Never Compromise NCX-RAY

[G.Review]

What do you think?

 

 

[acpar72]

The blade was as ugly as any blade Ive EVER seen and the mallets didnt seem to set up correctly.

[scomac2002]

I picked up a Never Compromise NCX-RAY[i] tau [/i]just after Christmas on eBay. It is a fairly standard looking heel:toe weighted, Anser styled putter with a plumber's neck and a full shaft off-set. I have only used the putter indoors, so my review is based on my first impressions over several in-store demos and later at home.

This is not exactly the sort of putter that grabs your attention by first impressions. The design of the insert is probably enough to get many folks to pass on this putter without further examination. The putter employs a suspended face technology that uses steel grooves suspended in a polycarbonate type damping material that has a very unique profile versus others sorts of inserts. This allows weight to be removed from the face and placed at the heel and toe to generate a very high MOI for a blade putter. The putter employs a simple single line alignment aid.

Despite the appearance, the thing works. I found this putter to place a very true and repeatable roll on the ball that was on par or superior to anything else I tried in its class and price range. I found the perimeter weighting to really assist in maintaining a smooth stroke with a good release. The putter feels very well balanced in your hands. The 340 g head weight is ideal for me; not too heavy and not too light. I find speed control and distance control to be consistent and natural.

I am coming from a Never Compromise SC-1, so this is a fairly natural progression for me with the biggest difference being in the insert. There's no question that the more aggressive insert puts a better roll on the ball and the increased MOI makes the head a touch more forgiving as the more extreme perimeter weighting promotes a more consistent release, hence less off line puts due to pushes/pulls. It's a nice simple design that deserves more attention from those looking for a lower cost putter with some usable technology built in.

[ttm27]

[quote name='scomac2002' timestamp='1297442964' post='2968500']
I picked up a Never Compromise NCX-RAY[i] tau [/i]just after Christmas on eBay. It is a fairly standard looking heel:toe weighted, Anser styled putter with a plumber's neck and a full shaft off-set. I have only used the putter indoors, so my review is based on my first impressions over several in-store demos and later at home.

This is not exactly the sort of putter that grabs your attention by first impressions. The design of the insert is probably enough to get many folks to pass on this putter without further examination. The putter employs a suspended face technology that uses steel grooves suspended in a polycarbonate type damping material that has a very unique profile versus others sorts of inserts. This allows weight to be removed from the face and placed at the heel and toe to generate a very high MOI for a blade putter. The putter employs a simple single line alignment aid.

Despite the appearance, the thing works. I found this putter to place a very true and repeatable roll on the ball that was on par or superior to anything else I tried in its class and price range. I found the perimeter weighting to really assist in maintaining a smooth stroke with a good release. The putter feels very well balanced in your hands. The 340 g head weight is ideal for me; not too heavy and not too light. I find speed control and distance control to be consistent and natural.

I am coming from a Never Compromise SC-1, so this is a fairly natural progression for me with the biggest difference being in the insert. There's no question that the more aggressive insert puts a better roll on the ball and the increased MOI makes the head a touch more forgiving as the more extreme perimeter weighting promotes a more consistent release, hence less off line puts due to pushes/pulls. It's a nice simple design that deserves more attention from those looking for a lower cost putter with some usable technology built in.
[/quote]

Great review. I started gaming this putter middle of last year and it definitely turned my putting woes around. I disagree with the earlier post that it's the ugliest blade ever. The insert may be a turnoff to some, but I don't see how it's ugly. It's black with a single red alignment line. This is definitely an underrated putter than can be had for pretty cheap right now. The Tau (blade) has a less pingy sound off the face than the mallets.

[scomac2002]

Just a quick update to add to my initial review. I've now had an opportunity to use this putter on the course this spring and I couldn't be happier. The good results that I had experienced indoors transferred seamlessly out onto the course. This putter is the real deal for me as I have had my best putting stats ever to start off the season. Great roll, excellent distance control and very few off-line puts have transformed a weakness to one of the strengths on my game.