Circle T putters

jstalder1113 · March 29, 2017

So I've always wanted one but never have been willing to spend the money to get one. My main issue with these putters is are they really worth the money? I mean are they softer/harder off the face? Do the make every putt for you? I know it's cool to by Tour Issue but what is the real benefit to your game for owning one. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

joey2aces · March 29, 2017

"Tour Issue" won't make you magically drain putts.

Buy what's within your budget.

To me, one of the biggest benefits is the fact that you will not take a bath if you go to sell it, unlike any other putter out there.

There will always be that guy who says "My $70 XYZ drains just as many putts"... and he is right. But that argument to me is moot. There are people who will spend thousands a year on booze and smokes and scoff at guys who buy PXG and Scotty......

I love my Scotty's and I do get caught up in the whole CT thing at times but I try and be specific about what I buy/collect.

YoungJedi · March 29, 2017

I believe there's a number of threads on this, and to summarize, cost and worth are relative, and only you can decide that.

Tour putters don't make you drain everything....

But there's something about them that gives you confidence. A number of tour putters are shapes that aren't available in OTR models. So a lot of getting tour putters is finding a putter that suits your eye, and sometimes you have to spend a little bit of money to do get that confidence factor.

To me, it's worth it. To others, maybe not.

bogeypro · March 29, 2017

People don't necessarily buy them to make more putts. Some just like them because they are different and harder to obtain.

Davidv · March 29, 2017

As far as being better I would say not really. Worth the money again not really. But it is your money to spend.

jlrgolf · March 29, 2017

Agreed with all the above. Personally I am more comfortable with the look and feel of a 009 which is only a CT. While the Newport OTR is similar there are slight differences that mentally make a difference.

It's all in my head

randyfitz · March 29, 2017

Would love to have a circle t. Will have to live with my regular for now.

I won't even spend $150'on the shankenstein cover...

EVandy · March 29, 2017

If it gives you confidence because you feel like you have the best putter ever, do it. But otherwise there is nothing special about them. Just my 2 cents

rawdog · March 29, 2017

Agreed with all the above. Personally I am more comfortable with the look and feel of a 009 which is only a CT. While the Newport OTR is similar there are slight differences that mentally make a difference.

It's all in my head

Well, it sure isn't physics. Great post!

That being said, it doesn't matter to me what anyone else plays, so I don't judge. You do you. I could putt with a brick on a broomstick the same as I would a premium putter. But I do like the looks of certain putters, so I find a compromise between functionality, looks and price.

Bigmean · March 29, 2017

As a fan of putters, it really comes down to milled putters or not. And then it comes down to milled putters vs machinist quality milled putters. As a fan of putting, if you can consistently start it in the lines you see, and the putter has a predictable distance control that works with your sense of feel, it is a gamer regardless of how it is made or what it cost. "Tour" means not much for putters, and in fact all this "tour only" crap is sickening and just stupid. Piretti has to be most annoying with this.

Scotty Cameron putters are extremely well marketed, and hence grossly overpriced, we know this. I am not a Scotty hater as I do like a lot of his putters, but at the same time the circle t putters are all marketing, and that $1500 or more gets you less craftsmanship than a machinist of next to no marketing like Mann, Byron, Lajosi, Mills, Whitlam, Hiro, or Golds factory's Sasaya etc. for the same or less money. If I am shelling out, I want a tangible reason. I have one tour Scotty because I got it from an ex tour player. It was my gamer 2 years ago and I still like it but out of my 20 or so putters, it is easily not in the top 10 of "Niceness". If anyone wants a circle T but would never smartly pay for one, I highly recommend an original pro plat and strip it or original studio design, anything in those series is a quality carbon putter and he had great head designs across both series. It seems like a lot of the circle t putters are basically that with tweaks. I am feeling old at 36, but it seems like a lot of guys are not familiar with the Scotty carbon putters and they were his best offerings IMO and are widely available cheap enough. I have had over 2 dozen carbon camerons, I have 4 I think now, I like those era scottys a lot, but they are not any better in a tangible way than any other putter I own, mostly worse. Save for one, which is in my very biased opinion one of the best scottys on the planet.

As we know, Putters don't make putts, people do. And as jack so perfectly said, putting is an attitude. With that, putters are a part of your attitude. I make things for a living, detail specific things, so I appreciate a well fabricated putter. I routinely use all my putters on practice greens and play and using a well made putter is like going to battle with a blacksmiths finest sword, just seems sharper and the weight and balance just seems better and, well.............putting is an attitude.

williamsnrb · March 29, 2017

I would love to own a 009 because I love the look and the feel is tough to beat. But I can't rationally spend $2,000+ for one knowing that I can have a similar product with my stripped pro platinum (as mentioned above). I am in the process of refinishing it as we speak because it offers a remarkably similar look and feel to the 009. If I had money to burn, I'd own an 009, but I wouldn't expect to make more putts with it over my stripped PP. That being said, though, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't mention that I spend way too much time looking through 009 threads. :)

johnnylongballz72 · March 30, 2017

Here we go again.

