As a brand, Sacks Parente has been making moves on and off the course. One thing that they have never sacrificed is their attention to detail and the latest example of that is their new Series 91 putter, more affectionately known as, “The Duke”.
Does it deliver? Read on to find out.
Quick Take
It is nice seeing a bit of a throwback design from Sacks Parente that doesn’t try to overcomplicate a shape that works. The Series 91 is a straightforward mid-mallet that keeps things simple where they should be while implementing their technological beliefs to create a solid feeling putter which above all else wants the user to get out of the way and just let it work.
Sacks Parente Series 91 Putter – “The Duke”
I will admit, growing up in the part of the country that I have, when I read that the nickname for the Series 91 from Sacks Parente was “The Duke”, my mind went immediately to the legendary John Wayne. Turns out, it is a different “Duke”, but one that is still interesting, nonetheless.
The Series 91 is based upon the one and only PGA TOUR and TOUR Champions mainstay Ken Duke’s favorite putter shape of all time, hence its nickname as “The Duke”. Immediately upon unboxing, what stood out was that Sacks Parente stayed out of their own way. This is truly a classic symmetrical mid-mallet shape that uses multiple levels of stepping flow on the flange to create an easy to align visual that is finished with a full shaft offset slant neck.
Visually, the attention to detail is there from address, as the deep “gun-metal” finish has a slight golden undertone in it that showcases every radius, curve, and milling mark. I also enjoyed the way that the two 50g tungsten weights in the heel and toe of the putter visually stand out without being overly busy. The engraving is simple, and the milling on the face is a bit simple, but clean enough to pop. The only distraction in my opinion is on the sole. The three “pockets” on the sole are filled with badges, and while the center one looks OK, the imitation carbon fiber in the other two is a bit of a miss given the quality throughout the rest of the putter.
Of course, aesthetics must always make way for performance. The Series 91 utilizes all the technology which Sacks Parente believes in. It is, of course, an Ultra Low Balance Point (ULBP) design that gets the overall balance to less than 5” from the grip. This is done so you can feel the head via relative weight. What that means is less weight in the hands and grip brings the balance point low and allows a non-heavy putter head to feel heavier. The key here is the company’s proprietary putter shaft and grip.
The Duke also has a forward Center of Gravity (CG) that helps encourage forward roll and eliminate skidding on misses. The important design factor there is the use of the previously mentioned 50g tungsten weights in the heel and toe. That along with the sole design allowed Sacks Parente to get the MOI rating of the Series 91 to almost 5,000. To do that in an “old school” shape like this is a testament to the innovation and development of the company.
How does it roll? Impressively. I have had experience with a few of Sacks Parente’s other putters, but this was different and the same all at once. The feel here is a bit more solid with a pure “tock” feedback at impact that has a slightly higher pitch as I expect out of a stainless steel putter with fine face milling. It is everywhere else that this is exactly what I expected a Sacks Parente putter to perform like. The feeling of gravity in the stroke because of being able to sense the headweight kept things free for me in the putting stroke. It is that critical feeling which allowed for a very smooth tempo and thus the feeling of being connected with the putter.
While it isn’t my preferred shape, the Series 91 performed admirably on my courses undulating and quick surfaces. From short range, the longer heel to toe size of the putter made things comfortable, while from long distance the previously discussed ability to feel the head weight with the ULBP made it much easier to just trust the putting stroke to keep feel and touch on distance control a very natural thing.
The Details
While Sacks Parente themselves call the Series 91 “minimalist”, I prefer to call it clean and uncomplicated, it is simple and to the point, and there is something to be said for that. The Duke is available now at https://sacksparente.com and is priced at $349.99.
