Had a Scotty Cameron Gallery fitting for anyone interested

After booking so far in advance and travelling thousands of miles, I dropped the family off at Legoland and had a great afternoon at the Scotty Cameron Gallery on Friday (6/29), which of course is in Encinitas near San Diego, California. My fitting was with Nick, who is relatively new - said he’d been there a few months and hadn’t really had any significant interaction with ‘Mr Cameron’ yet. And was very respectful of the Scotty Cameron ethos.

He was very passionate & enthusiastic about delivering an experience to your expectations. Nick explained his golfing CV as having spent time trying to forge a career on tour then spent a few years coaching college golf. He was knowledgeable and accommodating and we had some fun too.

When you enter the putting studio, it is lined with cabinets filled with some very expensive, high end putters. And anything in the cabinets in the fitting area is yours to try out. Just depends how you want to spend your time (remembering that Gallery putters start at $2.5K aside from MOTO's which are essentially OTR putters with different paint jobs staring at $850 US). If you don’t plan on gaming a tour 009 (or don’t have the budget like me), then rolling one is certainly a must but I brought a couple of my own gamers as well. Despite the temptation just to roll every shiny tour putter you can get your hands on, I really wanted to focus on getting those assessed & possibly adjusted depending on what my fitting suggested.

Over the past 3 years I’ve either used a 2015 Scotty Fastback mallet or more recently a Newport 3 (which is heel shafted and more like a Del Mar), which makes little sense as they set up and perform quite differently. He had an explanation for that and it was more about how my eye perceived ball alignment rather than the putter performance itself. Really interesting.

The camera placement & what they can glean from just a few casual strokes was impressive. Despite being just an average putter, I was relieved to find my stroke was actually pretty sound. Nick only had positive suggestions about slight adjustments to set up and then matching the putter specs, but was subtle about it. He would plant a seed as he discussed his interpretation of your stroke on camera and then come back to it.

Despite having a SAM analysis at a local course (Wembley) some years ago which was a bit of a dead end, my fitting seemed to suggest I needed more length but less head weight. At 6’ 3” this may sound obvious but not really. In the end I was putting better with a 36” 2018 Tour Fastback with only 5g weights in the head. Plenty were either very close or dropping too - which was a buzz given the studio surface runs at about 15-16' on the stimpmeter. Of course he brings out a stack of options to try based on his impressions. I did feel comfortable with a couple but am just not a Golo or 5MB fan. That said, there was a tour 5MB with a welded ‘jet neck’ that was pretty cool - it was like a midslant neck from an old Newport but shorter and a pretty severe angle. There was also a chromatic bronze TFB with a welded plumbers neck which was also an interesting tour throwback.

Then towards the end of my fitting was time for the bling. He went out and came back with some of the most stunning Scotty Cameron putting art I’ve ever seen. Several were the $8-10K varieties you see on release days. And I was sure to putt a few with all of them. Nick was excited to show me them.

He even let me take a couple of pics of a recently returned Hideki Matsuyama piece which I’ll try and paste from my phone below. It was a Timeless 2 with some features specific to his set up. For example, the flange line stops slightly short of the cavity as a visual aid to prevent him forward pressing too much. Really fascinating. Also had a hit with a smooth faced Tiger sister putter prototype.

Anyway, I obviously had a great time and spent the last hour shopping. No putters, just clothing & accessories. Unfortunately the range of head covers was disappointing but you can’t have everything!

So I would highly recommend this experience for any golfers who like the Scott Cameron product and want to gain some insight into the finer points of fitting a pro.

Does the fitting cost extra? Any pressure to purchase a putter from the salesman? And did you buy anything (head covers, tools, etc.) while there?

Thank you for sharing your experience. Seems like an informative session. If you don't mind us asking, what did it run ya?

That's cool you got to see/experience TW and HM's putters. Seems to me they should consider doing tours and show them making them and getting to experience putting with some of the finished products. That'd be a smart move to continue gaining more customers of their high end putters.

On a side note, seems interesting tiger's using the TM ardmore 3 to get a little more feed of the toe turning than working with Scotty. Not sure if that has anything to do with Tiger being signed with TM or that Scotty couldn't help fix what he was looking for.

Hi guys, before I answer those questions - I should preface that I have been a TCC member for a few years and included the Gallery visit in the family vacation itinerary. I made the booking months in advance.

So it’s $350 for a 2 hour session. $175 for the booking & $175 on the day. You get $50 off a Gallery putter should you choose to buy one (starting at $2.5K!!!). They will adjust your putter to your new specs if you wish (except lengthening the shaft) & also change grips/weights etc while you wait or shop.

