Bullseye Putter - What made it so good? Still gaming one?

[theothertwo]

Bullseye Putter - What made it so good and why did it just fade away? I remember back in the late 1980's, I was at the pro shop deciding on whether to buy a Bullseye or a Ping Anser 3 putter. I went with the Ping Anser 3 and have been using that style ever since.

 

I do remember the Bullseye feeling great, now I have an old one I picked up somewhere. Granted, it's not the most forgiving putter but like the 8802, it is a pure bade putter that is fun to use.

 

Anybody still game a Bullseye?

 

 

 

 

[kmay__]

I was still gaming one my dad gave me up until this spring, still have it of course. Just feels too light after trying some other styles of putter....... I did sink like a 30 foot birdie with mine early this year though and it was satisfying af. In the club room now.

[NevinW]

It was what I used in high school and college. Always had good feel with that brass head and a balata ball. I sometime practice with one as it is pretty unforgiving and forces you to concentrate. Way better putter designs today IMO. (not that I putt any better with them) :scare2:

[theothertwo]

It was what I used in high school and college. Always had good feel with that brass head and a balata ball. I sometime practice with one as it is pretty unforgiving and forces you to concentrate. Way better putter designs today IMO. (not that I putt any better with them) :scare2:

 

Yeah quite twisty and unforgiving compared to newer designs. It is a blade after all.

[augustgolf]

Learn to hit the putt at the proper place on the face - the real old Bullseyes are great.

[Buzzkill]

I'm gaming this one:

 

 

[PlayfromtheBrain]

I played at a cool course west of Nashville called Montgomery Bell (State Park) last week. Such a cool and well maintained public course. Highly recommend. It was cold and the greens were champion bermuda, so I struggled a little bit since I'm mainly used to putting on bent. Anyway, the superintendent (real nice guy) played with us and was using a beat up scotty bullseye flange. He definitely knew his greens because he didn't miss a putt. The butt was coming through the original scotty grip but he said he was afraid to change it and mess something up. I liked that he was in his early 30s like me, but didn't feel a need to go with the grain (pun intended) and use a modern putter like everyone else. He sticks with a proven classic and knows how to use it.

[rufus mangler]

I play this one occasionally. Really soft feeling and quite forgiving as BullsEyes go. Plus the slot makes for a cool "tink" sound.

 

It was designed back when putters were elegantly understated with no distractions.

[ChronicSlicer]

but didn't feel a need to go with the grain (pun intended) and use a modern putter like everyone else.

 

I tend to believe even if golfers using modern day putters tried out an old Bullseye or 8802 and liked the way they were stroking it, they would still toss it aside for the more popular,flashy newer stuff. Sadly alot of golfers have become more about the "branding" than the performance of the sticks. A $3 TP Mills from the thrift store won`t nearly hold a conversation, nor get the compliments/attention that a shiny new SC or even Odyssey will. To each their own I guess.

[dlygrisse]

I used a Scotty Bullseye flange for many years. It is the absolute best putter I have ever used on shorter putts. I finally gave it up for an Odyssey simply because my distance control was so much better with it.

 

So easy to align if you like a straight putter without a bunch of lines and graphics, it just sets perpendicular to the line. I liked the Scotty over the traditional Rueter style because of the weight, the old school putters were much lighter. I still practice with it a lot on my Big Moss in the basement, and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes it back in the bag someday.

 

You really learn to hit the sweetspot using these, it's like playing blades....your focus becomes good contact.

[finchi5]

I’ve got over 20 bullseyes and sometimes I’ll game one. Personally the shaft was the thing that made it great. I’ve fitted the shafts to Santa Fe heads and it takes the feel to another level.

Going back to the bullseyes the later titleist and SC versions were the best though as they had just that little bit more weight.

[BMC]

Corey Pavin still uses his on Champions Tour. Won a major with it.

[ghoonk]

I have a couple of original Bullseyes (Acushnet) and a SC AC3 Bullseye Flange. The latter, in comparison, looks huge compared to the Acushnet ones - I used to love it but after switching back to the Acushnet ones, I haven't touched the AC3 since.

 

The Acushnet ones come with a fluted shaft and an angular Titleist grip that I've never been able to find anywhere else. Putted right, the feel is unparallelled - buttery soft, and with practice some distance control.

