The Wilson 8802 -- Greatest Putter of All Time?

[jedi8802]

I am a confessed putter ho -- and at any given time, I have 20-30 putters in my stable. I love the way my Camerons look on my putter rack, and you can't beat the way my Odyssey XG 9 feels on my basement carpet. It seems as though I've swung 1,000 putters -- but when I head to the course, the 8802 is my weapon of choice. In my opinion, it is the most effective putter I've ever used. Does anyone else use one of these old beauties?

[alcap26]

I would say either the 8802 or the Ping Anser are the two greatest putters of all time.

[jick]

You might want to check this link out:

 

http://www.putterpedia.com/wiki/8802

 

The original 8802 is a collectible because its metal composition was supposedly unique and could not be recreated with all the subsequent models of the putter. The feel of the original was different.

 

The 8802 also has no sightline or sightdot, so it was up to the putter to find where the sweetspot was, usually closer to the heel.

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

No.

 

The Ping Anser 2 is.

[everlast08]

yea i agree the 8802 style trumps all.....

 

which blade putters do you own jedi??

[Samsquanch]

I would say out of all of the putters I've tried, the 8802 has tremendous feel.

[RWK]

Agree. The early model had a very soft feel, carbon forge like, which was not evident in later versions. I consider this and the Ping B60 as the two classic 'easy to use' putters of all time.

[littlepingman]

I agree. 8802 is the crown jewel of putter designs.

[jedi8802]

To answer everlast08's question, I own a few blade putters. I currently have 9 different 8802s, an Odyssey White Hot #8, an Odyssey DF882, an Oil Can Napa, a Shamrock 101, and a Yes Sophia. The Wilsons are the best, though.

[littlepingman]

To answer everlast08's question, I own a few blade putters. I currently have 9 different 8802s, an Odyssey White Hot #8, an Odyssey DF882, an Oil Can Napa, a Shamrock 101, and a Yes Sophia. The Wilsons are the best, though.

 

How is the Sophia? I have been considering picking of those up soon.

[blade_man]

I kind of like the 8813 too!

[stage1350]

I love the 8802 design more than any other putter style. But for greatest of all time, the Ping Anser has to win hands down. No other putter has been duplicated, copied, or "inspired by" more than Karsten's classic.

 

However, in terms of feel and absolute beauty, the Designed by Palmer/8802 takes all.

[502 to Right]

Personally, my vote for best design of all time goes to the Ping Anser 2.

[v205]

IMHO, 8802 style definitely has the most feel with some offset. But the Anser 1 and 2 has some forgiveness but still provide enough feel to fine tune the putting stroke. Unlike some ultra forgiveness putter which is hard to improve the stroke from lack of proper feedback.

[everlast08]

jedi,

 

you'd say the wilson is BETTER than the sophia and napa??? that's surprising.

[Zach Heusser]

The Palmer first then 8802 :)

[theothertwo]

I like the 8802 but to me personally, the best design is the Anser 2 but they are really 2 different putters. 8802 - best blade putter.

[daoldguy]

At the risk of starting a family feud with Stage1350, I would rate the Ping

Anser(and its spinoffs) as the greatest putter of all time.

 

The Anser has been copied by more manufacturers than any design.

 

The 8802 would place second, and it is an outstanding and timeless design.

 

Third place would be a tie between the MacGregor Iron Master and the Acushnet Bullseye. (If you haven't figured it out I am just not a mallet fan)

[Swingtheclub]

great thread

 

I have and 8802 one of the originals I am not sure how old it is.

 

It first was sold in the sixtys.

 

I made more 15 to 20 footers with that putter than anything but was never very solid on the short ones with it.

 

I would have to agree the anser was the best design of all times but I never putted with the original I like the Ping A blade or ping pal better

 

I also have and old Tommy Armour Iron Master with the little a on top also a sweet putter

 

again nice for the birdie putts not so nice for the short ones

 

Ken

[Mekeni]

Amen to that! 8802 all the way.. But I must say it's not for everybody.. I for one can't put with an anser style putter, I'll go ahead and say that anser #1 and 8802 style #2.. Personally 8802 baby!!!

[dlygrisse]

I would say the Anser is the greatest design of all time simply because it really revolutionized the way putter are designed with the cavity and heel toe weighting. Without a doubt the most copied design of all time. Scotty Cameron wouldn't be able to sell a putter if the patent was still pending on this design. It is almost mind boggling to think how many majors and tournaments around the world this basic design has won, in all it's different permutations.

 

The 8802 is right up there, but a lot of people don't like a heel shafted design, it is a classic and many great players have used it, most notably Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman and Tom Watson won the Open in 1977 at Turnberry.

 

IMO the 2nd greatest design of all time is the Bullseye, I love this design personally, and it has won a lot of big tournaments over the years.

 

I am also a big fan of the George Low Wizard that Nicklaus used to win most of his majors, similar to the 8802 but a shorter blade, great feel, even if you only have a replica.

 

The Odyssey 2 ball is also a revolutionary design that will go down in history as one of the most played designs ever. I see more of these in bags than any other putter right now, although I personally can't stand it.

[jick]

A used Scotty Cameron Napa off eBay, or the newer Scotty Cameron Napa Valley are based on the 8802 designs but have headweights more attuned to modern putters - which means 330 grams and above. It is a nice modern interpretation of an all-time classic.

[BallzDeep]

2-Ball. It revolutionized the way people look at putting and the way all manufacturers design putters these days. It's still the choice of many of the best putters on tour...Harrington, Quinney, Tway, etc. 3 of the last 6 majors.

[everlast08]

if the head isn't at least 350 g i won't touch it....

 

anyone have an 8813? nice lines on them.

[jedi8802]

I struggle with some of the heavier putters. I have a Select 1.5 that I'd really love to use more, but I have no feel with it -- so hard to judge distance. When my 8802 is in hand, I am confident that I can knock in anything within ten feet. Obviously, I don't always sink them -- but long putts just don't seem as daunting when I'm using the 8802 -- it gives me confidence.

[jick]

if the head isn't at least 350 g i won't touch it....

 

anyone have an 8813? nice lines on them.

 

There is no 8813 that is close to 350 grams. You might want to check out a Scotty Cameron Napa Valley, which has 8813-esque lines on them and is closer to 350 grams than any 8813 can be.

[everlast08]

yea the napa valley will be my next putter for sure.... they're expensive as hell but seem to hold their value.

 

has anyone tried the "kent" model from slighter?? thoughts?

[golfbum9]

I am a confessed putter ho -- and at any given time, I have 20-30 putters in my stable. I love the way my Camerons look on my putter rack, and you can't beat the way my Odyssey XG 9 feels on my basement carpet. It seems as though I've swung 1,000 putters -- but when I head to the course, the 8802 is my weapon of choice. In my opinion, it is the most effective putter I've ever used. Does anyone else use one of these old beauties?

 

The 8802 is a beaut! The Ironmaster is another wonderful blade.

 

I too have a Sophia (the original cg100) and it doesn't have the same balance imo

 

 

I agree with the others that the Anser is the best design ever. But for blades, the 8802 :rolleyes:

[weaver93]

I have a kent and it is a sweet putter. I like a heavy putter ands it is. Hard to keep the trim lines with the extra weight, but I think it looks good and for me it putts really well. Tom is great and will make what you want. I got this one used, but he is working on an Edmonds for me as we speak. Can't wait!

 

 

[v205]

What style of putter has actually won the most titles since recorded? That stats should be available?