Not impressed with the 2016 Camerons

[radiman]

It has nothing to do with the aesthetics. I think they look just fine. I like a beefier putter with thicker lines and such. I even like the look of the insert itself. But, I found myself walking away with the last generation Newport 2 today. To be honest, I am not a fan of inserts. I've never gotten along well with them. I find that the feel changes to drastically depending on my putting stroke for the day. Also, I am not the best putter out there. I have my days. But, my contact isn't always the best. I was really excited to try the new Camerons because 1. the insert wraps around the bottom eliminating the harsh feel of missing the bottom of the insert, and 2. I liked what I saw online. I tried a slew of different models (newport 1 & 2, notchback, M1, M2, etc...). I just felt like I got a more consistent strike with my Newport from 2012 as well as the Newport 2 from 2014.

 

I realize that it is an extremely small sample size. I was just really eager since they mentioned that this insert was designed to give the putter a "softer" feel.

 

I know that there are a lot of you out there that would love to see them go back to a more classic look. As I said, it has nothing to do with the looks. After all, they look similar from the top (the newer models seem a little thicker in their lines which I prefer). I just left unimpressed with the new line in regards to performance.

 

FWIW, I bought a Select Newport 2 Circle H. I like the way it frames the ball with the squared off edges. I especially like the added weight. This is my 3rd Cameron. Each one is slightly different. That way I have a different style of flat stick to switch to if I need to shake things up.

[jtitleist12]

I think the new 2016 Selects would have felt a lot better to people if Cameron would have went with an updated version of the rubber CNC grip or even the Pistolini. The grip can change the entire "feel" of a putter and I think the softness of the Matador grip that is standard mutes a lot of that feel and makes the insert feel harsh.

 

- Josh

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

Son says his GOLO 5 with a Matador is "MONEY"

[CTSpinDoctor]

I agree the insert is to hard for my taste.

[3dale88]

Bring back carbon steel and specifically the TeI3 series.

[radiman]

Bring back carbon steel and specifically the TeI3 series.

 

I've never had a chance to try one myself. They were way out of my price range back in those days.

[Matt_Matasy]

Why couldn't he go back to the studio style days and make the insert for the 2016 putters a gss insert? Especially for the new price range for those putters I'm surprised he didn't

[Dallas]

I much prefer the older Camerons without the inserts.

[MarkFromTheUK]

Retail Scotty's get worse with each passing year, while the RRPs increase at an inflation beating rate. Still, as long as the guys on tour get treated ok...

[Nixhex524]

Wife bought me a Newport 2 for my birthday this year and I have to say, although I can understand some of the complaints, it's one of the best scottys I have used/tried yet. It took me a bit to get used to the insert but when you're hitting this thing like you're supposed to, it feels great. Off center, and it lets you know, even if it's just slightly off. I'm also a big fan of the grip, having never tried one before. I use iomics on my other putters and the matador is a nice change of pace. I do think they are ridiculously overpriced and I probably would have never bought this for myself, but it's one that is staying with me and going back in the bag this week. The 2016s are definitely not like other scottys but vey nice putters in their own way if you can give them a chance and put the traditionalist views aside. Optional inserts would be a nice feature, though.

[bladehunter]

Flange line on a Newport. Need I say more ? Ruined it off the bat.

[radiman]

Flange line on a Newport. Need I say more ? Ruined it off the bat.

 

That did look odd to me. My newport doesn't have a sight line, which apparently, i prefer. Looks fine on my new newport 2 though.

 

Thinking about getting the counter balanced flatso 2.0 though. The 20 gram weights really make the head feel hefty.

[BIG STU]

I much prefer the older Camerons without the inserts.

I will give you a big AMEN on that one!!!

[BYK]

I much prefer the older Camerons without the inserts.

 

I hope someone is listening to you at Titleist

[Scotty1140]

The Newports just scream "I didn't have a good idea for the retail line this year".

 

303 Stainless body with a...303 stainless insert. Huh? He lost me instantly right there. Rather than a solid head he'd rather put a piece of tape in between two pieces of the same metal? Silly.

 

Should have given them the aluminum insert or just left them as a solid head.

[jreed]

I had a 2016 NP2 and liked it at first but that wore off quickly. I ended up getting a Ping TR 1966 Anser 2 and much prefer the simple compact head it provides. And the feel seems very similar to me. I liked the ping so much I went out and found a couple more older anser heads to try out.

[GMR2iron]

Does Scotty even make a true face balanced putter anymore? I mean with ZERO toe hang?

