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Toulon Design to launch 5 new putters in 2017

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Callaway’s new high-end putter brand, Toulon Design, is adding five new putters to its lineup in 2017, including four fully milled head shapes and one that’s off the track, you might say.

Toulon Design was launched in 2015 by golf industry veteran Sean Toulon, now Senior Vice President of Callaway Golf and General Manager of Odyssey Golf. The company carved its niche in the industry with premium milled putters that have a distinct face-milling pattern and interchangeable sole plates for improved customization.

The face of Toulon's new "Long Island" putter

The face of Toulon’s new “Long Island” putter

Related: Our review of Toulon’s 2016 putters

In 2016, Toulon Design released five fully milled models (San Diego, San Francisco, Rochester, Madison and Memphis) that have found their way into the bags of PGA Tour players and golfers around the world. The 2017 release continues down that path, but adds a high-MOI putter that ventures from the norm. It’s called “Indianapolis,” and was inspired by Toulon’s work with Chip Ganassi and his racing team while in Indianapolis.

IndyToulonCollection

Learning from Ganassi’s insight on multi-material constructions, Toulon constructed the uniquely-shaped mallet putter with 6061 aluminum on the face, 303 stainless steel on the sole, carbon composite on the crown and about 65 grams of weight on the putter’s “back wings.” The combination of materials and overall head shape makes for a forgiving putter that has an MOI of 5,400 g/cm² (moment of inertia, a measure of forgiveness).

ToulonIndyPutter

For better alignment, the putter also has 10 different alignment lines that are either parallel or perpendicular to the target, making it “almost impossible to misalign,” according to Toulon.

The other four models in the lineup — Austin, Columbus, Long Island and Latrobe — take after much more classic putter designs. Each of the four putters are milled from 303 stainless steel, and the faces have a diamond cut mill pattern that’s made to improve acoustics and get the golf ball rolling faster on the green.

The special pattern at the center of the face  — the company calls it a “contact patch” — has crosshatch grooves to channel vibrations from impact for improved sound and feel. Much like Toulon putters from the past, the 2017 putters also have interchangeable sole plates made from aluminum, stainless steel or tungsten to create different head weights and counter-balanced options.

Like the 2016 lineup and the new “Indianapolis,” all Toulon Putters are named after cities that have influenced either him, his family or the game of golf in general.

Columbus

SeanToulonOdyssey2017putters

Toulon calls Columbus, Ohio, the “most golf-crazed city in America,” which is home to 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. The Columbus putter is Toulon’s first longer neck design; it has about 20 degrees of toe hang, a notchback and “acts like a mallet” due to its stability.

Austin

ToulonAustin

Also, Toulon calls Austin a “great golf city,” where many Tour players were born and/or currently live. With an Anser-influence, the putter has a wider cavity, taller bumpers and “taller shoulders.”

Long Island

LongIslandToulon

Long Island, New York, is home to some of the country’s greatest golf courses. The Long Island putter has a high-sweeping toe and a flowing neck that results in 60 degrees of toe hang. Toulon says the putter was designed “with Patrick Reed in mind.”

Latrobe

ToulonLatrobe

The Latrobe, named after Arnold “The King” Palmer’s birthplace in Pennsylvania, is influenced by the ever-popular Wilson 8802 putter and had design input from Callaway design gurus Austie Rollinson and Roger Cleveland. Toulon stresses how difficult it is to mill this style of putter well and get the hosel bend correct.

“We’ve done an incredible job,” he says.

The diamond cut milling on this putter, which has a shorter blade length than others in the line, is spread across the entire face. Toulon calls it “magnificently beautiful,” and we tend to agree based on the company’s Instagram photo, pictured above.

The five new models for 2017 will be available on March 31, and prices start at $399.99.

We also spotted a previously unseen Toulon putter called “Atlanta” on the range at the CareerBuilder Challenge, although the company has not confirmed if it will hit retail.

ToulonATLProto

Join the discussion about Toulon Design putters here.

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16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Travis

    Apr 21, 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Also love how it’s April 21st and none of these are available yet…

  2. Travis

    Apr 21, 2017 at 7:24 pm

    I guess they totally abandoned the Latrobe model? Sad, that’s the only one I wanted…

  3. joepz

    Jan 29, 2017 at 1:43 pm

    Didn’t PING and/or Nike have a putter that looked like the Indianapolis? Must admit, it looks interesting.

  4. JThunder

    Jan 26, 2017 at 9:55 pm

    Internet comments sections;

    “everyone is entitled to my own opinion”

  5. tlmck

    Jan 24, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    That Indianapolis would be cool without the big X thing on the back. Just a straight simple blade with double bend shaft. Looks like it is detachable, but that would probably mess up the weighting.

  6. Drew

    Jan 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    I second the above comment. I’d like to know if Latrobe or Long Island available in left handed!?

  7. Mad-Mex

    Jan 22, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    $400 with zero customizing ?!? Really like the Latrobe but Ill wait a year and pick one up along with an Epic driver for less than $300 for both,,,,

  8. DB

    Jan 21, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    I see the usual haters in the comments section. Haha

    Great looking stuff here from Toulon. I’m sure more pics will be coming after the PGA show.

