Manufacturer History
Historical information about Putter Manufactors
Wilson
The journey of the Wilson 8802 putter began many decades ago when it was originally known as the Wilson Arnold Palmer putter. A subsequent iteration bore the name "Wilson Designed by Arnold Palmer" putter. During this time, Arnold Palmer was at the zenith of his career, and it's impossible to tally the number of professional tournaments he triumphed in using this particular putter. If you were to look up the term "money club" in a dictionary, this putter would have been prominently featured at the top.
When Palmer parted ways with Wilson in 1963, the company rebranded the putter as the Wilson 8802 putter, with "8802" signifying the putter's catalog number. Although Arnie was responsible for its fame, the story of this putter didn't conclude with his departure from Wilson. Instead, it underwent numerous refinements and ultimately landed in the capable hands of Ben Crenshaw, one of golf's premier putters. Crenshaw solidified the continued renown of this putter by using it to secure victory at the 1995 Masters Tournament.
​
The technology employed by the Wilson 8802 is several decades old, yet it isn't just vintage; it's revered as one of the finest putters ever crafted. Some experts even place this putter among the top five most renowned putters in golf history, alongside classics like the PING Anser®, the Odyssey Dual Force Rossie 2 (Nick Faldo's choice for the 1996 Masters), and "Calamity Jane," the putter that Bobby Jones wielded with great success in the 1920s. In fact, it's conceivable that the original design of the Wilson 8802 drew inspiration from Calamity Jane, one of the most triumphant putters in golf's annals.
By contemporary standards, the putter's design is refreshingly simple. It boasts a modest sweet spot and lacks the bells and whistles of adjustable weights, fixed weight plugs, oversized flanges, or perimeter weighting to bolster its Moment of Inertia. Heel-toe weighting is also notably absent. Consequently, the Wilson 8802 can be best described as a purist's putter—unadorned, classic, and gracefully balanced, yet tender and precise.
Such a straightforward and timeless design has yielded success over the years, prompting several manufacturers, including Odyssey/ Callaway, Bettinardi, Cleveland, and Scotty Cameron, to pay homage with their own "tributes" to this revered putter. Wilson itself currently offers an "updated" version of the club known as the 8882, alongside the most famous models to date: the 8802 and 8813, affectionately referred by Arnold Palmer putter "The Original."
​
Arnold Palmer 8813 "The Original" As classic as it gets. This Arnold Palmer "The Original" Blade putter is where it all started. A must have for any putter collector. ......
SCOTTY CAMERON - Titleist
TThe Anser design, originally pioneered by Solheim, swiftly emerged as the industry benchmark for golf club manufacturers. Nevertheless, one brand set out to transcend mere imitation, and that brand know as was Scotty Cameron. Scotty Cameron, the renowned American putter designer, gained prominence in 1993 when Bernard Langer, grappling with putting troubles, replaced his putter with a prototype crafted by Scotty Cameron during the Masters tournament. Langer's putting performance underwent a remarkable transformation, resulting in his victory and drawing considerable attention to the Scotty Cameron brand. ​
In 1994, Scotty Cameron entered into a partnership with Titleist, a leading golf equipment manufacturer, which provided substantial support for his putter creations. This collaboration marked the evolution of his iconic Newport design. Modeled after the Anser putter, the Newport incorporated distinctive elements, including a soft trailing edge inspired by the classic PING design, custom face milling, and various other enhancements that elevated it into the luxurious putting item it is known as today. ​
Scotty's passion for crafting putters dates back to the 1960s, influenced by his father, an insurance professional with a two handicap, who introduced him to the game of golf. Their early forays into experimenting and tinkering with golf clubs occurred in the family garage, where they relentlessly pursued innovative improvements. When they weren't on the golf course, Scotty and his father could be found in their workshop, fashioning club heads, affixing grips, conceptualizing new designs, and subjecting them to practical testing. ​
The core principle underpinning Scotty's putter designs was to ensure that the final product seamlessly melded with the ground, appealing not only to the golfer's physical sensations but also forging an emotional connection. This design philosophy continues to steer Scotty Cameron's work at his Putter Studio in Southern California, persisting decades after its inception. ​
During the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Scotty designed putters for the Ray Cook Golf Company, Maxfli, Cleveland Classics, Founders Golf and Mizuno before striking out on his own with his wife Kathy to start Cameron Golf International. In 1992, CGI’s goal was to design and manufacture the finest putters for the best players in the world.
