the night before a foursomes match, which is more of a thing over here in the UK). After fiddling around at home with different objects to aim at, he decided he could do better than the existing training aids on the market, which largely lacked either desirability, convenience, a chance to actually get get better or even all of the above.
I understand Martin also wanted to go a step further?
CS: Upon deciding it could already be a good product (simply by creating a better version of what was already available), Martin believed that he could go a step further. Here is where the idea for the “micro-target” came about. Having a repetitive putting stroke is what we all strive for, however, there’s very little use for it if you’re not aiming with a very particular purpose and not practicing toward a very specific aim point. Introducing a smaller target meant the opportunity to do this, but it also meant PuttOut could now include a game element to the practice (i.e. how many putts would it take to get three balls to stay in place on PuttOut), and hence the first edition of PuttOut was complete.
PuttOut will be at the PGA Show (booth 2176) and is taking orders currently.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Titleist Blackout T100s irons
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a set of Titleist Blackout T100s irons.
From the seller: (@Eric05): “Titleist T100 S IRONS 4-W standard length and lie blackout grips, blackout amt S300 White Shafts These are in the LIMITED JET BLACK finish $975+Shipping.“
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Titleist Blackout T100s irons
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Product Reviews
Mitsubishi Diamana putter shaft review (P105 1.0 flex) – Club Junkie Reviews
When you hear the Diamana name, you immediately think of the current, or legendary, wood shafts that have been winning on tour for 20 years. However, few die-hard club junkies would think of a Diamana putter shaft, but Mitsubishi Golf is always pushing the limits and are delivering just that.
Graphite putter shafts have been a growing segment in the equipment world with companies noticing that they can create ultra-stable putter shafts that keep the putter on target through the stroke. Graphite also gives engineers the ability to adjust the performance, stiffness, and weight so golfers have more options to dial in the feel of their putter.
To get the full, in-depth review of the Mitsubishi Diamana P105 putter shaft check out the Club Junkie podcast on all podcast platforms or on YouTube.
Out of the box, the Mitsubishi Diamana P105 might be the best-looking putter shafts I have ever seen. The carbon weave at a 45-degree angle just reflects the light well, and then the shaft fades down into black near the tip section. A Diamana staple, the flowerband, is located just a little way under the grip but high enough up where it isn’t a distraction when looking down at the putter.
I installed the P105 into the new Bettinardi BB1 Wide putter, and it looked perfect with Bettinardi’s diamond black finish. The duo is definitely one of the meanest-looking combos in my rotation of putters. Both the P105 and the P135 are built using premium carbon fiber with a low amount of resin for added touch and feel. Mitsubishi utilizes 24t and high-strength intermediate modulus carbon fiber to build up the strength and stability, while the visible 6K woven fabric helps reduce torque.
The first question I get with this shaft is about the 108-gram weight. People areasking if it is too light. Honestly, if the shaft had no markings on it, I don’t know if I could tell that is was lighter than a traditional steel shaft. Now the head might feel a touch heavier and the balance of the putter slightly lower but I didn’t really notice the overall static weight of the putter being too light.
The P135 shaft comes in two flexes, 1.0 and the stiffer 2.0, but the P105 only comes in the 1.0 flex. To me, the P105 might be one of the softer graphite putter shafts I have tried and you can see a little bit of wiggle when you waggle the putter. Some players like a slightly softer putter shaft for additional feel and it can work with the tempo of their putting stroke.
On the course, the Diamana P105 offers the consistent stability that you expect from aftermarket putter shafts. On short putts the shaft stays right with your stroke and the putter head is always where you expect it, aligned with your hands and grip. Shorter strokes don’t show off the slightly softer flex of the shaft and you experience the added control of the low torque design.
When you hit longer lag putts you can notice a little flex in the shaft but the head never waivers from being square to your target. Speed control didn’t change at all from the traditional steel shaft in the Bettinardi to the Diamana. On the practice green hitting multiple putts at the same hole, it was easy to feel like you hit the correct speed and then see the results. Balls ended in the same area, as well as my skill would allow, and I never hit a ball the felt like it came up far shorter or longer than I expected it too.
Feel is such a subjective thing and each golfer is going to react differently to it. For me the Diamana had a slightly firmer feel than some of the other graphite shafts out there. If you are looking for responsiveness out of your putter shaft, the Diamana offers just that. To me the Diamana has more of a steel feel to it when it comes to getting the vibration from impact to your hands. You will feel exactly where you made contact on the face, giving you the ability to adjust your stroke and get back to making more center contact. I have found that most other graphite shafts mute the vibration a little and offer a softer feel, but the Diamana keeps the feel and sound exactly as they are.
Mitsubishi’s Diamana putter shaft is a great option for the golfer who wants to add some stability and consistency to their stroke without sacrificing feel. Players who love a specific putter face material or milling pattern to enhance their feel will be excited to not lose that with the upgrade to the Diamana.
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Equipment
Jason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
Over the past year, equipment free agent Jason Day has played a number of different iron sets looking for his right match.
In May 2023, he was using a TaylorMade P770 4-iron to go along with a set of P7MC irons (5-PW).
In August 2023, he had switched to a set of TaylorMade P7TW irons (5-PW) to go with his P770 4-iron.
