The classic returns. I’ve got a golfing buddy who still putts with an original of this design. He won’t give it up for anything. He won’t even change the worn, slick leather grip.

You can’t have too many putters. Or at least that’s what my friend Dave claims. Here’s one he doesn’t have in his collection (yet).

Hireko golf says that its new Acer CB2 putter is “the most advanced putter made for the component market.” It features a two piece consturciton with a lightweight milled aluminum face and center section and a stainless steel outer ring.

The outer ring accounts for more than half the weight of the putter, which allows Hireko to achieve the holy grail of golf club design—a high moment of intertia.

It’s also center shafted, which is my preferred style. I also like the fact that you can get it either assembled, or as a component.

Hireko’s got a 60 Day Satisfaction guarantee.

Golf Research In Play (GRIP) is a company that I’ve recently discovered that’s attempting to break into the golf market with high quality, mid priced, original club designs. In that sense, it’s a bit like Tour Edge, before that company went upscale with its exotic metals lines. I think that founder Rob Blumberg is right in that there’s a large market of “middle of the road” golfers who are looking for something more than clones, but who can’t—or won’t—pay premium prices for clubs from one of the big boys.

The company only sells directly to customers, so you won’t be able to try them in stores. They do, however, offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee—a must in teh direct club sales market.

One of their first offerings is this “Sweetness” Putter, an oversized putterhead that GRIP says offers strong alignment help. The dual bar design has a center aiming stripe that allows you to frame the ball and the line to the hole.

The front and back of the putter have weight ports to ensure a smooth stroke and balance from setup to followthrough. The face has a double insert: a CNC-milled aluminum center surrounded by a soft polymer.

I think it’s an attractive design that reminds me somewhat of the RIFE putters. I particularly like the “brassy”—they call it Gold—and black finish.

For the traditionalists among you, Billy Baroo Putters offer a line of hand carved, hardwood shafted putters.

I’ve always wanted one like this. I have a sneaking suspicion that in the hands of a good putter (like your friendly neighborhood Golfblogger) a well-turned wood putter would work just as well as one of those modern ones.

YES GOLF Tiffany Series Putter

The Yes! Tiffany Series Putter is a strange looking critter. The face-balanced putter has a double bend shaft.