That meant traveling to PGA Tour events where they convinced touring professionals to try and trust their putters in the game’s most grueling conditions. Perseverance paid off in 1993 when, after working with a top-ranked professional who was struggling with his putting, Scotty created a custom putter that was used to win the Masters. It was a major turning point for the company, and would change the Camerons’ lives forever. ​
Since partnering with Titleist, Scotty Cameron has earned a position as one of the top names in golf. And, as the putter of choice for dozens of touring professionals around the world, Scotty Cameron putters have been trusted to help secure hundreds of victories, including more than 45 major championships. This record of global success has solidified Scotty Cameron’s reputation as the world’s premier putter maker.
To this day, Scotty continues to design the world’s finest milled putters using innovative methods, new materials, classic as well as modern shapes, and concepts focused on creating clubs that perform on the game’s greatest stages, as well as in the hands of everyday players around the globe who appreciate his expression of the Art of Putting.
Ping
In 2023, Ping commemorated its 64th anniversary. From its humble beginnings in Karsten Solheim's garage in 1959, Ping has blossomed into a thriving enterprise with over 1,000 employees. Karsten Solheim, the founder of Ping, swiftly earned acclaim for his pioneering spirit, a trait most prominently showcased in the evolution of Ping irons over the decades. Ping has crafted some of the most iconic irons in the history of golf and continues to be a frontrunner in iron production, cherished by both amateur and professional golfers alike.
​
Karsten Solheim was an avid experimenter. His journey commenced in his garage, where he initially began crafting putters as a side project in 1959. Through persistent effort, he eventually crafted what he dubbed the "1-A" putter—a revolutionary heel-to-toe weighted putter with offset design, offering remarkable stroke consistency and ball roll. Although he didn't invent the putter, he ushered in modernization over six decades ago, leaving an enduring imprint on the entire putter market. While conducting experiments in his Redwood City, California garage, his groundbreaking concept of heel-toe balance transformed putter design and gave birth to the PING 1A putter.
​
Fast forward to January 1966, and we encounter a true visionary, Karsten Solheim, the genius responsible for the Anser putter and the inception of the PING company.
​
The iconic Anser putter took form as an impromptu sketch on the dust jacket of a 78 rpm record. The moniker "Anser" was ingeniously coined by Karsten's wife, Louise, playfully suggesting that it was the ultimate "Answer" to all putting challenges. For practicality's sake, the letter "w" was omitted, ensuring a snug fit on the blade and giving rise to the name "Anser."
​
The distinctive "ping" sound produced by the club head when striking a ball served as the inspiration for the company's name. At that time, George Archer, a premier putter on the tour, clinched victory in the 1969 Masters, becoming the first golfer to secure a major title with a Ping Anser putter. This groundbreaking design boasts an impressive record of over 500 Tour wins, including numerous major championships. Today, virtually every putter manufacturer offers their interpretation of the Anser design, solidifying its status as not only the most favored design but also the most imitated one. Since the advent of the Anser, modern putter designs encompass traditional blades, mallet heads, and unconventional club heads featuring various attachments behind the club face. Most mallet and unconventional putter heads are specifically crafted to prevent twisting of the club head when a golfer's stroke doesn't hit the center of the club face. which I am told happens to some golfers....:)
Ray Cook
Raymond “The Putter Man” Cook was an engineer, inventor and passionate golfer. He introduced his first forged aluminum mallet (the popular M1 Mallet) in 1963. Ray Cook putters dominated professional tours with over 200 tour wins, including all 4 major championships.
Since he first designed the popular M1 Mallet in 1963 from his small shop in San Antonio Texas, the name Ray Cook has become synonymous with quality putters. Inspired by the physics and aerodynamics classes he took while attending college in Spearfish, S.D. through the Air Force, Ray realized that slight vibrations in metal tuning forks provide more feel. As a result, he crafted the first aluminum putter with grooves. With this simple change, Ray Cook revolutionized the way that putters are manufactured to this day. Throughout the 60’s and up until the late 80’s, Ray Cook putters dominated both the PGA and LPGA tours.
