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LOOKING FOR A YES PUTTER? C-GROOVE PUTTER REVIEWS
Jim Furyk sinking the first ever $10 million putt (Tour Champs 2003) with a Yes C-Groove putterIt was a Yes putter which brought the fairly awesome C-Groove technology to golf. Click here to read our hands-on reviews of Yes putters.
Their designs are based on the work of the British putting teacher and putter engineer, Harold Swash.
Harold really knew what he was doing and worked with almost every major European start from Miguel Angel Jimenez to Padraig Harrington. You could also simply pay for a lesson with Swash (I did in 1999 and it was terrific! I put much of my putting success down to the morning I spent with Harold)
From the 1970s to the 2000s, Swash's sideline was in developing hi tech putters before putter technology was really a thing. Back then most pros were using cast or out-and-out blade putters.
The C-Groove technology was a revolution. It is a series of concentric downward facing grooves cut into the face of the putter and boy, oh boy, do they roll the ball sweetly.
Yes golf putters achieved considerable success. Retief Goosen won both the 2001 and 2004 U.S. Open with a Yes putter.
After several years of tournament success YES was acquired by Adams Golf and the company disappeared when Adams itself was acquired by TaylorMade. But now Adams is back!
WHAT MAKES A YES PUTTER UNIQUE? THE C-GROOVE
The C-Groove is a half-moon shaped set of grooves cut into the face each of which has a sharp top edge and, below that, a face which slants downwards as it recesses into the putter face.
The result of striking the ball with these grooves is that the ball is encouraged to start rolling "end over end" quicker than with any other putter face.
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The Advantages of a YES putter
Swash and Yes's marketing including high speed video and independent tests which prove that their putters get the ball rolling quicker than any other putter on the market, and having owned and used a number of them, I believe them - you do certainly notice a difference when you use one of these putters.
On excellent greens you certainly achieve a very true roll. The ball seems to hug the surface right off the face and as a consequence you can make confident strokes.
On greens in average condition, the effects are slightly less clear because the green makes the ball jump later in its roll. However, a good roll to start with is - of course - a good thing.
The Disadvantages of a YES putter
One of the ugliest putters I ever tested! The Yes EleanorIn my opinion there are two reasons why the whole world didn't convert to the C-Groove:
- FEEL - you don't get a great feel off the face of a Yes Putter. You have to weigh up getting a truer roll with a clicky feel. They don't compare at all favorably with the soft-responsive feel you get from insert or milled faced putters.
If you're not bothered by a hard feel off the clubface, then by take a look at Yes Putters. You will most certainly hit more consistently smooth putts. I own a couple and to be the best putter you can be, it's a good idea to try everything out. - LOOKS - the early models weren't as attractive to look at as putters made by other big manufacturers.
Although the company later introduced some more attractive toe-hang putters recently we've found that they still lack a bit of refinement - for our money their best-looking designs were the Tracy 2 (for a toe hang model) or the Natalie (for a mallet head and face-balanced putter).
The Tracy was available both with a double bend shaft and a plumber neck hosel which gives you some options. I particularly like the later darker metal versions.
The C-Groove Tracy II - being toe weighted - would be a good option if you have a strong arc. The face-balanced Natalie would suit you best if you have a slight arc stroke or are attempting the (ill-advised - find out why) straight-back-straight through stroke.
Other models to consider include the C-Groove Sandy-12 and the Stephanie mallet.
Can you still buy a new YES putter?
Yes - but it won't be called a YES putter!
(There is a slightly dodgy Korean company trading under the YES brand, but we'll leave them aside).
Matt Fitzpatrick - one of the best tour putters - also won the 2022 U.S. Open with a a replica of a Yes putter after his original putter wore out.
This replica was made by Bettinardi putters and you can buy a Bettinardi C-Groove like Fitzpatrick's for a cool $3,000 here.
Adams Golf re-entered the putter market in 2023 as an online only brand with two C-Groove putters - an anser shaped blade called the "Prospect" and a fang shaped model called the "Mission" (click on the links for more info and to order).
If you're struggling with roll and want to try something new, adding a Yes putter to your golf bag is still a good choice, despite being out of production for some years. You can pick one up cheaply on ebay and do have a look at the new models on Adams Golf...
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Our reviews of Yes putters
Click on the links below to find out which Yes model is the best with www.Best-Putter.com's independent, hands-on reviews, you'll also find where to buy them at the best prices!Yes Tracy 2 (C-Groove)
In our view the classiest Yes putter - anser-style head with the amazing C-Groove for a terrific roll.Yes Natalie (C-Groove)
Futuristic design with amazing roll, super long aimline and nice ping sound!.Yes Victoria II
Straightforward D shaped mallet with C-Groove roll. Very pleasing to the eye, but feels hard and a little deadYes Donna (C-Groove)
Wide bodied anser-style head with the amazing C-Groove for a terrific roll.Yes Emma
The least attractive of the Yes belly putters - although that's just our opinionYes Sophia
Good looking blade putter which won Jim Furyk a $10 million bonus in the 2010 Fed Ex CupYes Tiffany
Sadly a hideous futuristic design, but at least it has an aim-bar behind hitting surface to help you alignYes Carolyne
A straightforward heel and toe design with great roll from the C-GrooveYes Morgan
Very Pleasing on the eye, and has perhaps the best feel of any Yes putter
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