
What was the first golf putter made of?
The putter was referred to as a “putting cleek” and would have been fashioned out of a hard wood such as beech. The putter shaft was made of ash or hazel wood. In 1618, the featherie golf ball was introduced. This ball was made of a leather cover stuffed with goose feathers.
What is a late 1800s putter?
A typical putter from the late 1800s was one made by St. Andrews, Scotland, club maker Willie Wilson. By this time hickory wood from the United States was the most popular material for fashioning shafts because of its durability. Wilson’s design consisted of a simple brass club head with a thin blade, and a grip of padded sheepskin.
How has the putter evolved over the last century?
Over the last century there have been a number of seminal moments in the evolution of the putter: the first offset blade, the first steel shaft, the first use of perimeter weighting etc. Here we take a look at six putter designs that have shaped the development of putters and have made a significant impact on the game of golf.
What are the different types of golf putters?
There are typically three different types of golf putters: 1 Blade putters; 2 High MOI putters; and 3 Mallet putters.

What are the 3 types of putters?
There are three main types of putter head design: blade, peripheral-weighted and mallet.
What was the first mallet putter?
This is a look at the True Blue mallet putter Guerin Rife invented around 1993-1994. Rife says the very first CB mallet he built was in 1991. After stumbling upon this game-changing design, Rife decided to patent the idea.
What are old putters made of?
From what I have researched, many of the oldest Ping putters were crafted from Manganese Bronze, which is a mixture of metals including Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Aluminum, and Iron. Some of the newer models (and I believe to this day) utilized the Beryllium Copper metal.
When did golfers stop using wooden clubs?
In the mid-20th century, both the USGA and the R&A ruled that golf clubs with steel shafts could be used in tournaments. While steel was used for club shafts, wooden heads were the norm for drivers and fairway woods until the 1970s.
When did the White Hot putter come out?
2000The White Hot insert was born, and when the first line of White Hot putters was introduced in 2000, it captivated golfers around the world of all abilities.
Who made the first blade putter?
In 1959, mechanical engineer Karsten Solheim invented the Ping putter in his garage in Redwood City, California.
When was the golf putter invented?
1900Until 1900, putters, like irons, exclusively had their shafts in the heel. But this all changed when inventor Arthur Knight of the Mohawk Golf Club in Schenectady, New York, had the brilliant idea to move the shaft towards the centre, creating the first ever centre-shafted putter.
When did Zebra putter come out?
First introduced in 1976, the Zebra featured adjustable weights and the “Stripe” alignment system that gave the putter its name.
How much is an original Ping Anser putter worth?
PING says the putter is still an original, which, depending on condition, means Gore's putter could worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,500-plus on the open market.
What did old golf clubs look like?
These golf clubs were made up of wood with the shafts being made from ash or hazel and the club heads being made from tougher wood like apple, holly, beech or pear. The club head would be connected to the shaft with a splint and then bound with a leather strap....Club Monikers: Then and NowModernOldPutterPutting Cleek13 more rows•Jan 26, 2018
When did drivers switch from wood to metal?
1979That changed in 1979 when the TaylorMade golf company began making drivers and other woods out of metal, giving rise to one of the great oxymorons of all time, the metal wood. Two years after their introduction, the first professional golf tournament was won with a metal wood — the Houston Open.
What were old golf clubs made of?
Early Golf Clubs (similar to today's wedges) and a putting cleek. After 1618, the Featherie golf ball was introduced which endured for more than 200 years. Club heads were made from tough wood such as beech, holly, pear and apple. Shafts were made from ash or hazel.
What was the first putter in the 16th century?
Earliest Putters. Golfers in the 16th century played with wooden-headed clubs. The putter was referred to as a “putting cleek” and would have been fashioned out of a hard wood such as beech. The putter shaft was made of ash or hazel wood. In 1618, the featherie golf ball was introduced. This ball was made of a leather cover stuffed ...
Who made the putter in the late 1800s?
A typical putter from the late 1800s was one made by St. Andrews, Scotland, club maker Willie Wilson. By this time hickory wood from the United States was the most popular material for fashioning shafts because of its durability. Wilson’s design consisted of a simple brass club head with a thin blade, and a grip of padded sheepskin.
Why is the ping putter called the ping putter?
The putter was named for the slight pinging sound it makes when the ball was struck. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona, several years later and in 1966 his company produced the Anser putter, which became one of the most popular putter designs in golf history. In the 1980s 26 of the 40 major championships in golf were won by golfers using Ping putters.
Where was the Calamity Jane putter made?
The putter was relatively short, only 33 ½ inches in length. It was a goose-necked design with 8 degrees of loft on the blade and a hickory shaft. It is believed the original was made in Scotland around 1900. The second Calamity Jane can be seen at the USGA museum in Far Hills, New Jersey.
When was the featherie golf ball invented?
