The Slotline Golf Company began in 1972 after founder Clovis Duclos became unhappy with his putting stroke and decided to design a putter to help players focus their eyes on properly aligning the ball at address. The result was a putter with a "slot" cut into the club's top-line and a "line" to line up with the top-line edge. This design coined the name of the putter and, subsequently, the "Slotline" company. Since the 1970s, Slotline has been manufacturing premium, boutique-style putters. In the 1980s, Slotline saw a significant market share, and it continues to market three lines.
Each Slotline putter is made using the company's noted milling construction and tungsten inserts. The clubs are available with 33-, 34- and 35-inch shafts.
SL-700 Series
The Slotline SL-700 Series consists of the SL-781 Super Moment (standard offset blade with 90-gram weight), SL-782 Mallet (perimeter-weighted mallet, 99 grams), 783 Stealth (back-weighted, modified mallet with 62 grams) and the 784 Raider (offset blade with 166 grams).
SL-500 Series
Slot SL-500 Series putter includes the SL-581F, (slightly offset blade made of a tungsten and aluminum blend, 191 grams), SL-582F Hi Moment Non-Offset (206-gram weighted blade), SL-583F New Moment (heel-shafted tungsten and aluminum blend, 182 grams) and the back-, heel- and toe-weighted SL-584F Center Stroke Mallet with 132 grams.
SS-300 Series
The Slotline SS-330 Series consists of six putters. Each is made of 431 stainless steel and fit with 30-gram tungsten weight inserts. The series is sole-heel-toe-weighted and consists of the SS-381 (full offset blade), SS-382 (mid-size blade with modified cavity), SS-383 (deep-cavity blade), SS-384 (extreme back-weighted, heel-shafted mallet), SS-385 (mid-size blade with gradual offset) and SS-386 (short hosel, mid-size blade).
Construction Benefits and "Slot-Line" Alignment
According to Slotline, putts are easily and properly aligned once the player looks down into the "slot" on the back edge of the top-line and is able to locate the "line." This, specs claim, indicates a properly lined-up shot.
Slotline also claims the CNC tri-milled faces reduce the hitting surface and increases precision of the sweet spot, which helps putts role true and on line.
Pricing and Availability
Slotline putters are available mostly at small, boutique golf stores and driving range and club pro shops. The clubs are also carried by select liquidators and specialty dealers.
SL-300 Series come with a suggested retail price of $119.95, while the SL-500 and SL-700 lines are marked $179.95 and $219.95. While most Slotline dealers tend to sell the putters fairly close to MSRP, some will come down, depending on supply and buying power.
About The Author
Jim Hagerty is a freelance writer and journalist. In addition to the hundreds of Web-based articles to his credit, he's a staff writer for "The Rock River Times," where he covers arts and entertainment, outdoors and human interest news events. Hagerty holds a Bachelor of Science in public relations and journalism from Northern Michigan University in Marquette.
