New Cameron Phantom X Replacement Line Coming Soon?

[Rig14Port]

Wondering if there was any news of a new line of Cameron mallets coming soon to replace the Phantom X line. Sounds like to current line has been "called back" from most retailers so something should be in the works.

[HappyGilmore22]

I was pretty excited about it when they first came out but that line was very disappointing, quite the disaster from what I was expecting actually. Hopefully they are working on revamping all ideas. You'd think they don't have anything come out until next spring 2021.

[Trying4Better]

Maybe a move away from the aluminum? I didn't care for the sound of the current like at all, very loud and tingy. If they can make them have the sound and feel of the Selects, I think they will fly off the shelves!

[Rory4Pres]

I imagine sales have sucked for the futura line to be honest. In the past few years I've owned 6 of the 2017 futura line, 1 of the 2015 line and 3 of the 2013 futura x and have had zero interest in their 2019 line.

Traditionally they shouldn't release a new futura line until Feb/march of 2021.

[MattyO1984]

Yeah I would agree that we would be about a year away from anything coming to retail. Surely the aesthetics of them will be that much nicer looking than the current line.

[Rig14Port]

Certainly would be an earlier than normal release if something was to come this year. However, with as bad as sales have been for the Phantom X line it's possible they don't want to miss another 12 months worth of sales and are going to rush something to market. The phantom line was awful from the start... they didn't work aesthetically THEN, once the 5.5 finally grew on people, the aluminum face felt and sounded horrific. These should have never made it out of testing.

[Mr. Grumpy]

I like the looks,, and the hyper green or whatever clever name he has for it. Granted, I have not putted with one yet. That's the benefit of our GG, all Scotty under lock and key. Yes, I could ask, but there is always something shiny to grab my short attention span.

[BCC1898]

Why the call back if they aren’t being replaced?

[bogeypro]

Maybe scotty doesn't want the perception of product not selling. Just guessing here...

[SubaruWRX]

The perception of manufacturing defects or worse is better?

 

Recall is a pretty damning term.

[Rory4Pres]

Maybe they are calling them back to add more 3m tape behind the insert.

 

bahaha!

[Negncic]

Is there any truth to the rumor that the Phantom putters has been “called back” or is this just someone’s guess? If they actually have been recalled, someone forgot to tell the PGA Superstores here in Florida.

[swgolf12]

I'll never understand Titleist. They could make the Futura with a slant neck and sell a million of them yet scotty keeps putting these dumb shaft bends to make the toe flow. People want a slant neck as evidenced by Odyssey, Spider, etc. Just give us a slant neck and they'll sell no matter how bad the rest of the putter is.

[semarlor]

I wonder if the necks on the Special Select will make it to the Futura line. I feel like the Flowback 5.5 was a step in the right direction. History says otherwise...but it will be interesting to see.

[Rig14Port]

I was in PGA Superstore in Birmingham last week and not a single Phantom X on the shelf. Asked manager why and he said they had been "called back". Was in Edwin Watts today and they still have them out...

[BigBlue7]

Liked everything about the 5.5, except the fact feel. That aluminum face wash awful

[dmeeksDC]

I will say this: I test rolled a Phantom 12.5 and it was super stable and easy to use. If you have any nerves or yip in your stroke it would be one to try. The 12.5 is the only one in the Phantom X with a black alignment line vs the bright greenish yellow. GG manager said he heard nothing about them being called back.

But it is still an aluminum face with steel wings. Compared it to the Bettinardi Inovai 6.0, which in this model switched to a steel face with aluminum wings (opposite from earlier Inovai’s that had aluminum faces) and the Betti felt much better. In fact, the Inovai 6.0 is IMO the best Inovai yet by a long shot. I read an interview with Sam Bettinardi in which he said it’s hard to get Tour players to go for an aluminum face. Maybe that is hurting the Phantom X.

[Rig14Port]

agree but there are still several options in this style head all of which feel much better. I just don't see this line having much appeal other than the Cameron name on the bottom of it.

[wam78]

@dmeeksDC I agree with you on the inovai. It looks amazing and feels fantastic. The best one yet. Actually, the all black is the best one and wish that one was the retail but still would not detract me from buying. I am seriously considering purchasing one and giving it a shot. Not sold on the sink fit grip as I just moved into an Iomic which I love, but that is an easy fix.
I'm not a huge fan of the Phantom X line, but they are very very stable putters. The 5.5 and 7.5 are my favorites out of the line. The 7.5 is something that is completely different for me shape wise, but it is super easy to line up and get the ball on line. Just the sound and feel at impact is weird to me. As mentioned above, why not bring back more refined versions of the Futura line with different necks, shapes and updated grip.

[dmeeksDC]

I am open to suggestion on something like on the bigger side like the Phantom but better feel, as I do need a stable putter. I went and got a fitting checkup and some video of my stroke and made a few fixes to my setup. I am good at reading putts and can get hot but have to smooth out a repeatable stroke. Definitely seem better at rolling it where I’m aiming with a bit more head weight and a mallet’s stability. Have always played wide-ish blades and small to mid-mallets, with the current incumbent, the Odyssey V-line, the largest head I’ve played. Played Edel Rogue and a TP Mills (both wide blades) and a Rossie II and Argolf Avalon, Bobby Grace 18 Blade, etc, Always like the half-moon shapes too

Was tempted by the red Jailbird mini but do not like the micro-hinge face, and want to seek an all-steel option. I didn’t really like the feel of the Phanton 12.5, but I did like the stability. (Not a Cameron expert, but the Futura heads are even bigger?)

The Inovai is very tempting. It is not as heavy (358g) as might be optimal for me but it is in my 350-370g range. And it is super easy to aim because I want to see the face perpindicular to the target line and the two-tone Inovai is really nice with a wide strip of silver steel against the blue aluminum. Also why I like the V-line with its silver against black. And don’t get me wrong, those Odyssey Stroke Lab putters are strong. The Inovai FIT face wins on feel for me. Fun to hit putts with it. Good distance control too. And to be fair the Phantom 12.5 wins on stability. Rock solid taking it back. For what it seeks to deliver, it is very effective. I don’t even know what its head weight is.

[Rig14Port]

Spider X, Ping Vault 2.0 Kestch, Odyssey 10

[dmeeksDC]

Thanks! Good suggestions. For whatever reason, have never warmed to the Spider shapes, but it also could be I have not hit upon the right alignment/shaft bend/toe hang profile. But I do like the current Odyssey face so the Ten might be worth a look. Like the Ketsch shape. Drawbacks are neither has a well-defined top line like the Inovai and V-Line.

[MattUtah]

I have a feeling the next Futura line will be a back to basics release like the Special Select was. If they just release some fang and spider styles with multiple neck options it would be a huge hit. Phantom was trying way too hard and they still skimped on neck options too.

[MattM97]

Just make the X5 in a left handed model and no aluminum face and I might get one depending on price.