Red seems to be the “it” color lately on the green. Besides Odyssey’s O-Works Red and TaylorMade’s TP Red series putters that have recently been introduced, there are two new red flatsticks from a new company. Bloodline’s milled aluminum RG-1 Mallet and R1-J blade ($500 apiece) are not only nice looking, but armed with a cool feature. Each model is weighted in such a way that once you set up at address and think you’re aiming at the cup, you can let go of the putter and it stands on its own. Then you can crouch down behind the putter to double-check your alignment before putting. In fact, you can adjust the aim if it’s off and the putter will remain standing.
While not the first putters to stand on their own, they are the first from this new brand that was started in part by Brad Adams, a founding partner of Odyssey and son of TaylorMade founder Gary Adams. The Bloodline models are adjustable for lie and length, and each sport an ultralight grip and carbon fiber shaft for an ultra-low balance point. Ernie Els has been using the blade in competition.
Veteran golf writer Scott Kramer has covered the golf equipment market full-time since 1990. His career has spanned senior editor positions at both Golf Pro Magazine and GOLF Magazine. He now works on a freelance basis for many consumer and trade publications, including the SCGA’s FORE magazine.
