Equipment

WRX Custom Putter Showcase: Pick the Winner!

Published

10 years ago

Aug 28, 2014

You have just stumbled into putter heaven, a land where no one cares about making putts. There’s only one thing that truly matters here: how awesome looking is the club?

We sent out a challenge to some of the industry’s top boutique putter makers and told them to dream big. No rules, just design the coolest custom putter anyone has ever seen before. Easy enough, right?

The Participants

So we’re putting the vote to you, the reader, to decide which company churned out the best design. To help you out, we’ll provide the project name, the designer, the technology and what went into designing each putter. Of course, there are also a ton of of photos.

Make sure to vote — the poll is at the bottom of this page — and leave your thoughts about each putter in the comment section at the end of this story. Enjoy your experience in a land where three-putts don’t matter and looking good reigns supreme.

Machine Golf

Project Name: Delta Proto-1
Custom Designer: David Billings

“You can change the toe hang by up to 15 degrees,” Billings said. “That’s the first time that’s been offered on a putter.”

Tech Info: This putter remains true to its name; it’s a MACHINE. It has all the bells, whistles and gadgets you’d expect from something with such a name. The Delta Proto-1 offers three interchangeable grips (two leather, one aluminum), six weights and two back flanges, which like the head and neck are made from flame-torched Stainless Steel Damascus with a Damascus Titanium logo medallion and has Delta Mod Adjusters that can be stacked to adjust the balance/toe hang.

Wait, did I just say that one of the grips was made from aluminum? Yes, one of the grips, called a Hog, is made from 6061 Aerospace Aluminum Alloy that offers a unique, round grip feel and helps with counterbalancing.

The putter also has a “skeletonized” neck and hosel, which come in the form of spine-like cut outs, and one of the back flanges has “bongo” cuts that look like bongo (or zebra) stripes. The finish on the putter was also produced with a torching process that makes this prototype feel right at home in the jungle.

Do golf courses actually allow this putter near their premises? Just add a “dab of epoxy” and this baby is USGA conforming, Billings says.

Kingston Putters

Project Name: The Chive
Custom Designer: Kyle Sears

“We wanted to showcase that we can do anything to a putter,” Sears said. “Any random logo or saying, we can do.”

Tech Info: The Chive and WRX unite at last. “Keep Calm and Chive On” is The Chive’s calling card, and you’ve undoubtedly seen someone on the street or in a bar with a Chive T-shirt or sweatshirt. Surely there’s some GolfWRXers who are also part of Chive Nation?

And it’s for charity. A certain percentage of profits from each “Keep Calm and Chive On” putter will go to ChiveCharities.

The putter was milled from a solid block of soft carbon steel, but this is different from Kingston’s other designs in that there’s no nickel or satin finish. Sears, the custom designer from Kingston, decided to leave the putter with a raw look, which will produce a nostalgic, patina rust over time. Since it’s raw with no finish, remnants from the milling process are left all over the club head: a crude but flattering look.

This a one-off, but knowing Chive Nation and GolfWRX, the demand will be high.

Byron Golf Design

Project Name: Roll Abides
Custom Designer: Byron Morgan

“I’ve never seen anything that looks like this putter in my life,” Morgan said.

Tech Info: We haven’t either. The Roll Abides was handmade by Byron Morgan himself. For this custom design, he used carbon steel in the back and aluminum in the front to make the back part of the putter two-third’s heavier than the front.

The cut out behind the putters’ face allowed Morgan to eliminate weight near the face, without a see-through cut seen from other putters on the market. He described the club head’s profile as more conventional looking than other oversized mallet putters, with more technology to produce a higher MOI. The weight proportions give the putter maximum forgiveness.

With a “Tight Tuna Mill” on the face, the face-milling has high points that grab the golf ball, which gets the ball rolling quicker on the ground.

Surfing was a large part of Morgan’s childhood, which inspired the look of the custom headcover design. The woman’s silhouette is called, “Sally the Surfer,” who was named after his wife, Sally.

SeeMore Putter Company

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Project Name: Tour Limited Private Reserve “Diving Board” Prototype
Custom Designer: Andre Shmoldas, VP of Design

“This putter is something new to the world that no one has ever seen before,” said Jim Grundberg, CEO of the SeeMore Putting Co. “You won’t see it in stock anytime soon. It’s a one-off, a tour limited.”

Tech info: SeeMore recently secured the patent for the “diving board,” as the company calls it. Of course, someone already has the patent for the one that sits near the deep end of your local pool, and both are currently non-USGA conforming.

