How it Works

The G360 is Different!

At a glance it is apparent that the Gaim G360 is different – very different. These differences, some obvious, some subtle are the foundation of Gaim Golf’s primary goal, to remove as many negatives as possible from the equipment we design. In the putter business, it seems “Everybody’s got their something”. Our’s is distance and directional control. We are a “Gaim Improvement” company. Most equipment is designed with the Pro in mind…unfortunately most of us are not pro’s. Finally, there’s a putter that is Engineered for the Pro’s and designed for everyone else!

The purpose of this section is to explain how our differences create control advantages over our competitors.

Ball Retrieval

Gimmick vs. “Wow” Factor

This feature receives both positive and negative reactions.

Gimmick. The reason those that perceive the retrieval feature to be a gimmick, is that they assume (because of the ball cavity) something in the performance of the G360 has been sacrificed. In fact, many performances; weight distribution, energy transfer, balance and optics have all been enhanced because of the void created by the ball cavity.

Wow Factor. The positive reactions are due to the “Wow” Factor of the ability to retrieve the ball from a cup. Like it or not, this feature does attract attention. Attention creates a curiosity to test the G360. When tested, responses show that 8 of 10 people rate the G360 as excellent. In short, the retrieval feature creates sales opportunities.

*The need to bend to retrieve a ball is a negative that has been removed from the G360.

Improves Directional Control

Visual Noise vs. Visually Quiet

According to Dr. Farnsworth “The Putt Doctor”, an observable fact exists which he calls visual noise.

Visual Noise. Visual noise is what Dr. Farnsworth refers to when the presence of a golf ball creates visual interference between a particular putter head design and its path to the hole. Occasionally, a golfer, (even pros) will place his/her putter head in front of their golf ball in order to overcome this phenomenon.

Visually Quiet. One of the benefits Dr. Farnsworth appreciates most about the G360 is that it sets up very well with the presence of a golf ball as the putter head design “frames the ball.” A golf ball does not visually interfere with the G360 and its path to the hole. Also, the G360 has an anti-glare matte black finish which eliminates another form of visual noise (glare).

*Visual noise is a directional control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Contrast

Low Contrast vs. High Contrast

Contrast is the difference in brightness between the alignment system and the putter body.

Low Contrast. The bodies of most putters are a medium gray metallic color. Against a medium gray body, both white and black alignment marks will offer only mediocre contrast.

High Contrast. The G360 has a pure white alignment system against a solid black body. This combination offers maximum contrast and demands maximum visual focus on the alignment system.

*A low contrast alignment system is a directional control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Optics

Low Visual Assistance vs. Axis/Path Alignment

There are two influences on directional control “putter head path and face angle at impact.”

Low Visual Assistance. Player’s alignment to the target is critical first step when they address the ball. Dr. Farnsworth has discovered that 70% of the golfers align better than with GAIM 360 putter than the player’s own putter at a ten foot distance. The reason: the GAIM 360 putter head design gives the player several options to implement to align to the target. One player may prefer the center line whereas another may prefer the two ‘broken’ lines yet another may align better with the back line only while another may prefer the “horseshoe” design for their alignment.

Axis/Path. The void from the ball cavity forms a natural break in the center line which creates an axis. As a device to insure proper face angle at both address and impact an axis is ideal. Two lines are better than one, as one alignment mark checks the other. In addition to the axis there is a horseshoe mark that frames the ball and its path. This combination is Gaim’s patented “axis/path alignment system” designed to give the G360 a major optical advantage.

*A lack of visual assistance for path and face angle alignment is a directional control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Feel

Insert vs. Solid Tungsten Composite

A composite is a group formed by combining essential characteristics of individuals.
Inserts

Composite Inserts. Many putter manufactures use composite inserts for greater vibration absorption or “feel”. Since different materials transfer energy at different rates, combining dissimilar materials (composites and metals), is a means of producing feel at the expense of distance control.

Solid Tungsten Composite. The Gaim G360 has a 100% solid tungsten composite head that is less dense than steel. This tungsten composite dramatically dampens vibration, offering a pure soft feel achieved only by very few putters. Being less dense than steel also allows for additional weight (approximately 40 grams), to be redistributed to areas of greater benefit without sacrificing distance control.

*Dissimilar materials which sacrifice control for feel is a distance control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Weight Distribution

Low MOI vs. High MOI

MOI (moment of inertia) gauges a putter’s ability to resist twisting on off-center putts.

Low MOI. Off-center contact results in a loss of distance and directional control. The fact is, the lower the MOI, the more substantial the loss of control. Therefore, lower MOI putters require somewhat more precision and/or skill.

High MOI. Due to the center void, the heel-toe portions (outside the horseshoe alignment mark) of the G360 accounts for over 80% of the total head weight. This percentage of heel-toe weighting generates maximum MOI resulting in an extremely forgiving putter.

*Low MOI is a distance and directional control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Balance

Asymmetrical vs. Symmetrical

Balance or COG (center of gravity) is essential for control. MOI (moment of inertia) begins and gradually deteriorates from the COG – the lower the MOI the greater the deterioration.

Asymmetrical. Many asymmetrical putter heads will have an off-set COG – the balance point on the face is not precisely centered. To achieve maximum distance and directional control, a putt should be struck as close to the COG as possible. Not knowing the exact location of the COG makes this difficult. In effect, a properly center-struck putt with an asymmetrical putter can be an off-center miss hit.

Symmetrical. The head of the G360 is symmetrical – the COG is where it should be, precisely centered. Since MOI has been maximized and COG has been centered – there is no twisting or energy loss on center-struck putts. Distance and directional control has been maximized.

*An off-set COG is a distance and directional control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Energy Transfer

Low COG vs. High COG

COG relative to the equator of a golf ball influences energy transfer by way of spin rate.

Low COG. Nearly all putters have their COG placed below the equator of a golf ball. It is common knowledge that iron manufacturers lower the COG in order to generate backspin. The same physics apply to putters.

High COG. The combination of a slightly taller face and the void created by the ball cavity produce a high COG. In fact, the COG of the G360 will be at or slightly above the equator of a golf ball at impact. Positioning the COG at or above the ball’s equator improves feel and distance control by reducing excessive backspin.
*Low COG is a distance control negative which has been removed from the G360.

Weight

Lighter Head Weight vs. Heavier Head Weight

The weight of a putter’s head affects its tracking momentum.

Lighter Heads. The average weight of a putter head is approximately 320 grams. Since putter lengths are trending shorter, and for every one inch shorter, a putter loses approximately 3 swing-weights. Shortening a putter with a lighter head will compound the loss of its tracking momentum.
Heavier Heads

Heavier Heads. The head weight of the G360 is 360 grams, that’s why it’s called the G360. Using a less dense solid tungsten composite head is what allows us to take advantage of heavier head weight. One major advantage of a heavier head weight is that a heavier head will always maintain its tracking momentum better than a lighter head.

*Low tracking momentum is a distance control negative which has been removed from the G360.