Making a putter, Have a few questions

[Dusty90]

Well, an the title states, I am making a putter as a school project. This is not the normal club making experience, as I am completely fabricating the head before I install a shaft. I have a few questions on how to go about doing this.

1) What is the standard loft for a putter, I think that it is 2*-3* but if someone could confirm this it would be great.

2) What is the best material to use, I am thinking of stainless steel because it should not take that much maintenance, but if anyone as any better ideas, I am open to suggestions.

3) What is the standard head weight range for a 34' putter

4) Where is the best place to order a putter shaft from (in Canada please) as I will be needing to do this if my local golf town doesn't have any

I think that that is all for now, but I am sure that there will be more questions to come later, especially when I get to assembly.

This is the type of putter that I am trying to emulate

[RickinMA]

1) standard loft is 2-6* - 4* is normal I think
2) best material is totally up to you - some use stainless, I'd probably go with whatever is easiest to machine
3) weights vary - but I'd shoot for something aroudn 350 grams
4) if you put a hosel on it, putter shafts aren't really anything special - you can use pretty much any shaft unless you need a double bend shaft like the one in the picture - then you 'd need to order a putter shaft
Please post pics when you're done - good luck

[Dusty90]

whoops, I posted the wrong picture. the one that I am actually making is the centre shafted model of the same putter.

So you are saying that I could just use any plain steel shaft?

[King Par]

Golfsmith has putter shafts. Ship out of Southern Ontario.

[RickinMA]

Originally Posted by Dusty90

So you are saying that I could just use any plain steel shaft?

if there's no bend in it, yes - although, I'm sure it's probably easier to bore a .370 hole than it would be to come up with a .355 taper tip, but yeah - the shaft doesn't matter that much

[ualtim]

1) Standard loft varies by manufacturer. Most standard lofts that I have seen are 3*, Scotty's standard loft is 4*, Rife's standard loft is 1*.

2) I would stick with stainless as it will be easier to maintain than carbon steel. 303 Stainless (or is it 304? I am getting old and can remember) seems to be the metal of choice for the boutique putters.

3) Head weight varies by manufacture. Scotty swore by 340 gram heads for his 34" putters for years, but I personally find heavier head weights more desirable. 350g, 360g, heck even 400g if you can do it. Better yet, build some weight ports that you can put different length bolts into so you can adjust the weight.

4) As has already been stated, you do not need a specific putter shaft, any shaft will do. As Rick mentioned, I would go with a .370 shaft/bore as it will be easier to do and easier to find shaft for.

Take some photos as you go along in the process so that you can go back and enjoy the stages of development later on down the road. Of course, I always intend to do that with every set I make and never remember to do it.

Lets us know how it goes, I look forward to seeing your progress.




I built a putter in wood shop while I was in 8th grade. I made the whole thing out of hardwood (head shaft and shaft anyway) and screwed on brass plates for the face and sole. I hand wrapped the grip with leather and was pretty satisfied with the result. Your project sound 10 time more exciting as you will be coming up with an modern putter. My 8th grade project is more of a decoration these days. Too fragile to use or put in a bag.

[rubber314chicken]

I'd go with brass because its softer (easier to machine), and with some lacquer on it it will stay shiney.

[Dusty90]

Okay, I am ordering a shaft, a grip, grip solvent, and grip tape. Is there anything else that I will need?

[MIKE1218]

What cad program are you using? My friend and I have some excellent Inventor and Solidworks files of anser style heads. We don't actually have an opportunity to machine them though. I'm jealous.

[Dusty90]

We have mastercam at my school, But I could design something alot better in Solidworks. However, I think that I will be doing alot, obviously not all using a normal, non CNC mill.

[MIKE1218]

This sounds like a fun project, keep us informed of your progress.

Here's an example of some of my cad work, this was made in autodesk inventor. It's actual scale, and everything works the same as the real model.

[Sandpiper3]

I say mill it!

id go with 303 stainless, same as the SCs are made of, thatd be pretty sweet id think.

[Dusty90]

Originally Posted by MIKE1218

This sounds like a fun project, keep us informed of your progress.

Here's an example of some of my cad work, this was made in autodesk inventor. It's actual scale, and everything works the same as the real model.

Thats impressive, I am not that good with any CAD program, I can make fairly simple parts but that is about it. Good work on that though, I wish that I had the patience to teach myself that well.

[Dusty90]

Originally Posted by Sandpiper3

I say mill it!

id go with 303 stainless, same as the SCs are made of, thatd be pretty sweet id think.

I think that is what I am going to go with. The only thing will be whether I use the CNC that we have at our school or not.

[Dusty90]

Another question. What is the average depth of the bore into the club for the shaft?