Pick the winner! WRX's 2014 Custom Putter Showcase!

[Afraid2goLow]

Any putter besides the chive one wins, cant stand squids who think the chive is cool.

[Paranorml]

Wasn't the entire idea for this contest to produce a custom putter style/shape that was completely new and original? The machine's the nicest to look at but the Byron is the only one that's something new, even if it's plain; I'm sure if the contest called for tricked out putters Byron would have done some mixed metals, torching etc.

[SHIVAN]

I like them all, but for the purposes of this contest, the Machine Putter is clearly the winner.

[DB MACHINE]

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for all the comments, feedback and votes. There seems to be a bit of confusion as to what the contest entailed. Here is what we received as part of the invitation:

[indent=1][size=3]We will be asking multiple putter manufacturers to create a one-off prototype putter that shows golfers what each brand is capable of. The putter could highlight a company’s artistry, technological breakthrough… anything really. You’re the putter guys, so we’ll leave the ideas to you. [/size][/indent]

So, we all had freedom to interpret that and come up with what we thought best represented our work and our own ideas for this contest.

I'd like to thank WRX and the other makers and congratulate them all - I know they all worked hard on these, and invested time and energy to meet the challenge. Personally I like them all and any could definitely still win.

Hopefully you the readers are also winners by seeing new things from all of us. IMHO, the only folks that won't be able to win are the other manufacturers and makers that didn't participate, for whatever reason. From my understanding, all were invited. Hopefully this contest will become an ongoing event, and more and more OEM's and custom makers will contribute in the future. I for one had a blast, can't wait for the next one and am already working on more new ideas!

Thanks again to the team at GolfWRX for hosting this fun project and contest.

Good luck to all entrants and all the best to all the readers.

Sincerely,

-Dave Billings

[jlt73]

the half moon Machine putter is super sweet!

[horty1388]

Would've been nice to see some others involved like xenon, Lamont, edel, and so on

[j.a.]

I believe that Kari Lajosi would be a great contender here. Hopefully he can be invited on next time.

No matter than my favourite head style is the Kingston, in this post my attention went immediately to the Machine and the Byron.

The Machine blew me away. That’s an incredible design, truly a custom putter that can be customised at any time. Dave Billings is thinking out of the box with this piece that looks out of this galaxy. It would be super interesting to try it and find out how it performs. Not sure about those stripes though, I’d prefer a simpler finish. Can Machine ship to Australia?

The Byron is elegant, unique an minimalistic up to the extent that it doesn’t say it’s a Byron. I like the idea of using two materials with the heavier at the back as it increases the MOI. I guess that putts come “automatically” with this design.

[getair23]

Machine by a mile

[SubaruWRX]

The Machine killed it.

I expected more from the Byron. Personally, I prefer most Byron's found in the BST to this one. It's just too plain and lacking much intricate detail. I was hoping for something like a DH89 mini in copper with a lot of hand engraving and maybe some luxury inlay for a sight line, logo, or something.

Should have invited James Ingles to join the competition.

[widow-maker]

I don't know if I could putt with it, but that Machine putter looks awesome.

[fairwaychaser]

The machine looks amazing!

[Sean25rp]

Machine!

[chickenpotpie]

When I think of Byron, I don't think of that style of putter. Not sure why guys are voting for that unless they are homers for that brand, but whatever. Would have been nice to see an apples to apples contest of Anser heads or some such, but whatever.

[VGVG]

Those can't be the best these companies have to offer! I've seen beautiful putters from many of these companies, but those four aren't part of that.

[edelgolf]

Hello,

Sorry Golfwrx, I had now idea there was a putter competition. I would have certainly participated had I known. These type of offerings are a fun way to go nuts.
Next time!
All the work looks great, but my vote goes to the Machine.

David

[scratchswinger]

I voted for the Machine

[BCULAW]

Kudos to all of the designs. They are all winners as far as I am concerned. LOVE the looks of the Machine putter best from a creative standpoint, but would most likely game the Byron.