​
It took a combination of luck and nerve to make Ray Cook’s putter dreams a reality. After he became a caddie at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler Texas at the age of 14, Ray Cook was not allowed to play on the course’s greens. He had to practice in the sand behind the pro shop and crafted his first putter that same year. It wasn’t until 1941, while stationed at the Army Air Corp base in Gardner Field California, that Ray took the first steps towards bringing his putting goals from the hidden shadows of the pro shop to the limelight of professional golf. That year, he read in the paper that Bob Hope, Babe Zaharias, and Bing Crosby were playing a charity golf game for servicemen. After hitchhiking to Bakersfield, Ray got to watch the stars in action. These were the type of players that Ray wanted – and needed – to use his clubs. Once Bob Hope had finished putting on the 18th green, Ray seized his opportunity. When Ray went up to shake Bob’s hand, he also handed the star one of his patented putters. The rest, as they say, is history.
Between 1962 and 1964, both Bob Hope and Bing Crosby proudly carried Ray Cook putters in their golf bags. Famously, one night Bing called Ray and requested a putter like the one Bob Hope had been playing with because Bob had beat him their last match. A week after Ray scrambled to deliver the requested putter Bing’s tee time, Ray received a note from the star golfer simply saying, “Thanks Ray. I beat him.
​
This untarnished reputation for quality putting that has more than withstood the test of time is now back for 2012. “We’re excited to be able to create a brand new product line and once again offer the golfing community the highest quality putters at affordable pricing.” states Thomas Rath, CEO of Ray Cook Golf. “We are constantly looking to expand our product line and continue to offer the best products to our customers. By bringing Ray Cook back into the spotlight, today’s players can be a part of a legacy more than 50 years in the making.
​
T.P. Mills
For over 40 years T.P. Mills Co has set the standard by which all carbon-steel putters are measured. The unique skills and innovation that founded the company are still present today.
​
The unique skills and innovation that founded the company are present today, 40 years later. If you already own a T.P. Mills putter, we hope that you will have a better appreciation after looking through this site. Our putters are designed around our customers desires, all of our clients are treated like world class tour players.
Golfers around the world recognize the T.P. Mills name and what that name represents. Original designs that are tour proven, high quality materials, and strict attention to details. We are not a mass production company, this is one of the things that separates our company’s philosophy from others.
For the first time our company is introducing a line of accessories that carry the T.P. Mills name. These products will include: custom bags, putter covers, grips and other products associated with our putters that can be found no where else. We will also offer complete restoration and refinishing of T.P. Mills putters and other high end putters.
Our site will be updated as much as possible and will include handmades, production prototypes, tour samples and other unique putter models. We hope this site gives you a better appreciation of our passion and commitment to making the finest putters available. We hope you enjoy your visit.
-David F. Mills
In the early 1960's T.P. Mills was a scratch golfer. He believed he could design and produce a putter that would be superior to the one he used. That was the start of the T.P. Mills Co. Today that same desire still motivates the T.P. Mills co. to make a better putter. Starting with little more that basic hand tools and unformed blocks of carbon steel. T.P. Mills began designing shaping and building true handmade putters that would lead a whole industry. For over 40 years the T.P.Mills co has set the standard by which all carbon-steel putters are measured. Along the way the company has collected a filing cabinet full of patents. T.P. Mills Co. designs continue to be copied by putter manufacturers to this day.
T.P. Mills began tinkering with putter design in the early 1960s at a time when the putter was the cheapest and possibly worst designed club in the golf bag. Having tried putting with all the most popular models of that day, he began his work to design one that was better than current models of the time, thus enabling average golfers as well as professionals to improve their putting. Little thought had been given to the function of most putters from a scientific standpoint. The center of gravity or the "sweet spot" was not marked on most putters or if marked was not placed in the proper spot. Also, the putter shafts used were basically the same shafts used in wood and iron clubs, just cut to shorter lengths.
The former aviation instructor and U.S. postman started correcting these problems by designing his own grips, special shafts and putter models by paying particular attention to the above mentioned as well as weight, loft, lie, hosel design and the size and shape of the flange. The correct balance of the putter is very important to the Mills Co., something that is often over looked in many of today’s putters. If you already own Mills handmade you have a virtual "mastermodel" because no two have ever been created exactly the same. "Every putter I make is different in that it is suited to the individual," Mills has always said. The perfect balance and fit of a Mills handmade putter is born out in their use to win many of golf’s major championships, and virtually all of the PGA Tour events and many of the top amateur tournaments around the world.
