I Want To Make A Putter

mr_golfhead · May 28, 2007

Out of Lead... Can I?

I know this is probably insanely dumb, or insanely innovative, depending upon how you're going to look at it, but is there any possible way that I could make a putter out of lead, and you know, make a good one?

preston08 · May 28, 2007

Sounds pretty dangerous. Lead is toxic.. wouldn't be too fun machining it or using it for that matter. Seems like a lot of trouble.

Also not 100% sure but I've heard it will dull machine blades pretty rapidly.

littlepingman · May 28, 2007

Might be kinda heavy also...just a thought...

Charlie_Foxtrot · May 28, 2007

and really soft. Like, will dent and bend soft.

mr_golfhead · May 28, 2007

well, that's not worth the trouble then... But I have come upon a surplus of lead I don't know how to use.. just a thought.

Charlie_Foxtrot · May 28, 2007

I have come upon a surplus of lead I don't know how to use.. just a thought.

That "surplus" of lead you "came upon" didn't happen to have any of these signs around it, did it?:

Radioactive Putters - "Let your golf game go nuclear"

Hmmm, I like it.

Roland · May 29, 2007

What great enthusiasm you have :russian_roulette: I would see if someone could dispose of it for you, you dont want to create flubber or something :(

draftduffer · May 29, 2007

Solid lead is really not as bad as some people make it out to be. Not that I'm a lead defender. Now, I wouldn't eat it or let the kids play with it, but I see no reason to be freightened of it if it's handled properly. You could use a lead alloy to get away from being too soft (it'll still be pretty soft). I can't really imagine a golf ball hurting or denting a piece of lead at putter speeds, but who knows. It would be interesting to see how much a bullseye type blade head would weight. I doubt you'de want to machine it, but you could file it pretty easily with wood type files. Just be careful with the small chips you make, as I believe that big chunks of lead aren't that bad [unless they're bullets :)], but as the pieces get smaller it gets more dangerous, ie easier to ingest/breathe. Bag chatter would get pretty bad if you actually used it.

DavidR · May 29, 2007

There are a bunch of metal recyle shops around. You could probably sell it to one of these and, who knows, you may get enough cash to buy a new putter of your design? Of course, depending on how much lead you have.

mr_golfhead · May 30, 2007

well it didn't have a sign like that, but it might be radioactive...

and besides, if someone made that pitch for a lead putter, do you think it WOULDN'T sell?

With a pitch like that, and the ultra soft feel of lead, who needs Scotty Cameron?

freelanceterry · June 1, 2007

I don't think it's that bad of an idea. Here's how I'd go about it:

People around here (and I'm sure everywhere there is a lake with good fishing) make their own jig-heads, sinkers, bottom-bouncers, etc. Lead for these projects is readily available through sportman's outlets and whatnot.

They melt the lead down and pour it into a mold. Let cool - break mold and vuala! A fantastic weight well-suited for tricking a fish into biting.

Your first step would be to make a mold. Jewlers do this all the time...I know one and he's talked about it....but I don't know exactly how it's done or with what material.

Create a mold using the head of a putter you like.

Pour in lead - break mold - drill out for shaft and away you go.

I would think that it would get bag chatter pretty easily due to the softness. A good head-cover would solve that.

It would be easy to stamp.

Try pewter. That has a very low melting point and is cast all the time. Pretty heavy if I can remember - and I don't think it's as toxic.....

Sounds kind of fun actually.

SheriffBooth · June 1, 2007

It'll be very soft and very heavy, like G10 heavy unless you counterweight the shaft like a heavy putter. But because of lead's malleability, you'll pretty quickly end up with an inconsistent striking surface on the face.