Praising the Wilson 8802

[TurnDog69]

On 4/9/2021 at 6:04 PM, golfunderpar18 said:

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.

I think my eyes just bugged out of my head like a cartoon. Sweet collection

[Weeze]

I had a Bobby Grace, I think it was made by Cobra, 8802 style putter I wish I had held on to... It had a kind of yellow balata insert in the face and just felt unbelievably soft.  I broke out a  TPA XVIII last weekend and putted fantastically with it and just want that Bobby Grace 8802 copy back.  Lessons to learn.  

[Robert L.]

I have an Otey Crisman flanged blade putter I picked up last year which I use on occasion. The hickory shaft is nice and straight, and I gave it the Tru-Oil treatment which protects the shaft nicely. The head itself is a little crusty, but I like the looks of it, so I leave it alone. When you stroke the ball on the sweet spot if feels like butter, incredibly soft!

[Peter S. in Indy]

I was watching the PGA, and the announcers were having a cackle at how tiny the sweet spot was on these putters, stemming off a comment about Phil's using one.  Is it really that tiny?  and what is the effect of hitting ball where the sweet spot isn't?

 

Thanks!

Peter

[MrFlipper]

5 hours ago, Peter S. in Indy said:

I was watching the PGA, and the announcers were having a cackle at how tiny the sweet spot was on these putters, stemming off a comment about Phil's using one.  Is it really that tiny?  and what is the effect of hitting ball where the sweet spot isn't?

 

Thanks!

Peter

Yeah it's pretty small. No heel-toe weighting or anything like that. 

 

But that could be an advantage too. The great putter of my generation was Ben Crenshaw, he used to hit fast putts off the toe to deaden them a bit. A real artist. 

 

That being said, as much as I tried to putt like him, it didn't work, and my days with my 8813 were numbered. I went anser style decades ago. It doesn't look as cool as Crenshaw, though.

[BIG STU]

10 hours ago, MrFlipper said:

Yeah it's pretty small. No heel-toe weighting or anything like that. 

 

But that could be an advantage too. The great putter of my generation was Ben Crenshaw, he used to hit fast putts off the toe to deaden them a bit. A real artist. 

 

That being said, as much as I tried to putt like him, it didn't work, and my days with my 8813 were numbered. I went anser style decades ago. It doesn't look as cool as Crenshaw, though.

Yep the toe hit thing is an old school thing. It can be a hard to do a consistant thing with a balanced Anser style putter. Now my wife and I was watching Congaree yesterday and those greens were slick slick. I told her if I was playing there the beloved Santa Fe would be at home and one of my beloved Ironmasters or my Lil David 8802 would have been in my bag. What you described would be one of the reasons. But I will admit one has to knuckle down and concentrate to hit those dime sized sweet spots. One of the reasons sometimes when practicing putting I will use one of my Ironmaster styles ( I have 15 of them) or a Bullseye. If I can constantly hit one of those in the sweet spot then my Santa Fe is a no brainer

Edited June 11, 2021 by BIG STU

[BIG STU]

On 6/8/2021 at 3:27 PM, Robert L. said:

I have an Otey Crisman flanged blade putter I picked up last year which I use on occasion. The hickory shaft is nice and straight, and I gave it the Tru-Oil treatment which protects the shaft nicely. The head itself is a little crusty, but I like the looks of it, so I leave it alone. When you stroke the ball on the sweet spot if feels like butter, incredibly soft!

OH absolutely!!! Any hickory shafted putter has a buttery feel to me. I have a Hickory shafted Otey Calamity Jane style that has a wonderful buttery feel. Only problem it is too light for our thick Bremuda greens and it is such a beautiful putter I do not want to put lead tape on it. I know that seems dammed odd coming from me because I am Dr Lead tape.

[BIG STU]

On 4/6/2021 at 12:28 PM, NRJyzr said:

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.

 

Love it especially the Ping Man grip bet that gets the Ping Fan Boys going

[BIG STU]

On 4/16/2021 at 9:09 PM, Mr. Clean said:

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.

Yep and I see you are not afraid of a little lead tape either

[BIG STU]

On 6/6/2021 at 11:56 PM, Stephen8802 said:

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.

The Cleveland versions are great-- I have a designed By that I have had some 20 years now. 

[hogan234]

I play an old TaylorMade TPA X putter, which is an flange putter with a partial cavity and some alignment lines. I paid $10 for it a few years back at a PIAS and it kicked my Kingston out of the bag. I love the light weight and how it rolls. It's pretty indestructible so I don't have to cover it which is another plus.

[BIG STU]

22 hours ago, hogan234 said:

I play an old TaylorMade TPA X putter, which is an flange putter with a partial cavity and some alignment lines. I paid $10 for it a few years back at a PIAS and it kicked my Kingston out of the bag. I love the light weight and how it rolls. It's pretty indestructible so I don't have to cover it which is another plus.

