Putters, New Tech or Old School?

[MannKrafted]

I was reading a few posts on various sites, the other day and saw a trend starting. Guys were requesting info on new makers that still put out a putter that is a pure blade. Something along the lines of a Bullseye or Cash In putter is tough to find from a current maker, nearly impossible. Titleist quit making the Cameron version of the Bullseye, I believe and lord knows how long it has been since Spalding made the Cash In. Bettinardi had a prototype out for review a season or two ago, very basic blade-style with milled face and no hosel. It surfaced, got little interest and went away.
So, is there a market for such a creature? Something that doesn't have "Heel-Toe Weighting" or an MOI number that is off the charts?
Post here and let me hear your thoughts. I think that the niche exists, but I have been mistaken, before.
Thanks,
LaMont in AZ

 

[Rockford35]

Geeze, this is a great question.

I went from years of using an Anser style blade to an insert (White Hot), to a Two Ball (several), back to the White Hot blade with the insert, to a Fang (Odyssey #7) and back to a blade that I use now, without an insert.

I initially loved the inserts. However, I found that they lack one thing. And that one thing depends on the putter, in my opinion. I loved the White Hot for long lag putts. I could cozy it up. But with putts inside 6 feet, it was so hard to judge the feel. The opposite was true with the #7 Black I Series Fang that I used. Great for inside 10 feet, but lags it was brutal.

I went back to a milled face, no insert and haven't looked back. What it might lack in "softness" is brought out in consistency. It rolls the ball pure, no matter the length of putt, and that is what I'm looking for.

That said, I think I am the minority in the putter market. Guys want technology, so you're catering to a small niche. Is it there? Absolutely, but only for the very small group of guys that want a pure milled/cast/forged head that delivers that resounding "thunk" rather than a soft feeling that's delivered from an insert.

R35

 

[Clugnut]

What I want to use: Wilson 8802 or the like.

What I have to use to putt well most of the time: 2-Ball 43 inch.

 

[Wi-Golfer]

I haven't used a non insert balde style putter in over 15 years but I prefer those over what i currently have. Reason I use the Imola 8 is it was cheap & yet still a blade. Played around with a few smaller mallets for awhile & have always come back to the blade. Would I putt as well without an insert right now? Hard to say but would like to try.

 

[SCGolfer]

Other than a time I putted with a Scotty #5 and the last few months I have bagged a Heavy putter...I putted with an odyssey 882 old school blade. I looked for quite a while for a similar style with a milled face and really never turned up anything that I liked. I was intrigued when Yes came out with I believe the Nicky but wasn't really crazy about it. I would love to send my 882 to someone and have it duplicated with a milled face because I love the setup but over the last 10 years have gone thru times I hated the insert on certain greens. I love the milled face and weight of the Heavy putter. I think you can hit a niche in the market with a old school line of putters.


Jason

 

[MannKrafted]

SCGolfer,
That milled face blade might have just been answered by Sunset Beach's new "Lola" model.
There are pics here in this forum and we'd love to get one in your rotation.
Thanks,
LaMont in AZ

 

[FATC1TY]

I like milled, no inserts.. Unless the insert is another metal.

I'm a fan of the SeeMore putters, I like the simple milled feeling. I hate the white hot inserts.

I like the smooth, buttery, almost boring feel of a forged/milled putter head. Like Rock, I feel it's consistent enough that with time you can make the lags and the tap in's with the same feeling of consistency.

 

[N.V.M.]

by far my most prized club in the bag, my Nike Retro blade putter. i think its milled stainless, but however it's made, i have'nt even looked at another putter in two years.

no insert, made to look one piece from head to shaft, just has great feel to it and rolls the ball so nicely, right from the get go.

 

[Manavs]

What I want to use: Wilson 8802 or the like.

WHat I would like to see is an updated version of the Geo Low putters or the Wilson Tour Special Line, even the tommy armour ironmaster

I grew up on the wilson tour special 2 - much less offset than the 8802's which I found familiar with the scotty napa blade putters when they came out. again too offset and too bulky both width and lengthwise for my taste.

I prefer a smaller putter.

So if your asking me what would there be a market for LaMont, id probably say none of these, but damn would i like to see a sharp finely milled blade with a smaller look to it and yet have all the high tech features like variable weight ports. also make it available in 4 finishes - smoke, satin, chrome, and copper, with 3 offsets - 1/4 of a ball, 1/2 a ball and onset.

not that ive thought about this much =)

 

[BigJim13]

I was reading a few posts on various sites, the other day and saw a trend starting. Guys were requesting info on new makers that still put out a putter that is a pure blade. Something along the lines of a Bullseye or Cash In putter is tough to find from a current maker, nearly impossible. Titleist quit making the Cameron version of the Bullseye, I believe and lord knows how long it has been since Spalding made the Cash In. Bettinardi had a prototype out for review a season or two ago, very basic blade-style with milled face and no hosel. It surfaced, got little interest and went away.
So, is there a market for such a creature? Something that doesn't have "Heel-Toe Weighting" or an MOI number that is off the charts?
Post here and let me hear your thoughts. I think that the niche exists, but I have been mistaken, before.
Thanks,
LaMont in AZ

Geeze, this is a great question.

