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Wilson Staff reintroduces its classic 8802 putter

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The putter that has won more majors than any other is back. To celebrate its 100th anniversary as a company, Wilson Staff is reintroducing the classic 8802 putter.

Although Wilson used the 8802 moniker earlier, the putter essentially came into being with the “Designed by Arnold Palmer” in 1962. When Palmer left Wilson in 1963, the putter was renamed “The Wilson 8802.” For the next 50 years, the 8802 found its way into the bags of the top players of the world, including Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson, and it has been a favorite of amateur golfers around the world.

Some 50 years later after its original introduction, Wilson is bringing a new milled 8802 putter to market. And as you can see, it’s a beauty.

WSSofter

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Made from 304 stainless steel and featuring the traditional 8802 heel-shafted design, the putter is equipped with a double milled face and a 335-gram head as well as stamping consistent with the original 8802.

A steepless True Temper Head Speed shaft and Lamkin 3GEN pistol grip are standard on the new 8802.

The new 8802 comes with a red and white putter cover that is at once bold and classic, which you can see below. The putter is presently available in only a right-handed model at one length: 35 inches and retails for $179.99.

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39 Comments

39 Comments

  1. stephenf

    Oct 24, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Very nice views, Wilson. If you’re going to look at the putter from on the ground up the line, on the ground down the line, or on the ground from behind the heel of the putter, this will give a player a really good idea of what it’s like.

    I don’t know why people prefer the Jetsons putters. None of them have the feel you can get by hitting a good forged putter on the sweet spot. They just dampen the feel of bad strikes. It’s not that hard to hit the sweet spot of a putter anyway, which makes it even more inexplicable to me why any pro would use them. If you can’t line up a simple, clean blade and hit the sweet spot at putter speed, maybe you need to go work at it until you can. Then work on hitting the sweet spot on chips and pitches, and work back. Watch what it does for your game.

  2. hells no

    May 11, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    For all of those looking to make the game of golf harder.

    • stephenf

      Oct 24, 2016 at 9:33 am

      For all those who have the minimal skill it takes to hit a putter on the sweet spot.

  3. VoteOutIncumbents

    Apr 19, 2015 at 11:02 am

    I bought this putter and used it for the first time last week. I remember as a kid my first putter was a blade…I remember (I think, it’s been forty years) being a better putter back then. So I went back to the future with this new blade. On my first hole I made a twenty footer…haven’t done THAT in a while. Made another long one later in the round. It takes a little getting used to because it requires an arc swing that you have to “feel”. So far (one round) I love it!

  4. Mike

    Mar 29, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    Have The Gentle Ben Walter Hagen 8802. Beautiful putter.

  5. KyleB13

    Mar 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm

    Got one and it is super smooth and so good looking! Makes you think of putting as an art, not a mental science with alignments, MOI, colors, shapes, arcs, etc. Hopefully I can just roll it half as good as Crenshaw, Palmer, Nicklaus and we’ll be doing good!

  6. Pingback: Want! | A Scottish world of golf

  7. Ponjo

    Jan 2, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    Just purchased this putter in a 33″ length. The roll is magnificent. Big credit for Wilson turning my order round in 3 days via my Golf Pro.

  8. mario francolini

    Oct 14, 2014 at 4:49 am

    hi we make a similar putter here in England which is Forged in the Black Country (where the Titanic Chains Were made) and we hand finish them in Warwickshire William Shakespeare country, we make them in two materials 303 stainless and a silicone bronze, if anybody would like to see them i can send some pictures of our work

    • Brian Conley

      Mar 14, 2015 at 11:23 am

      Please send me some information.
      Thanks, Brian

    • Steve Bilbrough

      Jul 29, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Would be interested to see your 8802 style putters in 303 stainless and silicone bronze. Pl;ease send pico’s and pricing.

      Thank you … Steve

    • stephenf

      Oct 24, 2016 at 9:34 am

      send send send send SEND

  9. M.

    Aug 24, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    Let Tiger have his fun with the stack and tilt bandits, and when his done I’m sure we’ll see him over at the dirt doing the twirl with Elk

  10. tom

    Aug 14, 2014 at 2:08 am

    Have the early 8802, the reissue and the Palmer model. I have used them for years. I really like the reissue but I got to say I like the look of the new one. I swore I was quitting buying the putters but I should never say never! Shouldn’t you put your money into the club you use the most?

  11. LeoLeo

    Jul 25, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    I have the “Original” Wilson 8802 which was obviously not the original that I bought around 1982. It has a dull pickle finish no the shine of the original. It’s so simple compared to all the space ship shaped putters out today.

  12. Shallowface

    Jul 25, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Love the direction in which Wilson is heading!

  13. luc van heirweghe

    Jul 14, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I’m particularly interested in buying a Wilson Staff 8802 – putter but cannot find a stie on which to buy one. Can you offer any assistance ?