Yep and others on here know this---- I absolutely refuse to game a putter I have to use a cover on

 

[fluffy265]

I play a the Mendrella 8802 the bulk of the time, I have a tonne of other heel shafted beauties and love my Tad Moores. But the 8802 still rules the roost for me.

 

J

[bluefishercat]

I play a Cougar Collector's Edition 8802 style 

Original handle

Stainless with no lines, dots or things to confuse me

It originally had a ton of loft, now it has about 3*

Works for me

 

[AFGolfer81]

The heel shafted putter bug bit me.  Picked up an Teardrop TD42, TP Mills Spalding #7 & #6, Taylormade TPA XIV & Hogan DBRC Texas 1400.  I play with either my Wilson Staff 8802 milled version, AP14 or 8813 Red dot edition.  I like to refurbish them...probably going to sell the Hogan & Taylormade.  But these all roll the ball really well for me except the Hogan.  Not sure since it has no offset maybe?  But I really can't tell feel wise the difference between my 8813 & AP14.  That Milled 8802 is never leaving my possession, haven't felt a putter like that ever.  Feels so pure.  But of all those putters im best with the 8813 or AP14.  For some reason I like the lighter weighted putters.

[BraxtonFullerton]

On 6/22/2021 at 11:05 PM, AFGolfer81 said:

That Milled 8802 is never leaving my possession, haven't felt a putter like that ever.  Feels so pure.

 

Same here. I exclusively use it since nothing feels as good or lets you know right away in how you mis-struck the putt.

[chipa]

I looked for a decent 8802 on ebay w/in my budget but ending up picking up a replica for $35 w/shipping. It is apparently cast and was not finished too well so I spent 2 hours grinding and sanding it down but it doesn't look too bad and best of all it feels very close to the original, I had a used one in the 90's and I should have never let it go but it got beat up pretty bad because I didn't use a head cover. 

 

Edited August 26, 2021 by chipa

[BMC]

I use the modern milled version of the 8802.  No alignment line. This style of putter works well with my inside/square/inside stroke.  They really promote a smooth stroke.

My home courses run 12 on the speed-o-meter, and these putters are great on fast greens.

[llewol007]

I love these putters. Puts so much feel into your stroke. I tell you, nothing but a little bit of metal and your ball and that is all you need. 

[Gsea]

Played a Ping My Day for the majority of my golf. While playing my 65 wilson dynas I used my 8802 (which is my other fav putter). Question I have is can someone give me some background info on this putter. Was it even made by Wilson or is it a knock off. Couldn't really find and info on this.

Thanks

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by Gsea

[raggal62]

80's Wilson remake I believe.

[Les Strokes]

On 11/9/2021 at 6:01 PM, BMC said:

I use the modern milled version of the 8802.  No alignment line. This style of putter works well with my inside/square/inside stroke.  They really promote a smooth stroke.

My home courses run 12 on the speed-o-meter, and these putters are great on fast greens.

 

Yes. I have an 80's reissue with the original skinny leather grip, pretty much like new. It is excellent on fast greens, and I love how hitting off the toe really deadens it on slick downhillers ( I hate to leave putts short so I always charge the hole).  I would like to find an original 60's 8802, I will have to search for info on how to know it's the real deal. 

[Stephen8802]

Raggle is correct. That version was made by Wilson, available in 1983,  and advertised by Wilson, along with the 8813, as "introducing two great putters, for the second time ever!"

 

Its an odd thing to put in the catalog, mostly because it isn't true. The 8802 was produced in 1964 then replaced by the 8813 in 1965. It reappeared as both a black and black chrome version in '70/'71, then back to chrome after that for a few years. From what I can tell, it slipped from production for a few years, then brought back again in the early '80s when we were all running around trying to find a '64 or DBAP and paying stupid money if we did. I had the re-issue first, then found my '64 around the time this putter was produced.

 

 

[Stephen8802]

2 minutes ago, Les Strokes said:

 

...I would like to find an original 60's 8802, I will have to search for info on how to know it's the real deal. 

Ken Flanagan has an excellent multi-post description on how to identify the '64 here: https://www.facebook.com/golfclubhistory/.  Scroll down a bit and find all the entries...he does a really good job. There are others on the web, but also some that are B.S.. I've read everyone I can find and like the way Ken thinks it through. This wont help you until you have one, but having had mine since the early 80s, I can tell you that A) they look different and B) they fell different. I could close my eyes and tell you if its a '64 with just one putt. Ken lays out a good explanation what makes them look different. The quick version is the height, the frost chrome, and the shape. If the proper shaft label is still there, you have positive proof.

 

If you don't know Ken's work, his a gifted club doctor who can do magical things to bring new life back to old irons and putters. Looking through pictures of his work can suck up a few hours. He also is an obsessive collector who has both the experience to understand clubs and the interest to figure out the history.

[Les Strokes]

Many thanks Stephen

[Gsea]

57 minutes ago, Stephen8802 said:

Raggle is correct. That version was made by Wilson, available in 1983,  and advertised by Wilson, along with the 8813, as "introducing two great putters, for the second time ever!"