  9. rymail00

    Jan 21, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    Was really hoping to see a few pics of each putter. Like the Austin, Latrobe, and Long Islandl the view to see is from the back so you can see the details of the design, not the face view.

    JMHO

  10. Big Mike

    Jan 20, 2017 at 11:54 pm

    Loving my Memphis. Best feeling and sounding putter I have owned. Scotty who?

  11. S Hitter

    Jan 20, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    Hate the names. Ugh.

  12. BM

    Jan 20, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    6061 aluminum is way too soft to be using on the face. Should have used 7075. it is not that much more difficult to machine, but is much harder and more durable.

  13. BallBuster

    Jan 20, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    Exciting new styles (yawn)… However, I was intrigued by the Indy picture that had all those jazzy green flow lines and saw the claim “For better alignment, the putter also has 10 different alignment lines that are either parallel or perpendicular to the target, making it “almost impossible to misalign””, but fail to see any but the square face. No lines at all. But I’m just an aerospace engineer who works in aerodynamics I guess!! No imagination. Good marketing hype tho… to some I’m sure.

    $400 = insanity to me… I did think it also insane I spent $100 for a Cameron Red X in early 2000’s but that proved to be very worthwhile for over a dozen years. I feel totally confident in it, still love it in every way, and by my own statistical measurements and gut feeling, works quite well for me. I doubt these new models could elevate my game or replace my favorite that has beaten back all other challengers to date! Mine also has a square face plus 2 lines that seem to work well for alignment purposes!!

  14. Dj

    Jan 20, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Not one of these is appealing.

  15. bogeypro

    Jan 20, 2017 at 9:08 am

    more putters named after cities… how original.

  16. Michael

    Jan 20, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Any of the upcoming models available to us lefties? I’m crossing everything that Latrobe does.

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Equipment

Michael Block spotted with full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons at Valhalla

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Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.

On Monday at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Block had a full set of TaylorMade “Proto” irons in the bag.

Block is the first player of many on the PGA TOUR to bag a set of the mysterious “Proto” irons. Rory McIlroy first switched into a “Proto” 4-iron at the Valero Texas Open, and Collin Morikawa followed suit at the 2024 RBC Heritage. Block isn’t using just the 4-iron, though, he’s using a full set to go along with a TaylorMade Stealth UDI driving iron.

Speaking with GolfWRX.com on Monday at the PGA Championship, Block revealed the full backstory.

“I hit a couple super “Proto” irons when I was at the Kingdom (TaylorMade’s fitting facility in Southern California) a couple months ago, and it was a 9-iron that didn’t have any badges or anything on it,” Block said. “I had no idea what it was … It was very similar to what I was using back then, you know, my old MCs, and very similar from the top. I hit it and absolutely loved it. For me to even think about switching irons from the last 11-12 years is crazy.

“I got this set about two weeks ago, and I’m working my way into them. I hit them more solid; it comes off the face more solid. Much higher. I think they’re still slightly too upright for me, so they’re being bent a degree flatter, because they’re going a little too high for me and drawing a little too much. When that starts to happen, I start to drop the club under and compensate too much, so I’m getting them flattened slightly, and I’m going to test them on the range again, and hopefully have them in play on Thursday…

“They go further, and they go higher … that combination is kind of a no-brainer. If I can take a 5-iron from 204 rather than a 4-iron, it’s good on me. It’s going to help me out for sure, especially at a major with the pin locations. Having that height coming in, that descent angle is going to be huge.”

With such new irons in the bag, after using the same irons for over a decade, surely you’d think there will be a bit of a learning curve. Block, however, is finding immediate comfort with the new “Proto” irons.

Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.

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Whats in the Bag

WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2014 PGA Championship

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It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years since Rory McIlroy outlasted Phil Mickelson at the 2014 PGA Championship. It’s even harder to believe McIlroy hasn’t hoisted a major trophy since his 2014 victory at Valhalla.

After a slow start to his final round, McIlroy tallied an eagle and two birdies on the back nine and his fourth major championship. Take a look at the clubs he played a decade ago in Kentucky.

Driver: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kuro Kage XTS 70X

3-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

5-wood: Nike VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour (19 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Rombax Pro 95 X

Irons: Nike VR Pro Blade (4-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0

Wedges: Nike VR Forged (46, 52, 56, 60 degrees) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Putter: Nike Method 006 Buy here.

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Ball: Nike RZN Black

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s clubs from 2014 here.

WITB Time Machine is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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Whats in the Bag

Tiger Woods WITB 2024 (May)

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Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 LS (10.5 degrees @9.75)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD VF 7 X

5-wood: TaylorMade M3 (19 degrees @18.25)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80 TX

Irons: 2023 TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7TW (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 Raw (56-12TW, 60-TW11)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400

Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS prototype
Grip: Ping PP58 Blackout

Ball: Bridgestone Tour B X (2024)

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord 58R

More Tiger Woods WITBs

 

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