15 Top Custom Putter Designers - By MGS

Folks

we are probably familiar with the likes of Scotty, Bettinardi, and to some extend, Zen (thanks to BFG)
And I know Wiz golf sells Edel, Transview sells TP Mills

What about the likes of Piretti, David Whitlam / Gauge Design, DogLegRight??

I came across this interesting article (not sure how old), thought I share it.
http://www.mygolfspy.com/custom-putter-designers/#comments
Some of the obscure putter brands never make it to SG due to our small markets I reckoned...

Anyone of you actually owned / gamed some of these exotic putters? I'm quite intrigued by David Whitlam / Gauge Design

Have a good golfing week ahead!

Am using a Kevin Burns. The touch and feel us a lot like a Scotty.

Hi,

I have had an extensive putter collection in the past and have owned/played many of the putters listed. Here is my take:

Piretti: Have only rolled on at a buddies store and it was a good, solid feeling putter. Cannot comment further as I did not take it to the course.

Slighter Golf: Good putter. Able to customize pretty much anything you want. Decent turnaround time for a custom piece.

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Sizemore: Unique designs, good feel and roll. Underrated putter. Performed quite well while it was in the bag.

Dog Leg Right (machine): One of the best boutique putter brands out there today. Used the hog line when I was playing professionally and it was a putter that I used off and on for years. Since then they have gone to the Machine line and it is amazing. Owned a 1 of 3 prototype from them a couple years back and the neat thing was the ability to interchange the neck style. Unfortunately for me I was unable (at the time) to get the exact neck shape I wanted for the putter, so it left the bag. The roll was great, feel was great, look was amazing. Plus they are willing to do just about whatever you want.

Tad Moore: Used these early in my career. Had some hand mades and some production models. Both were good in their own right. The hand mades were far better in terms of quality and craftsmanship and feel.

Kevin Burns: Used several Kevin Burns models (at his height of popularity late 90's, early 2000's) and they were good solid putters with decent insert technology. Felt good, looked nice, and rolled the ball well. Have not seen much by way of him lately.

T.P. Mills: Hard to call a brand that has been around as long as them as boutique, but for this segment will just follow suit. Like Tad Moore I have owned many production TP Mills and many handmade versions. They are both decent offerings, but the hand made or tour issue versions are just at another level. They are amazing designs, that have distinct styling, and have superb feel and craftsmanship. I would recommend a TP Mills putter any day of the week.

Clay Long: Used to make personal putters for Jack Nicklaus if I am not mistaken so he has some credibility. They are good feeling and performing putters. Nice designs and sound feel. Good solid option.

Byron Morgan: Decent putters, for some reason never liked the feel of them. Not sure why, but I have owned several prototypes during the 90's and have played with some of the newer ones and I was just never sold on them. Some people swear by them and some of their designs look just like many Scotty Cameron tour issues, I just never could get used to the feel.

Hicks, Curry, Deshchamps, 350 milled: No experience with any of those

Edel golf: Has an interesting fitting tool that is supposed to help you aim the putter more consistently accurate, which is supposed to help you make more putts. Some of the designs are good and the ability to get custom fit and some stamps on your putter is pretty cool. Just need to find a certified place that can fit you properly.

Hope that helps a little. All in all there are many great options on that list. The bottom line is to make sure you get a putter that fits you and your stroke. You will make more putts, period. Having a putter that looks great, but does not fit you or your stroke is useless, unless you are just trying to show your pals that you have a neat putter (which is fine if that is what you want). But for me it is all about getting it in the hole, I don't care what it looks like. Although if I had my druthers I would like a beautiful putter that was custom fit for me that performs.

DRGjr72 wrote:

Hi,

I have had an extensive putter collection in the past and have owned/played many of the putters listed. Here is my take:

Piretti: Have only rolled on at a buddies store and it was a good, solid feeling putter. Cannot comment further as I did not take it to the course.

Slighter Golf: Good putter. Able to customize pretty much anything you want. Decent turnaround time for a custom piece.

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Sizemore: Unique designs, good feel and roll. Underrated putter. Performed quite well while it was in the bag.

Dog Leg Right (machine): One of the best boutique putter brands out there today. Used the hog line when I was playing professionally and it was a putter that I used off and on for years. Since then they have gone to the Machine line and it is amazing. Owned a 1 of 3 prototype from them a couple years back and the neat thing was the ability to interchange the neck style. Unfortunately for me I was unable (at the time) to get the exact neck shape I wanted for the putter, so it left the bag. The roll was great, feel was great, look was amazing. Plus they are willing to do just about whatever you want.

Tad Moore: Used these early in my career. Had some hand mades and some production models. Both were good in their own right. The hand mades were far better in terms of quality and craftsmanship and feel.

