What sets your Select putters apart from previous models?
First and foremost, the new Select putters are the culmination of decades of design and research. Building on that experience gives me confidence that I’m releasing the latest and greatest putters I can create with regard to aesthetics, materials, sound, feel and performance. We're at a point with technology and machining that allows me to have an idea, experiment with actual parts and see near-immediate results regarding how a product looks, feels and performs.
The new Select putters represent the highest levels of the design and manufacturing process my team and I have perfected. We’re mixing multiple materials in putter construction in a way that’s never been done before. Newly engineered face inlays with vibration-dampening material for a feel that’s just amazing—soft, but solid with unmistakable feedback. The sensation of contacting the sweet spot is immediate.
Additionally, I’ve worked with aircraft grade aluminum to explore weight distribution to increase MOI and concentrate weight in the perimeter. Mixing light aluminum with tried and true 303 stainless steel gives me the “canvas” to create the head shapes I envision. Since we mill every putter right here in North County San Diego at our high-performance precision milling operation, the R&D process is continual and uninterrupted by differences in time zones. I keep my milling operation local so I can continually innovate, test, re-design and see actual parts as I design them.
What are some of the coolest features with these putters and what type of golfers are they built for?
I love the refined, classy looks of each model coupled with the performance feedback of our new multi-material face inlay technology. This new Select line is all about promoting feel, while expanding what’s possible with performance by mixing multiple materials to achieve the utmost in easy alignment, responsive feedback and unmatched stability. When you can get the design to appeal to the eye and it’s equally successful in terms of performance, you’ve done your job as a designer. And, I think I have!
I consider anyone playing our putters a dedicated golfer. That’s our Titleist brand statement. Within that dedicated golfer group, though, you have every type of player. And, as I have for years, I progressively design the models of a new putter line to appeal to the variety of strokes, styles and preferences of everyday players, as well as touring professionals. When these models go out to Tour players and they immediately go in the bag, I know we’re onto something. When amateurs play them and make more putts, I know we’re really onto something.
While performance is always the end goal, I first design for aesthetics. Because how you feel when you stand over a putt—that confidence—comes from how a design appeals to the eye. I always design putters with that emotion at the forefront. Kind of like a nice watch or car purchase, you have to get that warm and fuzzy when you look at it. I think when players get a new Select in their hands, they’re going to have those feelings.
When it comes to the popularity of Scotty Cameron putters, what has been the greatest key to your success and what inspires you to keep getting better?
When I started out in the golf business, my goal was to create the finest putters possible and have the best players in the world trust them at the highest levels of competition. That goal hasn’t changed. From the materials to the manufacturing to the accessories (e.g., grip, shaft band, headcover and paintfill), every component has to be top notch. That’s why I only mill putters. The process is better. The result is higher quality, reliable and everlasting. I think setting extremely high standards and sticking to them has been the number one key to the brand’s success.
We never set out to make the most putters, just simply the best. And when you’re unwavering in your pursuit to create high quality items, every aspect of the business is held to that standard. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I feel it’s my responsibility to carry the torch of putter making in an era where the majority of putters are made using inferior processes and materials. I’m inspired every day to improve our quality because of the opportunity I have.
What are the most important things golfers need to know before purchasing a new putter?
I encourage players to find something they like to look at first. Something that appeals to the eye. Looks inspire confidence. And, they do matter. But, there’s more to it than what a putter looks like. Pick a putter you love to look at and then understand what it’s designed to do versus what you’re trying to do. By that, I mean, figure out what kind of stroke you are trying to create. Is your stroke square-to-square? Does it have a slight arc? Or a larger swinging gate arc with lots of toe flow?
These are the three basic stroke types. And, we just happen to design putters for each type of stroke. Our Select line is full of options from heel and toe-weighted blades like the Newport, Newport 2 and Newport 2.5 with lots of toe flow to the compact Newport M1 and Newport M2 mallets for smaller arcs. In the middle of these is our Newport 2 Notchback, which is a bit of a hybrid between the blades and smaller mallets. After you determine what you like aesthetically, and you’ve matched a design to your desired stroke style, getting the correct length is key. Because length affects your setup, which sets eye position, as well as another important specification: weight. These decisions all translate back to your stroke path, which will be directly related to your success rate in getting the ball in the cup. Get that length right for your game, and you’re going to increase your odds for success.
Looking to the future, what’s the next great innovation in putters?
I think innovation is going to come by making putters to help everyone play better. Making game-improvement feasible by creating putters that help players putt better. Since anchored putting is no longer allowed, I’ve been exploring additional Dual Balance designs that put the best equipment in the hands of those who may be struggling.
What is your most treasured golf possession?
My father’s Macgregor Spur putter. My dad loved that putter and it taught me how passionate players can be about a putter. Pretty much spawned my career.
What is one word you’d use to describe yourself?
Curious.
Best round ever and where?
I shot 67 at Cascata outside of Las Vegas a few years back. Wish I could hit that number more often!
Best putting tip you ever received?
Brad Faxon told me: “Don’t think; just let it happen.” After all the analysis we do as players, the lessons, the drills, etc., this is still the best tip I’ve ever received. Granted, it works best if you have already done the work and put in the practice.
What is your proudest achievement in golf?
Having this dream of creating putters for a living and actually making it come true. To come from working with metal in a garage as a kid to building a team that understands my vision for creating the finest putters in the world. I’ve been given a tremendous opportunity, and it’s one that I don’t take for granted. It makes me proud to come to work every day to continue to build and live the dream.