The argument can be made that the world of putter manufacturing is simultaneously the easiest and hardest segment to break into for a new company. On one hand, you are dealing with some of the biggest brands in all of golf, but on the other, it might still be the easiest part of the bag to innovate.
Every year we see smaller companies step up and try to stake their claim, often times built upon wild claims with no real backing behind them outside of aesthetics. Makefield Putters are not that. No, this is a company who is prioritizing innovation above all else in order to help golfers on the greens, regardless of their putting stroke or style.
We were able to get three of the models from Makefield Putters in hand to put through their paces, but more than that, we were able to learn more about the technology as well as seeing it in action.
The Makefield Story
Personally, one of the most interesting parts of writing about a new or burgeoning putter company is getting into their origin story. You can learn a lot about a brand based on where their roots are, as well as the rhyme and reason for their decision to jump into the ever crowded world of putter design. When it comes to Makefield, it is all based around passion that is driven by the belief that they have designed something that could benefit anyone on the greens.
The brand was founded by Everett Farr and though he grew up in a golfing family with his father being a PGA Rules Official, this path was not at the forefront of his thoughts. Though he was an engineer by trade, it was not until COVID that putters became at first a curiosity, and then a passion. As things locked down, Everett spent more time at home helping to take care of his autistic son day to day, and during downtimes YouTube golf videos became a go-to in the house, specifically those pertaining to putters.
The deeper that Farr dove, the more he learned about the why’s and what’s within putter designs. However, even as he discovered more about the various weighting principles and concepts different manufacturers hung their hats on in terms of achieving desired MOI, CG placement, and even toe hang, he found the overall engineering principles lacking at times.
Built around the understanding that the putter propels the ball on a path, which is dictated by the overall design elements impacting the position and strike location through impact, an idea formed. By looking at weighting in a perpendicular manner across and within a shape, then combining it with an impactful face design, a new level of roll and fitting potential was created.
With a concept in hand, and testing to back it up, all that remained was a name. Given Farr’s residence in Bucks Field, Pennsylvania as well the family’s love of exploring the area, a sign on a road trip became the inspiration. Lower Makefield Township was the sign, and immediately Makefield Golf was born. An American Made brand with all milling, finishing, design, and builds done in-house, Makefield’s story is almost as unique as their designs.
Makefield Putters – Defined by Inertia
Given the engineering background and initially looking at golf from the outside-in, Farr approached things in a different manner than we often see. Specifically, for Makefield the “path of inertia” is key. By understanding that putting involves a plethora of “unbalancing forces” which thus create torque within the putting stroke, regardless of if the putter itself is zero-torque, Makefield saw the reality that each golfer has their own “torque profile” to find their path of inertia as well.
This path, according to Makefield, is the combination of MOI, CG, and their unique X3 Weight System coming together in order to produce a level of fine tuning and fit which is stunning. You see, the X3 Weight System is an internal weighting design which is part of what the brand calls “Player Torque Matching”.
Every putter in the lineup is milled from 6061T6 Aircraft Grade Aluminum and possesses a varying number of internal channels which run perpendicular to the putter face. Each and every one of these is filled with a combination of aluminum, stainless, and also tungsten slugs which are capped with an external screw to secure them in place.
Why is this so interesting? Because it truly is outside the box thinking. Yes, we have seen putters with adjustable weighting forever now, and we have also seen aluminum designs which seek to optimize the effect of that heavier moveable weight, Makefield is taking it to an entirely different level though. The potential for fine tuning not just the overall flow/torque of the putter based on where you align/place the weights, but also the ability to dynamically shift the center of gravity. Truly, you can tune every aspect of each putter’s balance to fit your stroke.
Of course, with all this adjustability, Makefield also knew that a face design which could operate optimally in terms of roll production, no matter how things are set up for the users chosen X3 orientation, was critical. So, they developed what they are calling the Radial Cusp Face Technology (RCFT). By CNC Milling the face of each putter into a unique pattern of what they call “intersectional nexuses” there is less long term friction at impact. Basically, by reducing the surface area that comes into contact with the ball, Makefield has improved the roll while also creating a sound/feel that is much improved from most aluminum designs.
Yes, that is a lot to take in, but with such a unique combination of design technology, the deep dive is necessary. Of course, all the technology is great, but with putters it is the visual which makes or breaks user willingness to give them a go. For Makefield, the looks are as outside the box as the tech, and fortunately they sent three of their six models to THP for an in-hand look.