Kevin Burns: Used several Kevin Burns models (at his height of popularity late 90's, early 2000's) and they were good solid putters with decent insert technology. Felt good, looked nice, and rolled the ball well. Have not seen much by way of him lately.

T.P. Mills: Hard to call a brand that has been around as long as them as boutique, but for this segment will just follow suit. Like Tad Moore I have owned many production TP Mills and many handmade versions. They are both decent offerings, but the hand made or tour issue versions are just at another level. They are amazing designs, that have distinct styling, and have superb feel and craftsmanship. I would recommend a TP Mills putter any day of the week.

Clay Long: Used to make personal putters for Jack Nicklaus if I am not mistaken so he has some credibility. They are good feeling and performing putters. Nice designs and sound feel. Good solid option.

Byron Morgan: Decent putters, for some reason never liked the feel of them. Not sure why, but I have owned several prototypes during the 90's and have played with some of the newer ones and I was just never sold on them. Some people swear by them and some of their designs look just like many Scotty Cameron tour issues, I just never could get used to the feel.

Hicks, Curry, Deshchamps, 350 milled: No experience with any of those

Edel golf: Has an interesting fitting tool that is supposed to help you aim the putter more consistently accurate, which is supposed to help you make more putts. Some of the designs are good and the ability to get custom fit and some stamps on your putter is pretty cool. Just need to find a certified place that can fit you properly.

Hope that helps a little. All in all there are many great options on that list. The bottom line is to make sure you get a putter that fits you and your stroke. You will make more putts, period. Having a putter that looks great, but does not fit you or your stroke is useless, unless you are just trying to show your pals that you have a neat putter (which is fine if that is what you want). But for me it is all about getting it in the hole, I don't care what it looks like. Although if I had my druthers I would like a beautiful putter that was custom fit for me that performs.

Whoa, that's almost a complete feed back. Thks

I own the followings ......... like to collect those unique putter with unique head design and unique name (never heard of ....) but had sold quote a few away over the years ..........still holding on to only 3 pcs for various use .....

Maruyama Prototype 23
Gauge Design 1/4 (from Japan) (fantastic putter head feel)
Goolie BGS33 (specially for slow green speed of 8.5 and below)

I guess these will stay with me for a long time to come ........... simply loves them.

DRGjr72 wrote:

Hi,

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Any of yours the Aluinser models? Those back inserts sure make a difference in feel dont' they?

Quote :

I have had an extensive putter collection in the past and have owned/played many of the putters listed

Bro DRGjr72
Any experience with Miura putters? Understand they are made by the Hands of God for ultimate feel? According to their website its "a putter with unmatched feel and precision."

byron morgans are very expensive. hand made, but i still feel that its too expensive for a putter. slighter is more affordable

ahhoe wrote:

I own the followings ......... like to collect those unique putter with unique head design and unique name (never heard of ....) but had sold quote a few away over the years ..........still holding on to only 3 pcs for various use .....

Maruyama Prototype 23
Gauge Design 1/4 (from Japan) (fantastic putter head feel)
Goolie BGS33 (specially for slow green speed of 8.5 and below)

I guess these will stay with me for a long time to come ........... simply loves them.

Goolie BGS33 (specially for slow green speed of 8.5 and below)
This gd to bring it to JB course.How much this cost???

kengnam,
mine not for sale ..... you can try the following site .....


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tour-Issue-Putter-BGS33-Made-USA-Goolie-Golf-100-Forged-and-Milled-NIB-/230816436362


my experience ..... really good for slow green with good roll ..... but again it is very individualised.

ultraman wrote:

DRGjr72 wrote:

Hi,

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Any of yours the Aluinser models? Those back inserts sure make a difference in feel dont' they?

Yes I have had a couple of the Aluinser models and they are outstanding. I do agree that the feel was quite good in those models.

jeffman88 wrote:

Quote :

I have had an extensive putter collection in the past and have owned/played many of the putters listed

Bro DRGjr72
Any experience with Miura putters? Understand they are made by the Hands of God for ultimate feel? According to their website its "a putter with unmatched feel and precision."

I have limited exposure to Muira putters. The ones I have rolled felt pretty good, did not think the design was anything amazing, and nothing to verify the "unmatched feel and precision" that they claim..but that is just marketing talk so I take it with a grain of salt. When I think of Muira I think of irons or wedges first, not putters so it would not be my first choice.

Thanks Dan for your exhaustive review. Wow, looks like you had a chance to play with almost all.

Any idea if Gauge Design / David whitlam putters are avail in sg?

