is a cameron circle t putter really worth it?

[titleistpro2]

For those of you that have had the chance to play circle T's, is there any performance enhancement, or is it just cool because it's been customized and is a tour club. I'm looking at getting one, but I just want to know if they are any better or not.

[Gxgolfer]

For those of you that have had the chance to play circle T's, is there any performance enhancement, or is it just cool because it's been customized and is a tour club. I'm looking at getting one, but I just want to know if they are any better or not.

 

Most Circle T camerons are stock heads with different weighting, Tour only finishes and stamps. Unless its customized to your specs, it will be hard to achieve a performance difference. You might be better off using that money on a good putter fitting and go from there.

 

Also check the SC FAQ thread>>>Here

[slicer365]

It's a status symbol and most people don't play them, they collect them. Scotty Cameron prides himself on making putters with different finishes, stamps, etc... Playability-wise, I doubt there's any difference. Cameron makes great products and you'd be better off buying a Studio Stainless Newport 2.5 and sending it to him to put the ($) or the Studio Stamp and initials and then send your putter to Slighter for the finish.

 

Circle T run anywhere from $450 used, to maybe $750-1000. HEY, it's friggin' putter!!!! :)

[Metalhead]

It's a status symbol and most people don't play them, they collect them. Scotty Cameron prides himself on making putters with different finishes, stamps, etc... Playability-wise, I doubt there's any difference. Cameron makes great products and you'd be better off buying a Studio Stainless Newport 2.5 and sending it to him to put the ($) or the Studio Stamp and initials and then send your putter to Slighter for the finish.

 

Circle T run anywhere from $450 used, to maybe $750-1000. HEY, it's friggin' putter!!!! :)

 

 

If you can pick up a Circle T for $450...buy as many as you can!!!!...for that matter $750!

 

No it won't make you putter better to have a circle T stamp on it...is it different than retail Scotty- Yes it is. its like the long tested debate of Tour vs. Retail...same applies to here...not different material, but different weighting and finishes with and extra status symbol.

[JHR]

I have and use both CT Cameron's and Retail Cameron's in the same style putter.

 

I prefer to use a Cameron Del-Mar 3.5, i ordered a CT because I wanted an Oil Can 3.5 with a 350g head and 33" long w/ my initials, so i ordered exactly what i wanted, i did not get it because it was Tour, because technically mine was never on tour, it was a custom putter that i ordered for ME.

 

The ONLY differences between my CT and my retail 3.5's is the retail are 330g heads, and only available in the Pro Platinum finish ( with the exception of the Black 3.5 that was available for a short while).

 

So again, like everyone has stated, there are no real advantages to Tour vs retail , except for finishes, weighting and stampings, now to some degree the weighting may impact some players putting ( more of an excuse i would imagine).

 

Overall: My opinion, just a status thing vs a playability thing.

[dbleagleks]

It's a status symbol and most people don't play them, they collect them. Scotty Cameron prides himself on making putters with different finishes, stamps, etc... Playability-wise, I doubt there's any difference. Cameron makes great products and you'd be better off buying a Studio Stainless Newport 2.5 and sending it to him to put the ($) or the Studio Stamp and initials and then send your putter to Slighter for the finish.

 

Circle T run anywhere from $450 used, to maybe $750-1000. HEY, it's friggin' putter!!!! :)

 

 

If you can pick up a Circle T for $450...buy as many as you can!!!!...for that matter $750!

 

No it won't make you putter better to have a circle T stamp on it...is it different than retail Scotty- Yes it is. its like the long tested debate of Tour vs. Retail...same applies to here...not different material, but different weighting and finishes with and extra status symbol.

 

 

For that matter, find his supplier. Scotty will be GREATLY limited the number of Circle T's in the future. Let's just say there have been some problems. Good Luck.

[slicer365]

Maybe I'm off severely on the prices of Circle T putters, who cares. Let's get real, most of us on this thread play with the casual golfer who knows jack crap about Scotty Cameron and his putters. I mean I'm sure I'm not the only one who plays with the guy who plays Top-Flite 5 pack golf balls, has a set of St. Andrews or Cougar irons, plays a John Daly driver they got at Wal-Mart, and an imitation 2 ball putter.

