Q&A with Byron Morgan

[z-man]

This was from the mixer.. I thought I would share the interview

 

Dave interviewed Byron

 

As promised, during the Mixer I sat down with Byron to pose to him the questions that were submitted by you... I hope that you enjoy the read.

 

Question: Byron, I played in a Tarheel Tour event last week with a kid who played on the PGA Tour last year. He was putting with a Scotty Cameron GSS Newport-2, but he spent half the round asking me about my DH89 - who made it, where did I get it, that thing is sweet looking, etc. Is that as cool to you as it is to me?

Byron: That is really great to hear! It is always flattering to be appreciated. Hey Dave, where is his order?

 

Question: How do you measure the success of your business/brand?

Byron: I am very lucky to be doing something that I love to do and to have people appreciate my work.

 

Question: What do you most enjoy doing while working on putters (i.e. what is your favorite part?)

Byron: Hand shaping putters for customers is my favorite part of making a putter.

 

Question: What is your least favorite part?

Byron: As I said, I like making putters. I find the whole process rewarding.

 

Question: What is your opinion on modified putter faces to improve roll, and do you ever see this sort of technology being used on Byron putters in the future?

Byron: Since you asked my opinion, I don't believe that the kind of face modifications you are referencing result in better ball roll, and they may even adversely affect accuracy. I don't anticipate modified putter faces being a part of Byron putters in the future.

 

Question: With the increasing popularity of your putters how do you see your business expanding in future?

Byron: The US business is growing thanks to PutterTalk and the efforts of Steve and Dave. I want to see that continue.

 

Question: Should there ever be a critical point where you can't realistically keep up with demand (and personally work on each and every putter) how would you feel about employing others to make putters with your name on?

Byron: There could come a point where the volume will be more than I can do myself. That would be a great problem to have.

 

Question: When will the new putter models be released!?

Byron: Well, the Bombora was released on Friday, March 19th. Stay tuned to PutterTalk for information about the next release…

 

Question: Will there ever be heavy versions of your putters, like a heavy DH89, 006, 007?

Byron: We have done heavy versions previously in very limited quantities. If there is a customer demand there to do them again, we will meet the customers' demand.

 

Question: Will your putters that are made exclusively for the Japan market, ever be available here in the US? Like the 303GS...

Byron: Well 303GS is a material from which to make putters, not a model. The putter models made for the Asian markets are exclusive to the Asian markets.

 

Question: Byron, being in a business where it takes many years to establish a customer base and reputation, when did you get that "big break" into the putter industry?

Byron: The first big break came in 1992 when Steve Pate won the San Diego open rolling a Dale Head. The arrival of PutterTalk on the scene was another big step forward, creating exposure and ability to reach golfers who appreciate and desire to own the highest quality putters.

 

 

Question: At what point did you realize putter making was your true calling?

Byron: As a golfer, I've always understood that the most used and most important club in the bag is the putter. In 1990, I decided that I was going to make it as a putter maker. I committed 100% of my mind, heart and soul from that point forward.

 

Question: Who was your first Club Byron member from West Virginia?

Byron: (Laughs…) Eddie, why you are of course! Thanks for the softball…

 

Question: You've worked with many PGA pros over the years. Let's hear some insider info. What things did they ask for and what kind of feedback did you get?

Byron: Raymond Floyd's putters had an inch of offset or more, and he loved that I got the grips on straight for him the first time. Each player has something that they feel is necessary for them to be successful. For instance, DL3 has to have a very firm feeling/sounding putter. Professional golfers are no different than any of our customers. Everyone has specific requirements. My role is to meet or surpass those requirements, and I love doing that.

 

Question: Hey Byron, would you like a refill?

Byron: Oh, I like this question… If it's red wine, yes! Dat, what did you bring?

 

Question: As a professional putter maker, what would you like to know from your customers?

Byron: Do you mean besides knowing that you have a fully loaded PayPal account? I am always interested in what the customer wants/needs to feel confident and successful on the greens.

 

Question: What is your ideal business model for the new decade?

Byron: To continue to grow the U.S. market through custom orders.

 

Question: Any comments from Byron with regard to innovation…

Byron: The versatility of the CI and Bombora models in terms of meeting the customer's needs is almost limitless…

 

Question: My question for Byron would be a simple one: How in the hell did my custom true handmade 24 carat gold Dale Head, nicknamed California Gold not win the ‘Custom Byron Putter of the Year 2009 Award'?

Byron: You'll have to take that up with Dave. As I recall, he did not allow aftermarket enhancements or Damascus putters into the contest. He said he wanted a contest free of PEP's (performance enhanced putters)… Your putter is one of my all-time favorites.

 

Question: Are there any putters you have made over the years that you really connected with, ones that stand out in your mind, ones you held for a last look and thought to yourself: "Man that is one freakin' great job I just did right there."