I've seen some of the pics of Bruce Sizemore designed putters for SuperStroke (yup, the putter grip co. And he is no longer with Sizemore Golf) and they look sweet too

Btw, Ted Porter jr just won The Greenbrier PGA event using a Piretti centershafted putter. Pity that as a Cleveland staff player he is not gaming Never Compromise putter. NC putters seemed to lose their way under Cleveland Golf.

Odyssey and Scotty seemed to dominate PGA tour.

pocketace wrote:

Thanks Dan for your exhaustive review. Wow, looks like you had a chance to play with almost all.

Any idea if Gauge Design / David whitlam putters are avail in sg?

I've seen some of the pics of Bruce Sizemore designed putters for SuperStroke (yup, the putter grip co. And he is no longer with Sizemore Golf) and they look sweet too

Btw, Ted Porter jr just won The Greenbrier PGA event using a Piretti centershafted putter. Pity that as a Cleveland staff player he is not gaming Never Compromise putter. NC putters seemed to lose their way under Cleveland Golf.

Odyssey and Scotty seemed to dominate PGA tour.

I know that Eric at BFG has a few select pieces of some Gauge Design/Whitlam putters (at least as of my last visit), although I am not sure if they are for sale. I would contact and inquire.

NC putters are quite good actually. Very underrated. The original ones were very high moi as the center was very light and the polar ends of the putter were quite heavy. Not saying it was groundbreaking, but it was effective and performed. The new ones I think are the gambler series and look good, not sure how they perform (but would suspect at least decently).

Odyssey and Scotty are doing quite well on the tours with some other brands having pockets of players here and there. I find it really neat to see some of the smaller companies come through with wins. Bobby Grace, Piretti and many others do make great putters, they just struggle to get guys to play their stuff and they just don't have the marketing dollars or shop presence to compete. They tend to be in niche markets where they do quite well for themselves relatively speaking. But it is a highly competitive marketplace and it typically takes a large win on some tour, or a bigger name player to use their stuff to get the notoriety.

Another putter I would like to try, is seemore.

@DRGjr72, another feedback? Thks

Seemore is an interesting technology and has many more designs to choose from these days. I used one sporadically when I was playing professionally and had mixed results. Some days were amazing and others were not so great.

The roll was quite good off the putter. Feel was good as well. My problem stemmed from the setup position as it did not feel natural to me and I fought it, most likely more than I should as the science behind seems logical.

They use RST technology (rifle scope). The idea is that you set up to the putter in the exact same position every time in order to achieve repeatable results. In essence you hide the little red dot that is between the two white lines. This helps reassure the golfer they are in the same setup position. Lie and length are extremely important with this putter to ensure proper stroke mechanics and setup position. (But it should be important with any putter that is why I suggest getting fit for a putter is as important if not mores than a driver or iron).

DRGjr72 wrote:

ultraman wrote:

DRGjr72 wrote:

Hi,

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Any of yours the Aluinser models? Those back inserts sure make a difference in feel dont' they?

Yes I have had a couple of the Aluinser models and they are outstanding. I do agree that the feel was quite good in those models.

Hi DRGjr72

Have you tried the CM-1? It's a cast milled version and seems to be the only Aluinser model available. Do you have any Aluinser model that you might consider to sell or trade?

@Ultraman. I do not have any of my collectable stuff over here in Singapore. It is in storage in the states and/or sold.

As far as the Cm-1 it looks like most of the aluinser models with the added benefit of sole/face inserts. There also appears to be weights inserted in the heel and toe, but do not know as I have not used this model.

I know that the last time I stopped off at BFG they had 3 Whitlam models in a display case there (not sure if they are for sale or just for collecting or whatnot), but they might know where to get them. Otherwise I would suggest looking up Whitlam Golf on the internet and shoot them a message. I know they have a website and sell putters from there.

Was watching the Greenbrier Classic and saw that Ted Potter Jr is using the Piretti putter....i actually tried buying it off their website a number of times but the purchase couldn't go through....too bad!!!

There's a Piretti Cottonwood II currently on bid at ebay - closing in 2 days

DRGjr72 wrote:

@Ultraman. I do not have any of my collectable stuff over here in Singapore. It is in storage in the states and/or sold.

As far as the Cm-1 it looks like most of the aluinser models with the added benefit of sole/face inserts. There also appears to be weights inserted in the heel and toe, but do not know as I have not used this model.

I know that the last time I stopped off at BFG they had 3 Whitlam models in a display case there (not sure if they are for sale or just for collecting or whatnot), but they might know where to get them. Otherwise I would suggest looking up Whitlam Golf on the internet and shoot them a message. I know they have a website and sell putters from there.

