This club review was written by my good friend Andrew Rehfeld, who has a frightening amount of knowledge about golf equipment. This post is just as much about the SAM putting lab and custom fitting process as it is about Taylormade putters. Thank you to Andrew and everyone who reads to blog! - Graylyn
If
there is any club in my bag that is constantly changing, it is my putter. I have
gone through at least two-dozen putters in the last eight years. With the most
recent purchase, I was ready to hand over as much money as necessary to gain
more confidence.
Last
summer I had an entire bag fitting done by The Club Fix in Irvine, California.
The whole process was very expensive. The company charges for the fitting
itself, charge extra for the custom building, and all this on top of the price
of the clubs.
When
it came to fitting and buying a new putter, I had to come to terms with
spending a large sum on a single club. The list price for the Taylormade Manta
is $199. The build put the price at $299 with an additional $100 for fitting
and tax. Over $400 for a Taylormade putter! Anyway, I went into the shop last
week with a completely clear mind and zero preconceptions as to what I was
looking for. Admittedly, a Taylormade putter, especially a belly putter, was
the last thing on my mind. The fitting system they use is called the SAM putting lab.
Basically, it involves lasers and computer analysis that digitally read and map
the putting stroke. The process automatically selects the putter type and specs
that work best with your stroke and build.
I
used my own putter on the initial evaluation and made three out of seven putts
from about ten feet. My fitter recommended the belly putter and adjusted the
one in the shop to 41.5". I then made all seven putts in a row and the
rest is history. I had not even become adjusted to using this putter, but I did
not need to: it was fitted to my natural stroke. I highly recommend spending
the fortune it costs to finally get it done right.
Upon
receiving the putter, I was surprised by how high quality the construction
seemed. I have had a few Taylormade putters in the past and they all looked
cheap and the paint flaked off easily, etc. Though not quite the craftsmanship
of a Scotty Cameron, this putter looks great. My putter was set up at
41.5" with 7* of loft and a lie angle of 73*; this is obviously something
you could not get off of the shelf. The SAM lab laser measures the loft and then dials in the swingweight according to the new length.
I have never been a huge fan of soft
inserts, but the soft insert on this putter feels great. Instead of the cheap rubber
feel you will get from average priced putters, the Manta feels incredibly solid
and responsive. The Manta is also very easy to align. The two lines on the top
help you point the putter directly on line with ease. I am not sure that the
white finish is anything more than a gimmick, but I do think it looks pretty
cool. Overall, the Manta is surprisingly well crafted.
Despite
my satisfaction with the belly style, I would not recommend it to anyone. I
would recommend getting a proper fitting from someone who uses the SAM putt lab
and getting the putter that works best for your stroke. Do not waste your time
getting fit at a big box store from someone that received a little bit of
training and is a 20 handicap. The Club Fix is another level of fitting, and I
would recommend something similar. Do not be afraid of what is put in your
hands, and if you end up with one the SAM putt lab custom fit putters, you know
that you are receiving something built custom for your specific stroke.
