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Astral Putters Review

Been MIA for past couple days, so responding to a couple threads:

Changing Shaft Length - Both before and after starting Astral, I've tinkered a lot with length and grips, so I have a ton of experience trying to salvage grips. Long story short, I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze. I recommend cutting it off and just buying a new one. If you want to give it a try nonetheless, a good DIY option is to fold a metal hanger flat, stuff the hanger down the grip slowly with solvent and you can eventually work solvent all the way through and either pull or blow it off.

Screws and Torque - I've got a prototype torque wrench in process, so let me know if you want one to test. It takes screws down to ~1.2nm, which is ideal. We always recommend you carry your tool bag with you just in case of loosening on course, but that really shouldn't be a persistent issue. We also strongly recommend that you substitute in new screws with the fresh threadlocker once you've finalized your settings to make sure you get maximum hold. It's likewise a good idea to replace screws annually at the beginning of each season.
 
I’d like to share my overall thoughts on the Astral Putter. Over the last 4 or 5 weeks I’ve spent a lot of time tinkering with settings, practicing on the putting mat and have 5 full rounds of golf with it.

Background:
I was using a Cleveland HB Soft #8. A double wide blade with slight toe hang and offset. My miss was usually a little push.
I selected the Astral Mid-Mallet to test. I chose a 34 inch shaft and the Super Stroke XL grip. Astral provides several graphite shaft and grip options.

Initial Impressions:
The mid mallet is a great looking putter. It’s a familiar shape but also has its own unique look. I can’t imagine anyone getting this in hand and not liking how it looks. The craftsmanship is superb. Parts fit together very well.

Everything you need is in the package. We received all three inserts (steel, copper, brass), three hosels, tools to secure and plenty of fasteners. All in a nice little pouch to throw in your golf bag. We also received a putting gate to use during the fitting process.

I love the weight of the putter head and the insert. It’s heavier than any putter I have used before. I tend to like a heavier putter and this one falls right into my wheel house. I was able to get comfortable with the weight very quickly.

Consultation and Fitting Process:
The consultation with @BC.Astral was great. Still a little shocked he was willing to spend this much time with us. We talked about 45 minutes about my putting preference, challenges and working through what options I should try. We landed on the mid-mallet, shortened my shaft from 35 to 34 inches, lie angle of 72 degrees moving from the 70 degrees on my previous putter.

I elected to try self fitting and received a document designed to walk me through the process. This was very helpful as having 60 hosel combinations seemed a little overwhelming. The three hosels each provide different levels of toe hang. The fitting process is designed to help steer your putting by manipulating toe hang and offset. Need to move the start line left, add to hang or offset and reduce if you want to move the starting point to the right. The provided putting gate makes it easy to identify push or pulls. It’s very satisfying when you finally start hitting putts that run through perfectly. You basically work through hosel settings until you start hitting your line consistently. One key point is to resist adjusting the putting stroke to make it through the gate. Consistent misses are good as they provide the feedback needed to land on the best setting for you.

I was a little timid with the part assembly at first as I was nervous I would damage something. Once you get the hang of making adjustments, the comfort level improves and the learning curve is quick.

After trying a lot of different settings over several fitting sessions, I always landed on the red hosel (most toe hang) in the B2 position which has a good bit of offset.

Performance:
The putter puts a really good roll on the ball. It gets going end over end quick. I don’t notice any skipping or hopping off the putter face. It feels solid on contact. Each insert has its own unique sound and feel. I love the brass and will use that one going forward.

My lag putting was greatly improved in the rounds I played with Astral in the bag. Speed control and start line improved with each outing. And the confidence on shorter putts, knowing you will hit your line, goes up significantly.

The finish on the putter head seems to hold up well. I didn’t have it in the provided head cover all the time. Very minimal wear on the finish. I’ll keep an eye out on this over time, but I’m not concerned it will be an issue.

Things to improve/consider:
Honestly, not a lot here. If anything, maybe move away from the paint on the hosels as an identifier as it tends to wear off when changing parts. Maybe an engraved number on the hosel. That’s really it. No complaints on much.

Conclusion:
I really like this putter. It’s going to stay in the bag for the foreseeable future. Feels great, looks great and the ball rolls true. Having this level of customization is awesome. And if you want to change something, you can. No need to ever buy another putter. You can have a “new” putter just by changing the hosel setting, the face or both. @BC.Astral has done a great job.

Brass insert:

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Hosel setting Red B2.

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Such a good looking putter

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ScoFoBG said:
Do you feel like down the road it would make sense for them to use torque based screws for the different components? That's one of the concerns I have is these screws coming loose during a round as I never know that they are "locked in". Personally, I think that would be a big improvement and give a lot of piece of mind, I just don't know how costly or realistic that would be to do.
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Not a tester and I'm old so please verify.

I thought that the testers were given 3 sets of screws, one of which has loctite applied which they were supposed to use for their final setting.
 
DufferToo said:
Not a tester and I'm old so please verify.

