Maker Golf B1 Putter Review
The Maker Golf B1 putter is the newest addition to the growing Maker lineup. A classic blade profile, the B1 is a players putter that looks amazing draped in all black. Taking what they learned from the F1, Maker has produced a simplistic and timeless putter that had me seriously considering switching to it full time.
The Looks
I have said it once and I will say it again, Maker putters look amazing and the B1 is no exception. All black everything. Head, shaft, grip, headcover. Minimal white paint fill on the neck and face make the B1 about has minimalist as you can get. The all black finishes look very premium, and over the ball I found a sense of confidence in the silhouette. While I am typically more of a mallet fan than blade, I must say the blade of the B1 is thin. A truly classic blade shape.
Also, I have to say the “M” branded pistol style grip and headcover look fantastic. The thread count and stitching is impressive and sticks to the theme of black on black with pops of white. While the headcover might not help you sink putts, at least the B1 will look good in the bag.
How Does it Feel?
Milled from a single block of 303 stainless steel, the Maker Golf B1 putter is made of the same material as other premium putters on the market. Maker notes that the B1 has a slightly smaller cavity than their competitors, allowing slightly more weight in the heel and toe and producing less toe hang. This design provides more stability through the stroke. Coming in at 353 grams, the putter weight feels right on point and helped promote a flowing stroke.
However, I found the smaller cavity behind the center of the face to reduce the sweet spot of the B1. Strikes off the heel, or most often for me, the toe felt dead and distance loss was noticeable. A pure center strike felt buttery soft and just as good as other putters I have tested and gamed. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing either, the feedback in your hands is impressive and you will certainly know when you roll one well or are slightly off. This should not surprise you if you are in the market for a true blade putter.
How Does it Sound?
As mentioned before, the feedback from the Maker B1 is physically apparent in your hands. There is also an audible element to it as well. This Anser-style putter gives off a higher pitch “knock” sound on center strikes and a deeper tone on heel and toe strikes. Overall, the sound of this putter is on par, no pun intended, for putters of this style. Smooth in the middle, firmer at the ends.
On-Course Performance
I brought the Maker Golf B1 with me on a recent 36-hole day to give it a thorough test. I will note that I made a 25-foot downhill slider for birdie on the first hole. As you can imagine, the rest of the round did not go as planned, but that wasn’t the putter’s fault. On shorter putts, I found the B1 to be deadly accurate. I felt I could hit my line with ease. However, on longer putts, where an off center strike is more likely, I had some difficulty. If I didn’t find the center of the face, my distance control wasn’t great and I didn’t hold my lines well. As I’ve mentioned, I’m very much a mallet user for a reason.
Final Thoughts – Maker Golf B1 Putter
The Maker Golf B1 putter has premium looks, materials, and feel. Everything you’re looking for in a classic blade putter. I will say it again; this putter looks amazing. The grip and headcover have great attention to detail with the “M” logo embossed and stitched in. If you are looking for a mallet, be sure to check out the F1 from Maker, but for my blade fans, the B1 is a solid choice. Coming in at $290, there aren’t many boutique putters at this price point. So if you want to be unique on the course with a strong blade putter, check out the Maker B1.
