It is well established by now that Tour Edge has been on a heater for the past four or five years, and every single time you think that they might see that momentum slow, they bring another release that continues the wave. Perhaps the most surprising success they have had over that timeframe has been the Wingman Putters, so two years later, it is time for an expansion and evolution and Tour Edge is taking things to new levels with the Wingman 700 Series.
The Wingman 700 Series Putters
While the original Wingman putters were certainly more on the abstract side of things, they also did a whole lot extremely well. In fact, the feedback by golfers, including THP’ers in our previous TEEm Tour Edge test group, absolutely lauded the Wingman for its stability and optimal roll. That said, obviously being a first iteration there were some things which Tour Edge believed they could improve upon, so two years later we are here with the release of the new Wingman 700 Series putters.
Before anyone asks, yes, the “Lock-On” alignment which Tour Edge hung its hat on for the original Wingman is back and present in every one of the six new putters. It is within that framework that the company wanted to make a putter line with enough breadth to offer golfers across a broader spectrum with more fitting options.
Don’t worry, before we get into the designs and tech, the Wingman 700 Series holds firm at a $199.99 price point, which makes it supremely competitive in the mallet and mid-mallet putter realm. These six putters span across three different shapes, each with two different neck orientations. The shapes themselves will no doubt be very familiar to most as they each feature reminders of arguably the three most popular winged putter designs on the market, all of course with the implementation of Tour Edge’s own technology.
That technology once again hinges around maximizing the weight placement using multiple materials to push the MOI potential of each model as high as possible. Every putter features interchangeable sole weights which are more forward in the designs now (toward the face) which adds control and stability, a trend we continue to see more and more in putters. Weights will be standard at 3g, but 8g and 15g will also be available individually or via the purchase of a complete weight kit. Tour Edge is also pushing that the large variance in weights available means you can tweak the toe-hang some to better fit the individual’s stroke, like we said, a massive emphasis on fit this iteration from the company.
Lock-On alignment remains intact but is now 20% larger in terms of the alignment line which should make the feedback of proper setup even more easy to grasp for golfers of all skill levels. Additionally, a larger carbon fiber sole plate is in play which allowed 34% of the stainless steel to be removed to improve both feel and stability through even more MOI.
The tech change which was most asked for is in sound (feel). The original was on the sharper side of the feedback spectrum, and for some it was not the most pleasant experience long-term. So, this time a major focus to the acoustics through a softer feel was paramount. Using a softer TPU in their MicroGroove horizontal molding has brought the decibels down to a more solid and plush tone according to Tour Edge, something we look forward to testing.
The 701 (Mid-Toe Hang) and 702 (Face Balance) are the “Super Max MOI” options which are very reminiscent to the spider profile which has consistently been one of the most popular shapes in golf. That said, Tour Edge has taken the perimeter weighting to new levels giving it a larger footprint with heavy focus on resistance to twisting with one of the highest MOI’s of any putter anywhere.
Slotting in at the “Max MOI” section, the 703 (Mid Toe-Hang) and 704 (Face Balance) are reminiscent of the seven-shaping using “fangs” or “wings” with some elongation to them to increase the MOI of the putter, but not to the levels of the 701 and 702, this also puts the interchangeable weights directly behind the face which pushed that CG forward while keeping the MOI high.
Finally, the 705 (Mid Toe-Hang) and 706 (Center Shaft) is a more compact winged shape which is very much mid-mallet in its nature. This of course means while it keeps MOI, it does not do so to the level of the other putters in the Wingman 700 Series. This is the model which Tour Edge believed will garner more play for the pickier golfer as it hits a segment which uses all the technology, but in a more visually compact package.
As mentioned previously, the new Wingman 700 Series putters from Tour Edge will come in at $199.99 offering a lot of tech at a price point most others cannot, or perhaps will not compete. The putters feature a KBS CT Tour putter shaft along side a Lamkin grip and will be available in 33”, 34”, and 35” (RH only).
What do you think of the evolution of Wingman from Tour Edge Exotics? Are they hitting their stride by expanding the line? Is it something you plan on seeking out? Be sure to jump into the conversation below and in the THP Community and lets us know!
For more information on this lineup or to order one directly, check out their website at www.touredge.com.
Maybe this will be a surprise on my doorstep when I get home today ????