Byron: Heart's putter (before the gold plate). Making a hand-made DH89 is much more demanding than any other handmade I've done over the years. It is the ONLY handmade DH89 I have done.

 

Question: Can you describe the creative process in making a handmade putter from a block of 1018 carbon steel?

Byron: It's a lot like sculpting a block of marble, but instead of using a hammer & chisel I'm using a Bridgeport. There is definitely something special to seeing what is in my mind's eye come to life.

 

Question: How long does a handmade take you from start to finish?

Byron: A simple on is 8-hours. Heart's DH89 was at least 40 hours.

 

Question: What is your all-time favorite putter you have ever created?

Byron: I'm loving the Bombora.

 

Question: What metal makes the best putters, in your opinion?

Byron: 303 stainless steel because it is both soft and durable.

 

Question: What should someone consider most when ordering a custom putter?

Byron: That you like the way that it looks. That the look of the putter (head shape, neck, color, alignment aid or lack of) will inspire confidence.

 

Question: My wife thinks I'm weird. Can I send her in for a new finish, and can you weld her mouth shut?

Byron: Sorry, I don't do aftermarket enhancements (see remarks regarding PEP's above), and I don't work on putters that I did not create.

 

Question: On the day your new Byron custom putter finally arrives, the wait for something eagerly anticipated is over, and there is a rush of excitement as you tear open a box, followed by a great thrill of seeing and touching, right there in your own hands, exactly what you dreamed about. So, what is it like being Santa?

Byron: I've gained the necessary weight to become Santa. I am waiting for the necessary grey to fill on my beard and then I will be ready to take over the position.

 

Question: About how many putters do you make in a year?

Byron: About 1,200 between the U.S. and Asian markets.

 

Question: Would you ever work for a major OEM if the given the opportunity, or would stay on your own?

Byron: That's not for me. I don't want a job or a boss.

 

Question: Which other putter maker's products do you enjoy the most?

Byron: I think that Scotty Cameron, Bob Bettinardi, and TP Mills all make great putters.

 

Question: Who has been the biggest influence in your putter making?

Byron: Karsten Solheim

 

Question: Do you see anything that could change the popularity of the Anser, maybe a modification or a new design, or is the classic Anser always going to be what it is?

Byron: I've made over 30 variations of the Anser putter myself. The Anser is a timeless classic, but the fun is in putting my own updates to it.

 

Question: Where would you like to see Byron Morgan putters (the brand) go in the next 5 years?

Byron: I'd like to continue down the current path of introducing 3 or 4 new models every year and growing the US market.

 

Question: Are you looking to get more putters on tour or continue to focus on providing affordable custom putters to the general public?

Byron: My focus is on making affordable custom putters for the public. If a tour player wants to play one of my putters, that's great, but what I am really passionate about is putting tour quality putters in the hands of the “average” golfer. Why shouldn't the average golfer roll a tour quality putter if he/she wants one or twenty?

 

Question: Are you planning to ramp up marketing, or just hang in where you're at?

Byron: We want to ramp up making custom putters for the US market.

 

Question: Are you looking to get products into large chain retail stores?

Byron: No, that market is not for me.

 

Question: Any possibility of CNC milled one-piece long neck DH89s or 006s in the works?

Byron: We have a one-piece 006 long-neck. As for the DH89, you never know…

 

Question: Are there plans for more of a "Tour" presence?

Byron: As I said in answer to a similar question previously, my focus is on making affordable custom putters of the highest quality for the public. I would not discourage a tour player from putting a Byron putter in their bag, but pursuing it is not my focus.

 

That's a wrap for the 2010 edition of Q&A with Byron from the Mixer in Huntington Beach, CA. Our thanks to everyone who submitted a question.

[nvgolfdude]

Thanks Steve. It was a lot of fun to do, particularly since 30-years ago (yup, I'm old) when I started college, I was a journalism major. How I ended up a bean counter is long, boring story. Anyway, I enjoyed getting the questions from all of the inquiring minds, and it was great spending quiet time with Byron going through the questions and getting his answers, especially the out-takes.

[Addicted2Golf]

Question: Byron, the other members keep complaining about Sactown. He drinks all the booze, gets obnoxious and then starts bragging about all the putters he owns. What can you do about this guy?

 

Byron: Easy - give him the location of the Scotty Cameron mixer instead and then hold ours somewhere else.

 

[JohnBarry]

Very nice, thanks for posting and sharing this with us!~

[nvgolfdude]

Question: Byron, the other members keep complaining about Sactown. He drinks all the booze, gets obnoxious and then starts bragging about all the putters he owns. What can you do about this guy?

 

Byron: Easy - give him the location of the Scotty Cameron mixer instead and then hold ours somewhere else.

 

 

Funny!

 

Actually, we wish sactown had made it down to the Mixer. Maybe next year...