Top 5 New Putters of 2005

1. Guerin Rife Two Bar

When the Guerin Rife Two Bar started showing up on television, in use by touring pros, we started getting questions from readers: what is that thing? Where can I find one? The Guerin Rife Two Bar generated quite a bit of buzz, and is among the most buzzworthy of clubs from 2005. The face grooving, weight features, alignment aids, self-adjustable lie angle, and, of course, the two bars extending back from the face combine to make the Guerin Rife Two Bar our pick.

2. Scotty Cameron by Titleist Studio Style

The Studio Style series from Scotty Cameron includes four Newport models. In a time that often seems dominated by mallets and oversized mallets, the Studio Style putters are the only "normal" looking heel-toe putters on our list.

3. Nickent Pipe

As we said in our original review, the Nickent Pipe is one smokin' putter. The half-pipe alignment aid on the top of the clubhead makes the Pipe very easy to align. Rear weighting and the softer but still crisp insert material produce great feel and distance control.

4. Aserta Monster

Aserta putters put more weight up high, bringing the putter head's center of gravity in line with the golf ball's equator. This gets the ball rolling end-over-end immediately, minimizing skid. You don't have to be too concerned with the technology. Just appreciate the way the ball holds its line and the way the Monster feels in your hands.

5. Carbite HCG

Like the Aserta Monster, the Carbite HCG moves the center of gravity upward ("HCG" stands for "high center of gravity"). Mass is concentrated in the centerline, which also serves as an effective siteline. The Carbite HCG has something great going for it, irrespective of technology: it costs less than $100, easily the least expensive of the putters on this list.