I look forward to giving this one a go. The firmer insert sounds like a win in my book…I’m not a huge fan of the super soft putter inserts
Weight feels very good to me (coming from a blade). Just swinging putts not hitting a ball.
The size of the 706 is small…wow I would not call this a mid-mallet. It is a small mid-mallet. I can’t compare it to other mallets, but the blade length (?) is shorter than maybe every other putter I have in my house. I think I have 6 now including the 706.
Headcover… magnetic…win ?. Fits snug on the putter. Not complaining at all there.
Just for fun, I tried to scoop the ball with the back wings…while the ball doesn’t fit between them for an easy pickup, you can rake a ball back and lift it up with the back of the putter. I know that’s a big ask on a putter ?
Agreed the grooves are rather shallow
View attachment 9107671
I see what you are saying about the lines. I’m having a time getting everything to line up correctly, which says a lot about my setup I suppose. Felt like I had to get it really upright to get lined up.
The lock on technology is going to be interesting on the course. I’ve rolled it the putting matt and it rolls well—very consistent and comes off at a good speed.
And as @The Dave has said, the 706 is very compact.
Some photos of the lock on being line up versus not. View attachment 9107700View attachment 9107701View attachment 9107702View attachment 9107703
Initial impressions, the fit and finish were top quality. The mid-mallet head was more compact than I expected. Not a bad thing, I was just expecting it to be a little larger. With my preference being a blade, this size of the model 706 was not a distraction by any means. The weight felt great, allowed for a smooth pendulum stroke.
I’m used to playing a milled face putter so I wasn’t sure how I would adjust to the insert. Well, the firm feel of the insert was a little different than what I’m used to, but overall it had a solid feel to it. The sound was a slightly muted “click”. I felt comfortable with the overall sound and felt it was easy to adjust to.
The lock on technology took me a couple holes to adjust to , but once I did, I felt confident over the ball. And alignment felt very natural.
My grip preference is a Super Stroke mid-slim 2.0, it just feels right and helps to keep my wrists stable. That being said, the Sink-fit grip that comes on the wingman felt great. The contoured shape and overall feel was very natural. There was no adjustment period needed. The shape allowed the hands to fit naturally.
Distance control was not off by much, a couple more rounds (or some putting green practice) and I think it should get dialed in.
To say the least, I am pleasantly surprised overall and look forward to the next round.
Kind of shocking, huh?
totally. Fully expected much bigger than that. Really is a nice size and sets up nicely to the ball.
Not going to lie, because I’m fancy, I don’t love the chrome shaft. This thing would be an absolute knockout with a black shaft. In fact, I might see if a graphite shaft would fit.
I was just playing around with it in my living room and feeling like the toe was up made the line straight, but if I wanted the putter flat, it felt like I was way over. I’m sure this is bringing to light a major issue that I have just dealt with.
Totally get that. I’m partial to black shafts in my clubs in general. That would look pretty sweet with the black in the club head as it is. Oooh, a graphite shaft would be fancy.
That’s exactly what I am seeing. I have to heel almost lifted off the ground to get it lined up.
@checkered Swag Handsome Too vs the 706
View attachment 9107711
I think getting the lie angle correct on this putter is key for how you set up your putts or else it’ll throw that lock on technology alignment off and play mind games with you…at least it will for me
In my head before seeing the 706 I would have said the blade putter was rather small…the 706 makes the Handsome Too look like a giant blade length putter
Woah…. that’s a trip. impressive. I like that.
Without a doubt. I went with the standard lie to see if they were on point having their standard being more upright than everybody else’s standard.
I went with the lie angle of my other putters and I think the more upright is the way to go honestly. When I set it up "normal" to my eye the alignment is off ever so slightly
Lock on alignment tech either identifies a flaw in set up or greatly helps with alignment. I really like the two tone color (silver/black) that focuses your eye on the alignment. I think the lock on tech will really work and help my setup.
Bottom of the putter color scheme with the carbon plate looks really cool. Still not sure why it’s orange when all their other Exotics clubs seem to be red/black (excluding the EXS/EXS Pro launch which had blue?). I like the red/black better, but the orange stands out as different from most other brands. Seem a lot like to use red ????.
oh wow, that is shockingly small. ?
I am still amazed at how little that putter actually is!
Yeah, it’s wild.