Bought several shirts, a towel, cool peace surfer coin, putting disk & replaced all the grips on my gamers. Watered this down on TCC but the head cover choice was disappointing and poor. They get raided first thing in the morning by the flippers and they try & mitigate this by gradually releasing popular ones randomly during the day. Doesn’t appear to be working.

Great haul still & excellent experience.

^ I think I read your post there, didn't make the connection.

I’m a fan but it’s far more sterile on TCC. You have a bit more freedom to speak your mind here.

Plus wrx gives better exposure and has been good to me on BST.

Like to return the support by posting up if I come across anything interesting, even if it means replicating.

wow, crazy. I wonder if there's a small line (of flippers) waiting to get in each morning when they open.

At least it's nice you got fit for a TFB. You can just buy a 2018 roundback. Same putter minus the glitter.

wow, crazy. I wonder if there's a small line (of flippers) waiting to get in each morning when they open.

Yes, there is... and it's strange to see.

Everything in Encinitas is really laid back... especially in the little center the gallery is located in. Seeing a group of people jockeying for position in front of that building before it opens just seems out of place.

It's a cool place, though. My wife loves it down there, so we head down a few times a year. I always stop by the gallery to look at the pretty new things, but am happy to get there an hour after they open so we don't have to put up with the rush.

Nice post, Gava. I'm glad you enjoyed your fitting and hope that your time in the states was kind to you.

Some of the members on TCC said that the staff knows who the flippers are, but can't do anything about it? Gava might be able to correct me on that one, that place has a ton of threads that go off topic real quick.

I’ve heard the same thing but expect it’s difficult to manage. And I guess you can’t hold back stock just for perceived genuine buyers - I get that. Must say they were especially accommodating when you’ve had a fitting but you must be specific about what you’re after if they are to magically find something for you our the back. I was disappointed because I hoped to peruse a reasonable range & make a selection.

Hey Mikey, still in SD for another day but unlikely to get back there last day. Really enjoying it here though. Loved the USS Midway, SD Zoo & wife & kids enjoyed Legoland so far. Have also discovered Pizza Port Amber Ale. Double thumbs up!

Also called into visit Byron Morgan at his HB workshop on my way down. Thread is on PT. Gather you would have done that before mate?

At least it's nice you got fit for a TFB. You can just buy a 2018 roundback. Same putter minus the glitter.

We get it dude, you don't like SC putters. No need to rain on his parade.

Haha would barely register as a cloud Ryan. Pretty hard to wipe the smile off your face when you’re holding and putting a Tiger or Hideki sister putter.

Have you done the fitting process mate?

At least it's nice you got fit for a TFB. You can just buy a 2018 roundback. Same putter minus the glitter.

 

We get it dude, you don't like SC putters. No need to rain on his parade.

Huh?! I have several Scottys. Gava kept emphasizing the $2500 price point of the circle T they fit him to, so was simply mentioning the roundback is the same putter head and shaft.

Just providing options in case he was kicking it around and didn't want to break the bank.

Okay, crossing swords aside I managed to compress the pics of the returned Hideki Matsuyama proto I was allowed to photograph. There are some interesting features to it I mentioned in my initial post - the first one is to prove I was actually in the fitting room. Enjoy!

Sweet putter Gav, must have been hard to put down!

Sweet putter Gav, must have been hard to put down!

Sorry for the delayed response zed, only just back in the country after a looooong series of flights with the family...NYC to LA, LA to Sydney, Sydney to Perth. Sheesh!

But to your comment, the Hideki and Woods putters were a buzz to putt with but Nick brought out several others like the high end Gallery art pieces that were even more visually stunning (and I'm guessing these were the $8-10K ones!). They were even harder to put down.

And I definitely was not allowed to photograph those :lol:

wow, crazy. I wonder if there's a small line (of flippers) waiting to get in each morning when they open.

There is. I know, I live in Socal and when I have some time, I go to the Gallery and there is a huge line. Especially if they know something new and popular and will fetch a good amount of profit.

Is the store open to the general public? My brother is in Encinitas for the week and I was going to ask him to go over there for me.

In terms of the headcover selection being limited, what types of headcovers have people seen in there? Do they say custom shop on them or anything special?

My brother doesn’t know anything about golf and I’ve read that pictures are not allowed so I’d probably need to have a general idea of what to ask him to look for before he goes in there.

Is the store open to the general public? My brother is in Encinitas for the week and I was going to ask him to go over there for me.

 

In terms of the headcover selection being limited, what types of headcovers have people seen in there? Do they say custom shop on them or anything special?

 

My brother doesn’t know anything about golf and I’ve read that pictures are not allowed so I’d probably need to have a general idea of what to ask him to look for before he goes in there.

FaceTime him while he is walking through the store ?

pics of that Tiger sister putter?

