Zebras

[2Down]

Know your history?

the zebra is the first putter I can recall that incorporates many modern things.  Face balanced, alignment lines, variable weighting.  Was there a predecessor to it.  
Anyways, the zebra seems to have started or incorporated many things I think of as modern.  
 

 

 

[miamistomp]

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1986-06-16-8602050604-story.html

 

  I worked in Ray's house when I was with Bell South

  He had a garage full of zebra putters and a Lexus golf cart

 

 I still use a Scotty Caliente on occasion that is basically a nicer feeling Zebra

[2Down]

I’ve been looking at red x’s from Cameron but got an old zebra coming in to see if my idea works.  
nice article, thanks.  Liked Floyd, think he gets the credit for a million or more folks saying “be the right club today”. 

[golfluvzme]

Wasn't "Be the right club, today", caught on air from Hal Sutton?  Not positive, but Floyd just doesn't come to mind when I picture that saying. 

Zebras were the cat's meow when I was young.  It was the most expensive putter on the rack and all of the range rats drooled over it.  I've become a bit of a Zebra hoarder.  There is another recent thread that covers this design, I just cannot recall the title of it. 

 

Good luck with your project!

LaMont in AZ

[2Down]

opps.   

 

 

[deepred]

I asked on the Ralph Maltby forum about the MOI of the Zebra putter, here is the response.

 

Actually we did measure the “original” Zebra and the MOI was 17.5832 ou/in² (3215 gr/cm²).  Weight was 320 grams.  So, although it was a very popular putter (I used one for quite a while back in the day when I was playing competitively), by today’s standards it would not be considered a high MOI / forgiving putter.  320 grams is very light.  The lightest we design putters today is 350 grams and tend to go even heavier.  The lighter weight and the smaller head size is why the MOI was not that high.  Great putter though, in my opinion, if you have a small impact zone.  Still have mine and get it out from time to time.

Britt Lindsey

[jomatty]

My dad won a number of club championships with a zebra and I played one throughout high school.  I’ve still got the one my dad used  leaning against the wall next to my putting mat and enjoy rolling it.  I will say that, in my experience, not all zebras are created equal.  Tolerances were just not as tight back then and some were not as well balanced or something and didn’t feel as well.  My dad was always getting new ones and on the look out for the “good” ones...I’ve thought about trying a Tuttle just because it rem8nds me of a zebra, which I have such fond memories of.

[2Down]

My Zebra experiment continues.  

 

So far I have filled in three alignment lines (Dark Body Zebra with darker grey lines now has three lighter ones similar to scotty red x) looks ok and lines up nice.  

 

Feel was not good, went through it tightened up everything, put an Iomic grip on and good feel is back. Weight, three washers in and it feels very similar to my answer.  My lags are as wanted and on the short ones the alignment system is helping.  

 

Shot par with it in the bag yesterday, a few really nice lags (tap in no read on the lip style) and a few birdies that went as planed.  

 

I think it wants to stay in the bag, I have no issues with that idea.  

 

Future I might pull the washers and add lead towards the back of the cavity to increase its forgivness, but not just yet.  will go back through and tighten up everything with a bit of blue thread lock to insure everything stays put.   

 

[golfluvzme]

If you find yourself with a back-up Zebra, you might like the feel of one with the epoxy mod.   You can pull the sole plate and fill  it with epoxy, possibly adding some additional weight if you choose.  I have done this a few times and the change was substantial.  You can use washers, ball bearings, or just about anything that will sink into the epoxy to add the weight.  It also allows you to add the weight toward the heel or toward the toe, as evenly or as favoring as you choose.

Just an idea to add to your list. 

Just remember, this is pretty much a permanent modification.   I can imagine that pulling that epoxy out would be possible, but incredibly challenging.

LaMont in AZ

[2Down]

With everything tight I like the feel but once tight things sometimes find a way to come loose.  
The epoxy is a cool idea, thanks.