T.P. Mills’s handmade putters have been treasured by Five presidents of the United States as well as Prime ministers, national and foreign dignitaries, celebrities and nearly every tour player that has graced this great game. The T.P. Mills company has letters of gratitude from such people along with the accompaniment of personal checks, payment for the clubs. Let there be no mistake, T.P. Mills was responsible for taking a club that sold for $35 to $45 and through great craftsmanship and originality turning it into on that sold for several hundred even thousands of dollars. T.P. Mills turned putter manufacturing into putter designing and then into the art of making a putter. Many of the top putter designers of the last 20 years are collectors of T.P.'s work. Yet, T. P. and David will be the first to say that there is no magic wand. "Its still the puttee’ more than the putter," "But if you get the putter where you like the feel of it, the weight, balance and loft are right for you, the "sweet spot" is where it should be and the shaft flex is correct, that’s as far as you can go."
Today the T.P. Mills Co. runs under the leadership of T.P.’s son David and his talent and craftsmanship are well recognized among the top PGA tour players and amateur players around the world. And whose handmade models have won many current PGA Tour and European events ensuring the family a proud tradition of making handmade's one at a time. The Mills family continues to design and develop new models with each one being a putter of precision craftsmanship that many believe cannot be matched.
Spalding / TP Mills
TP Mills was one of the best putter craftsmen ever and has passed the art on to his son David who is now responsible for all the TP Mills putters. The Spalding TP Mills putters are older mass produced putters. You will only find them used. Many people use them to practice refinishing. Nice putters for the money. There were two lines from Mizuno. The first ware the 9 TPM models designed by TP Mills, and the second were 4 Workshop models designed by David. These putters were carbon steel with the TPM putters being plated and the Workshop putter just having a Black Oxide type finish. The new TP Mills putters are milled carbon steel or stanless steel. You say expensive, but they are proabably average for todays milled putters. When looking at the cameron market you can find putters and even headcovers that sell for thousands. Look at the Odyssey Black series, Camerons, Milled Pings and you will find other milled putters in the same price range as Mills Professional series putters.. Definitely high quality and worth the money in my opinion. They are great putters. The other Mills putters that are out there are the handmade models. Difficult to find, but if you think the professional line is expensive, you don't want to look for these.
Designed by T.P Mills Spalding’s in Chronological Order
NOTE: Spalding marketed the T.P Mills (first numbered series) line of black finished putter’s which were primarily designed as a flange style blade. Each model was numbered, the insignia found on the heel side of the face. Center of the face is noted by a dotted line cross, or crosshair. In 1984 most of the T.P.M putters sold for $25.00 RN series and between $30.00 and $40.00 later versions.
The first series released in 1970 was the Roman Numeral Series. Numbered I thru IX. These were produced predominantly in carbon steel, although stainless steel versions do exist. These were made with a black finish with the words Spalding Touring Pro Model engraved in the sole. They have a sight oval on the top line. They have the dotted line crosshair on the center face. The insignia TPM with Roman Numeral number is engraved on the face at the heel. These putters were shafted with True Temper 0.280 diameter shafts. The shaft could be straight, step less with flute or stepped steel in head with a black ferrule. The grips were a mix of either smooth black rubber pistol with Spalding in white or brown leather Spalding. Paint fills were in white. All were right hand only.
Numbers are; I – II – III – IV – V – VI – VII – VIII – IX.
The second series released in 1984 was the Numbered Series (first release). Numbered 1 thru 14. These were produced predominantly in carbon steel, although stainless steel versions do exist. These were made with a black finish with the words Precision Ground (toe), Spalding (center), and Designed by T.P Mills (heel) engraved on the sole. They have a sight dot on the top line. They have the dotted line crosshair on the center face. The insignia T.P.M with the number below is engraved in the face at the heel. These putters were shafted with True Temper 0.280 diameter shafts in head with NO ferrule. Most all of them were of the stepped steel type. Paint fills were white. Grips were smooth black rubber pistol with TPM or Spalding in white.
Numbers are; 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 14. There was no number 13. Number 10, was left hand only. Number 14 is of the mallet type.