Great write up, thank you!!

Is the store open to the general public? My brother is in Encinitas for the week and I was going to ask him to go over there for me.

 

In terms of the headcover selection being limited, what types of headcovers have people seen in there? Do they say custom shop on them or anything special?

 

My brother doesn’t know anything about golf and I’ve read that pictures are not allowed so I’d probably need to have a general idea of what to ask him to look for before he goes in there.

 

FaceTime him while he is walking through the store ?

I’m assuming he’d be able to text me at least?

pics of that Tiger sister putter?

 

Great write up, thank you!!

No pics of that one sorry buddy - didn't even ask but it was a lot like the one in your avatar and the most famous putter in history...lol. Much has been said of the smooth face and Tiger being a 'feel' putter. Also I understand it's no coincidence the Scotty Cameron lettering on the face aligns perfectly with the neck.

As for ewe8523's questions, better if you have some idea of what you want for your brother to get for you. At the moment I understand there is the last of the (current) cool CT ball markers that you ask for at the counter - one per person at around $80 + tax from memory. Also there may be pivot tools (again ask at counter) or any particular head covers you want, although the range seemed limited when I was there last year. He can take photos through the window or even sneak one of the rack and then go outside and call you to discuss. My experience was that they're not that strict. It was more about flippers photographing the rack and then taking requests.

When I was visiting, someone known to them walked in and noticed a tiffany staff bag there and grabbed it (like in the stock picture). A flipper could double or triple their money right there! I wasn't in a position to take it but sometimes it's unclear what is on display versus a gem waiting to be picked up and carried off.

Edit: These staff bags are around $850 + tax, stand bags $400 + tax and I think tour bags ~$1250 should any be available (not often I understand).

.

pics of that Tiger sister putter?

 

Great write up, thank you!!

 

No pics of that one sorry buddy - didn't even ask but it was a lot like the one in your avatar and the most famous putter in history...lol. Much has been said of the smooth face and Tiger being a 'feel' putter. Also I understand it's no coincidence the Scotty Cameron lettering on the face aligns perfectly with the neck.

 

As for ewe8523's questions, better if you have some idea of what you want for your brother to get for you. At the moment I understand there is the last of the (current) cool CT ball markers that you ask for at the counter - one per person at around $80 + tax from memory. Also there may be pivot tools (again ask at counter) or any particular head covers you want, although the range seemed limited when I was there last year. He can take photos through the window or even sneak one of the rack and then go outside and call you to discuss. My experience was that they're not that strict. It was more about flippers photographing the rack and then taking requests.

 

When I was visiting, someone known to them walked in and noticed a tiffany staff bag there and grabbed it (like in the stock picture). A flipper could double or triple their money right there! I wasn't in a position to take it but sometimes it's unclear what is on display versus a gem waiting to be picked up and carried off.

 

Edit: These staff bags are around $850 + tax, stand bags $400 + tax and I think tour bags ~$1250 should any be available (not often I understand).

 

.

When I was there I somehow forgot about the stand & staff bags.

When I was there I somehow forgot about the stand & staff bags.

Yeah it's so overwhelming, particularly if you have a fitting. Your head is swimming with info, options, bling..!

I thought I was prepared, lugging my gamers half way across the world with me. And I'm also a pretty good impulse shopper with the best of them.

My best tip; When you read the forums and consider what you might like, make a list...and check it twice! Also don't be afraid to ask the staff if there's something you really want that you don't see on the floor. Especially if you have a fitting = special treatment (from my experence).

Hey, I just requested a fitting date, but may cancel it based on your answer here. So I can't pay $350 for a fitting and just be fitted with a normal putter? To get that treatment I'd have to get a $2,500 Circle T? Don't get me wrong, I'd love one, but I just can't justify the spend unfortunately. Might cancel my fitting and play Torrey Pines instead...

I would love to get fit at Scotty some day, however being on the east coast would make for an expensive fitting. Maybe someday. Nice write up!

They can fit you into a normal OTR putter, just most of the putters in the fitting area are circle T putters. They have MOTO (modified) OTR putters in the Gallery as well that you can purchase - which are typically OTR putters with custom paint fill or a different color head but all are OTR configurations otherwise.

It's been a few years since I did my fitting but I doubt much as changed. It's an awesome experience if your a golf junkie or even remotely into SC putters, I had a 2 hour fitting and probably spent another 2 hours just hanging out and ended up going back almost every day I was in town. For me it was almost as much a putting lesson as it was fitting, they'll tweak a few setup things to help you put a better roll on it as well as change putter options (head, shaft, weights, etc) until they find the ideal setup.

The circle T putters are awesome, even if you're not in the market.

That being said, Torrey Pines is never a bad choice!