Makefield Defiant
Having done this for many years, I am hard pressed to find a name that fits the design more than the Defiant does. This is absolutely Makefield golf bucking the trends and throwing visual conformity out the window in favor or performance above all else.
Offered in four neck orientations, the Defiant is where oversized blade meets mallet. Thanks to the staggering six weighting locations (three per side) as well as the elongated heel-to-toe size (4.5”) the look screams that it will want to stay square through impact. Standard weighting options on the Defiant is 340-370g.
Makefield VS F
Present day, you would be hard pressed to call yourself a real putter company if you didn’t offer some sort of “fang” design, and the VS F is Makefield making sure they have that option within their lineup.
Each fang has two weight channels internally which gives significant potential to dial in both front/back CG alterations as well as toe-flow based on each user’s needs. It is a bit deeper than many fanged designs front to back (3”) but has a very standard heel-to-toe look (3 ¾”). There are ten internal weights within the VS F, the head is available from 320-410g.
Makefield TF
The TF is Makefield’s biggest overall mallet option, but also interestingly the tamest in terms of overall visual. Named after the father of the brand’s founder, this model is all about balance and confidence inspiration behind the golf ball.
Thanks to its increased heel-to-toe width and favorable front to back depth, the TF has enough surface area to allow for seven internal weight channels. The model comes with 11 total weights and can be ordered in configurations ranging from 320-410g.
Makefield Putters – Performance Breakdown
While all of the background, tech talk, and general design feedback are necessary when discussing the foundational aspects of a hopeful disruptor like Makefield, performance matters most. Fortunately, since we received three different models in-hand to work with and put through their paces, the feedback is ample.
Visually, let’s be honest, there is a lot to digest. A good way to put it would be unique without being obnoxious. At times, companies try so hard to be different visually that they jump the shark a bit, that isn’t the case with Makefield. Once in-hand, it becomes quickly apparent that the looks are key to making sure that the X3 Weight System can shine. If you are looking for something “classic” or on the safe side visually then they may not be for you, but the options cover enough visual breadth that there should be an option that can get the job done.
All three putters came with the standard black anodized finish and white alignment setups which tied the overall aesthetic together well. Being that they are aluminum, the finish can make or break initial perception and comfort, Makefield did well here.
The weight ports in the rear of each model look cool, but the weights within each channel and the ability to alter the X3 Weight System is the showstopper here. Not only does the system work, but it works remarkably well, to the point that during testing there were so many orientations tried out that count was lost.
While that feedback might seem broad, it is because the degree to which the CG and toe-flow was changed with each model was mind bending, dialing things in every imaginable configuration. For example, during testing with the TF, I saw a consistent right miss, so I shifted the tungsten weights into the heel-side channels. With that simple change, the right miss was eliminated, and I actually started seeing too much correction. When Makefield says the options are limitless, they mean it, which does make it important to have a decent understanding of what your putting stroke is and needs, otherwise it might be like opening pandoras box.
Distance control and feel off of the face were also standouts during testing. When it comes to any aluminum milled putter body, the results in those categories can be hit or miss, but Makefield nailed it. Not only does the RCFT face look unique and cool, it puts an incredible roll on the ball, even at the shocking 1.8 degrees of loft the putters come with at standard. The face not only optimized the roll, but there is so little surface area impacting the ball that the feel remains dense and pleasant.
The Details – Makefield Putters
As the THP Staff’s resident putter addict, it is a lot of fun to see that something new and unique is still possible when it comes to the segment. Makefield won’t be for everyone, especially the traditionalists who fear change, but there is absolutely a performance story here to go hand-in-hand with the design one.
With six putter models, each available in four different neck orientations (CS, PN, Slant, Double Bend), and even making sure there are options for users of “alternative” putters (Long, Armlock, Counter-Balance), you would think Makefield has their bases covered. However, they are also offering nine different custom anodized color finishes as well as colored shaft options as well, understanding that though their looks are unique, offering such in house personalization will only broaden their initial appeal.
Pricing on the Makefield putters is $349.99 for stock and $399.99 when it comes to the custom options/finishes. More information, as well as ordering options, can be found at www.makefieldgolf.com.
