Product Review
The Perfect Practice Putting Mat Review by Jason Tenzer
“It’s awesome mate! For the elite and for kids too, my boys love it. It’s teaching them the correct alignment…Thanks for the mat and looking forward to making more putts!!” – Marc Leishman – PGA Tour Pro
INTRODUCTION
I met OHK Sports when I was planning on attending the PGA Fashion Show in Las Vegas, NV in August 2019. As I always do, I research the vendors that will be there and then I reach out to the ones I think our golfers would like to hear about. OHK Sports and their Perfect Practice Putting Mat made that list.
SET UP
When I received my Perfect Practice Putting Mat in the mail, I cracked it open immediately and didn’t see an instruction booklet. My first thought was, “uh oh, Ikea nightmare”. I could not have been more wrong. Once you take the 5 pieces out, it is understandable why there are not instructions.
Time to set up: 2 minutes
Time to drain my first putt: 1 putt
Time for my dog to think it’s his: 5 minutes
Time for my wife to tell me to get it out of the living room: 1 putt (she didn’t really tell me that … it was the conversation in my head immediately after draining putt #1)
LOOKS
It’s slick. OHK Sports really did their homework when it came to designing the Perfect Practice Mat. The natural wood finish not only gives it a nice look, the color of the finish does not distract my eyeline (that’s really the most important part of the finish). The Back Stop means you will not be chasing those putts that are destined to blow by the hole by 3 feet. Your putt will hit the Back Stop, drop into the Auto Ball Return area that feeds the ball down a small path, and returns to the putting surface. The Auto Ball Return works for all putts that either sink or go too far. The 3rd part that gets the ball back to you is the slope you need to climb to reach the hole. If you’re a little short, the ball rolls right back to your feet. And my favorite part of the entire Perfect Practice Mat are the 2 holes to shoot for – 1 is regulation size and 1 is approximately ½ the size. GENIUS! Unlike many other putting mats, the Perfect Practice Putting Mat has different lines for you to use at set up. The last part of the design is the thin putting surface. Because it sits nearly on the floor, you will never feel as if your putter stands up too high like many other putting surfaces.
DOES IT WORK
In one word … YES! Unless you completely shank your putt or hit it unbelievably short, you will never chase a putt down the hallway. The Auto Ball Return and Back Stop make sure that doesn’t happen. I found the lines on the mat for set up help more than I thought, the more I used it. They assist in the take-away and follow through. When you start seeing your putter waver a little bit offline, start over. I noticed that 90% of the time I started over, I sank that putt. Maybe now when I’m on the course, I’ll be able to stop my putt when I feel my take-away isn’t correct.
CONCLUSION
The Perfect Practice Mat is a training aid that all golfers need. I can almost guarantee that once you start using your Mat, you will start playing games at home with family (my 6 year old daughter loves it), friends, or solo. You’ll start seeing how many 2-10 footers you can make in a row or how many you can make in the small hole in a row. I can’t wait to start my routine of a few minutes a day and then see the improvement on the course.
COST
Most golfers don’t practice besides the few minutes before their round. Most golfers wish they had something easy at their home or office (their bosses probably don’t wish this) to use to help their game. The Perfect Practice Putting Mat is easy to set up, helps your game immensely, is fun, and is not expensive. At $129.99, you can make that back quickly when you start draining more putts on the course.
Get yours today. CLICK HERE
As the golf season continues, 2024 has delivered an exciting lineup of drivers that cater to every type of player—from the casual weekend warrior to the competitive tour player. With advancements in technology and design, golfers now have access to clubs that not only optimize distance but also enhance control and forgiveness. As the holiday season approaches you might want to decide what to ask for. Here, we take a closer look at the top 5 drivers of 2024, comparing their performance and value to help you make an informed decision.
1. Callaway Paradym X
Performance Highlights:
- Distance: One of the longest drivers in its class, thanks to Callaway’s AI-designed Jailbreak technology.
- Forgiveness: High MOI (Moment of Inertia) ensures off-center hits maintain decent distance and direction.
- Adjustability: Comes with adjustable hosel settings to fine-tune loft and lie.
Value Rating:
- With its robust technology and reliable performance, the Paradym X is a solid investment for those seeking maximum distance without sacrificing forgiveness.
2. TaylorMade Stealth 2
Performance Highlights:
- Carbon Face: The revolutionary carbon composite face provides a lightweight yet powerful strike zone.
- Sound & Feel: Enhanced acoustics for a satisfying impact sound and smooth feel.
- Aerodynamics: Streamlined shape reduces drag for faster clubhead speed.
Value Rating:
- A premium driver with a higher price point, but its technological advancements justify the cost for serious players looking for that edge.
3. Titleist TSR2
Performance Highlights:
- Consistent Distance: High-launching and low-spinning for powerful and controlled drives.
- Workability: Ideal for players who like to shape their shots without sacrificing stability.
- Refined Look: Classic Titleist aesthetics that appeal to traditionalists.