This is a great question and the simple answer is that each player you ask is going to have a different opinion.

Myself (might as well put my .02 in) I can't stand the look of the old bullseye putters. Give me an Anser style with a milled face and NO insert, sight dot (preferably) or sight line and about 34" and I will drain putts all day.

I can't stand the look of some of the newer putters that are being released (spider, itsy bitsy spider etc) and am with Peter Kostis when he says that "I don't believe a putter head should be bigger than the hole."

I have tried the 2ball and the 3 ball putters and just couldn't get used to their look.

So I guess that makes me not really a traditionalist since I don't like the bullseye, but not a techie either since I don't like the newer stuff. When was the anser released anyway? I just love the look of that head...

 

[nututhugame]

I haven't been around (golfing) long enough to have tried everything. The two I have tried are a milled 2ball (small head compared to some 2balls), and a Anser with insert. I like the look of both of them, I think the two ball helps me a little more though because 1) the obvious aid in lining up, 2)it's a bit heavier, and 3)more consistancy with the milled face.

Surely the golf gods will strike that down for even uttering something may be good, but that's my story and i'm stickin to it.

 

[mddubya]

Personally, I can't stand the putters that look like half a man-hole cover on a stick. I love the look and feel of my Scotty Circa 62. I do wish it wasn't so prone to rust though. However, I fooled around with my dads old bullseye style putter a while back and can't see me ever going back to one of those.

But to answer your question, seeing as how ya'll basically custom build your putters, I'd think that if you offered one you'd get a few orders. Would it be enough to warrant building a boat load in advance and hope they sold? I kind of doubt there is that big of a market for them, but who knows?

 

[MannKrafted]

I grew up on the wilson tour special 2 - much less offset than the 8802's which I found familiar with the scotty napa blade putters when they came out. again too offset and too bulky both width and lengthwise for my taste.

Manavs,
I knew when we spoke on the phone that we had some things in common. I rolled a Tour Special 2 for over 13 years, from junior golf, thru High School Golf and well into the time when I was "out on my own". It went cold in a tournament in Idaho one year and sealed its fate. Since then, I have rolled nearly every putter known to Mann, or at least it seems like it.
Your idea of blending the classic blade and tech has some merit and will get some definite consideration.
Maybe we need to speak again, ;-).
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
LaMont in AZ

 

[MCDavis]

I played an original Acushnet Bulls-Eye flange for the first 15 years of my golfing life. Then, on a whim, I bought a heel shafted flange blade Ray Cook at Martin's because it was on sale for $50. Has brass weights in the bottom. Then a few years ago I bought a YES! Callie (std, not forged), because I like anser heads and my youngest daughter's name is Callie. I game the Callie in my main bag (and will for a long, long time just because of the name), the Ray Cook is in the bag at our beach house and gets used down there, and the Bulls-Eye is in a bag in my dad's garage. I take it out and use it about 4 times a year, when I'm playing.

I've also bought my wife and my oldest step-son Callie putters. She'll use it for a long time. He'll change (he's young), but he'll always keep that one. In fact, I'll probably buy him a custom when he graduates high school (he's a freshman) if he's still playing at or above the level he's at now.

I think you'd have a niche, and it'd be worth having a head available. I'd say a Bulls-Eye flange style because the last Scotty's were non-flange if I remember correctly, so a flange model hasn't been around for a while.

A brass head and fluted shaft would be really nice options if you could afford it.

I don't think you'll sell a truckload, but I think it'd be something that would sell occasionally, and would bring traffic to your site since it's not readily available elsewhere. Having it could lead to sales of other main line putters.

Hope my ramblings helped!

 

[Manavs]

Manavs,
I knew when we spoke on the phone that we had some things in common. I rolled a Tour Special 2 for over 13 years, from junior golf, thru High School Golf and well into the time when I was "out on my own". It went cold in a tournament in Idaho one year and sealed its fate. Since then, I have rolled nearly every putter known to Mann, or at least it seems like it.
Your idea of blending the classic blade and tech has some merit and will get some definite consideration.
Maybe we need to speak again, ;-).
Thanks for your comments, everyone.
LaMont in AZ

I'll be sure never to play golf in Idaho:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Call me anytime!
Michael