Connect with us

Equipment

Want to trick out your putter? Here’s what you need to know

Published

on

In 2019, one of the coolest parts of the golf world is the plethora of different ways you can accentuate your personality with cool golf swag. One of the most dynamic ways to do this is through a custom finished putter. I have spent the last six months (and about $1,000!) to make sure you get the best outcome for your money.

Intrigued? Good, here’s what you need to know…

Putter refinishing 101

  • Stamping is done by hand and therefore never perfectly symmetrical
  • Keep in mind there are certain things that cannot be fixed
  • Have high expectations: with the right putter, these companies can transform your putter back to 9.99/10.
  • Although each and every website has clear pictures, in my opinion the pictures are not perfect, particularly the black oxide/whisky/fuel finishes. It’s a little lighter than I expected and wears significantly more than black
  • Sightlines can be a great addition to a putter, but remember, they cannot be removed!

The process

Over 25 years in golf has left me with a healthy collection of Scotty Cameron putters. When I was given an ultimatum to reduce my collection, I decided to take a unique approach: I would have several the old putters refinished. Armed with seven putters in approximately the same condition and the internet, I found seven different companies who offer a refinishing service. Each company cost between $125 and $129. I completed each of their questionnaires and sent them off, anxiously awaiting the results.

The results

One of the most important takeaways from this experiment is that NOT all refinishers are equal. In fact, the results were very binary: three of the companies did outstanding work, while four of the companies return a product which (in my opinion) was completely unacceptable.

Instead of “outing” the terrible work, I have decided to highlight the three companies which produced outstanding work: LabWorx (Waco, TX), Putter Lounge (Denver, Co) and NorCal Putters (Auburn, CA). Each of these companies returned work that was “nearly” new; removed dings, clean paint lines and held very closely to their estimate times.

Here is a Newport done by LabWorx (Waco) in their special “Armor” (more about this below). The finish is clean. All nicks and dents have been removed. It is basically new and looks amazing:

LabWorx “Armor”

An example of LabWorx Armor on a Ping Zing 2

LabWorx in Waco, TX deserves special note based on their R&D development of what they call “Armor”: a specially developed coating which does not impact feel but is extremely durable. The putter that I have, done in this coating has no glare and after almost eight months of play, shows no effects.

Not Just for Scotties

View this post on Instagram

Trending at the shop – the DJ T sight line

A post shared by Putter Lounge (@putterlounge) on

While I had only Scotty Camerons refinished, it is important that you understand that many different putters can be finished. According to Terri at Putter Lounge, “we have a lot of request for a number of different styles of putters, beyond Scotty Camerons, including a lot of Taylor Made Spiders.”

View this post on Instagram

K

A post shared by Putter Lounge (@putterlounge) on

A total transformation that is completely custom for the very reasonable price of $129!

Getting your putter done

If you are looking to get your putter refinished, the first step is to have a clear idea of EXACTLY what you want. Next, I would recommend reaching out to a couple of companies (again, I highly recommend these three based on their work) and ask about wait times. Keep in mind that they can range from a couple of weeks to several months, with wait times increasing in the summer. After selecting the company, you want to go to their website and fill out the questionnaire about your putter; telling them exactly what you want. Send the putter, along with the form, and get ready to impress your friends!

Want to learn more?

LabWorx

NorCal Putters

Putter Lounge

Your Reaction?
  • 110
  • LEGIT21
  • WOW15
  • LOL8
  • IDHT4
  • FLOP1
  • OB3
  • SHANK15

Brendan Ryan, an entrepreneur and scientist, is a passionate golfer who loves his local muni. Armed with a keen interest in the game, a large network of friends in the industry, Brendan works to find and produce unique content for GolfWRX.

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Robert

    Sep 8, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    Why would you not send a “Scotty” back to Scotty Cameron first? Is there a big price difference for the same request?

    • Fifteenclubs

      Sep 8, 2019 at 11:08 pm

      Cost for a Custom Shop refinish is about triple what the other companies charge and can take up to three months. I’ve sent putters back to Scotty as well as a couple of these guys and I’ll say if you send them a putter in decent shape it’ll come back looking like new. Same for Scotty but at a much higher price and longer lead time.

  2. Paul

    Sep 7, 2019 at 10:01 pm

    In my experience, most players that want to “trick out their putter” can barely break 90…

  3. Ed

    Sep 7, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    Yet GolfWrx doesn’t realize many refinishers use one source – and call it their own. Just saying.

    • DB

      Sep 8, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      I have never heard this. You should provide more details.

  4. 2putttom

    Sep 7, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    wonderful

  5. Vic Dirkes

    Sep 7, 2019 at 3:06 pm

    Putter Lounge bungled my Cameron. The head was not properly epoxied on and they did not follow my directions I carefully filled out. Was supposed to be murdered out and they left the insert the original color. The head was an easy fix but you spend $150 getting it done and it’s wrong. I will never use them again.

  6. I know donkeys

    Sep 7, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    Matt Kuchar is a big donkey.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Whats in the Bag

Russell Henley WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

  • Russell Henley WITB accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.

Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX

Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Whats in the Bag

Vince Carter WITB 2024 (March)

Published

on

  • The NBA legend was teeing it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational Pro-Am.

Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K (9 degrees)

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees)

7-wood: Ping G430 Max (21 degrees)

Irons: Ping i230 (4-PW)

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (50, 54, 58)

Putter: Ping

Ball: Renegade Mbu

Check out more photos of Vince Carter’s WITB here.

Your Reaction?
  • 3
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

Equipment

From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations

Published

on

In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving irons currently on the market. WRXer ‘TheShark1’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons, saying:

“Currently gaming the Mizuno Pro 225’s but think I need more forgiveness in my irons. My well struck shots are real nice, but my mishits are not performing as good as I had hoped anymore. I really like hollow body irons so if I could find something more forgiving in a hollow body iron that would be great.

Open to any and all recommendations other than Ping. Can’t hit Ping irons at all.”

And our members have been sharing their best suggestions in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • AvidSwampThing66: “Another vote for the super forgiving and fast Paradym irons.   They look really good for being a GI iron.”
  • bobfoster: “I just went from MP20 MMCs to the new 245s in my scoring irons (just played my first round with them today). If you have a chance to try them, you might find them worth a serious look.”
  • vman: “Shoot me down, but spend the money on lessons.”
  • J_Tizzle: “i525s are great off the heel in my opinion.”

Entire Thread: “From the Forums: I need more forgiveness in my irons – Looking for recommendations”

Your Reaction?
  • 4
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW0
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending