Praising the Wilson 8802

[jplroper]

        I put the 8802 back in the bag yesterday and had a great day of putting. I went back to using the Arnold Palmer pigeon toed stance and a hitting stroke. Anyone else still running the blade style putter?

[Stephen8802]

Well, I did put 8802 in my screen name, so, yes.

 

My reverse stamp 8813 has had about 95% of my playing time in the last few years, but its just one of many that I use. I have 5 in the 8802 family plus my Old Master from the 80s that is just as nice, 5 Iron Masters, and in a closely related group, three Bullesyes and a John Letters. Over the last 9 months I've picked up two Coors Ceramics and a Scotty that will get rounds this year, but I've played most of my life with the 8802, so it will always be around.

 

By the way, for anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of putting with the original 8802, it really is something special.

 

 

[Jiggered]

I'm planning on playing my Leyland Ralph Moffitt for 9 holes this evening and maybe a couple more rounds later in the week.

 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

I’d love real deal 1960s 8802.  I’ve had a few 70/80s 8802 and 8813s. Which I sold as to I feel I putted better with the mid 60s Arnold Palmer Personal f which I have two of.  One is a goose neck the other a bit straighter.  I did pick up a Old Master 802 over the winter but I haven’t taken it out yet.

 

[RobotDoctor]

I have not put a blade style of putter in play since the mid 2000s when I was gaming a Scotty Cameron American Classic VII.  The only true blade putter I currently own is a Cleveland Classic Designed by (copper) putter.  It might get some time for practice to hone my stroke.  I love the shape of these blades.

[CDU]

best style putter for me by far with the SC jet setter 2nd...

[NRJyzr]

My main putter is a Snake Eyes Viper Tour Sv1.  It's a slightly larger clubhead, though not egregious, and a bit heavier, which works well for me.

 

[Tupperwolf]

I built one of those Viper Tours ages ago for fun... Not sure what happened to it, maybe donated to The First Tee.

 

I used to play 8802 style putters exclusively, had a Cleveland "Designed By" that I played a lot.  Also had one of the Mizuno black ones with the milled face...

 

These days I'm back to the Bullseye as there's something about the way it's balanced that seems to resist face rotation despite the 6 o'clock toe hang.

 

I enjoy watching old clips of pros playing 8802s.  Ben Crenshaw comes to mind as the most pure 8802 user spanning the past few decades.  Can't forget Phil, though what he's doing these days with the claw grip is so much different from the playing style that the pure blade suits.

[RobotDoctor]

This is my copper Cleveland Classic Designed by

[BIG STU]

10 hours ago, Tupperwolf said:

I built one of those Viper Tours ages ago for fun... Not sure what happened to it, maybe donated to The First Tee.

 

I used to play 8802 style putters exclusively, had a Cleveland "Designed By" that I played a lot.  Also had one of the Mizuno black ones with the milled face...

 

These days I'm back to the Bullseye as there's something about the way it's balanced that seems to resist face rotation despite the 6 o'clock toe hang.

 

I enjoy watching old clips of pros playing 8802s.  Ben Crenshaw comes to mind as the most pure 8802 user spanning the past few decades.  Can't forget Phil, though what he's doing these days with the claw grip is so much different from the playing style that the pure blade suits.

I seem to do ok putting with my favorite Ironmasters with a claw grip and to boot this putter has it's original leather wrap grip. 

[rumstove]

Don't have an 8802, but my TM T.P.A. X is close enough for me. I put a GP Tour Classic (midsize) grip on it and it feels great. I don't use this putter often but sometimes I put it in the bag instead of my usual Ping Zing.

[golfunderpar18]

I grew up playing an 8813.  I have added a lot of that style to my collection.  A few here. Have added a few more Cleveland’s (becu), another 2 black cleveland milled, , another 8813 , and a “the Wilson” since this photo .  I was a better putter back then.

Edited April 10, 2021 by golfunderpar18
Xxx

[Bogey Bomber]

Went out on Saturday to play at links course with an old school mate, his putter was in the workshop so i lent him my Wilson Designed by Arnold Palmer, i used the Macgregor Ironmasters 3852.... we both putted well, but when we swapped at the 8th hole he didnt like the Macgregor as much and felt it was lighter and had fell short compared to the Wilson. Very similar i think Arnie found design inspiration from the Ironmaster which was very popular earlier on with the Spalding HBA putter. All have that similar flange to the blade. I'm still to buy the Spalding HBA so i can compare all 3 of these popular flange blades from that 40's-50's-60's period. I guess the Wilson 8802 is an improvement on those other two earlier putters because so many more tour players since used the 8802 right up to the 90s.

The Wilson looks slightly more compact with deeper flange, and the Ironmaster is longer and thinner!

I'ld like to try the earlier Spalding HBA model that Lanny Wadkins and Charles Coody used into the 70s and compare it!

They are my 3 favourite putters i'ld like to try and compare!

[Mr. Clean]

On 4/6/2021 at 9:41 AM, RobotDoctor said:

This is my copper Cleveland Classic Designed by

This putter is HOT FIRE 🔥 you right handed golfers are lucky to have access to quality equipment, lefty’s are ignored by most OEM’s 🤔 I love heel shafted blade putters, only putter I will ever play👍🏻

 

I have left handed one and it’s in the bag👈🏼Have 2 8802’s, steel and Becu designed by Cleveland and two ancient Wilson Portsiders, they are so small and mostly unplayable, probably better on a putt-putt course.