I thought that the testers were given 3 sets of screws, one of which has loctite applied which they were supposed to use for their final setting.
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That is true. I will eventually do just that once I have settled on shaft length. Personally I have not had an issue with screw loosening (on my putter anyway), especially after not being afraid to tighten them firmly.
 
DufferToo said:
Not a tester and I'm old so please verify.

I thought that the testers were given 3 sets of screws, one of which has loctite applied which they were supposed to use for their final setting.
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Not sure how many sets of screws we were given but we did receive 2 separate containers full of screws. One with loctite and the other without.
 
DufferToo said:
Not a tester and I'm old so please verify.

I thought that the testers were given 3 sets of screws, one of which has loctite applied which they were supposed to use for their final setting.
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Every order we send includes a tube filled with 8-12 extra screws with the loctite applied (it's actually a nylon threadlocker that is friction based). Our recommendation is to recycle the screws while testing and then use brand new screws once you've finalized your configuration.

Because we expected the testers to be more active than most customers in terms of trying new things, we sent them an extra package of uncoated screws to use just for fitting purposes. This is not something we ordinarily do for fear of customers using the wrong screws.
 
Had the astral out for another round today. Made a couple of birdie putts. More importantly I had a lot of tap in pars. I hit some really good long putts today.
 
Another solid round with the Astral today. No 3 putts. Made a few longer putts.

I’m really confident on the green now. Started on line all day. No push misses.
 
Played 18 yesterday and although I did not play well, the putting was solid. Really liking the Astral Blade putter and will keep it in the bag this season.
 
Another 18 with the Astral in the books on a course we play infrequently. I don't know the greens well and putting can be difficult. Although I overread the break on a few the Astral performed beautifully. Not a single 3 putt. On a hole or two when I ran a by a bit long there was no stress on the 3 or 4 footer back. Pretty significant to not worry about how the ball will roll or if it will follow the intended line. This putter is staying in my back a good long time unless @BC.Astral comes up with something else I must have.
 
A comment on the brass insert:

The sound is a little more high pitched than the other two, and it’s very distinctive on a center face hit. I’ve really come to enjoy the sound as it means I’ve made a good stroke and strike on the ball.

I think testing the different face inserts outdoors is a must. The sound differences are much more noticeable to me outdoors.
 
cringjr said:
I think testing the different face inserts outdoors is a must. The sound differences are much more noticeable to me outdoors.
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Strong agree. I've only got the copper but it sounds completely different (and better) outdoors than it does in my garage. Not even close to the same sound. It isn't bad indoors, but outdoors it really shines.
 
Played Wine Valley in Walla Walla, WA yesterday for the first time in 2025. The greens are large, with multiple slopes, and some pretty subtle breaks at times. Even though I had several lonnnnnngggg putts, my Astral did not let me down. No three putts and mostly stress free leaves on lags. Cleaned up a few longer range putts as well, and am getting more confident with putts from closely mown areas.
 
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cmon man said:
Played Wine Valley in Walla Walla, WA yesterday for the first time in 2025. The greens are large, with multiple slopes, and some pretty subtle breaks at times. Even though I had several lonnnnnngggg putts, my Astral did not let me down. No three putts and mostly stress free leaves on lags. Cleaned up a fee longer range putts as well, and am getting more confident with putts from closely mown areas.
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Since we are both in the Pacific NW, we really should plan on playing together one day. :cool:
 
cmon man said:
Definitely. I am in the South Sound. Maybe grad @checkered too...he looks like a cool dude.
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I'm down, when we doing it? :) Would love to see the Astral, and you guys, in person!
 
Played Saturday. Total of 31 putts. Had a streak of 3 consecutive holes with 1 putt. Confidence is all time high on the putting green.

Brass insert is locked in as my final decision. Lag putting continues to be much improved. I think the putter being heavier helps a lot here.
 
Did some practice on the putting matt last night.

Confidence keeps growing the more I use this putter. Hitting the target start line more times than not, great feel off the club face and a very consistent roll.
 
Played on Sunday on punched and sanded greens. I didn’t find out early enough to find a tee time somewhere else. On the plus side the ball started on my line before bouncing like it was out 4 wheeling over the bumps lol

Surprisingly I did actually make a several long putts. Having the confidence the ball will start on line I was smashing putts and the hole managed to get in the way.
 
leftybob said:
Played on Sunday on punched and sanded greens. I didn’t find out early enough to find a tee time somewhere else. On the plus side the ball started on my line before bouncing like it was out 4 wheeling over the bumps lol

Surprisingly I did actually make a several long putts. Having the confidence the ball will start on line I was smashing putts and the hole managed to get in the way.
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I often putt better on aerated greens since I play less break. It will be fun to see how much better I putt with the Astral on this surface. Other than running over a leaf, I still have not seen a bounce on a putt since putting the Astral in play.
 
This putter keeps delivering. Not even a sniff of a three putt today.

Brass insert sounds great. Got several complements on the look and sound of the putter today from some guys in the group.
 
Ordered a hat on Monday . Delivered today.


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