    • Jeff S

      Jul 14, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      You can buy one directly from the Wilson website.

    • stephenf

      Oct 24, 2016 at 9:35 am

      Also give the Palmer or Old Master replicas a look.

  14. bobbycj

    Jul 11, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    I’ve played the 8882 blk for the past few years. I think the head is fairly heavy (350 gm), I love it, very consistent roll, I like the milled grooves. Have a Winn pistol grip (oversized) on it. I saw a new 8882 the other day in the shop for $79. I think $179 for a 8802 is steep unless you get it just for nostalgia…if that’s the case get an original on ebay for $40. If you’re getting it to actually make putts just get the 8882. Or, just get it to look like a big shot on the practice green. I can’t say enough good things about the 8882 blk. I like the Napa toe hang style putter and hit one whenever I can to see how it compares against the 8882 blk. I’ve yet to find one better

  15. Jack

    Jul 9, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Bettinardi made a blade similar to the 8802. I have it my bag. It’s the real deal.
    This particular is no longer in production. If you find one buy it.

  16. Mike Webber

    Jul 3, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    I think the original Wilson putter was made of a heavier metal, which I believe was Pot Metal. Unlike today’s version of stainless steel, which has a livelier face upon contact, the heavier putter was referred to as being almost dead. That means you hit the ball as far as you wanted it to go. To me that’s a step ahead of today’s blended metals in which their is a measured amount of guess work. While I’m at it, I also have to give me regard to the Staff Irons of the mid 60’s through 1971. I still play the button backs.

    • David Findla

      Jul 10, 2014 at 1:54 pm

      I was told many years ago that the original 8802 was made of metal from scrapped WWII warships.

    • Joe Duffer

      Jul 23, 2014 at 12:41 pm

      The original Wilson Palmer and 8802 putters were made from 1030 carbon steel.

    • Truth Hurts

      Mar 16, 2015 at 11:06 am

      The amount of nonsense in the world of Golf regarding Putters reminds one of the alchemy of the Middle Ages.

  17. Grant

    Jul 3, 2014 at 11:10 am

    My 1970’s model 8802 is looking at me from the bag
    Best feeling putter ever. Ihave some old green shafted Ironmaster’s that also feel good. Never have any doubt whenIuse the 8802.

  18. Pingback: Wilson Staff reintroduces its classic 8802 putter | Spacetimeandi.com

  19. Neil Cooney

    Jul 2, 2014 at 6:35 am

    What Retail outlets in Ireland can new “retro” putter be bought through ??

  20. tlmck

    Jul 2, 2014 at 3:34 am

    I wish they would remake the old “Flag Hi”. Basically the same as 8802 except for less flange. More solid hit as well. Mine is has decades of bag chatter, but is still gameable.

  21. Boo

    Jul 1, 2014 at 11:48 pm

    The putter head is just too light at 335 grams. Wish they could make it more in the 350 plus range!

  22. Mike

    Jul 1, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Originally was made from pot metal not stainless steel

    • Joe Duffer

      Jul 23, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      Wrong… they were made from 1030 carbon steel.

  23. Cwolf

    Jul 1, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    Buttah

  24. Chuck

    Jul 1, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    Ummm, somebody please correct me if I am wrong. But the classic Wilson Head Speed shaft was a STEPPED shaft.

    So if Wilson is selling a shaft that is stepless, but is calling it (as is no doubt their proprietary right) “Head Speed”, it is something else entirely, right?

    Wilson has made lots and lots of 8802 variants and reissues over the years. I would have thought that the modern challenge would have been to absolutely faithfully re-create the orignal “Designed by Arnold Palmer.”

    • I

      Jul 2, 2014 at 3:40 am

      Inane comment

    • Bill Morrell

      Jul 3, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      I have owned three original (1964) 8802’s and one Designed By. All had 5 step shafts with green shaft bands. Why Wilson wouldn’t use this in their “tribute ” putter is baffling at best.

  25. Reid

    Jul 1, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    I’ve loved every past model including the original and still have a ton in my collection. This is a definitely must add for me!

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Equipment

Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron

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As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)

What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!

 

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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…

To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”

On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.

Here’s what he had to say:

You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?

MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.

And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.

When did it come back in the bag?

MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.

What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?

MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?

Do you remember how much you paid for it?

MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.

The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?

MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.

It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?

MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.

What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?

MT: Like high 170’s.

Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.

MT: Yeah. The butter knife.

Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons? 

MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.

How far do you carry that? 

MT: Like 235.

A good little wind club, I’m sure.

MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.

I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man. 

MT: Absolutely.

To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.

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Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.

From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft

This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules

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Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.

However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.

“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”

Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.

Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.

Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.

One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.

We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!

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