In the Groove

2008-02-10

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By Steve Pike
 
You might not know Alec Pettigrew's name but chances are you've heard of Yes putters.

Pettigrew was chief executive officer and a force in the success of Yes putters, with C-Groove technology, the past few years. Now Pettigrew has launched a new company called GEL (Groove Equipment Limited) whose putters feature horizontal grooves milled onto a much softer aluminum insert.

The result, Pettigrew says, is a putter that starts the ball rolling faster, straighter and with better feel.
 
"In general, a putt is more susceptible to stray off-target during the skid, while a rolling putt will hold its intended line and improve the chances of going in the hole," says Pettigrew, a managing director of Groove Equipment LTD.  "Additionally, because the ball comes off the face straighter and with more forward roll it is easier to control distance, one of the leading factors in three-putting.
 
"When a touring pro strikes a putt, the ball appears to hug the green and hold a tight line to the cup. It is the result of a finely tuned putting stroke which produces a forward roll early in the putt and something most recreational golfers lack."
 
GEL has six models ranging from traditional blade style putters to more cutting-edge designs. Each GEL putter comes standard with a specially designed Winn grip and carries a suggested retail price of $165.
 
GEL also has introduced a "Paul Hurrion Signature Range" which features its groove technology and an innovative approach to weight disbursement.
 
A well-known leading international biomechanist in several sports and noted authority on putting, Hurrion has worked with such players as British Open Champion Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, David Howell and Lee Westwood.
 
GEL says Hurrion's putter line comes equipped with a True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 shaft rather than a standard putter shaft because it allows Hurrion to reposition weight farther away from the putter head leading to a more rhythmic stroke and better response.  
 
The Paul Hurrion Signature Range carries a suggested retail price of $299.