Equipment Review: Nickel Putter
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Here’s one of those ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ golf products which, in fact, carries a lot of street cred: the new Nickel Putter No. 1. In fact, before you go labelling this innovative flat stick as simply another golf gizmo destined for infamy, think again: the Nickel Putter is an excellent large mallet putter for tournament and everyday play.

Here’s the scoop on why the Nickel Putter is unique. A 350 g large mallet putter with 70° lie and 3° stroke surface angle, the Nickel Putter also allows you to pick up and replace your ball without bending over. And, it even marks your ball and picks up your marker when you’re ready to putt.

If you’re like me and suffer with a bad back – and what golfer doesn’t eventually? – then the Nickel Putter might be the right putter for you. A ball retriever at the end of the grip simply grabs the ball from the hole without the need to bend down on one knee and thank the golfing gods for finally making the putt. You may still wish to thank a higher being for your putting prowess, but you’ll save your aching back with the retriever. It can also be purchased separately, and will fit on any putter grip.

Speaking of grip, I like the Nickel Putter No. 1 grip – a soft, tacky, pistol-style grip which is especially important when putting with a large mallet putter.

Onto the Nickel Putter ball pickup and marking features. This one is so easy, it’s like taking candy from a baby. Simply press the bottom of the putter sole over the ball, and mark it with the magnetic marker attached to the bottom of the putter. Then, reverse the process to precisely reposition your ball and remove the marker. You’ll save your back, save time, and who knows, maybe improve your score. But again, that’s where the golfing gods come in.

The Nickel Putter No. 1 is manufactured with top-notch materials, too. And when you simply snap out the balancer which houses the combo pick up and marker features, the putter is approved for play by the USGA and R&A. High-tech CNC engineering is utilized when making this putter, which features ideal CG and MOI for control and balance. Putting this putter to the test, I found the face to provide a good overall feel from a variety of distances to the hole.

MSRP for the Nickel Putter No. 1: $249.95. It’s available in 34- and 35-in. LH and 33-, 34- and 35-in. RH models.

Learn more at www.nickelputter.ca.