[tatertot]

My Flanigan Designed By is my all-time favorite putter ... but I can't make a lick with it. I can't close the face of 8802s to save my life. Wish I could. Love the feel, live lining 'em up, love the way they look. I just can't hit 'em straight.

[James the Hogan Fan]

My slightly more modern take on the style:

 

 

 

More of a showpiece than a playing club. (Through no fault of it's own other than my other bladier putter is even more entrenched as my putter) But this one is the primary putting at home practice putter. 

[Texas Golfer]

I played the 8862 until the 8882 came out.

 

[jweita13]

I've always been a Ping Anser guy but always wanted to try and 8802 style putter. I found the two Wilsons dirt cheap and then scored the McGregor at a pawn shop for $10.  I'm from Columbus Ohio, and who doesn't want a golf club with Muirfield and Jack Nicholas's name on it?

[bl8d]

I have The Wilson 8802 in the bag now(6" to first step) and keep my Nicklaus Muirfield for backup.

They are both in near pristine condition and fine putting blades.

I have a Ben Sayers Parex that somedays beats those into the bag, but it's too rare to risk loosing.

[BL23]

My 8802 is the only untouchable club in my bag.

[NRJyzr]

I've been using the Snake Eyes putter I mentioned above, but from practice sessions, I've been having more success with my Golden Ram TW Custom putter.  It's another 8802 analogue, smaller than the Snake Eyes, and a bit lighter, as well.  

 

Has a leather grip, as well, which isn't really a deal maker/breaker, but a nice touch.

 

Edited May 11, 2021 by NRJyzr

[lefthack]

While not technically an 8802, I should have this little guy by Friday. Going to black oxide with white fill and a Ping grip. 

 

I literally came across the 8802 yesterday while browsing ebay and had to have one. They have an Odyssey X-Metal 8 that I might get, too.

 

 

[Mitchell]

While I have used a BeCu Zing2 for many years, always have kept a couple 8802 style putters around to keep stroke grooved or for when brain/eyes need a bit of reset. This Teardrop td42 has taken over spot in starting lineup recently and I am very much pleased with results, speed control is just very intuitive.

[lefthack]

2 hours ago, Mitchell said:

While I have used a BeCu Zing2 for many years, always have kept a couple 8802 style putters around to keep stroke grooved or for when brain/eyes need a bit of reset. This Teardrop td42 has taken over spot in starting lineup recently and I am very much pleased with results, speed control is just very intuitive.

That looks fantastic.

[samwm]

I've been playing this for 2 seasons now. It's 9 years older than me. 

 

 

[LYG]

I switch between my Designed by Palmer and a black 8813.  

 

Like to build a list of past tour players who used a Palmer or 8802 or 8813.  (Not saying their whole career but part of it).

 

Here's my list (off the top of my head). Am sure there are 25 or 30 "name" players I'm not thinking of.

 

Love to hear your thoughts:

 

Ben Crenshaw

Tom Watson

Lee Trevino

John Mahaffey

Larry Mize

Forrest Fezler

 

Thanks!

[NRJyzr]

9 hours ago, LYG said:

I switch between my Designed by Palmer and a black 8813.  

 

Like to build a list of past tour players who used a Palmer or 8802 or 8813.  (Not saying their whole career but part of it).

 

Here's my list (off the top of my head). Am sure there are 25 or 30 "name" players I'm not thinking of.

 

Love to hear your thoughts:

 

Ben Crenshaw

Tom Watson

Lee Trevino

John Mahaffey

Larry Mize

Forrest Fezler

 

Thanks!

 

You could add Greg Norman and John Daly.

 

Does the Wizard variant count, or are you sticking with the slightly longer blade 8802/8813?

 

[AFGolfer81]

Is there a huge difference in the ways these different 8802 style putters feel? I have the new released 8802 milled.  Which feels amazing. Just picked up an 8813 Australian version with the single red dot, im refurbishing it.  Also interested in getting an original 8802 from the 60s but is there much of a difference between that one vs the 90s version vs Wilson Tour Special vs 8802 marked with Original thats curved vs Arnold Palmer "The Original" that Callaway/Pro Group came out with in the late 80s

[Stephen8802]

Hard to say, there can't be many of us who have had them all. But, quick answer from the ones I've owned is that nothing is better than the original 8802, but some are close.

 

I started with an early 80s 8813, picked up a '64 8802 the next year, have an Old Master 802, and I've had an Arnold Palmer "The Original." The 80s 8813 felt completely different than the '64, not even in the same category. I picked up the Palmer "The Original" in a Goodwill and only held it for a month before it hit eBay; it wasn't bad, but not close enough to the real thing. The Old Master, however, is really close, if not as good. Its so good that if I didn't have the '64, I wouldn't pay retail for one, I'd just buy the Old Master. (Chrome, not brass. I had the brass version for a year and flipped it...it wasn't as good).

 

I have my eyes out for the Cleveland versions. I hear good things about those and would like to give one a few rolls to find out for myself.

[twidener]

I have a Cleveland Designed by Ben Crenshaw that I bought a few years ago from a fellow WRXer. He had obtained a few heads that were raw. I bought one of those. I had an old stepped shaft from another putter and a cameron grip installed. The raw head has developed a nice patina. It has a really nice feel.