Value Rating:
- A great blend of classic design and modern technology, offering significant value for intermediate to advanced players.
4. Ping G430 MAX
Performance Highlights:
- Forgiveness King: Widely recognized for its unmatched forgiveness and stability.
- Adjustable Weighting: The movable back weight allows for custom shot shaping.
- Sound and Feel: Enhanced acoustics give a satisfying, confidence-boosting impact.
Value Rating:
- A top choice for players who prioritize accuracy and forgiveness. Its value is exceptional for mid-handicap golfers seeking confidence off the tee.
5. Cobra Aerojet
Performance Highlights:
- Speed Optimized: Aerodynamic design promotes increased clubhead speed.
- Price Point: More affordable than some of its competitors, making it a great value for those on a budget.
- Versatility: Suitable for a range of skill levels, offering a balance between distance and control.
Value Rating:
- Best suited for those who want performance without breaking the bank. The Aerojet offers impressive distance at a mid-range price.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the right driver comes down to personal preference, play style, and budget. Each of these top drivers for 2024 offers unique strengths, from the unparalleled forgiveness of the Ping G430 MAX to the innovative technology of the TaylorMade Stealth 2. Evaluate your game and needs to choose the one that will elevate your performance on the course.
Product Review
The BEST $10 You Will Spend on Your Golf Game in 2023!
We wanted to create a world-class golf training aid that gives you INSTANT feedback on your swing and how to fix it. And I’m proud to say that we did it. The MGS Speed Trap is a revolutionary training aid that will transform your golf swing in minutes per day. Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned pro… The MGS Speed Trap will help you swing on the correct plane, giving you yards of effortless, accurate distance…
FIXES THE #1 MISTAKE GOLFERS MAKE
If you’re struggling with a nasty slice… And spend half your round out in the rough looking for your ball. Or if you’re mis-hitting your irons… And you have a weak, low drive that barely clears 200 yards… There’s a simple reason why this is happening. Your golf swing follows an OUTSIDE-IN path.
This means the head of your golf club goes too far in front of your body (aka, starting outside)… Then it comes back into the ball (inside)… Almost all amateur golfers have an outside-in swing… And it costs them yards of distance off the tee… Puts excess pressure on your back and spine increasing the risk of injury… And causes weak, inconsistent results off the tee and with your irons.
Equipment
First Look: Mizuno M.Craft OMOI Putter
Mizuno expands its line of M.Craft forged/milled putters with the new OMOI lineup of three models. The OMOI line features heavier heads (as much as 28 grams depending on the model) for better stability, feel and sound, but keeps the overall weight of the club similar to standard models with lighter shafts and grips for better control.
PRICE: $350, three models: 01 and 02 blades, 03 mallet.
THE DEEP DIVE: When Mizuno’s David Llewellyn, director of research and development, and Chris Voshall, head of product, were struggling to come up with a name for the new heavier version of the M.Craft lineup of putters, they turned to the company’s Japanese heritage.
“I’m not exactly fluent in Japanese, but I know enough that when we asked What’s ‘heavy’ in Japanese?, I kind of knew it was ‘omoi,’” he said. “When we found out the secondary meaning was ‘passionate thought’ or ‘willpower’ and that kind of imagery, well, we were like, We’re definitely using ‘omoi.’ That’s just too good for a putter, especially when your main theme is what you did with some additional mass.”
Of course, it also helps that the last three letters are m-o-i, as in the golf technology term “moment of inertia.” MOI is a measurement of the stability of an object and its resistance to twisting on an off-center hit. By making the heads on the OMOI line as much as 28 grams heavier than standard, the new putters automatically improved their stability on off-center hits compared to the standard M.Craft models introduced in the prior two years.
The heavier heads are paired with a lighter shaft and a lighter grip to change the balance point of the entire club. The idea is to further stabilize the entire system so the club is easier to swing.
“Our testing showed that locating more of the overall club weight in the head provided more consistent face rotation through impact,” Llewellyn said.
The extra mass in the head allowed for tweaks to the designs, specifically thickening the sole, that in addition to improving stability produced better sound and feel measurements through the company’s acoustic profiling known as “harmonic impact technology.”
The OMOI lineup includes two blades, the slant-neck 01 and the heel-toe weighted plumber’s neck 02, as well as a rounded mallet design, the 03. The 01 features a three-quarter hosel offset and 60 degrees of toe hang; the 02 features a full-shaft offset and 40 degrees of toe hang; and the 03 uses a double bend shaft and is face-balanced. The 01 and 02 feature 370-gram heads, while the 03 is 383 grams. Each model features 8-gram heel and toe weight screws, and a kit with extra 3-gram and 13-gram weights is included at no additional charge.
Like the original M.Craft line, the heads are forged from 1025 carbon steel, and they feature deep face milling for furthering that softer feel. They are offered in three finishes: double nickel, blue ION or Black ION.
The OMOI putters will be at retail in March ($350).
This article originally appeared on Golf Digest.
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