Putter Question

[Jmikecpa]

So the boss at home has given me a generous distribution for a new putter (or putters) that can make their way into my collection at home.  I am not used to this type of generosity when doing the budget so I am at a loss.  My question is what would you do to enhance a collection.  

 

My options are:

 

1.  Tour Scotty (which I have already identified if I were going that way).

 

2.  Custom done wand from one of the smaller guys.

 

3.  Gene Nead Mokume Gane.

 

4.  Invest the money since I have too many putters as it is!

 

5.  Get two or three putters that have been on my bucket list

 

I think I have my answer but really just curious what others would do with this situation.

[hckymeyer]

Are you looking at it as an investment or as something to game and admire? 

 

If it's as an investment then hands down go with the Circle T.

 

If it's something to game and keep then custom stick from whomever you choose to go with.

 

If it's something to admire then all options are open, but I'd probably try to cross a couple off the bucket list

 

Let us know what you get and be sure to post pictures!

[kygolfer1980]

U can get a sweet custom by Byron, Lamont, or Slighter and still invest a pretty penny compared to the Circle T.  The circle T's are super cool though.  1st world problems....Lol

[Jmikecpa]

Good points on both fronts.  I have one simple rule when it comes to putters.....I don't hang them on walls and look at them, they will spend time in my bag no matter the price/rarity.  If it is that pricey and rare that I would not use it then it is too rich for my blood and not something I would buy.  I also don't flip putters so I am not looking at it as an investment.  When it comes to putters I am a hoarder almost to the point that I may end up on one of those hoarding shows in a few years.

[kygolfer1980]

I am a MannKrafted and Byron guy because I know they have personally put time in my putter.  I am not sure how many putters Scotty touches now days unless maybe it's going in the bag of a tour pro(and then I'm still not sure).  There sure are a lot of Circle T's out there for Scotty to have handled each one.  And while I would like to have one,  I can't see that the ball would roll any smoother than a production version.  But I'm still materialistic when it comes to golf so of course me wants...

[BIG STU]

Personally I would go with # 5 on your list----- remember you only live once

[GolfSpy Dave]

If I was having one built for me, I'd go Byron. Dude is super cool to work with and his putters are really not that expensive based upon what you get. Bettinardi is making customs soon as well, but that is not quite online yet.

 

I have always wanted a Circle T Cameron. I like his putters and as a collector of the flatstick, I feel like I would like to get one eventually. It is sort of how I feel about damascus. I want a damascus putter. There was a damascus Byron DH89 floating out there a while back that my heart hammered for, but 2G for a putter is a dream, not a reality at this point.

[kygolfer1980]

If I was having one built for me, I'd go Byron. Dude is super cool to work with and his putters are really not that expensive based upon what you get. Bettinardi is making customs soon as well, but that is not quite online yet.

 

I have always wanted a Circle T Cameron. I like his putters and as a collector of the flatstick, I feel like I would like to get one eventually. It is sort of how I feel about damascus. I want a damascus putter. There was a damascus Byron DH89 floating out there a while back that my heart hammered for, but 2G for a putter is a dream, not a reality at this point.

The flow neck DH 89 is one of the most beautiful putters out there in my opinion.  I had one and let her go.  She was the one that got away...

[Kenny B]

Furyk won $11M and the 2010 Tour Championship with a $39 Yes! putter. Is that on your bucket list?

[Jmikecpa]

I own its twin and it is a solid putter. It is the only Yes putter I own.

[Jmikecpa]

Made my decision and will post pictures when it arrives.

[whiskey golf]

I realize you have made your choice but I would go with 2-3 custom putters from smaller companies like MannKrafted, Byron Morgan, etc.

[Jmikecpa]

Thanks for the input and what I decided to go with was a Circle T for a few reasons.  First, I know people have their opinions of Scotty (most of which I agree with) but fifteen years ago when I started my collection it was something that I always wanted to have.  About 8 years ago I acquired a Tour Laguna and it was stolen out of my truck and to me this left a hole in my collection.  

 

The second reason is that the putter that I found had about 90% of what I was looking for in a custom Scotty and not something that I have really seen before.  Ironic that my wife is the one that found it for me and showed the pictures to me...she feed the addiction!  

 

My third reason is really an add on to number two....I found my unicorn Scotty and I can get my unicorn from the other guys in due time.  I have a few putters from smaller guys including a TP Mills custom that my wife got me last year and they are just fantastic.

 

So what did I end up with is the question....

[RookieBlue7]

You could buy 3 custom Byrons for the price of one Tour Scotty, and you actually get to do a few things a Tour Scotty won't do for you, such as choose EVERY aspect about it.  He's been around long before Scotty and his putters are every bit as good as Scotty's.  If it's an Anser headshape, LaMont Mann is also now also offering one with his MA66 and LaMont made my first custom and is also one of the nicest guys in the business.  Those would be my two options.  You get to talk with the person that is actually milling your putter (not shaping it, but milling it, start to finish) and design the putter and every aspect about it.  I've got a Mannkrafted already, a Byron will be my next handmade.  DH89 with the Tai treatment and a long twisted neck that's face balanced, tuna milling and a soundslot.  I've already got the number, just hiding the pennies from the accountant at the house.  I've had tour scotties, several, and other than holding resale value, they were nothing his OTR's aren't really.  I'd take a TeI3 first gen that Bettinardi milled before any one of his new "tour" putters.  And yes, I realize the choice has already been made.

[Jmikecpa]

Rookie... I completely agree with your thoughts and this was initially how I was leaning with just investing the cash as a close second. That was until my wife showed me a putter that was exactly what I would have built. I ended up getting a Cameron Circle T proto GoLo built for the tour deep milled in chromatic bronze with a welder center neck, black smoke shaft and a leather switchback grip.

 

I have played a GoLo on and off for the last year or so and my only gripe was that it was not a center shaft putter. For me it was pretty much what I would have had made for me and something that I ended up really wanting to add to my collection. Throughout the upcoming year I plan to have LeMont and Xenon as well as Gene Nead build a few putters for me, but this was the right one at the right time.

[Jmikecpa]

Putter arrived last night and it is a good looking stick.  It is registry number A021562 and the link is below:

 

https://www.scottycameron.com/authentication/registry/Details.aspx?rn=A021562&registry-submit=search

 

Figured I would spare everyone my poor iPhone camera pics.

[hckymeyer]

Purdy, enjoy your new purchase!

[wbealsd]

THAT is a beautiful stick!

[Kenny B]

Awesome!  Would love to give that a roll!