MarkFromTheUK · March 30, 2017

You should play left handed, then it would never be an issue.

Bigmean · March 30, 2017

Hank Haney is a fan of going lefty if you get the yips! Lol

The General · March 30, 2017

Yes they are worth it. Find one you like, sell some stuff you don't use or save up to get it. Then you'll have it for the rest of your life - make putts and be merry. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

ProphetLogic · March 30, 2017

No real difference. If you like it, buy it, but you are paying a huge premium for some stamps. Not a scotty hater, I've got a tei3 that I love.

If I was going to shell out for a putter right now, it would be a handmade Xenon.

5hort5tuff · March 30, 2017

I would love to own a 009 because I love the look and the feel is tough to beat. But I can't rationally spend $2,000+ for one knowing that I can have a similar product with my stripped pro platinum (as mentioned above). I am in the process of refinishing it as we speak because it offers a remarkably similar look and feel to the 009. If I had money to burn, I'd own an 009, but I wouldn't expect to make more putts with it over my stripped PP. That being said, though, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't mention that I spend way too much time looking through 009 threads. :)

The "look" and "feel" are not tough to beat...you can get a putter identical looking and feeling from many places...for much less $$.

That's not why people buy 009s. They buy them because they like them and have some money to spend.

williamsnrb · March 30, 2017

I would love to own a 009 because I love the look and the feel is tough to beat. But I can't rationally spend $2,000+ for one knowing that I can have a similar product with my stripped pro platinum (as mentioned above). I am in the process of refinishing it as we speak because it offers a remarkably similar look and feel to the 009. If I had money to burn, I'd own an 009, but I wouldn't expect to make more putts with it over my stripped PP. That being said, though, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't mention that I spend way too much time looking through 009 threads. :)

The "look" and "feel" are not tough to beat...you can get a putter identical looking and feeling from many places...for much less $$.

That's not why people buy 009s. They buy them because they like them and have some money to spend.

Allow me to rephrase (since some people apparently are able to apply objective facts to subjective opinions): FOR ME, I love the feel and the look is tough to beat.

ajschn06 · March 30, 2017

So I've always wanted one but never have been willing to spend the money to get one. My main issue with these putters is are they really worth the money? I mean are they softer/harder off the face? Do the make every putt for you? I know it's cool to by Tour Issue but what is the real benefit to your game for owning one. Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Really? Does this need to be asked?

5hort5tuff · March 30, 2017

I would love to own a 009 because I love the look and the feel is tough to beat. But I can't rationally spend $2,000+ for one knowing that I can have a similar product with my stripped pro platinum (as mentioned above). I am in the process of refinishing it as we speak because it offers a remarkably similar look and feel to the 009. If I had money to burn, I'd own an 009, but I wouldn't expect to make more putts with it over my stripped PP. That being said, though, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't mention that I spend way too much time looking through 009 threads. :)

The "look" and "feel" are not tough to beat...you can get a putter identical looking and feeling from many places...for much less $$.

That's not why people buy 009s. They buy them because they like them and have some money to spend.

Allow me to rephrase (since some people apparently are able to apply objective facts to subjective opinions): FOR ME, I love the feel and the look is tough to beat.

Thanks for the clarification. Now I understand that YOU think the feel and looks are tough to beat. Gotcha

williamsnrb · March 30, 2017

I would love to own a 009 because I love the look and the feel is tough to beat. But I can't rationally spend $2,000+ for one knowing that I can have a similar product with my stripped pro platinum (as mentioned above). I am in the process of refinishing it as we speak because it offers a remarkably similar look and feel to the 009. If I had money to burn, I'd own an 009, but I wouldn't expect to make more putts with it over my stripped PP. That being said, though, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't mention that I spend way too much time looking through 009 threads. :)

The "look" and "feel" are not tough to beat...you can get a putter identical looking and feeling from many places...for much less $$.

That's not why people buy 009s. They buy them because they like them and have some money to spend.

Allow me to rephrase (since some people apparently are able to apply objective facts to subjective opinions): FOR ME, I love the feel and the look is tough to beat.

Thanks for the clarification. Now I understand that YOU think the feel and looks are tough to beat. Gotcha

No problem. I know it can be difficult to spot opinions and I should have clarified it as such in my original post.

It is certainly an opinion, but I am far from the only one who holds it. I agree that DH89's, BB0's, etc. look similar to the 009, but there is a definite difference in feel to me. Disclaimer: I've never owned an 009, but have putted with several over the years. In my biased opinion, the feel is better than most other putters.