Then, in February 2024, he was into a full set of P760 irons (4-PW).
Now, Day has switched it all the way up, and he’s currently using a new set of Srixon ZX5 MK II long irons (3 and 4), and Srixon ZX7 MK II mid-to-short irons (5-PW).
On Tuesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Day told GolfWRX.com that he made the switch before the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, because he was looking to reduce spin.
“For me, they spin a little bit less,” Day said. “They’re very good out of fairway bunkers, too. I haven’t played too much in the rough yet, so I still need to get an understanding of how the come out of the rough, but for me, it was all about spin control.”
“I had tested the previous model to these [Srixon ZX7’s], but I only had one club. And I was getting some inconsistent spinny with my previous irons, so I just decided to at least give them another shot. My biggest thing was to take spin off, because I was spinning it like crazy.”
The Srixon ZX7 MK II irons are known for producing low spin numbers, and pairing them with Day’s typical ultra-stiff True Temper X7 shafts make them certified spin killers.
If it’s spin he wanted to reduce, then Day may have found his match with the new Srixon irons.
See what else Day has in the bag at the 2024 RBC Heritage here
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Gollie
Apr 30, 2017 at 5:28 am
I have a 14’x5′ piece of synlawn pro putt in a high traffic area at home (no hole). Before this I used to hit 14 balls in several different drills (speed drills and putt at a quarter). With Puttout I use one ball and because it’s coming back to me I get many more reps per time invested. This is so simple it’s brilliant.
J.R.
Jan 30, 2017 at 2:12 pm
I got mine in last week so far so good. the Micro target is pretty cool. Can’t wait to see the results on the course.
Tony P
Jan 26, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Shank
Dill Pickleson
Jan 25, 2017 at 2:29 am
nice product.
S Hitter
Jan 24, 2017 at 10:04 pm
If you’ve ever putted on Stimp of 13 or 14, it ain’t 18″, I can tell ya.
And who wants to look at this human-tongue looking thing spit the ball back at you as it mocks you when you don’t get it up and into the small hole.
Really horrible idea, looks terrible, you really don’t want the visual of a ball being spat back you etched into your brain. Seriously. We all want to see it go in the hole. Go buy a conventional putting mat with a rise and a proper hole, which are so much better.
Nobody is going to carry this in their bag
the Sheriff
Jan 25, 2017 at 9:05 am
S Hitter, you are a moron. 18 inches past the hole is 18 inches past the hole regardless of green speed. also this is mainly for home use. why don’t you just go and and try and break 120 at a mini putt course, it would be a challenge for you I’m sure.
S Hitter
Jan 26, 2017 at 2:30 am
Nah. I’ll continue to play scratch golf from the back tee and watch you miss 2 footers on deadly 14 stamp greens that run poor putts past the hole 6 feet as you try to hit it past 18 inches and I will enjoy saying buh-bye to you
Rano
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:21 am
cringe…
Bert
Jan 24, 2017 at 7:23 pm
Poor roll back – bad eye training.
S Hitter
Jan 26, 2017 at 2:30 am
Precisely
Perry
Jan 24, 2017 at 5:19 pm
18″ past is Pelz logic. Aim point is 6″. Too bad they don’t have a 6″ past version.
Mfj the great
Jan 24, 2017 at 3:27 pm
I have one of these and use it regularly. Highly recommended!
Seb
Jan 24, 2017 at 1:27 pm
I can’t buy it in Canada…This would have been awesome especially during the winter storms.
Smith
Jan 24, 2017 at 2:30 pm
I tried as well. WHYYYY?
Cam
Jan 24, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Hey Seb and Smith,
How about you message us on twitter @puttoutgolf and we’ll see what we can do to help.
Frank
Jan 24, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Mine will arrive by 4pm today. Been looking at this for months.
Mike
Jan 24, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Looks pretty cool to me. I doubt you’d be hitting the micro-target too often or you wouldn’t be using a training aid. So it wouldn’t be too big a deal to walk down and grab your ball every 10 putts.
Steve
Jan 24, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Mark Crossfield loves this thing and it’s only $24 on Amazon.
Ann Matthew
Jan 24, 2017 at 11:32 am
This is a lovely invention and I cannot wait to purchase one. Thank you for a fine product that will be so much fun to use and does incorperate that spirit
of competition against yourself for the game later. It is also lovely to look at.
Eddie
Jan 24, 2017 at 11:17 am
Similar to the boomerang.
Kevin
Jan 24, 2017 at 9:54 am
They don’t even sell in the US. Shank!
Cam
Jan 24, 2017 at 10:36 am
Hey Kevin, at the moment we’re only selling in the US through Amazon, but they will be there with a more permanent link soon! https://www.amazon.com/PuttOut-Pressure-Putt-Trainer-Perfect/dp/B01N9BXYW3
Smith
Jan 24, 2017 at 2:33 pm
What about Canada?
SEGA69
Jan 26, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Says out of stock FYI
Rano
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:23 am
Email them and ask for shipping estimate. Then you can pay them the amount in paypal and they’ll send it off.
DB
Jan 24, 2017 at 9:51 am
So if you hit into the micro-target, then the ball is stuck and doesn’t roll back?
Large chris
Jan 24, 2017 at 8:03 am
I know some ladies who would love this ????