In 1618 , the featherie golf ball was introduced. This ball was made of a leather cover stuffed with goose feathers. The featherie was not a durable ball, so players continued to prefer wooden-headed clubs--including putters--even though iron heads were available.
Who wrote the history of golf putters?
The History of Golf Putters. By Brian Hill. There are lots of choices out there, so be sure to "test drive" until you find the one that feels right for you. Golfers throughout history have had a love/hate relationship with their putters. They love the putter when they sink a monster 50-foot putt, but they view it in a less favorable light ...
What is a Gutta Percha golf ball?
In 1848, the gutta percha golf ball--called the “guttie”--was introduced. This ball was made of rubbery sap from a tree grown in tropical regions. It was significantly more durable and less expensive to manufacture than the easily damaged featherie, so golfers began using iron-headed clubs more and more, which greatly improved accuracy on most shots and improved feel on the putting greens. A typical putter from the late 1800s was one made by St. Andrews, Scotland, club maker Willie Wilson.
Who made the Anser putter?
The Anser design pioneered by Solheim quickly became standard among manufacturers. But there was one brand that wasn’t content with a mere copy: they wanted to go even further. Step forward Scotty Cameron. The American putter designer shot to fame in 1993, when Bernard Langer, struggling with his putter, slipped a Scotty Cameron prototype into his bag in the Masters. Langer’s putting swiftly 180ed and he went on to win, generating heaps of publicity for the Scotty brand. In 1994 Scotty was subsumed into Titleist, and with the clout of one of the biggest manufactures in golf backing his putters, innovated his iconic Newport design. Modelled on the Anser, the Newport added a soft trailing edge to the PING classic, as well as custom face milling and a whole raft of other features to make the luxury putting item that we recognise today.
When was golf invented?
Although it is sometimes disputed, most historians agree that the earliest form of golf was inaugurated in 15 th century Scotland. Compared to the space-age models which are the norms today, the earliest golf clubs were crude, primitive things, fashioned by hand from wood. The putter was no exception. Parked on a shaft which was typically comprised of Ash, a hardwood head, such as Beech, made up the original putters, known then as ‘cleeks’. We know this because of a document of King James IV of Scotland’s demanding that a bow-maker produce him a set of clubs. These included a ‘longnose’ (driver), ‘grassed driver’ (fairway wood), ‘spoon’ (iron), ‘niblick’ (wedge) and, finally, a ‘cleek’ (putter). Aside from their woody make-up, these early putters were not too dissimilar to the one’s we wield now. Picture a thin, wooden gooseneck model and you have the idea.
What is the name of the putter that Bobby Jones used?
There are few putters more famous than golf legend Bobby Jones’s famous flatstick, Calamity Jane. In an improvement on the old ash shafts which had dominated the game in its earliest incarnations, Jones’s Calamity Jane’s shaft was made of hickory. The head was metal, made by Condie and sold by the wonderfully alliteration-friendly named William Winton. But it’s the feats that this putter was responsible for, more than its design, that is the reason that it’s such a key part of the putter’s history. Jones used the putter to capture a record 13 major championships, including the grand slam – then christened the ‘impregnable quadrilateral’ – in 1930. As any golf historian worth their ribbons knows, Jones ascended the very pinnacles of the sport. And the blade that he had at his side? Calamity Jane.
Who invented the bulls eye putter?
Bulls Eye. In the late 1940s John Reuter, a teaching professional from Phoenix Arizona, came up with the concept of designing a putter that “swung like the pendulum of a clock.”. Reuter’s first models, “the sweet strokers,” were adapted and given a new name: “Bulls Eye.”.
When did putters come out with 2 balls?
Through 2002 and 2003 one in every four putters sold was a 2-ball. Since 2002 there have been a number of different versions of the 2-ball but the concept remains the same and the top pros continue to trust it. For all the latest from the golf world, follow our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
What was the first name for the Reuter putter?
Reuter’s first models, “the sweet strokers,” were adapted and given a new name: “Bulls Eye.”. In 1951 Lou Worsham won the Phoenix Open with a Bulls Eye and, with that, Reuter’s putters had the attention of the golfing world. In 1958 Reuter teamed up with Acushnet and the Bulls Eye went into mass production.
What was the most popular mallet putter?
Ram doubled in size in three years. Before mallet putters became fashionable, the Zebra was a pacesetter. Players like Nick Price wielded the Zebra to great affect, it remains one of the most popular mallet putters of all time.
How old was Maiden's putter?
The putter was almost 20 years old and Maiden had stamped it with the nickname, “Calamity Jane.”. Jones tried Calamity Jane and loved the feel. He used it at Inwood and won. In fact, he used the original then a replica (Calamity Jane II) to win all thirteen of his Major titles.
Why is the Odyssey putter placed in two circles?
