TP Mills - Post your Putter

[PopeofTexas]

1 hour ago, DrJACOB said:

Nice Carbon steel Softail.  The Professional series were done in large batch but then made to be order custom I believe.  The "T" in the cavity mean TIG weld neck and not tour like one might conclude.  Not sure about the TS?  David Mills had his hands on this one.

KJ

P.S.  get some oil on it and maybe a grip 

 

It's kind of a fun treasure hunt trying to find out information on some of these Mills putters. I had heard that about the "T" but I haven't found anything about the "S" either. 

1 hour ago, ngood said:

Gonna think I’m crazy but when you oil it use some very fine steel wool on the rust spots. Test it on the bottom but has done wonders on some of my old Mills after playing in FL. 

 

I do have some oil and fine grit steel wool. I am a little hesitant to really get after it. I ruined the finish on a black oxide carbon putter recently by using barkeeper's friend like an idiot.

[Bob Cat]

21 hours ago, PopeofTexas said:

Picked this up from 2nd Swing. Wanted to try out the flow neck and it’s the first Mills I’ve ever even seen. Don’t know much about it but it sure looks cool!

 

 

Would recommend a green scour pad before using steel wool on this.

Also, you might try wiping that grip down with some alcohol and a green scour pad.  Hoping the new texture detours you from removing that neat OEM grip.

 

Love finding these in their "work clothes" to coin an antique tractor collectors phrase.

[PopeofTexas]

3 hours ago, Bob Cat said:

 

Would recommend a green scour pad before using steel wool on this.

Also, you might try wiping that grip down with some alcohol and a green scour pad.  Hoping the new texture detours you from removing that neat OEM grip.

 

Love finding these in their "work clothes" to coin an antique tractor collectors phrase.

Thanks for the tip. I like that, "work clothes"! I will definitely keep the grip on, it's too cool.

[rt301]

Slow day.

Here are some examples of that old school smooth mirror face . 
 

[tep53]

I was honored today to be able to acquire a TP Mills handmade putter "Dr. Bill" who was Dr. Bill Shamblin and was Truett's first cousin.  I got the putter from Dr. Bill's son George.  TP made this putter for Dr. Bill and I also acquired a letter of provenance signed by Truett from 1992 stating that this is one of the first 6 or 7 putters that he ever made which I believe would mean it was made in the early 60s .  Somewhere out there in putter land there is also a "Dr. Jim" putter made around the same time for Dr. Jim Shamblin who was Dr. Bill's brother. This putter was pictured for sale in a Japanese magazine ad in 1990.  There is also possibly a "Dr. Joe" and a "Dr. John" putter that would have been made at the same time.  If anyone reading this thread happens to know the whereabouts of any of these other putters, please contact me.

Tommy

[jonradus]

8 hours ago, tep53 said:

I was honored today to be able to acquire a TP Mills handmade putter "Dr. Bill" who was Dr. Bill Shamblin and was Truett's first cousin.  I got the putter from Dr. Bill's son George.  TP made this putter for Dr. Bill and I also acquired a letter of provenance signed by Truett from 1992 stating that this is one of the first 6 or 7 putters that he ever made which I believe would mean it was made in the early 60s .  Somewhere out there in putter land there is also a "Dr. Jim" putter made around the same time for Dr. Jim Shamblin who was Dr. Bill's brother. This putter was pictured for sale in a Japanese magazine ad in 1990.  There is also possibly a "Dr. Joe" and a "Dr. John" putter that would have been made at the same time.  If anyone reading this thread happens to know the whereabouts of any of these other putters, please contact me.

Tommy

This is pretty cool. I saw this had sold and wondered who bought it. Do you happen to know how much the head weighs?

[EaglesGolf99]

5 hours ago, jonradus said:

This is pretty cool. I saw this had sold and wondered who bought it. Do you happen to know how much the head weighs?

Same. Had no idea the value. Nice grab! 

[zip7111]

That is a cool putter.  Wasn’t the guy asking like 4,000 bucks for it on eBay?  That seemed a little crazy to me…even given the history.

[EaglesGolf99]

1 hour ago, zip7111 said:

That is a cool putter.  Wasn’t the guy asking like 4,000 bucks for it on eBay?  That seemed a little crazy to me…even given the history.

IIRC, it was a touch more than that. 

 

But, I digress and leave that piece of info to the new owner. 

[tep53]

Not sure of the head weight but it is pretty light.  I would guess 330 grams max.

[Dan Drake]

On 5/6/2023 at 5:15 PM, rt301 said:

Slow day.

Here are some examples of that old school smooth mirror face . 
 

Those are amazing.  What is the model of the very first one, I'm not sure I've ever seen that one.

[djcalied]

Found this Mizuno TPM 4 at a yard sale, decided I would have a go at making it cool again! This is my first attempt at stripping, polishing, heat coloring etc. Had no idea how it would turn out, next time I think I can get it a more consistent color but overall I think it looks awesome with the fresh paint (nail polish) fill. I know its just a large batch mizuno and not a piece of art like most of the hand mades on the thread but i'm excited to game it!

 

The original shaft is much too short so I ordered a flared tip shaft from golfworks but I'm not sure its going to fit- OD of the putter end is .375" and ID for the new shaft is .382. Does anyone know another source for flare tip shafts? Maybe I can just cut a bit of the golfworks shaft off to reduce the ID?

