I didn’t know just what was going to be in the box when it arrived on my doorstep. As far as I was aware, a Daito was a type of Samurai sword. Instead, I found two new putter offerings from Canadian manufacturer Daito Golf. Being that Daito Group’s main business is precision machining of automotive, medical, and telecommunications parts and equipment, I was interested to see what kind of putters such a company could produce. Two unique putting experiences were in store for me. The Stealth and Virtuoso short neck would be my rock-rolling weapons. I armed myself and prepared for battle…
First up: the Daito Stealth. Apparently named for the overall look of the putter head, it certainly does resemble a Stealth fighter canopy. (I also thought it looked like a robotic mouse head from a certain angle, but I’m weird like that.) The Stealth is precision machined from aircraft-grade aluminum, with a copper-nickel face insert. It sports a unique sloping shape from front to back, with a distinct dotted line running the entire length to aid in alignment. A high MOI (moment of inertia) type design, it concentrates a majority of the putter head’s weight to the extreme back portion of the head. This, in theory, aids in resistance to twisting of the head on off-center hits. The Stealth has a unique feel all it’s own. It emits a slight “click” at impact that travels up the shaft, but the copper-nickel face tends to mellow it some. One thing was for certain, at 350 grams, it has plenty of momentum to get the rock rolling. I found distance control to be a little touchy. The design is extremely easy to aim, and with more time, I most likely could have mastered the distance control. It just did not come immediately, which I consider to be one mark of a good flatstick.
The Stealth’s head got a demerit when it came to stability during the stroke. The high concentration of weight to the back of the head caused a perceptible opening of the face to the right during the stroke for me. (I’m right-handed.) There also was a marked absence of heel-toe weighting to keep the head from twisting during off-center hits. Daito may have taken the MOI concept too far, and put too much weight too far from the face. One thing is for certain, the attention to detail and precise machining of the head shows that Daito knows their metals. The overall presentation of the putter is refined. They use Precision stepless shafts and Winn V17 grips to round out the design. Overall, this is a fair entry into the high MOI putter market. The offset center shaft design just didn’t fit my eye. I’d like to see a heel-shafted version personally, with perhaps a little more of that back weighting moved to the heel and toe. If nothing else, the Stealth offers very easy alignment and a unique feel off the copper-nickel insert.
The other weapon that arrived that day was the Daito Virtuoso short neck. A more classic design, it incorporates heel-toe weighting, and a Santa Fe style neck with toe-down hang that promotes toe flow nicely. Machined from cold finished carbon steel, the Virtuoso offers a very soft, responsive face, and has an overall very angular, mechanical shape. I’m not normally a blade-type putter user, but I found the Virtuoso lined up easily and had a good balance that allowed me to employ a nice pendulum stroke. Distance control was immediate and effortless with this design, and I was thoroughly impressed. I would have preferred a sight line on the flange to aid in alignment, but the signature Daito sight dot on the top line sufficed nicely. The overall fit and finish of this putter was impressive. Like the Stealth, the Virtuoso uses a stepless Precision putter shaft and Winn V17 grip that offers good tackiness and control. With the Virtuoso, it’s easy to see why Daito Golf placed four putters in the Top 7 at the 2005 Canadian PGA Club Professional Championship.
Many brands, whether it is in golf or other industries, start out as relative unknowns and little-known gems. Daito golf might be just such a rare treasure waiting for the spotlight. Their attention to detail, expansive machining and metallurgy experience, and willingness to step outside of the proverbial box in designing their putters make them poised for big opportunities. They have the infrastructure in place to take them as far as their designs will allow. Look for Daito as they attempt to broaden their availability in the year to come.
Michael White (a.k.a. “Mr_Divots”)
Forums Moderator/Independent Equipment Consultant
Golf-Gear-Review.com