I think I am going to see about having the putter bent a little more upright. I may be hiding a flaw doing this, but having a problem getting things lined up properly.
The original Wingman had an interesting sound from what I’ve read…this one is not that. It is similar to my other putters with sound, Cobra Widesport, SeeMore Mini Giant Deep Flange, Toulon Columbus. I will say the others are a touch more muted but similar dull thud/thwack sound. I did have an odd sounding plastic clicky sound on a few putts, so I was determined to figure out why it was so audibly different. On the 706, if you hit the ball at where the hosel meets the club head or closer to the end by the golfer (right side when looking face on at the putter) the sound is a loud click (very plastic sounding). Such an audible change you’ll know you miss hit the putt, but I didn’t see any real change in distance on 10ft putts.
The lock on alignment is money. Might be one of the best alignment aids I’ve seen. I’ll still say SeeMore has the best with their rifle scope tech, but this one also makes it very easy to align the putt correctly.
I also might like this putter grip (Lamkin Sink Fit Pistol) better than the Super Stroke putter grips I’ve gamed for years. Their Fingerprint Technology give the grip a good feel to me (but that’s not for a Tour Edge review).
The lie angle is important I feel with the 706 but maybe not a huge deal breaker if it’s wrong. The standard lie angle is a touch more upright than most other putter brands and that is probably correct/ideal for this style. I went with a 70° lie angle and feel like I need to angle the putter more upright ever so slightly to align the "lock on alignment". Not enough for me to need to change the lie angle.
The putter puts a very good roll on the ball, can’t wait to get it on the course. Coming from a blade, I don’t think the adjustment period will be too long for this "mini" mid mallet putter. Weighting felt similar enough to me to the blade style that it was an easy practice session.
This is really good info.
I know the Golf Galaxy near me has the E722 irons available (if you really looked) but their putter wall could easily fit one of each model of the Wingman 700s. Just not sure they’ll be there.
Then heck with their 2-day custom fitting they could give a pseudo putter fitting and get the putter in about 3 days
It does make me a little sad that I can’t scoop the ball up with the putter.
Lol…and that I why I checked pretty early with the 706…seems to be a point of interest with a lot of putters
It takes a little practice, but once you get the motion down, it’s pretty easy with the 706.
The shape of the grip just makes it so natural to set my hands in the right position.
I concentrated on the alignment line of the lock on technology today. It made it very easy to set up properly and roll the putt down the intended line. (If I could have only read the greens better today, that would have been a different story). All things considered, the ball rolled very true on the line I chose today. The lock on technology was a huge part of that.
Agreed on the sound. Only rolled on a mat.
I rolled it again tonight and I do like the grip—it fits in the hands naturally. Had an easier time getting the Lock On to work and I like how well it rolls. My dad rolled it really well and he offered to take it home to test this week for me. I had to politely decline his offer.
Hollow metal sound, would you like it to an aluminum baseball bat? The Cure Putters had that originally and it was bad.
I don’t find the 706 sound as a loud metal sound. My daughter has an old metal junior putter, Ram brand, and the 706 and that putter sound very similar
Higher pitch than an aluminum bat.
It’s tough because the Lock-On is amazing and I do like how good the ball rolls off the face regardless of strike. But the sound is just so "twank".
If you take the weight out is it hollow inside? Could you fill it with cotton balls or something to dull the sound?
Anyone who had the prior version…is that the same type of sound?
The weights on the 701 or way back on the wings. There is a cutout behind the face.
Might be a stretch but the screws on the carbon plate…does the carbon plate come off?
oof that doesn’t seem like it would be a good sound. Makes it tough when everything else seems good but the sound is annoying. How far out from the hole is it where it starts being more obnoxious?
I don’t know how inclined I am in taking the putter apart to figure out why the putter sounds like it does. I am not terribly interested in fixing the sound either.
I would say anything longer than 20′.
I know the weights are far back, but I wonder if the 703/704 has a similar sound
Is this where the sound is coming from? I wonder if the extended lock on alignment makes the sound worse.
The 706 is about half that size
View attachment 9108385
Yeah, that is the cutout spot on the putter.
That’s not all that far out, really. That’s a bummer. At least it rolls well, hopefully the performance makes it worth it. I’d have a hard time though if I didn’t like the sound of my putter….even if only from 20′ and further.