Bigmean · March 30, 2017

All things objective, precision, feel, balance and looks are quite easily matched or exceeded. That said nothing wrong with getting something YOU want and YOU appreciate. I have paid heavily for Things I wanted and wouldn't point a finger, but I wouldn't mislead anyone that is thinking about dropping $1500 on a putter that it somehow is better in a tangible way other than value held by demand than what $400-$750 can easily surpass. Not saying they are not worth it to many people, clearly they are, but feel is subjective and the $500-$1000 range puts you in some really nice putters.

williamsnrb · March 30, 2017

All things objective, precision, feel, balance and looks are quite easily matched or exceeded. That said nothing wrong with getting something YOU want and YOU appreciate. I have paid heavily for Things I wanted and wouldn't point a finger, but I wouldn't mislead anyone that is thinking about dropping $1500 on a putter that it somehow is better in a tangible way other than value held by demand than what $400-$750 can easily surpass. Not saying they are not worth it to many people, clearly they are, but feel is subjective and the $500-$1000 range puts you in some really nice putters.

Don't get me wrong. I have huge respect for guys like LaMont, Uselton, Byron, etc. I just love the 009. It's almost like comparing a Harley to a Honda motorcycle. Both bikes may look nearly identical, have the same specs, sound similar, etc. But A Harley feels different. That's one reason why people pay a lot more for Harley's. Then again, others prefer Honda's.

ProphetLogic · March 30, 2017

Not trying to pick a fight, but those guys can make you a putter matching an 009, the difference is the stamping in the cavity. But agree to disagree.

rawdog · March 30, 2017

Not trying to pick a fight, but those guys can make you a putter matching an 009, the difference is the stamping in the cavity. But agree to disagree.

Yeah, man, but it won't have that same feel. Same metal, same design, same grip, same epoxy, hell, you could 3d scan the thing and mill it the same way, but it just wouldn't have that feel. Ya know?

Just doesn't have that Scotty secret sauce ;)

(I actually like your post a lot, just having some fun to point out the silliness of other comments I see.)

5hort5tuff · March 30, 2017

Not trying to pick a fight, but those guys can make you a putter matching an 009, the difference is the stamping in the cavity. But agree to disagree.

Yeah, man, but it won't have that same feel. Same metal, same design, same grip, same epoxy, hell, you could 3d scan the thing and mill it the same way, but it just wouldn't have that feel. Ya know?

Just doesn't have that Scotty secret sauce ;)

(I actually like your post a lot, just having some fun to point out the silliness of other comments I see.)

Exactly...can anyone explain how it feels different? It's the same in all aspects.

I'm not even a scotty hater. If I had the cash I'd be blowing it on 009s too lol. I'm just stating the facts.

T-MAC · March 30, 2017

Feel is totally subjective. Everyone's opinion on "firm", "soft", "harsh", "clicky", etc.........will vary from person to person.

I'm a bit of a HO. Have several putters from a ton of different makers and they all feel a bit different even though they may have (at least close to) the same (Dale) head design. Scotty, Byron, LaMont, Betti, Machine, Chip Usher, etc......all make fantastic putters. You just have to try them and see which one is right for YOU.

Personally, I think 009's are a bit on the firm side (even the carbon heads), but I like that - especially since I switched over to the Chrome Soft a couple years ago. I need a slightly firmer feel to give my hands and brain the proper feedback that I'm looking for for distance control. When I was hitting a ProV, I preferred a slightly softer putter head and gamed mostly carbon offerings from several different people. To me, the Chrome Soft's make all putters feel softer than they really are. I was strictly a carbon putter guy.........until I switched golf balls. Now some of my favorite gamers are SS.

Are Circle T putters worth it? That's up to you and your bank account. There are "Tour" putters that I don't mind spending the money on and there are some, that I believe anyway, are just glorified OTR's with different stamping/engraving. To each their own I guess. However, I will say that, to me, an 009 feels different than any Newport I've hit, both carbon and SS. If you happen to like that feel, then I'd save up and grab one. If you end up not liking it, just sell it. They hold their value pretty well so you may end up not losing any more money than if you purchased an OTR and sold it used. ;)

Lionstar · March 30, 2017

My friend and I were paired with two young gun scratch golfers just two days ago. One of them worked for a well known putter company. My friend mentioned he had a "tour" stamped putter [ I will not name the company because it would cause major depression for many on here] and the guy who worked for the putter company said: " You want to know the difference between a tour stamped putter and one off the rack? It's the stamp. Nothing more, nothing less."

Tcann32 · March 30, 2017

Like all high end equipment I have hit, I've rolled a couple, and they are marginally better, IMO. The worth of that marginal improvement is subjective to any one single person.

So, if it makes you happy, then you should buy it. Whoever said money can't buy happiness must've had a lot of it. Will it improve your performance on it's own? Not likely. It might feel slightly better, be more balanced by a slight margin, etc.. BUT, between the happiness and making putts, there's really not a price tag you can put on a putter that you're confident in, in this game.