Any SeeMore putters review should start with one anecdote. In an iconic image, Payne Stewart balances on one foot and thrusts forward a clinched fist. He had just dropped a bomb of a putt to secure a victory over Phil Mickelson in the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. In Stewart’s other hand: a SeeMore putter.
SeeMore putters had only been around for a few years when Stewart sank that infamous putt. The company saw some early success, but soon closed its doors. The shuttering didn’t last long though. SeeMore has been one of the few successful independent putter manufacturers since 2007.
The SeeMore company has two more major championships to its credit, but players of all skill levels can and do use these flat sticks. The reason why has less to do with early ball roll or toe hang and more to do with the one aspect of putting we all struggle with from time to time: aim.
SeeMore Putters Review – FGP Mallet
The SeeMore FGP mallet is one of the classics in the company’s lineup. Its heavy 303 stainless steel head clocks in at a hefty 350 grams for added stability. The face is noticeably milled, with grooves that help impart top spin. The top line is also milled.
The RST alignment system is of course present, as are two alignment lines along the back flange of the mallet. Available in multiple shaft lengths and in left- and right-handed versions, the SeeMore FGP is what people think of when they think of SeeMore putters.
Features
- Made of expensive and dense 303 stainless steel (350 grams of it)
- Utilizes the RST alignment system along with added alignment marks
- Beautiful milling of the top line as well as the face
- Face balanced at impact (with 40 degrees of traditional toe hang)
- Straight shaft with no remedial bends
- Smaller mallet head for a more traditional appearance
Benefit: RifleScope Technology
When you look down at the top of a SeeMore putter, you will see white lines on top of the putter head to either side of the shaft. On the heel, SeeMore paints a single red line. To line up the putter, the golfer covers the red line with the dark shaft, positioning it between the white lines.
It is an intuitive system many American golfers will be familiar with. That’s because its inspiration comes from iron rifle sights, which is the inspiration behind the RifleScope Technology (RST) moniker. The system is as foolproof as it is simple, and the consistent success of SeeMore putters in the marketplace is evidence that it works.
Benefit: Face Balanced (Differently)
The other unique benefit to using a SeeMore putter is taking advantage of their face balancing. We’re not talking about the typical face balancing here, where you hold the putter at the balance point along the shaft and the face is parallel to the horizon.
Most SeeMore putters have toe hang. Where their faces are balanced though is at impact. They require no manipulation in the swing. A pendulum-type swing is rewarded with a square face at impact. Coupled with the alignment system, many golfers find making a good stroke is much simpler.
Benefit: Mini Mallet Shape
The SeeMore FGP is unlike many of the large mallets on the putter market. Its size is more closely akin to that of a typical blade putter. Sure, it has the flange of a mallet sticking out the back, but it is a more wieldy shape and size than some others.
Drawback: Takes Some Adjustment Time
One thing you’ll often hear from a new user of SeeMore putters is that they have a harder time hitting the ball on line. The truth is this pulling or pushing tendency is no fault of the putter’s. It is the fault (literally) of the golf swing.
As develop our stroke, most of us are using a putter that is ill-fitting for our game. It was probably what was given to us or what struck our eye in the pro shop. We soon learn to tweak our swing to suit our putter, and swing faults creep in. Given time, a SeeMore putter can break those bad habits, but it can take time.
SeeMore Putters – FGP Original Blade
The only difference between the original SeeMore FGP blade putter and the mallet version is that the original lacks the flange that sticks out from the back. The weight is therefore reduces by 20 grams, but it is still a hefty putter. Its MOI is high to conserve energy on off-center strikes.
Also keeping it online is the typical SeeMore face balancing. Simply swing the club and watch as it the putter head takes over. It’s really that simple.
Features
- Mostly the same as the mallet FGP, including black powder coating and RST alignment
- Center shafted to aid with visualization and alignment
- Heavy, high-MOI 320 gram putter head
- Face milling helps get the ball rolling
Benefit: Classic SeeMore
Along with its larger, mallet-headed sister club, the FGP blade is the classic club in the SeeMore line. It is sleek and understated, which are characteristics many golfers prefer. It does not wear its stroke assistance on its sleeve, but it is evident when in play.
Drawback: More Toe Hang
Being a blade, the SeeMore FGP has more toe hang than its mallet stablemate. This amount of toe hang may not be an issue for golfers with a distinctly arced stroke, but for others it may be problematic. It is still face balanced at impact. It just may feel awkward at first if you use less arc.
SeeMore Putters – Tri-Mallet
Another from the original SeeMore series, the SeeMore Tri-Mallet also features a black powder-coated putter head, which is cast from 303 stainless steel. It resembles the FGP mallet to some extent, but the rearward flange is noticeably larger and has angled wings at the edges.
Being larger, it shouldn’t be surprising that the clubhead weighs a bit more. It tips the scales at 360 grams, as compared to the FGP mallet’s 350 grams. There is also a single alignment line directly centered on the flange, compared to the two on the FGP that frame the ball.
