50 Words or Less
The SWAG Savage One putter has wonderful flow that complements an arcing stroke. Consistent roll with ample forgiveness. Soft sound and feel. Exceptional craftsmanship.
Check out SWAG’s first full-sized mallet, The Boss, HERE
Introduction
I desperately wanted to game the SWAG Savage Too [full review HERE] after I tested it a few years ago, but it just didn’t have enough toe hang for my stroke. As SWAG released new models, I patiently waited for another mid mallet, but the calendar pages kept flipping and the seasons kept changing. When I saw the Savage One RAD released last December I thought “Happy Swagmas to me.” But as so often happens with SWAG, they were gone in a flash – just 80 produced. “Festivus for the rest of us” rang in my head. Then, like a spring rebirth, Swag Golf announced a partnership with Club Champion and the four putter lineup included a Savage One.
Looks
At address, the Swag Savage One putter has the look of an elongated Anser. For anyone looking to gently transition to a mid-mallet, this putter should be very appealing. Looking down at the putter, I love the harmony of the thicknesses of the front, middle, and back sections. The smooth transition from the shaft to the neck and into the top flange lets my eye focus solely on the black sight line whose width speaks to precision. The crisp lines of the shoulder cavity perfectly frame the ball – another wonderful visual assist for centered contact.
Looking at the back of the putter head from a lower angle, Swag’s expert craftsmanship really shines. Soft, balanced curves flow effortlessly among the shoulders and bumpers. Looking closely at the transitions, I’m blown away at the seemingly impossible execution. As someone who worked for and around industrial fabrication companies for many years, I consider the Savage One a work of art and a testament to both the design skills and milling expertise of the SWAG team. And a big golf clap for the folks who create the Tour Satin Mist finish (a two-step hand blasting process) that lets the millwork shine and keeps glare to a minimum.
While the sole of the Savage One is subdued for SWAG, I appreciated the simplicity. The quintessential skull on the face is the perfect tribute to the soul of the brand – and flat out cool. For some background on SWAG, check out our Get To Know feature HERE, or listen to this podcast.
To call the Savage One headcover “stock” doesn’t do it justice. The intricate stitching is impeccable. And while most companies would be satisfied with a single feature, this cover boasts three: “SWAG,” the skull, and the catchphrase “Don’t Give A Putt.” I’d be remiss to not mention the magnetic closure that elevates the cover above those that come from other premium brand putters.
Sound & Feel
The sound of a center struck, tour quality golf ball with the Swag Savage One putter had a very pleasing soft “tock.” If I drifted towards the toe, the sound was a bit louder with a deeper tone. Heel side of center, the sound lost some vibrancy. The variations were subtle but easily perceptible.
Regardless of contact location, the putter was very stable. I enjoyed the flow of the Savage One whether knocking in a 3 footer or trying to roll in a putt from 40 feet.
Soft was also the key adjective for describing the Savage One’s feel. Heavenly feeling on center, misses gained a tad of firmness. My hands always recognized contact location. Regardless of my precision, the Feels Good 303 Stainless Steel head lived up to its name.
Performance
As for the technical aspects, the SWAG Savage One putter is a mid mallet with a 365 gram head and a slant neck. With 3/4 toe hang, the putter is best suited for arcing strokes. It has a stepless KBS shaft and a Lamkin deep etched grip.
Those specs may not sound very exciting, but collectively each aspect played an important role in creating the wonderful flow I described above. The mid mallet design provided a very consistent rollout. I lost a bit of distance when I missed center contact, but it wasn’t penal.
Along with the sight line that was great for aim, I also found the squareness of the Savage One helped me with body setup to keep my stroke in alignment. The flatness of the cavity offered a great visual reminder to set the shaft angle properly. Not that it has to be hit as designed, but for me, the balance is ideal when the cavity flange is horizontal to the putting surface.
An observation with every putt was how beautiful the roll of the ball was off the deep precision milled face. The SWAG Savage One made all my putts look pure.
Conclusion
The SWAG Savage One putter was everything I hoped for – and more. It’s gone straight into my bag. The putter is gorgeous, exuding craftsmanship and precision from every angle. Even the paint fill is flawless. Both sound and feel are exceptionally pleasing and provide precise feedback. I’m thankful for the forgiveness, and appreciative of the aim and alignment the mid mallet design provides. And for the first time ever, you can try the Savage One before purchase with a putter fitting at a Club Champion.
Visit SWAG Golf HERE
Visit Club Champion HERE
Matt Meeker
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Sounds great if you want a heavy head and lots of toe hang.
The opposite of what I need.
But great artistry if you like the Swag look. I had the Savage Too but it was not a fit. So it’s great that a fitter is selling these putters now.
That putter looks almost perfect to me. The only thing missing for me would be a bit lighter head weight. I know 365 is maybe on the light side these days and I probably could adapt, but I prefer a bit less weight still and if I’m spending that much it should be exactly what I want.
I see why you didn’t dwell on cost. $555!!!
Love the design and weight but would need a longer shaft. Unfortunately many of us senior golfers can’t spend $550+ on a putter. Why are club costs so high?