The third series released in 1985 was the Tour Series. These were numbered 15 thru 19. These were produced predominantly in stainless steel, although a few carbon versions are known to exist. These were made with a black finish with the words Precision Ground (toe), Spalding (center), the number below Spalding (center) and Designed by T.P Mills (heel) engraved on the sole. They have a sight dot on the top line. NO crosshairs on the face of this model. The insignia T.P.M with Tour Series below it was engraved on the face at the heel. These putters were shafted with True Temper straight step less steel shafts in 0.350 diameter over stem. Grips were black rubber textured with Tour Series in gold. All paint fills were gold.
Numbers are; 15 – 16 – 17 – 18 – 19. All right handed.
The Numbered Series were re-released in 1991 with these changes. The top line had a narrow line added the full length with a sight dot. The faces of this release were brushed raw finish (no black). Paint fill on the face engravings was in black. The number 12 had a milled pocket in this release. Everything else remained the same as the same of the first release. Grips were smooth black rubber pistol with TPM in white.
Numbers are; 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – 14. There was no number 13. Number 14 was changed to a flange style in left hand. Number 10 remained left hand only.
The Numbered Series were re-released again in 1994 with these changes. The top line had a short wide line on each side of the sight dot about ¾ inch long. Paint fill color of this line/dot was lime green. Face paint fill color was black. Sole paint fill was white. Crosshairs on face. Numbers 1, 9 and 19 had TPM engraved on the back with white paint fill. These putters were cast and not forged or milled. Most were black in color with a rough texture with the face brushed raw. The number 9 was grey in color with a rough texture. Shafts were True Temper step less steel in 0.280 in head with no ferrule. Grips were black to dark grey wrapped textured with TPM in white.
Numbers are; 1 – 6 – 9 – 10 – 12 - 14 – 15 – 19 – 20. Numbers 10 and 14 were left hand only.
The Gold Series was released in 1987 in Roman Numerals. All were made of brass. Paint fills were deep red. Shafts were True Temper straight step less steel in 0.350 diameter over stem. Grips were black rubber pistol type with Spalding or TPM.
Numbers are; I – II – III – IV.
Notes: Additional putters were released after 1994. Registered Series was a black oxide long style Number 1 with a pocket, white paint fill with T.P Mills engraved on the face top near the toe. This putter was also released as brass version.
There were a few other putters designed by Mr. Mills after he stopped working with Spalding released. One was a Tour Series III. Some of the first Numbered Series were released for the Japan market that had Cold Forged engraved in the bottom.
Macgregor / Jack Nicklaus
MacGregor Golf Company
American, Founded 1857
​
MacGregor Golf was founded in 1897 and is the second oldest golf company in the United States. Now owned by the Parkside Group under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Barry Schneider, MacGregor offers a full product line including high quality golf clubs, bags, outerwear and accessories. The manufacturing headquarters for the company are located in Albany, Georgia.
After the WWII, growth is so rapid, MacGregor upgrades twice to bigger facilities. The creation of the Tourney series of clubs (with four choices of shaft flexes), Eye-O-Matric woods, the Pro Peel steel shaft and ceramic-face irons keep MacGregor at the top of the golf world.
MacGregor storms onto the golf course of America, dominating both pro and amateur markets. At least half of PGA Tour players use MacGregor clubs, and MacGregor becomes of the first golf companies to sponsor the African American professionals.
In a true coup of sponsorship, MacGregor nabs Jack Nicklaus in 1961, just as the greatest golfer of all time turns pro. By 1965 MacGregor has introduced the Nicklaus VIP line of clubs so that everyone, everyone can play like a pro.
White Fang
MacGregor Jack Nicklaus N275 White Fang Putter. 35 inches. Original Shaft with band and Original Leather Putter Grip. Head restored to 1968 Color Specifications. This Highly Collectible Putter was made by MacGregor to Commemorate Jack's 1967 U.S. Open Record Breaking Score of 275. Jack used a Standard Bulls Eye Putter painted white to win the 1967 U.S. Open and he referred to the putter as "White Fang". ABSOLUTELY PERFECT Putter that looks exactly as it did in 1968. Both Playable or Collectible.
Acushnet "Bulls Eye"
In the late 1940s, John Reuter Jr., a golf instructor hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, conceived a revolutionary idea: crafting a putter that mirrored the rhythmic motion of a pendulum. Reuter's initial models, known as the "Sweet Strokers," underwent a transformation and received a new moniker: the "Bulls Eye."