 

Its an odd thing to put in the catalog, mostly because it isn't true. The 8802 was produced in 1964 then replaced by the 8813 in 1965. It reappeared as both a black and black chrome version in '70/'71, then back to chrome after that for a few years. From what I can tell, it slipped from production for a few years, then brought back again in the early '80s when we were all running around trying to find a '64 or DBAP and paying stupid money if we did. I had the re-issue first, then found my '64 around the time this putter was produced.

 

 

Thanks

[Stephen8802]

The number of Clevelands posted in this thread by knowledgeable people made me think. And when I start thinking about golf clubs, its just a matter of time before I get one. A few years ago, I wouldn't consider a Cleveland wood in the same league as my Macgregors, then I bought one and played it, now I own 10. Twenty years ago I never thought I'd date a women from Cleveland, now I'm married to one. Why not the putters? Maybe they're good as well.

 

So, with some help from a generous friend, a Designed by Ben Crenshaw head showed up in the mail last week. A little rough and stained, but nothing structural.  With some helpful hints from RobotDoctor, I found a good shaft. Yesterday I cleaned up the head, slid in the shaft, and gave it a whirl.

 

Now I have a Cleveland putter, raw head, in a 1963/64 Wilson Head Speed shaft, and its...really great. What a fantastic putter. Its very close to my '64 8802 and now a prized member of the club.

 

Thanks to the folks who pointed me in that direction. 

 

 

[BIG STU]

18 hours ago, Stephen8802 said:

The number of Clevelands posted in this thread by knowledgeable people made me think. And when I start thinking about golf clubs, its just a matter of time before I get one. A few years ago, I wouldn't consider a Cleveland wood in the same league as my Macgregors, then I bought one and played it, now I own 10. Twenty years ago I never thought I'd date a women from Cleveland, now I'm married to one. Why not the putters? Maybe they're good as well.

 

So, with some help from a generous friend, a Designed by Ben Crenshaw head showed up in the mail last week. A little rough and stained, but nothing structural.  With some helpful hints from RobotDoctor, I found a good shaft. Yesterday I cleaned up the head, slid in the shaft, and gave it a whirl.

 

Now I have a Cleveland putter, raw head, in a 1963/64 Wilson Head Speed shaft, and its...really great. What a fantastic putter. Its very close to my '64 8802 and now a prized member of the club.

 

Thanks to the folks who pointed me in that direction. 

 

 

Nice Cleveland---- I recently went back to mine I have had for over 20 years. I had been practicing with it some on and off. With the way our greens are now kinda thin and grainy and fast I had in the back of my mind this putter could get the ball up on the grain some. Practicing before the shootout Saturday I was canning putts right and left with that thing. One of our Pros/Co owners saw me and said I ought to play it full time. I slid it in the bag for the game and canned darn near everything I stood over. What was funny was I had my standard old Royal Crown standard size on it. I still gripped it claw style. For now it has benched the beloved Rusty Scotty. I do know for some reason the butt end of that shaft is small because you have to use like 3 layers of tape to get a standard grip to adhere. But it does have amazing feel

 

Every 8802 I have ever owned I bought dirt cheap and sold high without trying and I do not own a real 8802 at this time-- The other 8802 I own is a Little David Slinger which is so close that Wilson sued them. Now Ironmasters I have a plethera of them all years and styles except a real pyraton green shafted one

[BIG STU]

On 12/10/2021 at 12:36 PM, Stephen8802 said:

Ken Flanagan has an excellent multi-post description on how to identify the '64 here: https://www.facebook.com/golfclubhistory/.  Scroll down a bit and find all the entries...he does a really good job. There are others on the web, but also some that are B.S.. I've read everyone I can find and like the way Ken thinks it through. This wont help you until you have one, but having had mine since the early 80s, I can tell you that A) they look different and B) they fell different. I could close my eyes and tell you if its a '64 with just one putt. Ken lays out a good explanation what makes them look different. The quick version is the height, the frost chrome, and the shape. If the proper shaft label is still there, you have positive proof.

 

If you don't know Ken's work, his a gifted club doctor who can do magical things to bring new life back to old irons and putters. Looking through pictures of his work can suck up a few hours. He also is an obsessive collector who has both the experience to understand clubs and the interest to figure out the history.

Yep Ken is an artist in his own right--- I see his posts on FB all the time and read his posts always interesting

[BraxtonFullerton]

2 hours ago, BIG STU said:

 

Every 8802 I have ever owned I bought dirt cheap and sold high without trying and I do not own a real 8802 at this time-- The other 8802 I own is a Little David Slinger which is so close that Wilson sued them. Now Ironmasters I have a plethera of them all years and styles except a real pyraton green shafted one

 

I just sold my 2014 Milled for $450 and moved into a Scotty Newport Classic. I've only hit 2 putts with it so far, but it's nowhere near as soft at the 8802 and I'm not sure if I'll regret this move or not...