Equipment
Wilson Staff reintroduces its classic 8802 putter
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.
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.
GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore was at Riviera Country Club this last week in Los Angeles for the U.S. Women’s Open. While browsing the photos, I spotted a recent major trend in headcovers. That is, the Titleist GTS headcover line expands the majors theme.
Seen on the bag of Natalia Guseva were the red, white, and blue Titleist GTS covers. This is the third time we have seen limited-edition Titleist major covers, the others being at the Masters and the PGA Championship. But with the launch of the GTS line back at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in March, this is the first time we have seen Titleist come out with major themed head covers for the season (driver headcovers through hybrids).
Check out some photos below.
At the Masters, we saw the familiar Masters green, white, and yellow. While the PGA Championship design was colors synonymous with the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. This shows the season major drops continue full steam ahead for major OEMs. New opportunities for each major for designs and themes, and who knows, maybe a lucky spark for a player and a major championship for their resume. It gets the wheels turning for what major theme headcover you would keep on your bag for the whole season!
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 5 S
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 S
Hybrids: TaylorMade Qi4D (19 degrees, 22 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF Hybrid 85 S 
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (5-PW)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Wedges: TaylorMade MG5 (50-SB 09, 54-SB 12, 60-SB 10)
Shafts: Nippon Modus 3 Tour 105
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour V
Grip: SuperStroke Flatso 2.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
Check out more in-hand photos of Melanie Green’s clubs here.
In our forums, one user has announced himself as a believer in the powers of Titleist’s GT280 Mini Driver, and is sharing the good news with other members.
User @dgarland chronicled:
“As the title states I have played 3 rounds with a Titleist GT280 mini driver and here are the results… If you have been contemplating trying one, definitely do. Stock Tensei Blue and set at standard loft and it’s legitimately hard to not put the ball in play with this. It is incredibly straight and even bad swings result in a usable shot. You will give up some distance but you will be in play. I have not attempted to hit it off the fairway yet but I rarely hit my 3 wood off the fairway either. At my home course there are two holes on the front 9 that are a really uncomfortable shot with the driver. One is a slight dogleg right where a draw (my normal shot) can run out of room fast and the other is a dogleg left with trees about 250ish straight off the tee, where a driver that doesn’t draw will get me into trouble. The mini driver has been perfect for both of them. I always step onto those tee boxes uncomfortable about the shot I need to play, but with this it makes it far easier to get the ball in play.
“Update: 2 for 2 again this morning in a 9 hole round.”
Members in the forum shared their thoughts on mini drivers, offering up their favorite models and whether or not they’re a proper fit for their home course/style of play. 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.
- NorthMNgolfer: “I’m curious between this and the new TEC mini that was just released. But I’m waiting a mini that can be used from the fairway as well from time to time. Both look like great options.”
- jLMN: “I played the GT280 last year and it’s a great club. My problem this year is I couldn’t justify keeping it in the bag when I would only use it 2-3 times per round. Perfect club for short par 4 tee shots. I didn’t trust it as well off the deck compared to the tee box.”
- GolferPerson1: “I can only speak to the 280 but I’ve had no issues with it from the fairway. ”
Entire Thread: “Titleist GT280 mini driver after 3 rounds”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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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.
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.
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!
Mike
Mar 29, 2015 at 7:56 pm
Have The Gentle Ben Walter Hagen 8802. Beautiful putter.
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!
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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.
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
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
bradford
Aug 27, 2014 at 9:22 am
wrong thread?
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?
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.
Shallowface
Jul 25, 2014 at 8:13 am
Love the direction in which Wilson is heading!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Neil Cooney
Jul 2, 2014 at 6:35 am
What Retail outlets in Ireland can new “retro” putter be bought through ??
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.
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!
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.
Cwolf
Jul 1, 2014 at 3:51 pm
Buttah
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.
Lee Richardson
Sep 13, 2014 at 11:12 am
Want to part with one of the originals?
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!