 

Scotty is a great craftsman and I will never buy anything but Cameron, but I mean it's a stamp and a finish, which both can be easily replicated. I mean go out and find a welder pay him x amount of money to make the stamps and then have him stamp it, then send it off to BOS have them 3x oil can it, and you've got yourself a replica tour putter. If I had to count how many fake Rolexes I have seen, I'd be a rich man.

 

I would never do this, because I have a conscience. Is this gonna help you drain putts, probably not, but you can sure look cool doing it. I'd rather pay that kind of money for a down payment on a bay boat or as rent on a hunting ranch.

 

To each his own. Nothing wrong with getting something you like. Just my .02!!!

[titleistpro2]

I sure love equipment, but I sure love my money too! I dunno...Maybe I just need to write Tiger and ask him for his putter since he now is infuriated with it!

[DSK1hcp]

I would have to disagree with the above post-----I have played Circle T putters for the last four years. I had five Newport 2 circle T's----I do not collect them---if they do not fit my eye----I sell them. As the tour versus retail debate goes---it is the same with putters. I truly believe that a circle T has a totally different feel and balance than any retail putter. I'm currently using a Black Pearl Mist Newport 2 Beach SSS----people that currently play with retail scotty's and try mine--say they feel the difference. Cost range is more like $1,600 to $2,200 depending on finishes/markings. IMO well worth the money---if you buy one----make sure you get a COA# with it.

[slicer365]

DSK1hcp, I'm glad you have what you want and I like the fact that are proud of it, as you have notably spilt the beans on the cost of your putter. The truth is, my putter feels noticably different than the casual golfer's 2 ball putter. The casual golfer is who I play with, and that's my competition, for the $1.50/hole bet that we have per round. I believe I have a better putter and it gives me a psychological edge over him, but that's just opinion. I really doubt Scotty Cameron makes inferior putters for the retail market, if he did he wouldn't be in business, so he can add weight and balance the putter for pros. I just go to my Club pro and he can do all that himself.

 

The bottom line is, nobody can get a Newport with a 3x oil can finish, with the dog, tour dots and Circle T for retail and that's the kicker. If your trying to tell me that, that makes your putter better than mine, o.k., but feel-wise and I'll say it again, Scotty Cameron does not make inferior putters for the retail sector. The retail sector is how he makes his profit. He gives the pros putters, headcovers, training aids, personal stroke analysis, all for for playing his equipment. How much is a limited addition headcover that he comes out with every so often...$50 and he has what like 200 of them at a time (that's $10,000 right there). That's how he makes his money. Guys like us also like to get our equipment stamped and refinished, that cost about $160, how many does he do in a year...I'll say 400-500, maybe more.

 

Anyway you are crazy if tell me that a tour putter is better, when basically a stamp and a finish, are the deciding factors. Oh and I forgot weight balancing???!?!??

[NSalvatore]

Yes and no on the above points.... i think a CT putter feels diffrent becuase you can MAKE it feel difffrent with custom lengths, weights and finishes. Yes, finishes make putters feel diffrent, and many of those are only available on a tour putter.

 

The bottom line is, putting is about confidence. If you get that in a 300 dollat OTR great...if you get even MORE from a 2,000 009, good for you. To some its about collecting, and with these customs knowing Scotty was doing work on each of them and examining them before they left the studio with his approval. That is worth something to some....along with the confidence that comes along with it and enjoying the fact you have something no one else has, stampings, finishes, paint fill etc....its just cool...bottom line.

 

Also, reguarding putters in the shop, at last note there was over 1,000 putters in the hands of the studio that were being worked on, these being custom shop OTR putters, oo9, GSS, etc creations etc....not including Tour players and there putters in the shop.

 

In the end I will say this....does a 009 fell 1700 better then another Carbon Steel SC? No. Does it feel better, yes. Does it feel better based on actualy physical feed back, or is it self confidence...dont know. But its there.