[Tcann32]

I wasn't impressed either.. and I do love Scotty's putters. Outside of Circle T's I think I've owned the majority of them at one point or another over the last few years, from the studio design 1, tei 3 to select 2's and a couple different california models. I really liked all of them, but the 2016 wasn't for me.

[jtitleist12]

The Newports just scream "I didn't have a good idea for the retail line this year".

 

303 Stainless body with a...303 stainless insert. Huh? He lost me instantly right there. Rather than a solid head he'd rather put a piece of tape in between two pieces of the same metal? Silly.

 

Should have given them the aluminum insert or just left them as a solid head.

 

I agree with you about the insert. He should have put the dark gray anodized aluminum insert on the NP like he used on the M1 and M2.

 

Someone will eventually make an aftermarket insert...Slighter or Charles (spryevo) could do it no problem!

 

- Josh

[T-MAC]

The Newports just scream "I didn't have a good idea for the retail line this year".

 

303 Stainless body with a...303 stainless insert. Huh? He lost me instantly right there. Rather than a solid head he'd rather put a piece of tape in between two pieces of the same metal? Silly.

 

Should have given them the aluminum insert or just left them as a solid head.

 

I agree with you about the insert. He should have put the dark gray anodized aluminum insert on the NP like he used on the M1 and M2.

 

Someone will eventually make an aftermarket insert...Slighter or Charles (spryevo) could do it no problem!

 

- Josh

 

Or put the GSS insert in the OTR's like he did with the Studio Style's.

I guess he felt he needed more than the Circle T on the Tour models to justify the extra 2K, so he saved the GSS inserts for the Tour Only sticks this year. :(

[Scotty1140]

The Newports just scream "I didn't have a good idea for the retail line this year".

 

303 Stainless body with a...303 stainless insert. Huh? He lost me instantly right there. Rather than a solid head he'd rather put a piece of tape in between two pieces of the same metal? Silly.

 

Should have given them the aluminum insert or just left them as a solid head.

 

I agree with you about the insert. He should have put the dark gray anodized aluminum insert on the NP like he used on the M1 and M2.

 

Someone will eventually make an aftermarket insert...Slighter or Charles (spryevo) could do it no problem!

 

- Josh

 

Or put the GSS insert in the OTR's like he did with the Studio Style's.

I guess he felt he needed more than the Circle T on the Tour models to justify the extra 2K, so he saved the GSS inserts for the Tour Only sticks this year. :(

I'm in the "can't tell a difference" camp when it comes to GSS vs SS so even a GSS insert wouldn't have done much for me. Making the insert a different metal like aluminum or even copper would have made more sense.

 

Visually the older style insert look better than this newer wrap under to the sole style IMO.

[radiman]

The Newports just scream "I didn't have a good idea for the retail line this year".

 

303 Stainless body with a...303 stainless insert. Huh? He lost me instantly right there. Rather than a solid head he'd rather put a piece of tape in between two pieces of the same metal? Silly.

 

Should have given them the aluminum insert or just left them as a solid head.

 

I agree with you about the insert. He should have put the dark gray anodized aluminum insert on the NP like he used on the M1 and M2.

 

Someone will eventually make an aftermarket insert...Slighter or Charles (spryevo) could do it no problem!

 

- Josh

 

Or put the GSS insert in the OTR's like he did with the Studio Style's.

I guess he felt he needed more than the Circle T on the Tour models to justify the extra 2K, so he saved the GSS inserts for the Tour Only sticks this year. :(

I'm in the "can't tell a difference" camp when it comes to GSS vs SS so even a GSS insert wouldn't have done much for me. Making the insert a different metal like aluminum or even copper would have made more sense.

 

Visually the older style insert look better than this newer wrap under to the sole style IMO.

 

I'm not a fan of the feel of the insert. However, I do like how it wraps around the bottom. Every so often I tend to catch the ball low on the face, especially on the delicate downhill putts. It seems to help with my distance control. With insert putters, especially Odyssey, It is such a different feel that it just throws me off. With the insert wrapping around, it alleviates that. I just wish the insert was an improvement over a solid head. As you already put it, why make an insert out of the exact same material as the body of the putter. Seems pointless. I suppose, the fill and spacer between the face and the body are supposed to absorb some of the impact making it feel softer. Personally, it felt harsher to me.

[deltapapatango]

Sales. They have no new ideas for putters other than double sided tape face.

[FyteOn]

I wasn't either but just picked up an X7 at a price and I love it. Gonna knock the Buttonback out for a bit. Huge improvement, imo