48 replies to this topic

[GooseHook]

For those who don't want to spend a paycheck on a putter with a similar shape, the Piretti Potenza is a pretty darn good offering.

Edited by GooseHook, 26 October 2012 - 04:29 PM.

[Pure745]

hebron1427, on 26 October 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

ihatecats18, on 26 October 2012 - 12:34 PM, said:

+1 for the Byron in this comparison.

tai's damascus byron is not a typical piece, and probably cost him almost as much as the 009....but you can get one very similar to that 009 for a lot less.

Exactly.

Hifade, on 26 October 2012 - 04:07 PM, said:

Love the look of the 89. Might have to order one up to mirror my 2001 Scotty Tour Newport Beach. I'd have the sound slot cut into the 89, along with the sightline on the flange, and it would be money; especially in a 3x black or chocolate finish.

3x chocolate.. yummy!

[yoshiod9]

Nice article, Tai.  I remember being at Byron's shop and comparing a 009 with the DH89.  A lot of small differences but both are nice putters.

I just prefer the Byron because, well, he's a great guy-- very friendly and definitely on top of his game.

[rymail00]

Okay....the million dollar question which nobody has asked yet...which one do you like better. I know choosing is like choosing which kid you love more. But you must answer truthfully, nonpolitical answer!!!

Great review Tai.

[Guia]

Where's the Ping?

[Pure745]

rymail00, on 27 October 2012 - 11:12 PM, said:

Okay....the million dollar question which nobody has asked yet...which one do you like better. I know choosing is like choosing which kid you love more. But you must answer truthfully, nonpolitical answer!!!

Great review Tai.

To be honest - I'm not sure which one I like better.  The one I use more is the 009.  The Damascus 89 is one of the coolest putters I have seen made by anyone, especially outdoors.  The feel of Damascus is really unique.. and again, it depends what mood I'm in as to which I prefer the feel of.  The 009 is very soft for an SS putter, but the Damascus has a softer and very unique feel compared to other putters I have owned.

Brand appeal of the Scotty is far superior.  The 009 has a larger "wow" factor since more people know Scotty's.  The Byron has much more sentimental value to me, I will most likely never sell it - and I have seen it since its stage of being a raw Damascus block.  I know I didn't really answer your question.. but there are very appealing things about both putters and both brands.  You know?  

Edited by Pure745, 30 October 2012 - 07:31 PM.

[oneaugusta]

Guia, on 27 October 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

Where's the Ping?

Karsten started it all kinda like cars and Ford but you can't compare a Ford  to a Ferrari.  009 Or Byron DH89 are in a different league.
Before anyone puts a hit out on me I'm not bashing Ping putters but they are cast and mass produced and do not provide the feel and feedback of a solid block of 303 stainless or soft carbon that has been milled and most likely handmade.

Edited by oneaugusta, 30 October 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[stage1350]

oneaugusta, on 30 October 2012 - 09:18 PM, said:

Guia, on 27 October 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

Where's the Ping?

Karsten started it all kinda like cars and Ford but you can't compare a Ford  to a Ferrari.  009 Or Byron DH89 are in a different league.
Before anyone puts a hit out on me I'm not bashing Ping putters but they are cast and mass produced and do not provide the feel and feedback of a solid block of 303 stainless or soft carbon that has been milled and most likely handmade.

You may wish to read about the GT-40 or Shelby Cobra sometime.

Feel is completely subjective and I have putted some BeCu and MnBr castings that have feel that can rival their milled counterparts.  And while Tai's putters have both seen a lot of hand work, they both started as CNC millings just like the other mass produced putters.

[Pure745]

stage1350, on 30 October 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

oneaugusta, on 30 October 2012 - 09:18 PM, said:

Guia, on 27 October 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

Where's the Ping?

Karsten started it all kinda like cars and Ford but you can't compare a Ford  to a Ferrari.  009 Or Byron DH89 are in a different league.
Before anyone puts a hit out on me I'm not bashing Ping putters but they are cast and mass produced and do not provide the feel and feedback of a solid block of 303 stainless or soft carbon that has been milled and most likely handmade.

You may wish to read about the GT-40 or Shelby Cobra sometime.

Feel is completely subjective and I have putted some BeCu and MnBr castings that have feel that can rival their milled counterparts.  And while Tai's putters have both seen a lot of hand work, they both started as CNC millings just like the other mass produced putters.

Funny you say that.. Byron has quite the collection of classic putters at his shop, many of them are Pings.  for some of the lines on the putter, I literally had the Scottsdale 029 model in my hand for reference while he was shaping the 89.  I do prefer the lines of an 009 to the "standard" output of the DH89, but again, you can request more softening to your preference.

[oneaugusta]

stage1350, on 30 October 2012 - 10:11 PM, said:

oneaugusta, on 30 October 2012 - 09:18 PM, said:

Guia, on 27 October 2012 - 11:44 PM, said:

Where's the Ping?

Karsten started it all kinda like cars and Ford but you can't compare a Ford  to a Ferrari.  009 Or Byron DH89 are in a different league.
Before anyone puts a hit out on me I'm not bashing Ping putters but they are cast and mass produced and do not provide the feel and feedback of a solid block of 303 stainless or soft carbon that has been milled and most likely handmade.