SeeMore’s putter does conform, however, if you take off the detachable aluminum diving board. When it’s attached, it serves the same purpose as the company’s conforming Rifle Scope Technology (RST), which helps golfers make a perfect, arcing stroke time after time, but makes the technology available for putter designs with traditional offset.

The one-off stainless steel putter was heat-treated and torched to achieve its honey-like finish, and its Argyle face design, which was created using the company’s diamond cut milling process, giving it a Scottish vibe.

There’s only 25 of these putters in existence, and each has a different finish to make every one of them truly one of a kind.

Time to vote

Which putter is your favorite?

Machine: Delta Proto-1 (50%, 1,274 Votes)
SeeMore: Diving Board (21%, 523 Votes)
Byron Morgan: The Roll Abides (15%, 375 Votes)
Kingston: Keep Calm and Chive On (14%, 370 Votes)

Total Voters: 2,542

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See what GolfWRX members are saying about these putters as well as dozens of additional photos in our forum.

Note: Each of these putters will be returned to their designers. We would have (really) loved to hold onto them, but it would be wrong to keep them from their rightful owners.

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34 Comments

Doug Sevier

Aug 31, 2014 at 11:08 pm

I love the Kingston KCCO putter. Would love to see how it feels, and would definitely bag it!

Reply Report comment
David Smith

Aug 31, 2014 at 8:35 pm

I feel like I just threw up in my mouth… these are hideous!

Reply Report comment
Stan

Aug 31, 2014 at 1:37 pm

I’m a huge Morgan fan but the Machine is hands down the winner in my humble opinion. The mod selection is incredible even if it’s not my preferred shape. I drool nightly over their Damascus M9 putter minus the $4000 price tag. If any rich, childless couples are looking to adopt a 38 year old son your prayers have been answered.

Reply Report comment
John

Aug 30, 2014 at 6:58 pm

None of the above!!!

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Sep 1, 2014 at 10:18 am
  
  I have to agree.
  
  Reply Report comment
Sean

Aug 29, 2014 at 7:22 pm

The Delta Proto-1 is a really beautiful putter.

Reply Report comment
j.a.

Aug 29, 2014 at 4:58 pm

No matter than my favourite head style is the Kingston, in this post my attention went immediately to the Machine and the Byron.

The Machine blew me away. That’s an incredible design, truly a custom putter that can be customised at any time. Dave Billings is thinking out of the box with this piece that looks out of this galaxy. It would be super interesting to try it and find out how it performs. Not sure about those stripes though, I’d prefer a simpler finish.

The Byron is elegant, unique an minimalistic up to the extent that it doesn’t say it’s a Byron. I like the idea of using two materials with the heavier at the back as it increases the MOI. I guess that putts come “automatically” with this design.

Reply Report comment
No one method

Aug 29, 2014 at 12:42 am

Isn’t the contest about being creative? Doing something new that the maker doesn’t normally do?

Byron wins hands down. A completly HAND made all new model with all the modern day bells and whistles in an easy package.
Two nice Anser heads and another pretty steam punked machined machine with a million parts.

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 12:09 pm
  
  Hi No one method, as I’ve posted below, I hope you can see I didn’t just focus on the head with this entry, although the head does contain brand new technologies nobody had seen when we submitted it, including the alloy morph spacer (allowing you to change the shape and depth of the head), and the Delta Mods in the hosel (allowing you to change the loft, lie and toe hang / face flow). The shaft and grip technologies are also totally new – first seen in public here. I hope you’ll see the creativity and ingenuity in these systems and innovations. I do love the Byron too – it reminds me somewhat of my old HOG 1004 with the architecture being very similar but the lines more square.
  
  Reply Report comment
Drew

Aug 28, 2014 at 10:14 pm

I am a Scotty Cameron collector and that Machine putter is fantastic. I love it when something with lots of modern features and interchangeable parts comes together so beautifully. I think a lot of people, especially golfers, don’t try newer equipment because it looks odd or too different and with looks and feel being so important in golf it IS something that matters. Great work and that is definitely something I would LOVE to give a roll.

Second place to me goes to the Kingston. I am partial to the more traditional looking putters and even I get burnt out on seeing the same Anser style putters and looks. But when you pull it off this beautifully and make a great statement about the level of craftsmanship, people will notice. GREAT work, love the decision to keep it raw and let the milling shine, its beautiful, why cover it up with a finish? Great work.

The See More is really well done too. It isn’t as striking to me but the removable diving board it cool. I was so glad when I read it was removable. I would definitely give it a roll.

The Byron is the most ambitious and I think it looks pretty cool. It just seems to be slightly off? I thought that maybe a few small changes would make it more appealing. Knowing his craftsmanship I am sure it would roll it beautifully and I love the theme, but a few more touches and changes would be great.