 

The SC gaming and collector market has a grey area. you usually have collectors and gamers when refiring to these putters, some, collect OTR putters...some collect 8K GSS putters. But Some PLAY 8K GSS putters....and thats when the issues start....collectors question gamers, gamers question collectors and round and round...all while the bistanders say why the hell would you pay this for THAT to begin with...yall are crazy. the water gets muddied very quickly. One of the pnly sure things I have put my finger on is, most dont under stand or GET IT till they own one....once they do...it becomes alot more clear....

 

...till then this is a topic that will never be agreed upon, cause countless arguments etc etc etc

[slicer365]

Well said NSalvatore. On a side note Houston National was my home course, but we moved to Conroe, now Woodforest is my home course. Anyway, your exactly right, gamers have issues with collectors, in that we think they are trying to be snobbish, by flaunting their Collections at us (Gamers), and by remarking on the price. The fact is they are proud of their collection and we as gamers, can't even begin to understand, simply because our checkbook's don't stretch that far.

 

Would I like to have a RUN OF 1-500??? Sure!!! A Laguna 2.5 3x oil with the stamps and all that??? Sure, but I'm realistic, my kids need to eat and cars need gas.

 

More power to the few that are lucky enough to have the luxury of owning a tour putter in their chosen finish and stamps, and I'll enjoy them on the COA portion of the Cameron website. As ridiculous as I think it is the next person might have a passion for and who am I to judge.

 

Just my .02!!!

[gburgs]

Very subjective question.

 

Is a diamond ring really worth 10K? Is an Audi A8 worth $80K? Is a Vokey Prototype Spin Milled worth $600 plus?

 

What something is worth to one person is different than the worth to another. I wouldn't buy one expecting it to improve your game 5 strokes a round, but don't forget that putting is the most important part of the game. Whatever makes you feel good over a putt is worth it.

 

Don't forget though, the value and demand of rare tour camerons is only going up.

[maguy1970]

This is a very interesting discussion, and before I chip in my .02, I would like to personally commend anyone who posted in this thread and did not have it spiral into the "SC is ripping people off" variety of discussion.

 

I have never understood the "collector" mentality fo golf clubs. I but what I buy, when I need to add something to my bag/game. I can see why people would buy tour clubs for the most part. The tour van stuff is held to the strictest of manufacturing tolerances to ensure the pros have the highest performing equipment at their disposal. I however, do not see how a "tour" putter, SC or otherwise can perform or feel that much better. I admit, I have never rolled a putt with a circle t, so it's all theory for me at this point.

 

The thing I am trying to understand is the mindset of someone who collects this type of gear. Actually, I have never understood collectors of anything you can't enjoy. I can not imagine spending that much on a putter and NOT using it. I have a question and I hope I can get some answers from both sides of this hypothetical situation:

 

Say a guy shows up at your course or as a single to hook up with your threesome and he has a circle T. After admiring it, he offers to let you stroke a few before the round. You putt a couple, hand it back and tell them, "nice, but I could never leave my ping/2-ball/newport 2/yes/etc...." Do you think that person then immediately writes you off as uneducated for not being able to fully appreciate their $1500 putter? Do collector/gamers get upset if in a similar situation, someone who has no idea of a circle t looks at their putter and tells them they almost bought one of those at Golfer's Warehouse last year?

 

I again, could not imagine spending that much on a putter, but would rather spend hours working on the putting stroke with a variety of retails until you find one or two you have the most confidence with. Bottom line is, I do not understand collecting gofl equipment.

 

There, that has to be one of the more pointless posts of the night!

[NSalvatore]

To answer your hypothetical question about someone putting with a CT, and then saying, I cannot leave XYZ putter....no I would not write them off. Point and fact they might like that Ping putter better then the CT, becuase they have had success with it and that mentallity they have with that putter and there past success is very important. Pulling a club outta your bag that you have hit many great shots with instilles confidence, so I understand why someone would want to stick to there club/putter.

