Wow! A Special Big Oak Havana w/Pics

kangamatt · May 19, 2006

I just had a huge surprise show up at my office this morning. A Big Oak Havana from Dave Curry at Big Oak Golf.

Some of you may remember that Dave had posted some early pics of the Big Oak Cairo back in early February looking for feedback. I posted the first response to his thread and was rewarded with an opportunity to play test one of his putters. Wow! What good fortune. Being in Minnesota and not being able to play test until Spring, I mentioned that May would be a good month for me. It seemed to fit into his schedule and as things settled down for Dave and the tour season got underway he found time to crank out this beauty and send it off to me to play test.

In the note that accompanied this putter, Dave mentioned a couple of things about this Havana that you may find of interest.

1. This putter is manufactured out of a new material that no one else is currently using. Not being a metallurgist, I cannot even begin to speculate. I can tell you that after hitting some puts at my office with a Hogan Apex Tour Hole-in-One ball I’ve got on display that the putter feels soft and to my limited experience feels more similar to a carbon steel head vs. a stainless steel head. Dave will have to clarify if he’s feeling like sharing the formula. Perhaps though he’s keeping that information close to the vest.

2. This putter is hand rubbed by Dave to a “Battleship” finish. I don’t know if you’ll be able to see from the attached pictures just how cool this finish is. If I had to describe it (in my limited vocabulary) I would say that it looks like a black oil can finish, slightly aged, with a hint of blue. It looks like a classic.

3. “Special Headweight” Dave didn’t give me the gram count and I’m reluctant to simply hazard a guess. I’ll have to wait for Dave to share that information. However, based on his note he weighted it with distance control as his focus.

Please enjoy the pictures and I’ll be back with a performance/play test sooner than later.

To Dave at Big Oak Putters. Wow! You have exceeded expectations. This is a fantastic looking putter and I’m thrilled to offer my feedback.

Riuzzi · May 19, 2006

Very nice putter! The finish definitely looks interesting, very cool! Hopefully Dave will chime in and tell us a little about the putter :)

EDIT: Okay, after looking a little more at the pics, I just had to add this...this may actually be the best looking mallet putter I've seen. I'm usually not a big fan of mallets, but I really like the shape of this. The thickness of the topline, the heel-to-toe length...the only thing I would change is that I would prefer a single sight line on the flange instead of the two on the topline. But what an awesome putter!

Let us know how it performs on the greens!

SwingMan · May 20, 2006

The Havana putts great - been using mine since October. short, long putts - great distance control. Mine is Dave's typical 356g so it's very stable. Not long from heel to toe - so it's relatively compact. Lots of forgiveness as you can see from the cavity and a very tight roll with the top heavy weighting.

Still the best all around mallet I've ever tried or owned.

pitbull808 · May 20, 2006

Kanga congratulations! Dave...great job on the putter. I hope you can give us more insight on the design features. :)

PARIO · May 21, 2006

that is probably one the best feeling putters i have ever putted with but i had never seen one in that unique finish. looks very nice. there are a few other interesting facts about the design of the havana but i will not spoil them. i rather hear them from the man himself.

Mapleleaf14 · May 24, 2006

I have several "Big Oaks" (check my WITB!) and LOVE every one of them! Fantastic putters, and Dave is a truly great guy...one of the nicest guys I've met in this crazy golf industry. I'd put his putters up against anything on the market. The man knows his metals too!!

My Havana was actually the first Big Oak I got from Dave, and I've since acquired a couple "Boston B3's" (both with custom, one of a kind finishes - again, he knows metal!) and a "Cairo" prototype.

I've used ALOT of putters throughout the years, and I think the Big Oaks have the best feel of any putter I've ever used. Dave's "cue-ball" effect and head designs are great.

curryj · May 26, 2006

Sweet looking putter!

Anybody know if the "Cairo" prototype is going to be released, i've been waiting to hear any news since pics were posted of it here a few months back??

Mapleleaf14, i see you managed to get a hold of one, how does it compare to the others you have?

Mapleleaf14 · May 26, 2006

Curryj...

My Cairo prototype is fantastic - typical of Dave's putters!

I'm a heel-shafted guy anyway. I thought the portion of the head at the heel might be a little wierd, but you honestly don't even notice it. It's a great feeling head - great weight.

I gave Dave some feedback and told him that I thought people would definitely like the Cairo. Hopefully he will release it. I know he's pretty busy right now, but if you drop him a line, you may be able to acquire one.