​
These putters earned the nickname "Garage putter" as they were meticulously handcrafted in Reuter's garage at his residence in Acushnet, MA, continuing in this fashion until the late 1950s. In 1958, Reuter joined forces with Acushnet, and the Bulls Eye transitioned into mass production. Crafted from soft brass to maximize the feel upon impact, these putters featured fluted shafts and offered various grip options. The Bulls Eye has stood the test of time, enjoying success at the highest levels of the sport over the last half-century. Golf luminaries such as Bob Charles, Tom Kite, Corey Pavin, and Mark McNulty all relied on the Bulls Eye, accumulating numerous titles worldwide.
​
Design/ Construction / Features
​
John Reuter Jr was years ahead of his time when it came to putter design, putter fitting and the world of custom options. He was one of the first to recognize the need for equipment to be made in a way that would optimize and improve an individual golfer’s performance. Although commonplace in today’s game, Mr. Reuter was laying the foundations for custom putters over 80 years ago!
HEADS: Originally the heads were made from brass, this would produce a softer feel and sound feedback. All of the corners and edges, apart from the striking face were rounded to allow the putter to "pass over the surface smoothly even when there are irregularities in the grass".
​
SHAFT LOCATION: The shaft was sited nearer to the middle of the head which would reduce torque (twisting) at impact, an early higher MOI putter (moment of inertia) if you like.
​
LOFT : Mr. Reuter believed additional loft would improve the balls roll just after impact, he often preferred 5-6 degrees.
​
HEAD SHAPES : Originally there were only a few different shaped heads however it is rumored that there are over 400 different Bulls Eye heads, though we've only found 10 to date.
​
LENGTH: The "Bulls Eye' would eventually be offered in 34" 35" and 36" lengths to cater for different heights of golfers and varying postures.
​
SHAFT : Mr. Reuter preferred the shaft to be stiffer than normal to reduce the vibration, and also to improve and control "the path of the clubhead".
​
​LIE ANGLE : There were 3 lie angles to cater to different putting styles, different statures, and postures of varying golfers. U=Upright, M=Standard, F=Flat.
​
HEAD WEIGHTS: Weights would vary from Heavy Flange putters through to the lighter La Femme models.
​
GRIP TYPES: Original grips would have been leather, although rubber grips became more prevalent, all fitted with the patented "Bull Eye' logo on the heel. They were offered in 2 different sizes, later grips would include paddle and cord.
​
HAND STAMPED CODES: Putters would have a 5 or 6 letter and number code stamped into the sole, especially on older clubs, sometimes they are very faint because the stamps are shallow and have faded away. The codes describe the putter type and specifications, later the putters model name replaced the codes to these later models.
An Overview of the Acushnet "Bulls Eye":
There are a total of 18 models produced between 1964 and 1971, all designed by John Reuter Jr. under the Acushnet brand, with a rumored 400 variations of these original 18. Todate I've found only 11 of the 400 rumored variations. :) The descriptions of these 18 models were:
1) STD - Standard
2) OS - Old Standard
3) O-Set - Offset
4) OR - Original
5) LB - Light Blade
6) HB - Heavy Blade
7) LAF - LaFemme
8) JR - Junior
9) FL - Flange
10) LHFL - Left Handed Flange
11) LFL - Heel Shafted Flange
12) WFL - Wide Flange
13) WFL-O - Wide Flange Offset
14) HSF - Heel Shafted Flange
15) HSF-II - Heel Shafted Flange II
16) ML - Mallet
17) MLO - Mallet Offset
18) MLI - Mallet I
Bulls Eye 18 model collection limited numbered posters available in March. 2024!
Slot Line
Originally started in 1972, Slotline is a company that old school golf purists are likely familiar with, however many of the younger generation golfers today might be more likely to have a familiarity with Scotty Cameron, Ping, or Odyssey when it comes to premier putters. In the 1980’s Slotline was a putter powerhouse selling over one million of their original Inertial putters, today the new Slotline (under a new parent company) is looking to reinvent themselves with a whole new line of putters. In 2008 Dynamic Brands reintroduced the Slotline brand with 14 new designs featuring the signature SLOT and LINE alignment aid as well as an emphasis on high MOI properties. With three separate models (SL-700, SL-500, SS-300), Slotline offers a wide variety of putters to suit the unique preferences of today's golfers.