 

As far as collecting putters....I think I can speak for many Cameron Collectors when saying there are very few SC guys that DONT play these 009s, GSS's etc...becuase of the fact that we can now send this club back to SC's custom shop, fully restored, still with an A COA grade, and the putters lose no value at all by doing so....this inspires many to play a putter that might normally be a collector. Do you collect anything? Really the same reasons you collect putters are the same as those that collect, stamps,comics, coins, watches, cars...etc. Some comics you will read, others you will keep as mint as possible, sorta like putters, but as I said....many use there SC collectables, and if need be, send them to the shop for resto later on. The few putters that are not used of the major collectors I know are very special putters like handmades, garage putters, graffiti putters...etc.

 

Many SC collectors are very good students of the game, and as a matter of fact, by inlarge, very very good golfers....so they put the time into there game, putting for hours like you suggest...but will also spend the money on a unique, custom putter from the hands of Scotty.

 

Point and fact, I am waiting on my FIRST tour custom (see my sig), but when it gets here, it wont go right in my bag.....it may in time, but, I dont know if I can give up my Studio Style 2.5 =), I have had so many great experences with it. :)

[300_yard_drives]

it all depends how many 0's you have in ur bank

[NSalvatore]

Yes and no. If your talking about a GSS putter, handmade, garage or graffitti then yes, it is a costly endevor. But if you go to CameronCollector.com you will see a few young men in there mid TEENS and College kids that are collecting, and 000's are the farthest thing from there bank accounts, that are asking for the advise of world renound cameron collectors like Bill Vogney about what they should collect, with very very little in the way of funds and minimum wage pay....its great to see more young blood in the SC Collecting market, I'm saying this being young myself, 25.

 

While 0's on your bank account are nice...part of the fun is going to 2nd hand golf shops and just finding a gem, someone that doesnt know what they have/had....and picking it up cheap and sending it into the Custom Shop....

[tpariff]

I wish I had the time to post all the links to prior discussions on this topic, but I don't. I'm busy admiring my Cameron CT 009! :)

 

But I digress...As mentioned earlier, whether or not one perceives a difference in appearance, feel and/or performance with a tour putter vs. a retail putter, it is all about how said person chooses to spend his/her money. Frankly I could care less whether someone likes my CT 009 because it's for me, not anyone else. It is my gamer. I wouldn't buy a Porsche or Ferrari and park it in the garage to collect dust. One could argue that a Porsche or Ferrari is no better than a Ford Mustang because both get you from point A to point B. It's about making a decision to buy what you like...period.

 

Anyway, that's my .02. Gotta go oil my $2,000 putter.

[maguy1970]

To answer your hypothetical question about someone putting with a CT, and then saying, I cannot leave XYZ putter....no I would not write them off. Point and fact they might like that Ping putter better then the CT, becuase they have had success with it and that mentallity they have with that putter and there past success is very important. Pulling a club outta your bag that you have hit many great shots with instilles confidence, so I understand why someone would want to stick to there club/putter.

 

As far as collecting putters....I think I can speak for many Cameron Collectors when saying there are very few SC guys that DONT play these 009s, GSS's etc...becuase of the fact that we can now send this club back to SC's custom shop, fully restored, still with an A COA grade, and the putters lose no value at all by doing so....this inspires many to play a putter that might normally be a collector. Do you collect anything? Really the same reasons you collect putters are the same as those that collect, stamps,comics, coins, watches, cars...etc. Some comics you will read, others you will keep as mint as possible, sorta like putters, but as I said....many use there SC collectables, and if need be, send them to the shop for resto later on. The few putters that are not used of the major collectors I know are very special putters like handmades, garage putters, graffiti putters...etc.

 

Many SC collectors are very good students of the game, and as a matter of fact, by inlarge, very very good golfers....so they put the time into there game, putting for hours like you suggest...but will also spend the money on a unique, custom putter from the hands of Scotty.

 

Point and fact, I am waiting on my FIRST tour custom (see my sig), but when it gets here, it wont go right in my bag.....it may in time, but, I dont know if I can give up my Studio Style 2.5 =), I have had so many great experences with it. :)

 

NSal, thanks. I appreciate your thoughts. I guess I get it a bit more if you play with said putter.

 

As for colecting myself, I bought a lot of comic books as a kid to read them, not for the value they might appreciate. Did I put them in plastic, no. Did I find ways to locate other comic book people to "show off" my collection, no. They were mine to read and enjoy.

 

I understand the ferrari reference, basically if you have the dough to afford a custom putter like a 009, good for you. but, like you said, it it "sits in the garage" then why buy it?

 

Best fo luck with the 009

[DSK1hcp]

Anyway you are crazy if tell me that a tour putter is better, when basically a stamp and a finish, are the deciding factors. Oh and I forgot weight balancing???!?!??

 

Not looking to start a battle here---I purchase my putters from a guy that has a direct connection to the Cameron Studio.....and yes they do use different grades of stainless steel to make their tour puters...and no I'm not trying to flaunt the price I pay for my putters----

[gburgs]

Anyway you are crazy if tell me that a tour putter is better, when basically a stamp and a finish, are the deciding factors. Oh and I forgot weight balancing???!?!??

 

Not looking to start a battle here---I purchase my putters from a guy that has a direct connection to the Cameron Studio.....and yes they do use different grades of stainless steel to make their tour puters...and no I'm not trying to flaunt the price I pay for my putters----

I don't think anyone said it was "better" from what I read here. Congrats for having a connection. You'll probably get lots of PMs from people looking for a tour cameron now that you've mentioned that. :)

 

People like to read into what other people are thinking when they buy a tour cameron. Don't. Some people collect, some people buy them for the appreciation of the craft, some people actually believe they are a better putter with a tour putter in hand. There are many different people that buy the tour camerons for different reasons. If you can't find a reason to buy one, don't waste your money, and don't waste your time trying to understand why other people buy them.

 

Personally, I love the creativity, the finishes, the quality of materials, the stampings, and the genius behind the putters.

 

Different strokes for different folks, and don't forget that ENVY is one of the 7 deadly sins. :cheesy:

[slicer365]

Gotta go oil my $2,000 putter.

 

tpariff

 

That's pretty cute. You remind me of one of those guys at a Star Trek or Star Wars convention!!! I bet you got Cameron jammies, bed sheets, a cup, and a hat to go with your putter. Not to mention 56 headcovers, a license plate that says "GSS 009" and wall posters of the Cameron logo. Well good for you, your medal will be in the mail tomorrow!!!

 

 

But if you go to CameronCollector.com you will see a few young men in there mid TEENS and College kids that are collecting, and 000's are the farthest thing from there bank accounts, that are asking for the advise of world renound cameron collectors like Bill Vogney about what they should collect, with very very little in the way of funds and minimum wage pay....its great to see more young blood in the SC Collecting market

NSalvatore

 

Sal- Many of these kids are from old money and are living under mom and pops roof, and the college kids are asking for more allowance. If they were making minimum wage how in the world could they play golf anyway, they are constantly working in bars, grocery stores etc...

[DSK1hcp]

 

 

 

Different strokes for different folks, and don't forget that ENVY is one of the 7 deadly sins. :)

 

Very well said!

[slicer365]

Anyway you are crazy if tell me that a tour putter is better, when basically a stamp and a finish, are the deciding factors. Oh and I forgot weight balancing???!?!??

 

Not looking to start a battle here---I purchase my putters from a guy that has a direct connection to the Cameron Studio.....and yes they do use different grades of stainless steel to make their tour puters...and no I'm not trying to flaunt the price I pay for my putters----

don't forget that ENVY is one of the 7 deadly sins. :)

 

Maybe a little uninformed and perplexed why a piece of Stainless Steel can cost as much as a nice sized Plasma TV, but I've only been playing Cameron for a month now. I read posts on the CameronCollector.com. I can appreciate the quality. On the other side, when folks take unnecessary stabs and say "I'm just admiring my $2000 putter", it's stupid and uncalled for!!! Do whatever you want spend money as you like, I'm trying to discourage anybody, be proud of your stuff!!! Just don't be annoying about it.

 

We have this stupid thread at least once a month. Face it we will never eye to eye so drop it.

[gburgs]

We have this stupid thread at least once a month. Face it we will never eye to eye so drop it.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[JHR]

That was going to be my next post.

 

This is the same argument about Tour vs Retail equipment, it becomes an individual preference.

 

I am going to close this thread as i believe that it has run its course.