Odyssey placed two round circles, each the diameter of a golf ball behind the putter face to act as an alignment guide. By putting more weight behind the ball, it skidded less off the face. In October 2001 Paul Lawrie became the first touring pro to win using a 2-ball when he captured the Dunhill Links Championship.
How many times do you use a putter in a round?
The putter is, without question, the most important club in the bag for golfers of all abilities. It’s used 25-40 times a round and, if you’re lucky enough to find the right one it’s easy to form an emotional attachment.
Vintage Golf Clubs Value: A Short Guide
It’s fun to have an old set of collectible golf clubs that you can take out and play with occasionally. It’s obvious that a lot of golfers in the golf community are always looking to buy new golf gear. Why not, newer golf clubs are often equipped with new technology, some of which can be game changing.
What Are The Most Valuable Vintage Golf Clubs?
The key to the value of vintage golf clubs is the supply and demand. Certain models are highly sought after, so they may be more expensive than others. They’re not only valuable but are also playable. And the right collector will drop a decent price for a club that’s in decent condition with all the right features.
How to Identify Valuable Antique Golf Putters
When looking at antique putters, you have to look at the history, rarity, and the person who made the putter.
Timeline on Vintage Golf Equipment
Vintage golf equipment are those clubs invented around the 15th century by primitive methods having handmade, custom/unique, and even unusual qualities. These often lack the sophistication of the modern clubs, coming from the Scottish Shepherds up to the 17th century. Most of these are mostly out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions: Antiques
Why many older sets of clubs can be worth just a few dollars, others can be worth in the thousands. There are many features that can drum up the value of golf club memorabilia. Golf clubs closer to the 20th century, from a reputable club maker, and in good condition can easily be worth more than a few thousand dollars.
Why is the Odyssey putter backstryke?
This was said to help to produce a more stable stroke and also set the hands in the correct position.
What putter has the highest MOI?
Originally launched in 2004, the large, semi-circle “udrainium”Doc 17 putter had the highest MOI of any Ping putter at the time. This is no wonder, given it was 15cm in length from heel to toe.
15 Best Putters of All Time
The list is prepared concerning Golf.com, Ranker. So, let’s begin with #15th.
Conclusion
Did we miss any of your favorite putters? Who’s your favorite putter? Do comment down below!
What is a penta putter?
Speaking of stand-up comedians…so, the Penta putter comes in wood or metal and its claim to fame is that the entire striking surface is one giant sweet spot. It sounds good until you see the thing - it is shaped like a pentagon. The company says: “The pentagon shape achieves the height of the MOI and the softness of the sweetspot is achieved using the feature of a tree - Hinoki wood, one of the most prized types of wood in Japan.” Hmmm...
What is the purpose of impulsion putting?
They say: "The primary objectives of Impulsion Putting are to eliminate putter-head path errors and putter-face twisting. With Impulsion Putting, various points of contact between the putter shaft and rear arm, along with the unique no yip grip positioning of the rear hand, virtually eliminate all path errors and face twisting.".
Does Tommy Fleetwood have a putter?
Strangely, it sent out of fashion, although Tommy Fleetwood appeared with one in his bag at the European Masters in 2019, and it transformed his performance on the greens.
Why is a putter important?
He now uses a putter that is better for his back and ensures he’s a lot more comfortable when putting. As putting is one of the easiest parts of your game where you can save shots, your putter is perhaps the most important club in your bag.
How important is it to know the length of a putter?
Finding the right length of a putter is more important than understanding what swing type you have. With a putter that’s too long, you can catch your shot on the ground before you strike through the ball, and with a putter that’s too short, you run the risk of topping the ball.
What type of putter should I use for putting?
Beginners should use a mallet putter to help them develop their putting. More experienced golfers prefer laded and high MOI putters. As with everything in golf, there’s no set in stone, right or wrong answer for what type of putter you should be using. It comes down to practice and confidence with the putter in hand.
What is a blade putter?
Blade putters are the lightest type of putter you can purchase . Named because of their thin, streamlined putting heads, bladed putters are typically made of forged cast iron and usually have a narrow cavity back. They are the cousin of the muscle back bladed iron and are similarly less forgiving than a bladed iron.
How to putt a golf ball on a green?
Grab yourself a golf ball, two plastic rods, or sticks, and place the ball in the middle of the two alignment rods. Next, grab your putter and address your shot as if you were about to putt on a green. Initiate your backswing, and just as you get to the top of your backswing, stop and hold that position.
What are the different types of putters?
There are typically three different types of golf putters: Blade putters; High MOI putters; and. Mallet putters. Which putter is best for you depends on your putting stroke, your stance, and how comfortable you are with the weight of each putter. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and how each golfer strikes the ball on ...
Why do professional golfers use high MOI putters?
Many professional golfers, like 2021 Masters champion Dustin Johnson, like to use high MOI putters because of the greater control these clubs give them on harder, faster greens. If you’re looking for a performance-enhancing high MOI putter, check out the TaylorMade Spider.
