The interesting tech behind Bloodline’s new ‘VALE’ putter

I have lots of different putters cycle through my bag. Partly because I’m a relentless tinkerer, but also because I find the tech itself in putters so interesting.

When you canvas the putter market today, there are few pieces of tech more interesting than the moves Bloodline is making with its products.

The company first captured the interest of golf fans in 2020 when Jon Smoltz used the self-standing feature of his Bloodline putter while competing in the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

Smoltz’s R-Series putter in that clip was part of its original line, but now the company is out with a new product: Its Vale putter. I tried it myself, and found the concept behind it rather fascinating.

The self-standing putter is still a feature of the product — indeed, it’s become something of the company’s signature. The putter can stand on its own because it features a polymer head, an ultra lightweight carbon fiber golf shaft, and a wrap grip, which means a disproportional amount of its overall weight in the head of the club. That’s what makes the club so interesting, and its effects are twofold:

  • Because the putter can stand by itself, it allows players to set their club and check their aim from behind (as you can see Smoltz do above), before stepping into the putt.
  • The design of the club also brings the overall balance point of the club from two-thirds of the way down the shaft — as it is for most putters — all the way down to the head. This allows golfers to swing the club more freely, and requires less manipulation of the putter as whole.

The addition of the three sightlines on the top of the putter are a new addition to the Vale line. And combined, it makes for a unique, interesting, and innovative putter that could see you send more putts into the middle of the cup.

VALE PUTTER (HPP)

$314
THE VALE PUTTER IS THE MOST RECENT ADDITION TO BLOODLINE GOLF’S LINE OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS.    Product details    VALE HPP CONSTRUCTION A High-Performance Polymer (HPP) head  A grooved face insert with a material blend designed for modern golf balls An ultra-light carbon fiber shaft and EVA grip Patented head, sole, and balance point design features THE RESULT: A PUTTER THAT IS YEARS AHEAD OF ITS TIME Optimal alignment because it stands alone in the address position Feel and roll that can meet the demands of tour players Confidence and consistency will help you MAKE MORE PUTTS FEATURES The ability to stand alone at address enables optimal alignment A progressive head shape frames the ball and target line from behind An insert face is tuned to optimize performance, feel, and roll DIFFERENTIATING CHARACTERISTICS Patented and proprietary design aspects push the performance envelope Ultra-low balance point enables the most stable design True lie/impact position can be viewed from behind Mass properties are achieved from a combination of a multi-material body and internal weighting VALE HPP CONSTRUCTION A High-Performance Polymer (HPP) head  A grooved face insert with a material blend designed for modern golf balls An ultra-light carbon fiber shaft and EVA grip Patented head, sole, and balance point design features THE RESULT: A PUTTER THAT IS YEARS AHEAD OF ITS TIME Optimal alignment because it stands alone in the address position Feel and roll that can meet the demands of tour players Confidence and consistency will help you MAKE MORE PUTTS FEATURES The ability to stand alone at address enables optimal alignment A progressive head shape frames the ball and target line from behind An insert face is tuned to optimize performance, feel, and roll DIFFERENTIATING CHARACTERISTICS Patented and proprietary design aspects push the performance envelope Ultra-low balance point enables the most stable design True lie/impact position can be viewed from behind Mass properties achieved from a combination of a multi-material body and internal weighting GRIP OPTIONS Parallel 1.0 (standard) – Ultralight performance EVA parallel profile with plush tack overwrap. Black.*Maximum stability for stand-alone alignment Tour Pistol 1.0 (proto) – Ultralight performance EVA pistol profile with plush tack overwrap.  Black. Blend of stability and a more contoured shape.*Proto version of the Tour Pistol is slightly less stable than the Parallel 1.0 for stand-alone alignment.  The prototype version is may not stand up in some configurations including >34” and flat lies. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS Rear alignment provides similar benefits as using a line on the ball Perspective from down target line improves the ability to make accurate reads Putter standing alone increases repeatability in hand position and set up Stability allows the player to release tension in hands and arms right before starting the swing *BLOODLINE’S 100 DAY 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE We are extremely confident that Bloodline putters will help you become a better putter! If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return the putter to us in good condition and we will refund the purchase price. ORDER YOURS TODAY
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Luke Kerr-Dineen

Golf.com Contributor

Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.

An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.