 

The trick with this is in grip pressure - on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is where the putter just rests in my hands, and 10 is how I grip my irons, i use a 4 on the bullseye

[rufus mangler]

I have a couple of original Bullseyes (Acushnet) and a SC AC3 Bullseye Flange. The latter, in comparison, looks huge compared to the Acushnet ones - I used to love it but after switching back to the Acushnet ones, I haven't touched the AC3 since.

 

The Acushnet ones come with a fluted shaft and an angular Titleist grip that I've never been able to find anywhere else. Putted right, the feel is unparallelled - buttery soft, and with practice some distance control.

 

The trick with this is in grip pressure - on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is where the putter just rests in my hands, and 10 is how I grip my irons, i use a 4 on the bullseye

I just picked up an old flange model just for a longer version of that shaft.

 

And I agree on the grip pressure. A lot of these older (lighter) putters perform their best when you don't strangle them.

[FlyOver]

I started using only a bullseye to practice with on my backyard green. Makes putting so much easier when transitioning to a modified centershaft Newport putter on the course.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

Notah Begay used to use that type, putted both right and left handed with it. Always went with the side that gave him a hook putt.

[Potch]

I have several and periodically game one of them. I think one differentiating factor is that they are close to being center-shafted but still have a significant amount of toe hang. That's a relatively rare combination in putters, but might be the best fit for lots of people when it comes to alignment and stroke.

[Hoolagn18]

I have an original acushnet bullseye that was my father's. I think it's easier to make a true short stroke path with it. Wont be gaming it since it's rare and priceless to me. Sentimental about things that were my dad's. Old PGA club pro from the 60's, 70's and 80's. His basement was a treasure trove for antique club collectors.

[BYK]

Got a couple heavy flange Cameron bullseyes

Love the feel of these, and putt pretty well with them too

[BIG STU]

I played at a cool course west of Nashville called Montgomery Bell (State Park) last week. Such a cool and well maintained public course. Highly recommend. It was cold and the greens were champion bermuda, so I struggled a little bit since I'm mainly used to putting on bent. Anyway, the superintendent (real nice guy) played with us and was using a beat up scotty bullseye flange. He definitely knew his greens because he didn't miss a putt. The butt was coming through the original scotty grip but he said he was afraid to change it and mess something up. I liked that he was in his early 30s like me, but didn't feel a need to go with the grain (pun intended) and use a modern putter like everyone else. He sticks with a proven classic and knows how to use it.

One thing I have learned over the years is never play against or bet against a superintendent on their own greens. Most of them are eagle eyed anyway but for sure they know their greens like the back of their hand

[augustgolf]

I have an original acushnet bullseye that was my father's. I think it's easier to make a true short stroke path with it. Wont be gaming it since it's rare and priceless to me. Sentimental about things that were my dad's. Old PGA club pro from the 60's, 70's and 80's. His basement was a treasure trove for antique club collectors.

 

Just wondering - what club was he pro at?

 

Feel free to PM me

 

augie

[BIG STU]

I’ve got over 20 bullseyes and sometimes I’ll game one. Personally the shaft was the thing that made it great. I’ve fitted the shafts to Santa Fe heads and it takes the feel to another level.

Going back to the bullseyes the later titleist and SC versions were the best though as they had just that little bit more weight.

DAMMIT!!! I thought I was the only one who did that trick--- Funny I have a fluted Bullseye shaft in my Santa Fe too. You are darn skippy on it enhancing the feel--- I even have a fluted Bullseye shaft in a Little David 8802

[braincramp52]

I'm in the minority. I played one in the early 90's and putted worse than Ray Charles. Mine was built without a sweet spot.

[augustgolf]

I'm in the minority. I played one in the early 90's and putted worse than Ray Charles. Mine was built without a sweet spot.

 

I had lots of great replies come immediately to mind, but thought better of posting any of them, as I don't want another 60 day sit-down

[rufus mangler]

I had the brainy idea to buy a Bullseye with a longer shaft (36"), remove it and put it on my old (33.5") Bullseye. Turns out, the hosels/stems on Bullseyes are not all the same. I had to file my old one to fit in the newer shaft.

 

Just FYI.