Thanks dude, the new stuff from GD website are real expensive

golfool2009 wrote:

Was watching the Greenbrier Classic and saw that Ted Potter Jr is using the Piretti putter....i actually tried buying it off their website a number of times but the purchase couldn't go through....too bad!!!

I would shoot them an email if you are that interested. I am sure there is a way to contact them. I have seen his putters develop over the years on GolfWRX and he has some good stuff.

golfool2009 wrote:

Was watching the Greenbrier Classic and saw that Ted Potter Jr is using the Piretti putter....i actually tried buying it off their website a number of times but the purchase couldn't go through....too bad!!!

Wow! You really won so much moolah to buy another putter after the Golo!



Back to topic.....those Piretti putters look really sexy!

Piretti is sold in Golf Studio. Nice guy and i bought one CW2 too. IMO, it's a very worthwhile putter with nice look and feel

Hi DRG, I am amazed by the number of putters you had tried, especially the exotic range. So, I am sure your advise on my putting problem will be useful.

I had been using Scotty Studio Select Fastback 33 inches for sometime. I had been a decent putter for 20 years until an over competitive buddy cause me problem. He alway remind me before I hit the short puts that I can miss. This let to a lost of confident and worst the dreaded YIP. My stroke become jerky for short length.
I found a solution by going to the putter route which enable me to execute the simple pendalum motion. I also found that with teh Scotty, when I lifted the head higher from the ground, it causes the ball to push right. There is no such problem with the TM agsi insert putter, it mitigate this problem as the ball roll quickly and true.

I am now looking for a centre shaft TM Spider to custom with long shaft.

What is your comments on my thought?

enwee wrote:

DRGjr72 wrote:

Hi,

I have had an extensive putter collection in the past and have owned/played many of the putters listed. Here is my take:

Piretti: Have only rolled on at a buddies store and it was a good, solid feeling putter. Cannot comment further as I did not take it to the course.

Slighter Golf: Good putter. Able to customize pretty much anything you want. Decent turnaround time for a custom piece.

Gauge Design: Owned several of these over the years (David Whitlam ones) and they were outstanding. The roll was super, feel was great, and they looked very nice.

Sizemore: Unique designs, good feel and roll. Underrated putter. Performed quite well while it was in the bag.

Dog Leg Right (machine): One of the best boutique putter brands out there today. Used the hog line when I was playing professionally and it was a putter that I used off and on for years. Since then they have gone to the Machine line and it is amazing. Owned a 1 of 3 prototype from them a couple years back and the neat thing was the ability to interchange the neck style. Unfortunately for me I was unable (at the time) to get the exact neck shape I wanted for the putter, so it left the bag. The roll was great, feel was great, look was amazing. Plus they are willing to do just about whatever you want.

Tad Moore: Used these early in my career. Had some hand mades and some production models. Both were good in their own right. The hand mades were far better in terms of quality and craftsmanship and feel.

Kevin Burns: Used several Kevin Burns models (at his height of popularity late 90's, early 2000's) and they were good solid putters with decent insert technology. Felt good, looked nice, and rolled the ball well. Have not seen much by way of him lately.

T.P. Mills: Hard to call a brand that has been around as long as them as boutique, but for this segment will just follow suit. Like Tad Moore I have owned many production TP Mills and many handmade versions. They are both decent offerings, but the hand made or tour issue versions are just at another level. They are amazing designs, that have distinct styling, and have superb feel and craftsmanship. I would recommend a TP Mills putter any day of the week.

Clay Long: Used to make personal putters for Jack Nicklaus if I am not mistaken so he has some credibility. They are good feeling and performing putters. Nice designs and sound feel. Good solid option.

Byron Morgan: Decent putters, for some reason never liked the feel of them. Not sure why, but I have owned several prototypes during the 90's and have played with some of the newer ones and I was just never sold on them. Some people swear by them and some of their designs look just like many Scotty Cameron tour issues, I just never could get used to the feel.

Hicks, Curry, Deshchamps, 350 milled: No experience with any of those

Edel golf: Has an interesting fitting tool that is supposed to help you aim the putter more consistently accurate, which is supposed to help you make more putts. Some of the designs are good and the ability to get custom fit and some stamps on your putter is pretty cool. Just need to find a certified place that can fit you properly.

Hope that helps a little. All in all there are many great options on that list. The bottom line is to make sure you get a putter that fits you and your stroke. You will make more putts, period. Having a putter that looks great, but does not fit you or your stroke is useless, unless you are just trying to show your pals that you have a neat putter (which is fine if that is what you want). But for me it is all about getting it in the hole, I don't care what it looks like. Although if I had my druthers I would like a beautiful putter that was custom fit for me that performs.

Whoa, that's almost a complete feed back. Thks