PUTTER REVIEW! – P2G2

Putter Tested: P2G2

“Turning putting upside-down”

(Written By: GolfSpy Matt) Put yourself in this situation: through 30 years of fitting, you’ve come to believe that most putters on the market are fundamentally flawed.  What do you do?  Do you design another cookie-cutter putter that will be readily accepted or do you design a putter that is, compared to most putters, upside-down?

This is exactly the position that P2G2 founder Norm Alberigo found himself in, and he did the latter.  Norm believes that most putters have a center of gravity that is entirely too low.  The P2G2 putter has a higher center of gravity, more in line with the equator of the golf ball, that is designed to transfer energy to the ball more efficiently and provide a better roll.

While P2G2 offers only one head shape, there is a great deal of customization available in addition to the basics such as length and lie.  As you can see in the pictures, alignment features can be added to the putter to suit the player’s preference.  There are currently two “backs” that can be added, with more on the way.  Additionally, the weight can be customized through the use of different materials.  The P2G2 putter is also offered in standard length, belly, and long putter.  P2G2 will even customize the amount of offset and toe hang at no additional cost.

Putter Features:

• Stainless steel (Face) Aluminum (Flange) and Titanium (Hosel)
• 340 grams
• 4:30 toe hang
• Zero Offset

BALL USED: TaylorMade Penta TP5

FEEL

There were two words that every player said when they tried the P2G2: “solid” and “heavy.”  What’s interesting is that the putter weighs in at 340 grams – not heavy at all by modern standards.  It seems that something in the placement of the weight (higher COG) made our testers more sensitive to the weight.

I would definitely agree with our testers’ choice of “solid” to describe the feel of the putter.  There is a very faint “clink” on center hits, but the dominant feel is a solid, semi-soft impact.

Toe and heel hits feel very similar to center hits.  They lack the small “clink,” but they still have a very solid feel.  More importantly, toe and heel hits tend to travel nearly as far as center hits do.

LOOKS

A confession: I almost passed on reviewing the P2G2 based on the pictures on their website.  I am an unabashed putter snob.  I’m talking 10’s and better.  I’d rather miss putts than use an ugly putter.  All that said, I’m glad I didn’t let the stock photos deter me.

The thing that really caught me by surprise when I took the P2G2 out of its headcover was the face milling: it’s a stunning milling pattern that the website pictures do no justice to (mine are better, but still not a perfect representation).  I would describe it as a weave pattern, or, if you prefer, a bunch of zig-zaggy lines. Regardless of what you call it, it looks great.

The putter as a whole is more workman-like in appearance.  The combination of stainless steel and black aluminum is functional, but won’t turn heads.  Our test group felt that the P2G2’s looks weren’t a negative, but they weren’t really a positive either.

Given some of the putters that we’ve reviewed here, the bar on looks is set very high.  While the P2G2 may be a great performer, on looks alone it’s not the one you want to take home at the end of the night.

SET-UP  & ALIGNMENT

Alignment is one category where we almost never get agreement among our testers.  Some are strongly against alignment aids, and some are strongly for them.  Hard to appeal to both…unless the alignment aids are removable.

While the basic P2G2 head does have a sight line on it, it didn’t seem to bother those who prefer their putters plain.  I chalk this up to the overall simplicity of the design.  For those that prefer mallet and lines, attaching the “2425” back to the putter filled them with confidence.

Beyond alignment aids, the putter sits nice and square at address, and the lack of offset really appealed to our test group.  Overall, the P2G2 was found to be very easy to aim.

PERFORMANCE

Performance testing was done by 7 golfers.  The testers were given the putter and asked to hit putts of all lengths (3 to 20 feet).  They were then asked to rate the putter from 1-10 in each of the following categories:

• Distance Control = 9.9
• Accuracy = 9.6
• Sound & Feel = 9.6
• Appearance = 7.0
• Alignment = 9.3
• OVERALL = 90.8

FIT FOR STROKE™

Don’t change your stroke. Change your putter.

The (FIT FOR STROKE™) concept was developed by PING, yet another genius fitting system they have developed for golfers.  It works hand-in-hand with the iPING Putter App which is highly suggest everyone getting (IT’S FREE!).  You might be surprised to find out that the stroke you think you have isn’t the stroke you actually have.

This addition to the MGS reviews will allow you to become a more consistent putter by matching you with models that better fit your stroke type.  They will be broken down into three categories: (1) Straight – for face balance putters  (2) Slight Arc – for mid toe hang putters  (3) Strong Arc – for toe down putters

“Results from hundreds of player and robot tests at PING offer overwhelming scientific support for the effectiveness of fitting for stroke. In recent years more diagnostic tools and testing equipment have become available, and the results prove that a golfer’s consistency improves when their putter balance matches their stroke type. It was interesting to observe that golfers putt more consistently with stroke-appropriate models, but they also show a personal preference for these models, too. Prior to putting with them, golfers are drawn to models that fit their eye, even before they fit their stroke.” says PING.

The P2G2 is a: SLIGHT ARC

OVERALL

In a world of putters that are dying to blend in, the P2G2 dares to be different.  They bring to the table a unique design philosophy that, according to our test panel, delivers on its promises of superior roll and distance control.

The P2G2 putter can be customized in nearly endless ways, and most of those changes add nothing to the cost.  What’s more, there are future “add-ons” in the works that you will be able to add to your putter should you desire a new look.

You can own a P2G2 putter for between $250 and $295, depending on the model.  For a unique putter that is entirely made in the USA, I think this price is right on.  P2G2 believes in their putter so much that they offer a 90-day money back guarantee, so you really have nothing to lose.

VISIT WEBSITE