Equipment
An Interview with T Squared putters, started by a high school golfer
I’ve coached high school golf for over 15 years, and I thought that I had run out of “firsts.” Then, Anthony Tuber, one of our varsity six, told me that he builds putters. “Sure,” I thought. You purchase the components and assemble putters. Nice hobby to have. “No, coach, I build them from scratch. We have milling machines.” If that doesn’t catch your attention, not much will.
As a coach, you encourage your golfers from a base of experience, but I don’t have any club-making experience! The last time I played around with metal was in middle-school metal shop. In this particular case, the student is the coach, and the golfer is the teacher. I’m now the proud owner of a T Squared putter, and continue to be the proud coach of Anthony Tuber. He might be the next Bob Vokey, or Scotty Cameron, but for now, he is a varsity golfer and high school student. Oh, and he happens to make putters. Rather than write a review that might be perceived as biased, I decided to do a straightforward interview with T Squared Putters. If you want to learn more, visit the company website, or follow them on Twitter and on Instagram.
Question 1: What type of research and field testing did you do, prior to building your first putter?
Prior to making our first putter we bought a bunch of putters to see what we liked and disliked about them. Then we took those putters and tested them to figure out which roll we liked the best. The roll is determined by the weight of the putter the length and the groove pattern. After we completed the testing we drew up a design and shortly after that we had our first prototypes. We then tested those prototypes and they rolled exactly how we wanted. Time went by while we used these first putters but then we really wanted to see the competition. We went to the PGA Merchandise Show and that’s where we found out that we had a superior putter.
Question 2: Is there a style of putter that you like, that perhaps served as inspiration for some of your designs?
We bought and tested dozens of putters but two putters caught our eye and those putters are the Scotty Cameron Squareback and the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Notchback.
Question 3: Can you tell us a bit about the materials/components that you chose for T Squared Putters?
We use American-made 303 stainless steel in all of our putters, but we also we use 6061 aircraft aluminum for the insert on the 713i.
Question 4: How do you balance your responsibilities and commitments, with your T Squared production?
During the school year academics are my number one priority. Over the summer I have been balancing my Tsquared putters work while working on the progression of my golf game. Fortunately I have a team that is very supportive of my vision for T Squared putters.
Question 5: Any chance we will see a mallet-style putter from T Squared?
Yes, we are currently testing other mallet putters to determine the most desirable features for our mallet putter. We are anticipating a prototype soon.
Question 6: Are you a better putter now that you know so much more from the design and production side of putters?
Yes, I have an entirely different perspective when I stand over every putt.
Question 7: How do you get the word out about the quality of your putters?
We have been very active on social media. The golfers that are currently using a Tsquared putter have been spreading the word. We have also been attending local golf tournaments to establish our brand.
Question 8: Do you hope to make a career of this venture, or do you envision it as a step along the path of a 21st-century businessman?
Yes, as golf is my passion I hope to take Tsquared putters to the next level. Golf will always be a part of my life whether it is professionally or recreationally.
Question 9: Finally, what question haven’t we asked, that you wish we would? Ask it and answer it, please.
I haven’t been asked how this process has affected me as a person. As a 17 year old I have a new appreciation for patience, persistence and hard work.
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 x
Irons: Titleist T200 (4, 5), Titleist 620 CB (6-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-12D, 60)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)...
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Scotty Cameron
Feb 4, 2019 at 8:37 pm
Kid didn’t do anything. Had no input on anything. All the work and ideas were ripped off from other putter makers.
shane
Aug 19, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Another overpriced Anser knockoff boutique putter “designer” edition for the truly discriminating who what to flaunt their unique putter made to their ignorant specifications…. look at my new pinisputter toy…!!!
Jack Donner
Aug 17, 2018 at 1:13 pm
And I thought the only cool thing about Nichols High School were their soccer fields and Christian Laettner. Cool stuff!
Ronald Montesano
Aug 17, 2018 at 4:23 pm
And the golf coach. He’s super cool.
Joe
Aug 17, 2018 at 12:15 pm
(Just under) $500.00 for Ping/Cameron knockoff putters? Okay…
Congrats on doing something constructive kid, but the putters aren’t original.
Best of luck…
HDTVMAN
Aug 17, 2018 at 5:31 pm
So true. The true originator of the current putter was Karsten Solheim. Ping has re-released the 1-A Putter, originally designed in 1959, and I have it in my bag. An awesome putter!
DB
Aug 17, 2018 at 11:18 am
Very cool story, but the story makes it seems like he started the company. A 17 year-old purchased all the equipment necessary to mill putters? Typically this runs into the tens of thousands of dollars, doesn’t it? If he really did raise that money, those details would be interesting. If his father or someone else purchased all the equipment, that’s fine as well – still a cool story. Just seems those details are missing.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm
Note that it is an interview, not an in-depth profile. I suspect that you can find out that information from the company.
RM
Calvin Wang
Aug 17, 2018 at 12:44 am
Have you guys evaluated the center of gravity location of the putters relative to the intended alignment features? Your ballasts look very symmetrical which should not be the case for Anser-style putters. There needs to be some amount of toe bias to account and balance the mass of the hosel, or else the CG location can be too much heel-ward.
rymail00
Aug 16, 2018 at 11:26 pm
Awesome, just awesome. It’s cool to see a kid really due this type of thing at such a young age. Hope the best for these guys.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 17, 2018 at 12:01 pm
As his coach, I can confirm that he is a stand-up guy. I’ve been in the HS coaching biz for over 20 years, and young folks still surprise me. Perhaps that’s why I’m still at it!!
RM
rex235
Aug 16, 2018 at 9:31 pm
RH Only *sigh*
Ronald Montesano
Aug 16, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Sorry, friend. Send them an email. They might be able to make a LH model down the road.
Matt Russo
Aug 16, 2018 at 5:23 pm
These putters are amazing. I previously owned a Scotty Cameron putter, and although they are very similar, I can still notice the difference in the T-Squared putters. Being the cousin of the owner, I have been able to watch the production. The time that Tony puts into each putter order is amazing. He will stop at nothing to make sure that each customer has an amazing product. I am very proud of Tony, and can’t wait to see where he takes his product.
Parts
Aug 16, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Flaunt it, baby, yeah, flaunt it!
ogo
Aug 17, 2018 at 6:31 pm
you gotta be stoopid to buy one of these silly contraptions…
shawn
Aug 16, 2018 at 1:41 pm
Another superficial boutique putter maker of Anser-style knockoffs with fancy hosels…. at a price that reflects inefficient production. Of course if you can flaunt your one-of-a-kind custom-made creation it’s worth every bit you paid for it.
TexasSnowman
Aug 16, 2018 at 1:26 pm
Awesome! My only concern is that all putters pictured seem to be clones / variants of the Anser style putter, which although a they are a proven design, I’m not sure the world needs more of them.
Ronald Montesano
Aug 16, 2018 at 8:17 pm
I believe that he addresses this (see what I did there 🙂 in his anser (did it again) to question 2.