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.
- LIKE154
- LEGIT18
- WOW33
- LOL2
- IDHT1
- FLOP10
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
View this post on Instagram
A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
View this post on Instagram
It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
- LIKE8
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE2
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram
Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
-
19th Hole4 days ago
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
-
19th Hole4 days ago
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole1 week ago
Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
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!
Pingback: Want! | A Scottish world of golf
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.
Pingback: Wilson Staff reintroduces its classic 8802 putter | Spacetimeandi.com
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!