The proprietary mid-sized Winn pistol grip made the putter seem to rest in my hands perfectly and this was before I even stroked my first putt with the thing! Cast from 431 stainless steel and featuring a tri-milled face to reduce contact surface area providing true loft and a flat face, getting the ball rolling faster to keep your putts on line. You can immediately feel the difference the milled face offers. The sound, the feel, and the roll this putter produces are a thing of beauty. After rolling several putts across my carpet for a number of days I was eager to get this thing in action to see how it held up on the greens. Typically in a review situation like this I would prefer to use the club on the practice green or during some casual rounds to really get a better feel for the thing before throwing it into the fire of a competitive match, but because of the positive connection we had from the outset I felt it was safe to jump right in and use this beauty at the venerable BustaBall Classic.
Callaway
Callaway / Odessey
​
In 2001, the world of golf underwent a profound transformation with the debut of the White Hot 2-Ball putter. Its concept was brilliantly simple: a putter adorned with a broad backside featuring the depiction of two golf balls on the head, providing invaluable aid in achieving precise alignment. Adding to its appeal, this putter boasted an exceptionally high Moment of Inertia (MOI), offering extra assistance in stabilizing off-center strikes. The inclusion of a soft urethane insert was the final flourish, elevating the overall feel and producing a more pleasant sound upon impact, a stark contrast to the louder 'ping' produced by putters such as the Anser.
​
Odyssey ventured into the realm of putter production in 1991, initially introducing one-piece putter heads that rapidly found favor on the professional tour. Early successes for the brand included the Rossie I and Rossie II models, distinguished by their mallet designs and construction with a polymer known as Stronomic.
​
A pivotal moment occurred in 1996 when Nick Faldo clinched a Masters victory using the Odyssey Dual Force Rossie II putter equipped with a Stronomic insert. This triumph catapulted Odyssey to new heights of recognition. Odyssey proceeded to diversify its product line, unveiling innovative and popular designs. In the same year as the Masters win, Odyssey was acquired by Callaway Golf, cementing its place in the golf industry.
​
One of Odyssey's most significant milestones arrived in 2001 with the introduction of the Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball putter, which would go on to become the best-selling putter model in golf history. Featuring two white discs atop an oversized mallet head that emulated the size and shape of golf balls, this putter simplified alignment and swiftly captured the hearts of golfers across all skill levels.
​
This putter not only conquered the professional tour but also dominated golf stores, solidifying Odyssey's status as the premier putter brand worldwide. Odyssey's enduring success is evidenced by its consistent performance on the PGA Tour, LPGA, and Champions Tour. As of the latest Masters tournament, Odyssey has held the number one putter position across major championships for over a decade and has achieved the highest tour count in 39 consecutive events spanning these tours.
​
Odyssey's supremacy extends to its strong presence among professional players, with a majority of them opting for Odyssey putters without financial incentives. According to Luke Williams of Odyssey Golf, the performance and quality of Odyssey putters are the driving factors behind this choice.
​
In 2016, Callaway expanded its influence by acquiring Toulon Design, a premium milled putter company known for customization and led by co-founder Sean Toulon. This acquisition broadened Odyssey's offerings to include premium milled putters, complementing its successful insert lineup.
​
Despite the introduction of various innovations and alternative insert technologies, the White Hot insert has remained the preferred choice among professional golfers for more than two decades. In response to persistent demand from golfers, Odyssey introduced the White Hot OG putter in 2021, featuring refinements in finish, surface milling, and weight placement. The revival of the White Hot putter was met with widespread enthusiasm and became a beloved choice among golfers.
​
Exploring the Roots of the White Hot Insert
To trace the origins of this remarkable popularity, we revisit a point mentioned earlier in this narrative. Stronomic inserts played a pivotal role in Odyssey's rise to prominence, offering a lighter and softer alternative to steel and enhancing the feel, particularly with the firm golf balls of that era. Although it had its technical limitations, it was ahead of its time. Following the acquisition by Callaway, engineers sought improvements, and according to the company, Ely Callaway himself proposed the idea: "Why not use the same materials that cover golf balls?"
As we expand our inventory of Vintage putters their information will live here.