Features
- Super heavy (360 grams) head for high-MOI stability
- Raised wings on the flange give the mallet a unique look in the line
- Same beautiful milling as the FGP putters
- Enhanced visual clues plus RST technology for effortless alignment
Benefit: Raised Wings Aid Alignment
Those tilted winglets on the sides of the flange aren’t just there to look pretty. The SeeMore Tri-Mallet is designed from top to bottom to help golfers get properly aligned. However, many of us find bright lines and other obvious alignment aids to be a bit remedial.
The Tri-Mallet combats this with the subtle raising of those wings. To the eye, there is an obvious stripe the width of the flange running along the putting line to the hole. It’s there, the astronauts just can’t see it from the International Space Station.
Benefit: SeeMore’s Commitment
As most of the other benefits of the Tri-Mallet align (pun intended) with the others we’ve mentioned, this would be a good time to talk about SeeMore’s commitment to its customers. At any point, any owner of a SeeMore putter can contact the company for advice on using its flat sticks. This includes advice on stroke, alignment or any other aspect of rolling the rock.
Drawback: Marginally Remedial
Like any other mallet putter, many purists may find the Tri-Mallet to be a bit too remedial for their taste. True, assistance is built in to the design of any mallet. SeeMore was trying to hide the help in this putter, and it succeeded. But you can put lipstick on a mallet, and it’s still a mallet.
SeeMore Putters – Si2
In many ways, the SeeMore Si2 is just like the other putters on this list. It is made from cast 303 stainless steel, which is re-milled for a striking appearance. It is a traditional blade design, but is heel and toe weighted to improve stability. And it has SeeMore’s patented RST alignment system.
What separates the Si2 from its stablemates is SeeMores use of a milled aluminum face insert. This insert softens the feel of impact, producing a distinctive click sound that modern golfers will recognize and appreciate. It gets the ball rolling faster than a smooth face as well.
Features
- Has SeeMore’s patented RST alignment system, but no extra do-dads
- Milled aluminum insert softens the strike
- Clean, simple appearance
- Has 65 degrees of toe hang, among the most in the line
- Among the lightest clubheads (345 grams) of any SeeMore
Benefit: Lighter Clubhead
At 345 grams, the Si2 is one of the lightest putters that SeeMore manufacturers. Chalk the lightened weight up to the milled out space, which is replaced with the lighter aluminum insert. It is still a heavy club, which is a hallmark of the brand, but better players will notice the difference.
Benefit: Best for Markedly Arced Strokes
Some players – those with straight-down-the-line strokes – may balk at the SeeMore Si2’s 65 degrees of toe hang. For those with noticeable arcs to their swing though, this club may be just what the doctor ordered. The toe will open and close effortlessly with an arced stroke.
These players may actually see the most benefit from SeeMore’s original design. Putting weight deep and behind the ball balances the face at impact, providing solid feel and reducing off-line putts. Arced swings will be getting the benefits of face balancing, they just won’t have to fight it.
SeeMore Putters – Platinum SB20 Mallet
The SeeMore Platinum SB20 Mallet is the new kid on the block among its siblings, but it represents an obvious evolution in SeeMore’s philosophy. The RST alignment system remains, but everything else is revamped. Head material is now 6061 aircraft grade aluminum, which is intricately milled.
The heft is still there, which should be obvious from the size of the mallet. There is a prominent blue alignment line along the back top of the flange, with a new RifleScope logo on the back. Users can customize the weighting by choosing screw-in weights of different metals after purchase.
Features
- Customizable weighting – a first for SeeMore
- Made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, but still hefty
- Shafted toward the heel (unlike most other center-shafted SeeMore putters)
- The largest mallet in the line
- Toe hang is just 30 degrees
Benefit: Fully Modern
This is a putter that would look at home next to most of the best mallet putters in golf. Large without being ridiculous, you can practically see this putter’s high MOI. Stability is key in mallets, and this one has it in spades.
Benefit: Less Toe Hang
At just 30 degrees, this is one of the most face-balanced sticks in the SeeMore line. For anyone with a straight putting stroke, this putter will feel completely natural. The goal of SeeMore putters is to eliminate putter head manipulation in the stroke, and this one does that impressively.
Drawback: Unproven (As of Yet)
For a company that hangs its hat on past successes, making major changes like this must have been quite difficult. It has all of the proven technology of past designs, but it’s a new animal. An aluminum putter head? On a SeeMore? Well, you can ask, “Why?” or you can ask, “Why not?” Kuddos to SeeMore for breaking new ground.
Conclusion
If you had never heard of them until this SeeMore puttersreview, you likely have a better appreciation for their place in the industry. The problems SeeMore putters solve on nearly universal, especially at golf’s lower levels – meaning most of us.
Golfers who want to aim the putter face and align their putts effortlessly should at least give this brand a try. It worked for Stewart in 1999 and Zach Johnson at The Masters in 2007 and the 2015 Open Championship. They are a quality flat stick with innovation to spare, and they’re still flying under the radar. But the secret is getting out.