My 1995 Napa - play as is or refinish?

[bazinoz]

Hey Guys.

 

I have finally added a Scotty Cameron Napa 1995 model (I believe) to my fleet of 8802 style putters.Been a while finding one that was affordable but in good enough condition. And I keep reading that the 90's Napa's were the best for feel and playability.

 

Pics below. She is in pretty decent shape but some corrosion spots coming through and the sole is well scuffed.

 

So to my question(s). Firstly, I reckon this is 100% ridgy-didge authentic. Does everyone agree? No shaft band, not original head cover (I don't think) but does have original black pebble grip. The head certainly looks good to me.

 

And secondly. Do I play her as is or have a nice black nickel plating re-finish and paint-fill done to get her back to tip top condition? If I do was thinking Lajosi. He does excellent work over here in Aus. Leaning towards playing her at least for a while before i do.

 

Now for the pics. Enjoy -

 

 

 

 

[dpb5031]

Nice putter. I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment on it's authenticity, but I think a professional refinish as you've described would be great!

[Golf64]

It's not in bad shape, but looking brand new is always nice too. One of favs. out there! Wish I had the bucks to get one.

[toophewbirdies]

If you do have it refinished. Go with BOS, probably the one that did the finish originally and the best in the biz.

[gentles]

100% would play with it in that condition. At least until you know its a keeper for life. I would go for copper plating if I were to refinish, but that's just me. Still regret selling my old AOP newport that I had custom plated in copper.

[Jarlaxle]

I would not refinish it, just be sure to take care of it. I strongly suggest buying a "gun cloth" which is basically a rag infused with silicon. Wipe the putter down before and after every round and it will help provide a protective barrier that will prevent rust.

[born4golf77]

As is for sure. You can always refinish later if you want but you can never go back to original

[VNutz]

Completely legit. Don't restore it. That's a perfect candidate to be gamed, and if the finish gets worse and you can't stand it, then refinish.

[bazinoz]

Thanks for the replies guys. I probably will play her as is. In fact I've been buffing her up with a silicon oil rag and a lot of the corrosion dots have already disappeared. Looking a lot better even now.

 

 

If you do have it refinished. Go with BOS, probably the one that did the finish originally and the best in the biz.

 

Thing is, even if I do get a refinish, I'm in Aus not USA, so you can add a lot of $$ for each way postage, Even head only I think. But might look into it if the time comes.

 

 

I would not refinish it, just be sure to take care of it. I strongly suggest buying a "gun cloth" which is basically a rag infused with silicon. Wipe the putter down before and after every round and it will help provide a protective barrier that will prevent rust.

 

Good advice. Will do. I have heard some people also leave one of these cloths in the head cover. Is that worth doing?

[XYB34A]

play it, just watch out and don't leave your bag out and get it stolen. the plain how cool is that guy factor is worth it, playing in a tourney or with your buddies. the center of the club is not in the center. its back toward the heel. and if you have to hit a down hill super fast putt. then putt it slightly forward of that. it will deaden the putt. I have putted with an 8802 style of some brand or another since 1973. they definitely have the coolest look of any putter.

[Rob McHugh]

Completely legit. Don't restore it. That's a perfect candidate to be gamed, and if the finish gets worse and you can't stand it, then refinish.

This exactly. :-)

 

Rob

[bazinoz]

play it, just watch out and don't leave your bag out and get it stolen. the plain how cool is that guy factor is worth it, playing in a tourney or with your buddies. the center of the club is not in the center. its back toward the heel. and if you have to hit a down hill super fast putt. then putt it slightly forward of that. it will deaden the putt. I have putted with an 8802 style of some brand or another since 1973. they definitely have the coolest look of any putter.

 

I've been playing mainly naked topline 8802 styles for most of this year now. I'm now up to about 15-20 in my collection. Something about the simplicity that is good to my eye and makes me putt better (although I'm still no Phil or Crenshaw).

 

And I know about the sweetspot being slightly heel-side. Funny thing is, in my mind I line the ball up slightly towards the toe, have a slight in-out arc and feel like I'm hitting the ball slightly towards the toe. But every time I put one of those ball striking tapes on the blade to check where I'm hitting it, I'm always just slightly towards the heel which is perfect. I just feel like I'm hitting towards the toe. Weird.

 

And on those occasions I do putt well, these feel beautiful off the face. Haven't played this one yet, but roll on Saturday :yahoo: