Ray Cook Putters

[EmperorPenguin]

I was about to post this in the Putters forum, but that forum is more for new putters, so I will post here.

When I started playing golf in 1989-1990, Ray Cook was around, and the putter I liked was an M-1 mallet. I thought it had a unique feel to it, and I loved the hollow slot behind the face for great feel. I actually bought that putter and used it for a few years before I grew tired of it and traded it in for something more center-shafted. While I was checking out the Ray Cook putters, the pro in the shop recommended a Blue Goose. I turned up my nose because I thought it was a silly name for a putter--believe me, that was the reason!

So just last week, out of curiosity I wanted to check out what I missed. I saw previous listings for Blue Goose putters, but I did not like the neck. I found a listing for a Blue Goose with a plumber's neck and the correct length. It was only $20, so I jumped on it.

Boy! What a great putter! Straight out of the box it feels just like a Scotty Cameron, yet only a 10th of the price! After doing a little research on the Blue Goose, I discovered that it is indeed a Scotty Cameron! I heard somewhere that prior to starting his own company he made putters for Mizuno, I recall. I was only partially informed.

Any other Ray Cook putters I should consider?

[Bigarch]

A guy I play with regularly still putts with a Blue Goose. Putts pretty well with it too. The first "pro-line" piece of golf equipment that I ever owned was a Ray Cook putter and and I've always been partial to them. I have about half a dozen of them (various models) and still have the original Nugget 18 model that started it all in my stash.

[BIG STU]

Looking at yours at the back it also has a little Tad Moore styling to it too----- My wife when she plays putts with a newer Ray Cook Anser style. She has had it for 15 years or so. Actually picked it out herself from stock in the old golf shop. BTW guys just between us guys I will be honest---- She forbids me to touch it--- no joke so I have never rolled it

[JungleJimbo]

 

Bought the RayCook Nugget Classic Plus (with Sound Slot) recently (a long with an Acushnet Bullseye ? Flange...both in great condition?!)... wanted to love the Nugget (8802 style?) but the Bullseye Flange’s feel & sound =so much better! Wondering if additional lead-weights to the Nugget (to seal the sound-slot) might improve the sound/feel?

[Bigarch]

I like the looks of that one. Its a longer blade than mine. There are several nugget models, all heel shafted. The only one that I really putted well with is my # 18. It's brass with 3 aiming lines on the top...most of the other models only have 1 or 2. And the 18 is crazy heavy. Whenever my putting feel gets bad, I can get that thing out and smooth it back out with a few rounds. It always gets a week or two stint in the bag every year. MIne is so old that the top is just hammered to death with chatter. I looked forever to find a 2nd one a few years ago. Finally found another one that is in great shape with the original Neuman leather wrapped grip and its in near pristine shape. But I never use that one...its insurance just in case something happens to my original.

[BIG STU]

Putting a strip ( or 2) along the speed slot will definitely kill the sound and may help some with face deflection. On the face deflection thing the ball tends to jump some too. Remember most sound slot putters were designed in the Balata days and these new modern balls tend to jump off a slot putter rather quickly. Don't believe me? Putt with a Balata ( if you have any) or any of the modern "soft" balls then say a Pro V 1 or other harder ball. Trust me you will see and feel what I am talking about. I have taken a couple of older Anser putters with the slot and filled them in with an epoxy lead powder mix. I ended up selling both of those and have not had any complaint. After all if it does not work take the heat gun and a dental pick and clean it out

[JungleJimbo]

@BIG STU : Thanks! Will consider tweaking the RayCook Nugget Classic Plus ... the Acushnet Bullseye Flange also has a sound slot, but feels so—o nice (in comparison to the Nugget)... could be partly due to the fluted pencil shaft on the Bullseye ? too.
Nugget just doesn’t feel ... solid?! (Maybe something to do with the Nugget’s ‘Floating Face’... or just my unfamiliarity with the style).

[BIG STU]

On the Acushnet the fluted shaft smooths out things. . I just installed a Satin Finish fluted Bulls Eye shaft in my Scotty Santa FE it really balanced it out and smoothed out the feel

With the Nugget I can not say for sure because I have never seen one much less putted with one but IMHO you have the causes dialed in

[BIG STU]

On 4/20/2020 at 7:17 AM, JungleJimbo said:

@BIG STU : Thanks! Will consider tweaking the RayCook Nugget Classic Plus ... the Acushnet Bullseye Flange also has a sound slot, but feels so—o nice (in comparison to the Nugget)... could be partly due to the fluted pencil shaft on the Bullseye ? too.
Nugget just doesn’t feel ... solid?! (Maybe something to do with the Nugget’s ‘Floating Face’... or just my unfamiliarity with the style).

Sorry I did not see this sooner--- Me I like fluted Bulls Eye shafts I actually have one in my Santa Fe

[psygolf]

Love the Blue Goose VIII...have 2 nickel-plated versions

[Tim8736]

I have a Ray Cook K-10 putter that I love to use and have not had any luck determining the approximate year it was produced.  Any idea?

 

thanks,

 

 

[weakputt]

On 7/4/2021 at 8:37 AM, psygolf said:

Love the Blue Goose VIII...have 2 nickel-plated versions

I have to second the second generation Ray Cook Blue Goose VIII putter. I believe it was a Scotty Cameron designed NAPA even though it may have been introduced after he moved on from Ray Cook.

[kwcsports]

Here's my old Blue Goose

 

 

[Scully13]

the old blue goose logo is pure 100% scotty cameron designed.

[Newtown pippin]

Silly question BUT i am asking anyway...

The BlueGoose  carbon steel milled putters look very very similar (neck, flange, Face milling etc)  to  the Callaway (Bobby Jones milled) ones of this era and the Lotus ones (recent e-bay specials). Is it possible the came form the same milling shop or used the same programing for the CNC machines ? 

[theothertwo]

here's my ray cook blue goose 1 later model (2010 maybe?)....been in the garage too long, tried today and will use it for awhile...

[weakputt]

On 2/3/2022 at 6:24 AM, Newtown pippin said:

Silly question BUT i am asking anyway...

The BlueGoose  carbon steel milled putters look very very similar (neck, flange, Face milling etc)  to  the Callaway (Bobby Jones milled) ones of this era and the Lotus ones (recent e-bay specials). Is it possible the came form the same milling shop or used the same programing for the CNC machines ? 

I don't think they came out of the same milling house. Ray Cook's were milled in Texas were Ray and Don T. (Scotty) lived.

And if I'm not mistaken Jack Parente and Dick de La Cruz for Callaway were milling out of the Carlsbad California I believe.

 

[Newtown pippin]

On 2/7/2022 at 2:37 PM, weakputt said:

I don't think they came out of the same milling house. Ray Cook's were milled in Texas were Ray and Don T. (Scotty) lived.

And if I'm not mistaken Jack Parente and Dick de La Cruz for Callaway were milling out of the Carlsbad California I believe.

 

I don't know at all, Now into complete conjecture and guesswork  it just seems to me the designs and necks look pretty similar, so maybe the  milling machines were set up really really similar, and a notch or cavity was added or filled in on the  initial design, off of a stock pattern?  just wondering, stranger things have happened.