Equipment
Want to trick out your putter? Here’s what you need to know
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”
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
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.”
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
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Whats in the Bag
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
- Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
6-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Denali Blue 105 TX (3), Project X 6.5 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F), Callaway Jaws Raw (60-08C)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini DB
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy PistolLock 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s clubs in the forums.
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Equipment
Heavy Artillery: A look at drivers in play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
What are the driver and shaft combinations of the best golfers in the world? For gearheads, it’s an endlessly interesting question — even if we can only ever aspire to play LS heads and 7 TX shafts.
At this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, GolfWRX got in-hand looks at the driver setups of a wealth of players.
Check out some of the most interesting combos below, then head to the GolfWRX forums for the rest, as well as the rest of our galleries from New Orleans.
Rory McIlroy
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alex Fitzpatrick
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Daniel Berger
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Rasmus Hojgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alejandro Tosti
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
Grip: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
James Nicholas
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (8 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Kevin Streelman
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Sang-moon Bae
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (9+ @8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Russ Cochran
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 6 X
Grip: Golf pride MCC Align
MJ Daffue
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (10.5 degrees @9.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX 65 TX
Grip: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord Align
Check our more photos from the Zurich Classic here.
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Whats in the Bag
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
- Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.
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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.
Robert
Sep 9, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Thanks for the reply.
Paul
Sep 7, 2019 at 10:01 pm
In my experience, most players that want to “trick out their putter” can barely break 90…
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.
2putttom
Sep 7, 2019 at 3:54 pm
wonderful
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.
I know donkeys
Sep 7, 2019 at 2:06 pm
Matt Kuchar is a big donkey.
Erik Filipiak
Sep 8, 2019 at 9:21 am
You just offended ALL donkeys