[finalist]

Interesting entries. The contest as communicated was to be one-off handmade designs, non-anser headshapes. I've got emails stating so. Byron makes anser shapes everyday and the idea of a contest for never seen before handmade stuff was interesting.

Next time maybe a DH89 with GSS twisty welded neck, Damascus body, triple blue oil fade, Matrix putter shaft, and twentyfour handstamps should be option 5?

[scratchswinger]

I like the Byron to, it's definitely something different from what we are used to seeing from him. I would like it better if the top line was thinner, back was wider and stamps/paint were a little cleaner.

[UnderPar18]

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1409423901' post='10036705']
Interesting entries. The contest as communicated was to be one-off handmade designs, non-anser headshapes. I've got emails stating so. Byron makes anser shapes everyday and the idea of a contest for never seen before handmade stuff was interesting.

Next time maybe a DH89 with GSS twisty welded neck, Damascus body, triple blue oil fade, Matrix putter shaft, and twentyfour handstamps should be option 5?
[/quote]

We get Byron can do a lot and so can many other companies. From what the contest entailed I get the shape is different but Byron went with a boring finish that didn't stick out or help his milling stick out. I think Byron makes a great DH89, but all your above stated about the DH89 can be replicated by some companies. I think the point was to create something we normally don't. Machine created a putter with endless options from changing loft/lie/ toe hang to changing length, weight, and head style.

I think for this contest it's safe to say Machine wins, but all of these putter companies have their strengths. Machine has endless options, Byron has the DH89, Kingston has the price point. Others like Edel have fitting, Or creative out of the box options. All these companies are great in their own respect lets not get that confused.

[SubaruWRX]

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1409423901' post='10036705']
The contest as communicated was to be one-off handmade designs, non-anser headshapes. I've got emails stating so.
[/quote]
So only 2 of the 4 were valid entries?

[finalist]

[quote name='SubaruWRX' timestamp='1409430335' post='10037075']
[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1409423901' post='10036705']
The contest as communicated was to be one-off handmade designs, non-anser headshapes. I've got emails stating so.
[/quote]
So only 2 of the 4 were valid entries?
[/quote]

Based on an email chain between Richard and Byron one would have thought the contest was to be handmades and non-anser shapes. Nothing that could mass produced, nor seen before.

All of the sticks are great for their own reasons, but there was definitely some miscommunication.
Oh-well.

[SubaruWRX]

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1409437593' post='10037437']
Based on an email chain between Richard and Byron one would have thought the contest was to be handmades and non-anser shapes. Nothing that could mass produced, nor seen before.
Oh-well.
[/quote]
Had Byron submitted an anser style head, it'd be game over.

I might be slightly biased. I seriously want to order a DH89 with a sound slot, twisted longneck, & sight line. Few other details, but I want that in the bag for next year!

[finalist]

An all out abser style contest would be great. I would like to see what so many other guys would do too. Where's La Mont, La Josi, Slighter, Betti, remember Heritage, 360, etc

[Jeffjplee15]

[quote name='SubaruWRX' timestamp='1409437938' post='10037449']
[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1409437593' post='10037437']
Based on an email chain between Richard and Byron one would have thought the contest was to be handmades and non-anser shapes. Nothing that could mass produced, nor seen before.
Oh-well.
[/quote]
Had Byron submitted an anser style head, it'd be game over.

I might be slightly biased. I seriously want to order a DH89 with a sound slot, twisted longneck, & sight line. Few other details, but I want that in the bag for next year!
[/quote]Totally agree, minus the twisted longneck! The question would be gas or carbon???

[NavyLD12]

Kingston is the only one I would put in my bag

[ZBigStick]

I like the SeeMore. An nicely milled Anser style putter, with the SeeMore twist. Well done, mission accomplished.

(PS, would have liked to see more companies participate. Edel, Slighter, Scratch?)

[Big Fudge]

Bryon is looking great!

[mrpaninni5590]

Seemore PR. I like the finish but I'm not a fan of the "diving board".

[TWshoot67]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1409261783' post='10027089']
E) None of the Above
[/quote]

I'm with you on these choices we had..... what about some custom Scotty's or Betti's?