 

Here's some pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 8, 2023 by djcalied

[farundrpar]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:25 AM, PopeofTexas said:

 

It's kind of a fun treasure hunt trying to find out information on some of these Mills putters. I had heard that about the "T" but I haven't found anything about the "S" either. 

 

I do have some oil and fine grit steel wool. I am a little hesitant to really get after it. I ruined the finish on a black oxide carbon putter recently by using barkeeper's friend like an idiot.

Love the SofTail! If it helps, I have almost the same putter - probably around the same run as yours. Mine was pretty rusted over, and I took some fine finishing steel wool #0000, along with some gun oil. Obviously all finishes are unique and might react differently, but this one looks pretty good cleaned up (i couldn't find any 'before' photos unfortunately). 

[hartrick11]

Do soft tails or mings ever have smooth backs like a heritage, or are the shoulders a requirement? 

[ngood]

It’s time after almost 20years of being on the wall.   In the words of John Fogerty “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play”   Off the wall representing Sam Houston State, it’s a David original.  Eat’em up Kats!

Edited May 13, 2023 by ngood
Spelling

[rt301]

On 5/12/2023 at 11:09 AM, hartrick11 said:

Do soft tails or mings ever have smooth backs like a heritage, or are the shoulders a requirement? 

They both have the shoulders.

mings have rounded bumpers and Soft tails have flat bumpers.

 

[tep53]

Who is the ultimate "guru" of Mills putters or who is the biggest collector?  Either here or in Japan.  Other than David.

Edited May 14, 2023 by tep53

[hartrick11]

Finally bit the bullet and am getting a Ming made; have traded a few emails with David this week. This is my first custom putter and I can't wait. Going with oil can stainless finish, site circle, 355g, pipe flow neck with 2/3 toe hang, football milling.

 

He did confirm that a high toe heritage was not an option at this time, which I expected but had to ask!

[PopeofTexas]

I’ve had the strangest experience with trying to order one of these. I inquired about a month ago and he quickly replied within 30 minutes and traded a couple of emails that evening. My final email was basically “Sounds good, how can I pay you?” Radio silence since then. I’ve followed up weekly now to no response. Honestly I’m turned off by the failure to communicate. Maybe some day but there are too many other high quality options for me to beg. Beautiful putters though. 

[jeff1727]

1 hour ago, PopeofTexas said:

I’ve had the strangest experience with trying to order one of these. I inquired about a month ago and he quickly replied within 30 minutes and traded a couple of emails that evening. My final email was basically “Sounds good, how can I pay you?” Radio silence since then. I’ve followed up weekly now to no response. Honestly I’m turned off by the failure to communicate. Maybe some day but there are too many other high quality options for me to beg. Beautiful putters though. 

I had the exact same experience 2 years ago.  Nailed down all the details and could not get him to take my money.  I bought one off the BST but wasn’t thrilled with the feel of the putter so I sold it. 

[jonradus]

1 hour ago, PopeofTexas said:

I’ve had the strangest experience with trying to order one of these. I inquired about a month ago and he quickly replied within 30 minutes and traded a couple of emails that evening. My final email was basically “Sounds good, how can I pay you?” Radio silence since then. I’ve followed up weekly now to no response. Honestly I’m turned off by the failure to communicate. Maybe some day but there are too many other high quality options for me to beg. Beautiful putters though. 

“strangest experience” is spot on with every dealing I’ve ever had with David. The Mills experience isn’t for everybody, but I personally enjoy it. I especially enjoy his prose. 

[jonradus]

[rt301]

What’s inside those headcovers???

#This is the Way

[jonradus]

9 minutes ago, rt301 said:

What’s inside those headcovers???

#This is the Way

Three different face mill types for your viewing pleasure at 2.5x zoom. Choose your own adventure. 

 

Edited May 20, 2023 by jonradus

[mlowrimore]

Hard to pick just one, they are all too good! You gotta post full photos. Are these new customs from David? 

[jonradus]

7 minutes ago, mlowrimore said:

Hard to pick just one, they are all too good! You gotta post full photos. Are these new customs from David? 

Two are older. This one is new. I’ll post more pics of it unwrapped when I get a chance. 

[LionGolfer]

4 hours ago, jonradus said:

Two are older. This one is new. I’ll post more pics of it unwrapped when I get a chance. 

 

 

 What a bloody tease... I'm having trouble getting a response from him and you got 3 new from him?! 

Edited May 21, 2023 by LionGolfer

[jonradus]

3 hours ago, LionGolfer said:

 What a bloody tease... I'm having trouble getting a response from him and you got 3 new from him?! 

Haha. Only one is “new”. The other two are from a while back. I waited a long time to get this new one and I too had trouble getting it. He must be super busy, which is understandable. If they were easy to get, then it would just be the same old stuff. 

[LionGolfer]

5 hours ago, jonradus said:

Haha. Only one is “new”. The other two are from a while back. I waited a long time to get this new one and I too had trouble getting it. He must be super busy, which is understandable. If they were easy to get, then it would just be the same old stuff. 

So true. the lack of response and wait led me to get one off a member here.

[jonradus]