I picked up my Gauge JAPAN/ Balde from Chris the other day. Immediately, I was just in love with the finish on the putter. The color is just perfect. I was so much into just looking at the finish of the putter that I didn't even notice it didn't have a site-line. I had to call Chris as I was driving away to ask about it. Apparently my Balde is a little different then the ones on the Gauge site. No site-line...which I prefer and 350grams.

I couldn't wait to hit the Balde. As soon as I got back to the office I dropped 3 HX Tours on the ground and started knocking some balls between the chairs. My friend who just ordered a custom Slighter had to get a few rolls on it too. Both of us were in agreement. Great roll and great feel.

Today I finally got the Balde on the course at Koolau Golf Course. What can I say.......I rolled my first putt with it in the hole for a birdie. That's enough to give me TOTAL confidence in a putter.

RATINGS:

Looks- Incredible. The finish and worksmanship on it is superb. I have/had a few Camerons, Tour Camerons, Gauge David Whitlam Proto, Bettinardi's.....this Balde beats them all. I'm just floored looking at the finish. I love the deep color. The shiny sole and rear bumpers. The topline is just thick enough to inspire a solid look. The milling on the face is awesome. The vertical grooves and milling is nothing like I've ever seen. It makes the grooves on a Tour Cameron and the honeycomb on a Betti seem elementary.

Rol/Feell- This putter can roll the rock! I have a Yes Callie (soon to be 4 sale) and I thought that putter could roll a ball. This Balde is much better. The Callie is not even close. I feel the Callie imparts a click at impact, but not much feel. The Balde on the other hand has a solid impact, but with a lot more feel to it. The carbon steel gives it a really soft yet firm impact.


This Gauge Balde will definitely stay in the bag for a while. I've said that many times before ....heck...about 8 times in the last month.....BUT I mean it this time. I couldn't be more please with it.

Thank you Chris! Nice meeting you and Tourspecgirl/Jacque!

Here's a few pics of my Balde. The face pics do not do milling/grooves justice!

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/pitbull808/DSCN1279.jpg)
(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/pitbull808/DSCN1278.jpg)
(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/pitbull808/DSCN1280.jpg)
(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/pitbull808/DSCN1276.jpg)
(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/pitbull808/DSCN1277.jpg)

Thanks for finding my post Jacque! I was wondering what happened to my review! :cool:

awesome review pitbull....loving the pics! i love the look of the face o this putter , hopefully she rolls as well as the reports say!

It has been over 5 continuous months since the Balde went into the bag. Prior to the Balde, I played with few Betties (both retail and tour), few tour Cammies, and numerous other brand-name putters, including various C-groove putters. Simply, the Balde is unbelievable! First, the Balde was balanced at the grip with the No. 9 weight kit. The countered balancing prevents the writs from getting too "flippy." Second, at set-up, the Balde is flat and square to the ball and without distraction due to the lack of sight line (on this particular putter). Third, the ball comes off of the face with virtually no hoping and/or skidding due to the milling marks (and those marks are beautiful). The ball rolls true and at the intended target line. Missing putts are due to error from mis-reading the break(s) and speed. Finally, the ball feels soft ... much softer than the Betties with the copper insert and the Cammies (with and without insert), but no so soft as to prevent me from feeling the impact between the ball and the putter.

I recently tested the Balde against the Tour Zero, the Newport Tour, BB8-H (with insert), Tour Slant MC Series (without insert), and Baby Bee on a 8 feet, left to right down-hill putt, and 10 feet flat straight putt, with the green running at about 10.5. The Balde pretty much won the contest. The next test to be conducted would be the Balde versus the One, if I can bring myself to break the plastic wrapper on the One.

DAMMIT... I think I might as well just put my MilSpec up for sale and order a Balde if Chris has any left for sale. If it's as good as everyone says it is, it definately deserves to be in my bag. :tsg_smilie_whistle: