PUTTER REVIEW – Piretti Forza!

 

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Over the past few years MyGolfSpy has introduced plenty of new putter designers to our readers through the blog and forum.  And while these new names to the market all have unique stories and designs very few have been able to show as much steady growth as the Piretti brand.  There are the “big name brands” and then there are only a handful of other putter designers golfers would consider household names in the industry.  But ever since its launch…Piretti has continually been moving up the ranks of putter companies being mentioned more and more at the proverbial “water coolers” across the country and across the globe. And if I were to bet which name would be the next to be considered in that group Piretti would be near the top of that list.

And while you might be thinking the formula for success in the putter industry is simple: classic designs + nice finishes = success.  You couldn’t be further from the truth.  It takes a combination of so many other talents and variables.  And believe it or not coming up with nice looking designs might be the easiest part.  But from what I have seen so far Mike Johnson, owner of Piretti Golf has just what it takes to take this brand to the next level.

Putter Tested: Piretti Forza

I know its just a logo…but a logo says more than you think about a company.  Yes…their can be a poorly run company who has a great logo.  But more often than not…find a company with a good logo and you will find one of the more successful companies in whatever industry they are in.  And the same goes for Piretti…I don’t know what it is about the lion logo reminiscent of some luxury cars and beer companies…but I just like it and so did our testers.  All 6 of them made a remark or two before the testing was over about the logo.

At first glance the Piretti Forza putter immediately takes you back in time to models like the TPA XVIII or Odyssey #9 designs.  So for those fans of these models looking for a nicely finished & milled modern rendition the Piretti Forza is just what you might be looking for.

Now onto the similarities and unique features of the Piretti Forza and the designs that came before it.

Similarities:

• Heel-to-Toe length almost identical
• Width from leading edge to trailing edge
• Face width is also very similar

Unique Features:

• Hosel length is slightly shorter.
• Face height is approx. 1/8″ taller than other similar models
• Sole radius has a double shelf, rear shelf with negative sole draft
• Cavity pocket is slightly more narrow
• less toe biased radius shape to rear of the cavity

It also possesses a face with 2.5 degrees loft…a trait of all Piretti putters. He incorporates this into his designs because Johnson feels it allows for better speed control and helps with distance control as well. This head also comes in a littler heavier at 365 grams which is 15-25 grams heavier then your standard tour style Anser. His reasoning for this is to try and help smooth out the putting stroke and improve accuracy.

Putter Features:

• 11L17 Carbon Steel
• 365 Grams (or) 375 grams
• 5:30 Toe Hang
• Half-Shaft Offset
• PVD Midnight Black Finish
• Loft 2.5 Degrees

BALL USED: Titleist Pro V1

GRIP USED: Lamkin 3Gen White Piretti

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FEEL

Since the a good percentage of you might not be able to get your hands on this model to test it out I want to help you better understand exactly what this putter feels like and sounds like.  So I did a head-to-head comparison with the Piretti Forza against other Piretti models with the same finish and other TPA XVIII and Odyssey #9 models as well.  The majority of Piretti Putters I have tested have a more crisp tone in comparison to most brands.  And most of the Odyssey #9 models and TPA XVIII models I tested I would say were on the softer sounding and more buttery feeling spectrum.  And when comparing them all I would describe the Forza as an in-between….more of a buttery crisp tone and feel.

So if you don’t like too soft and you don’t like too crisp the Piretti Forza is right up your fairway.

LOOKS

In the looks category we’ve got  a winner!  There are really 3 popular colored finishes when it comes to putters and black is on the top of that list.  And when it comes to black you are not going to find a much prettier one than this “midnight rainbow black finish”.  And for those like me that prefer no maintenance finishes this is just the ticket….a little wipe down after a round and it looks as good as new.  The finish has a nice gloss although does not glare when at address.

The Forza is a half-shaft offset mid mallet design that has a more consistent arch on the back of the design.  Some of the similar models arch is more toe biased than the Piretti Forza.  Mine came stock with the Lamkin 3GEN Piretti Grip which I really like…but if your looking for something in particular there are more options to choose from.  It has a medium grade face milling pattern.

SET-UP & ALIGNMENT

Not much really to say in regards to the alignment other than it has a single cavity only sight line.  I could go on and on trying to come up with enough information to fill this paragraph talking about the advantages of one vs. two line (or) three vs. twelve…but I’ll save you from the boredom.  Sight lines are all about personal preference.  And if you like a single sight line…well this models got it ;)  Oh yeah it is filled with white paintfill too.

PERFORMANCE

Performance testing was done by 6 golfers. The testers were asked to make putts from 5, 10 and 15 feet. Putts had to be made straight in, left to right and right to left. They were then asked to rate each model on a scale of 1-10 for the following categories 5:

• Distance Control = 8.7
  
• Accuracy = 8.7
  
• Sound & Feel = 9.7
  
• Appearance = 9.6
  
• Alignment = 9.2
  
• OVERALL = 9.18

FIT FOR STROKE™

Don’t change your stroke. Change your putter.

The (FIT FOR STROKE™) section is something new that we will be included in all our future putter reviews. So why are we adding it? Well…because in a past poll I took years ago (need to do another one soon) I found that close to 90% of golfers were currently not playing a putter that fit their stroke properly.  Yes…90%!! So more than likely that includes you.  That’s why it’s so important to include this in our future putter reviews. Getting a new putter is always nice…but it’s better to buy one that helps lower your score.  And don’t worry if the putter we are reviewing does not fit your stroke but you like what you see we will tell you other putters in their line-up that do.

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 Piretti Forza is a: STRONG-ARC

(P.S.) – 10% OFF DISCOUNT – Piretti Golf is offering the MyGolfSpy readers a special limited time offer. Just include the term: Forza 2011 in the comments section when checking out and get a 10% refund upon shipment. The discount will be good until (OFFER ENDS JANUARY 31st 2012)