Bridgestone Golf True Balance TD-02 Putter

Mallet Putter

Bridgestone doesn't make many putters, so when the True Balance line showed up in 2015, it had to justify its existence. The TD-02 does that with one core idea: drop the balance point way down toward the head. Most putters carry their balance point up near the middle of the shaft because the grip and shaft weight pull it there. Bridgestone flipped that, pairing a heavier feel at the head with an ultralight grip so the club's mass sits closer to the ball. The pitch is simple. A lower balance point makes the head easier to sense during the stroke, which helps tempo, which helps distance control.

The TD-02 is the mallet of the pair, sitting alongside the blade-style TD-01. But don't expect a typical 2015 mallet. There's no alignment line, no dots, no contrasting sightline of any kind. That's a deliberate choice, and it splits golfers immediately. Some players aim better with a clean crown and the leading edge alone. Others pick this thing up, look down, and feel lost. You'll know which camp you're in within about three putts.

A decade on, this is a used-market putter, and an inexpensive one. If the low balance point concept intrigues you and you don't lean on alignment aids, it's a cheap experiment that might genuinely settle down a jumpy stroke.

Design

The head is a compact mallet with mid toe hang, which is worth pausing on because most mallets from this era were face balanced. Mid toe hang means the TD-02 wants a stroke with some arc in it, the kind where the face opens a touch going back and releases through impact. Pair that with the low balance point and you get a mallet that behaves more like a blade in your hands, just with extra stability behind the face. The grip is the other half of the design, not an afterthought. Bridgestone specced a very light grip on purpose, since adding a standard 70 or 80 gram grip would drag the balance point back up the shaft and undo the whole concept. Keep that in mind if you buy one used. A previous owner may have regripped it with something heavier, and at that point you're not really holding a True Balance putter anymore.

Who It's For

• Players with a slight to moderate arc in their stroke, since the mid toe hang rewards a putter face that rotates naturally rather than staying square the whole way.
• Anyone who aims by feel and finds lines and dots on the crown distracting instead of helpful.
• Golfers fighting inconsistent distance control who want to feel the head throughout the stroke, which is exactly what the low balance point is built to deliver.
• Bargain hunters comfortable buying a 2015 model used, provided the original lightweight grip is still on it.

Technology

About Bridgestone Golf

Bridgestone Golf brings a distinctive approach to putter design, focusing on quality materials, precision manufacturing, and performance-driven engineering.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bridgestone True Balance TD-02 face balanced?

No. It has mid toe hang, which is unusual for a mallet. That makes it a better fit for strokes with some arc rather than the straight-back, straight-through motion face-balanced mallets are designed around.

Why doesn't the TD-02 have an alignment line?

Bridgestone left the crown clean on purpose. Some golfers aim more accurately using the putter's edges and overall shape than with a painted line. If you currently line up putts using a sightline and it works, this design will probably feel like a step backward. If lines have never helped you, the clean look is a feature.

What does True Balance actually mean?

It refers to the balance point of the whole club, not the head. Bridgestone used an ultralight grip so the club's balance point sits much closer to the head than on a conventional putter. The idea is that you can feel where the head is during the stroke, which tends to smooth out tempo and improve distance control.

Can I put a new grip on the True Balance TD-02?

You can, but stick with something very light. Installing a standard-weight or oversized grip moves the balance point back up the shaft and erases the design's main advantage. If the light stock grip has worn out, look for a replacement in a similar weight class.

Is the TD-02 still worth buying used in 2026?

At typical used prices, yes, for the right player. It's a low-cost way to test whether a low balance point helps your stroke. Check that the original grip is intact, inspect the face for wear, and be honest about whether you can aim without an alignment aid before you commit.

Alternatives to the Bridgestone Golf True Balance TD-02

Other mallet putter models from different brands, closest to its model year.

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