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 12:04 pm
  
  Thanks Drew! Really appreciate it especially coming from a Scotty collector. Just wish he and some of the other makers had joined us in this fun project. Maybe next one!
  
  Reply Report comment
J.Jimenez

Aug 28, 2014 at 10:03 pm

Let be truly honest here:

If originality is what this contest is about, Byron

If we are looking for the best PING Anser based design, MACHINE .

Winner, Byron

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 12:02 pm
  
  Thanks J. Respect your vote and opinion. I hope the new technologies in the neck, spacer and grip and shaft do qualify as being original – at least that’s what we tried to accomplish with this entry. I love all the other entries and could have voted for any of them too.
  
  Reply Report comment
Ed Robertson

Aug 28, 2014 at 8:34 pm

Machine is stunning. WOW! And, after putting with their putters for over a year now, nothing compares in feel and craftsmanship. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 12:00 pm
  
  Thanks so much Ed! I and the whole team here really appreciate it! (but you knew that!).
  
  Reply Report comment
Smitty

Aug 28, 2014 at 7:13 pm

Have to ask cuz it stands out to me, is that a steelfiber in the machine??

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:58 am
  
  Hi Smitty, yes, good eyes! That’s a Steelfiber proprietary putter flex shaft made for us by Aerotech. With a few modifications at the butt-end done in our in-house machine shop. 🙂
  
  Reply Report comment
slide13

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:51 pm

That Machine putter is sweet, really nice! I love Byron putters, play with a DH89 and wouldn’t trade it for anything, but the one above is just not my style and not as cool as the Machine. Hard to not vote Byron because I love his work, but with those 4 putters above, the Machine is where it’s at!

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:56 am
  
  Thanks Slide13!
  
  Reply Report comment
Merty Huckle

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:47 pm

I feel like I’ve seen all the putters before except the idea Byron created. We have a Machine that looks like a Machine, and two Ping Ansers.

Something new was the idea, right?

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:56 am
  
  Hi Merty, I hope you may have noticed the new Delta Mod Adjusters, the new Alloy Morph Spacer, and the new Delta Adjustable and Interchangeable grip and shaft technologies? All of these are brand new!
  
  Reply Report comment
Bob Halvorsen

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:41 pm

Their is a putter maker from Melbourne,Australia..Mr. Kari Lajosi..his putters blow all these makers away.

Reply Report comment
- j.a.
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 4:22 pm
  
  Oh yes! You are so right. Kari Lajosi deserved a spot here.
  
  Reply Report comment
West

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:18 pm

That dog on the Machine is pretty awesome!

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:50 am
  
  Thanks West – that’s our former family dog and mascot Birdie – she shagged balls for me when I was prototyping the very first HOG putter 20 years ago so she had to go into our logo. We engrave her on all heads now made in house in our machine shop here in Plano Texas (we moved from Dallas eight years ago). Birdie is now in doggie Heaven keeping everyone there happy and in stitches. Hopefully we are honoring her memory well.
  
  Reply Report comment
blink3665

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:06 pm

They are all fantastic putters. My vote goes to the Machine. The finish and look of that thing is gorgeous!

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:47 am
  
  Thanks Blink, so glad you like the finish on the Stainless Damascus – I actually used three different techniques – working to make the flanges match the head and hosel, but also tie in the colors from the Aerotech steelfiber shaft and the Aluminum HOG Grip.
  
  Reply Report comment
Zmangolf

Aug 28, 2014 at 3:51 pm

The Byron is the must see putter here..As usual..Byron is the winner!!!

Reply Report comment
TR1PTIK

Aug 28, 2014 at 3:46 pm

The Machine Delta Proto-1 is definitely the most impressive of the bunch, but the Kingston and SeeMore putters have a great look as well. I especially like the fact that the “diving board” on the SeeMore is detachable so you have something to practice with, but a nice clean looking putter to game. The Roll Abides mallet putter by Byron just doesn’t do anything for me.

Reply Report comment
Chad

Aug 28, 2014 at 3:45 pm

That Machine putter is insane.

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:44 am
  
  Thanks Chad!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:45 am
  
  Thanks TR1PTIK!
  
  Reply Report comment
Albert Sewill

Aug 28, 2014 at 3:31 pm

BestGrips Silver Carbon Fiber Pistol Putter Grip with the Machine Delta-1 Proto. What what!

Reply Report comment
- Dave Billings
  
  Aug 29, 2014 at 11:44 am
  
  @Albert Sewill, thanks for the awesome grip! Very proud to show it off with our new Delta interchangeable and adjustable grip and shaft technology!
  
  Reply Report comment

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

13 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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