PutterZone – Best Putter Reviews
With its Exchange Series putters, Never Compromise aims to put tour-caliber customization in the palm of your hand.
Is it just a pipe dream—or a promise fulfilled? Following is PutterZone.com’s Never Compromise Exchange Series 2 model ($229) mallet putter review
The Storyline
In an earlier interview with PutterZone.com, Never Compromise’s Adam Sheldon observed: “There is no single putting condition, surface or stroke in the game today. In fact, it is safe to say that everybody is different and different players have different tendencies…If you look at the professional tours, most of the players have putters weighted to suit their preference. They also change their equipment regularly to suit the course conditions. We wanted to offer this same customization to our customers.”
Hence, Never Compromise’s Exchange Series putters, which feature four separate ports (two on the blade models) that can be mixed or matched with three separate pairs of included interchangeable sole weights spanning five, 10 and 15 grams—for a total head weight range of 320 to 370 grams. The weights are color coded and can be changed with the included allen wrench.
Not only can you align the weights evenly—say, one 10 gram weight on either side—you can also manipulate the balance of the putter by putting more weight toward the toe. This enables you to not only fine tune the weight of the putter, but its behavior as well. Such fine tuning can be used to combat personal tendencies, such as pushing or pulling putts.
The Exchange 2’s center-shafted head is milled from high-quality aluminum and features an aluminum composite weave insert for enhanced feel. The Exchange 2 is one of eight models in the Exchange Series.
The View from PutterZone.com
Many mallet putters these days are rather self-indulgent when it comes to cosmetics, but the Never Compromise Exchange Series 2 isn’t one of them. With its clean lines and confident profile, the Exchange 2 stands out from the louder crowd.
The advantages of this design are immediately apparent when you address the ball. The tapered edges add squareness and energy to what otherwise might have been a softer half-moon look. The company’s signature black-grey-black alignment scheme is aided by single black sightline, as well as a notching behind the face that mirrors the roundness of the ball for visual synergy.
The whole design seems very purposeful. Everything works—and nothing gets in the way. At the same time, the Exchange Series does bring a welcome bit of flash to the Never Compromise portfolio, with gleaming polished sole plates and red accents on the grip.
The aluminum weave insert is neither hard nor soft, achieving a happy medium with solid tactile feedback. The sound off the face, however, is a sort of synthetic pop that seems to come out of nowhere. I can’t say I’m a fan of the audio feedback.
Nevertheless, I found the Exchange 2 to be phenomenal in matters of touch and distance control. I’m not sure if this was due to the properties of the insert, the high MOI of the design, the consistency afforded by the putter’s superior alignment attributes, or a combination thereof. All I know is that it rarely left me far from the hole.
The Exchange system really allows you to explore the nuances of weighting and how it relates to your game. Amid the myriad combinations, there is something for everyone. Mine turned out to be a 15-gram blue weight on either side, for an evenly balanced head weight of 350 grams.
The Bottom Line
Never Compromise’s Exchange technology sets an unparalleled standard for personal custom weighting. The Exchange Series putters bring a fresh aesthetic twist to the Never Compromise portfolio while preserving the company’s distinctive look, and the Exchange 2 mallet earns points for its classy profile and confident performance.