You may wish to read about the GT-40 or Shelby Cobra sometime.

Feel is completely subjective and I have putted some BeCu and MnBr castings that have feel that can rival their milled counterparts.  And while Tai's putters have both seen a lot of hand work, they both started as CNC millings just like the other mass produced putters.

Now it's getting serious, the GT-40 and Shelby's weren't production cars but I understand what you are saying I am a big fan of the Shelby's.  The Pings you mentioned are great putters and I have a Copper B60 but it doesn't compare to my DH89 GS.  AS I said I'm not bashing any of the Ping putters.

[Titleist-Golfer]

Ping also makes milled SS putters, although I prefer Camerons.  However, this article has me seriously considering driving from Irvine the short distance to Huntington Beach and putting down some cash for a German SS DH89 with softened lines.  I just think it would be the coolest thing to watch someone hand craft your putter.  Still talking north of a grand, but no where near the $8-10k a Scotty GSS 009 would fetch.  That said, since I'm a bit of a club ho (who am I kidding), resale value is important for guys like me.

Cameron tour putters are like Rolex sport watches - if you buy them right, you'll never lose anything on them.  Something to consider if you tend to ho ...

Edited by Titleist-Golfer, 07 January 2013 - 06:57 PM.

[tangojay]

I own a stainless, carbon and gss DH-89, if you blind fold me, I would be nothing but luck to be able to feel the diffrence in feel between them,, your drive would be worth it,if he has a   DH-89 with tuna milling, give it a try, you will impressed,,,, I drove from RIverside to pick up my first of 11 Byron's,,,, I was also a Cameron fan,but unless your a PGA star or someone famous,,, you'll never get a phone call from him like Byron is known to do to ensure he makes your putter just right,,,my avatar is a 8802 Style, Byron, German Stainless with a satin copper bath,,,

Edited by tangojay, 08 January 2013 - 12:43 AM.

[KPH808]

Gorgeous putters!!

[Hstead]

I have a 303 SS DH89 that will have some custom rounding on the way shortly, like within a week or two and I can't wait.  It will be Blue Oiled Matte finish.  Not quite as sexy as Tai's Damascus, but I did like his shape and have used it as a template for the rest of the work.  I will post some pics once it gets here.

Edited by Hstead, 08 January 2013 - 08:23 AM.

[rrkman]

Great comparison Tai.  Just to add something to some of the earlier comments.....these are just one example for each model.  Odds are if you took 2 other putters to compare, some of those differences would disappear and some others might show up.  I've seen 009's that have softened edges all over it and DH89's that are extremely clean and crisp....and vice versa.  I've seen SS, Damascus, German SS, carbon (in all types of finishes), flow necks, plumbers necks, welded necks, long necks, center shafted, naked, dots, lines, etc.....versions of both.  What does all that mean?  To many of you - not much.  To me?  A lot.  That means that I have two GREAT options of my favorite classic design, the Anser.

But even though I don't consider the actual putter models to be very different, in another way they are complete opposites.  Byron gives you that small town, great service feel.  You want it at 338.2 grams?  Ask him for that.  You want to stop by and see him hand work it?  Ask him.  You want something unique?  Ask him.  I think you get the point.  But, on the other end.  You want that putter with worldwide brand recognition?  Find a Cameron.  You want the model you might see with the PGA worm cam?  Find a Cameron.  You want a putter backed by one of the biggest names in Golf?  Find a Cameron.  You're looking for something in general and want something today?  Search 009 on eBay, I'm sure you'll find one you like....and can probably have it tomorrow if you'd like.  Again, I think you get the point.

In the end, both are great putters.  If you're choosing one over the other for some silly reason, you're only cheating yourself.  Enjoy them both.

[newportbeach]

Hstead, on 08 January 2013 - 08:22 AM, said:

I have a 303 SS DH89 that will have some custom rounding on the way shortly, like within a week or two and I can't wait.  It will be Blue Oiled Matte finish.  Not quite as sexy as Tai's Damascus, but I did like his shape and have used it as a template for the rest of the work.  I will post some pics once it gets here.

I look forward to seeing your pictures.

[Ironoak]

Great comparison!

[Hstead]

newportbeach, on 08 January 2013 - 11:30 AM, said:

Hstead, on 08 January 2013 - 08:22 AM, said:

I have a 303 SS DH89 that will have some custom rounding on the way shortly, like within a week or two and I can't wait.  It will be Blue Oiled Matte finish.  Not quite as sexy as Tai's Damascus, but I did like his shape and have used it as a template for the rest of the work.  I will post some pics once it gets here.

I look forward to seeing your pictures.

Here it is.  It turned out just like I wanted it.
http://puttertalk.co...ic,36468.0.html

[coops]

I'm sure you can get a Morgan DH 89 in a similair finish to  that Cameron for a fraction of $2000... and the fraction i'm thinking of is around 25 to 35% of 2000... am i far off?
This Morgan is a Damascus steel custom order... admittedly without any Phantom of the Opera presentation.

If was going to spend $2000 on a putter, then this would be my Morgan Damascus, with the rolled topline etc of the Morgan above.




Full old thread here
http://www.golfwrx.c..._1#entry1756497

Edited by coops, 29 January 2013 - 08:05 AM.