8802 Questions

• What are the things to look for in a collectible 8802 (e.g, shaft label, grip, etc.)
• Is there a guide out there somewhere to help differentiate between the different models?
  

I had heard that towards the end Wilson cut corners and started casting the heads. I’m not after one of the high end ones per se, but I’d like to buy something that might hold a little value.

Thanks for any advice/info you might be able to offer...

Head Speed shaft, green label, wide paddle leather grip. Rumor has it that the shaft really gave this putter its "feel". I have two original 8802's. Purchased one from the old Bobby Grace website. He's a gentleman and is patient with all questions.

Ken S

I have a couple 8802's as well and Shivasi is correct. Its all about the head speed shaft and wide leather wrap grip with the original shaft label. I have seen some different paint fills on the bottom but Im not sure about if they made different heads cast or forged or if they made different heads in general, they did make a milled model many many years later (maybe called 8802 maybe called 8813 Im not sure) if you like blade putters this one is the holy grail, its never been beaten or even duplicated, I rarely use the 8802 anymore as I've switched to a newport style putter, but in my trading addiction I've sold my yes sophia, scotty napa, ping tess, but can't seem to sell the 8802's. They just sit in a bag except for maybe 5 rounds a year, but everytime I pick one up and start rolling, it gives me the goosebumps, nothing like the click sound delivered by the 8802, not then, not now, not ever.

scariest thing to do is play a guy in his 50's with blade irons and a 8802 putter.. take you money every time.

Best money is the Wilson Arnold Palmer or Designed by Arnold Palmer. Look for the green Head Speed shaft label. The more intact, the better. You will also want the original leather with the twin flags grip cap. Later models used the W/S crest on the butt cap.

If it says "Original" 8802, it's not. Black chrome models from the early 70's are still in demand.

There have been multiple editions of this putter. What they can't duplicate is the "dirty" metal that they used to forge with. The new, purer alloys just don't deliver the feel of the original putters. The YHSF "Head Speed" shaft is an absolute must. And, personally, I think the 8802 just putts better with leather. The Wilson fat paddle is one of the best grips ever. Nobody has been able to duplicate it and get it quite right.

I had Bobby Grace refinish a Ping Dalehead Anser (85029 zipcode) back in 2001 and yes, he is fantastic. He did a great job bring the putter back to respectable condition and was very patient with me and my questions. Bobby is truly a gentleman.

Head Speed shaft, green label, wide paddle leather grip. Rumor has it that the shaft really gave this putter its "feel". I have two original 8802's. Purchased one from the old Bobby Grace website. He's a gentleman and is patient with all questions.

 

Ken S

I have an original 8813. The "s" and "o" in Wilson are connected. Later versions have the "s" and "o" in Wilson disconnected and are not original. Is this true with the 8802s?