What do you think?

[xxio]

I wonder what RJB thinks?

http://www.slightergolf.com/custom/c_details.asp?id=390

I'm a Bett fan. I'm fine with it since I doubt if RJB had a trademark on his.

I do wonder though if any sort of acknowledgement of the design/inspiration should have been made.

[golfluvzme]

I think it is sort of like two kids on a playground that are trying to one-up each other. Bett did an awesome job with his, now Tom has put his spin on one and set it out there. Sort of like, "OK, yours was good, but try to top this!" It keeps the guys in the craft on their toes. Who knows if the customer who ordered it even knew that Bettinardi already had one. Even if he did, he must have thought highly enough of it to want one like it, only different. Tuff to guess how many guys could even do that kind of work, in today's putter market.

It is a gorgeous putter, as is the Bettinardi. Alot of Bett's putters are almost more art or exquisite jewelry than putting instrument. It is a niche that he has filled, to a tee.

The thought of giving acknowledgement of desing/inspiration makes me giggle. Can't imagine what a can of worms that would open up. I hope it hasn't come to that.

:) Here's to seeing what we like and making it better!

 

My two-cents,

LaMont in AZ

[HipCheck]

That's pretty sad, really.

[choeppner]

All this does is make me detest his putters now. Just another blatent rip off by tom. Expect to see my slighters up for sale now.

 

This upsets me.

 

-CHRIS-

[xxio]

I think it is sort of like two kids on a playground that are trying to one-up each other. Bett did an awesome job with his, now Tom has put his spin on one and set it out there. Sort of like, "OK, yours was good, but try to top this!" It keeps the guys in the craft on their toes. Who knows if the customer who ordered it even knew that Bettinardi already had one. If he did, he must have thought highly enough of it to want one like it, only different.

Some people never miss a chance to stir something up, XXIO.

It is a gorgeous putter, as is the Bettinardi. Alot of Bett's putters are almost more art that putting instrument. It is a niche that he has filled, to a tee.

The thought of giving acknowledgement of desing/inspiration makes me giggle. I hope it hasn't come to that.

:) Here's to seeing what we like and making it better!

 

My two-cents,

LaMont in AZ

 

 

 

Lamont,

 

If you think I'm trying to stir one up, read my post. My stand is it is ok since it is not trademarked and not a recognizeable logo like the honeycomb or the bee. RJB did the spider web on maybe 10? putters. IMHO that is not enough to make it "attached" to his product.

 

The actual result is just too similar to RJB's work not to have been inspired by it. Maybe if it was a different type/design on the spider web I wouldn't be asking for everyone's opinion. A little acknowledgement would be good. But we all know some of these guys don't get along real well.

 

We are thinking opposite on the inspiration- I do doubt if Slighter knows that Bettinardi's dreamweaver existed, but I would guess that the guy who had it done MIGHT have. Maybe the acknowledgement should've come from the guy who had it done.

 

I understand your passion for Tom. We all know is stand on stampings/designs that are not trademerked. I'm fine with that. I was hoping since Tom is a good guy and IF he was inspired by the dreamweaver he would have acknowledged it. There is no requirement in the putter industry to do that but it would show something about the person who makes the acknowledgement.

[siennaslammer]

my 2cents -

 

i am quite certain that each putter maker out there knows and has pictures of what others are doing.

 

since it isn't a patented/registered design/logo - - - then hey why not.

give the customer what they want.

[Dyno]

I dunno if it's anything to get upset about.

 

Just did a Ebay search for exotics and got this: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-LARGE-6-OZ-ANAL-LU...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

 

Dude. I just wanted a 3 wood....not a 3 woodie. Wtf?

 

 

I could be upset but I'm not. I mean, who invented it anyways?

[Gxgolfer]

There is probably a big difference between Tom's and RJB's version. RJB uses a nano miller that keeps the face absolutely flat. Same as he did with the Ryder Cup putter.

 

Toby, does Tom own one of those mills? I hear they are quite expensive.

 

I personally don't see a problem with the putter btw, the performance off the face is the only thing I would wonder about if I was going to use it.

 

If anyone would get "upset" it would be Marvel but, I doubt that it still would qualify.

[ShoxTP]

my 2cents -

 

i am quite certain that each putter maker out there knows and has pictures of what others are doing.

 

since it isn't a patented/registered design/logo - - - then hey why not.

give the customer what they want.

 

 

 

Affirmative!!!!! Tom is running a business and what the customer wants the customer gets.....half the time.

[mhighman]

I knew this would happen!

 

Chris, your comment just pains me! All of that about selling your putters because of this. Its your opinion.

 

What do you want Tom to do? Put it on his website that he has a putter that looks like Bettinardis!

 

Then I hope that all of the putter makers post on their websites that they pay their dues to Karsten.

 

Thanks to everyone who has an open mind out there. Tom and Dean did something excellent with this putter. The owner of the putter asked for it and no trademarks have been crossed... Unless Charlotte from charlotte's web is mad about it?

 

Lets just enjoy it. To all of you out there that hate it... well we are sorry that you think that... I hope it doesn't turn you away from the unbelievable craftsman at Slighter Golf.

[Gxgolfer]

Mitch,

 

RJB uses a nano miller to create a perfectly flat engraved face. Does Tom have one of those now? I play all my putters and roll is all I would care about. Obviously the retail cost of one of RJB's Spidey is also alot more than Tom's version.

[mcbush25]

I agree with the business aspect of it. If the customer requests it then it is hard to say no because if you tell them no then word spreads fast and then you are stuck with taking a chance at losing business which sucks in the long run.

 

C.J.

[bigkidneys]

I have no problem with it either. Everyone takes something from someone else. As someone said, if that were the case, people should be paying Mr. Solheim for all the shapes he gave to the industry over th epast 50 years. However, the design does somewhat make me sick. Unless it is for a child, a grown man with a spider web on his putter seems just plain gay :)

[xxio]

GX,

 

Don't know about if Tom has a Nano miller? If he had one his work would even be better than it is now.

 

Mitch,

 

I said I am fine with the putter. For me no lines were crossed. I said it WOULD'VE been nice for some sort of acknowledgement from the guy who had it made that way (could've been Tom or the guy who requested it), not a requirement though

 

As for everyone acknowledging Karsten, head design (of which the patent has expired by the way) is totally different from stampings/logo designs.

 

 

The really funny thing is the guy who ordered it has the same first name (nickname at least) as me and seems to be Asian as well by the looks of his surname.

 

Just to add.

Mitch, of course it is going to happen. It is on Tom's site for everyone to see. I saw it on another golfboard (GEA) before I posted it here. I think this actually good for Tom. People will see his capability to do complicated milling designs. Again they shold realize first it is not trademarked (not 100% sure) and look beyond their initial reactions.

[smarshal75]

I am not a computer wizard but it would be nice to see a side by side comparison of the putters. Here is a photo of a JHB Dreamweaver I got off of TKS. Maybe someone could pair up the Slighter and the Dreamweaver picture for a comparison.

 

I think Tom does a great job on his putters and like wise Bettinardi.

 

 

 

[choeppner]

That hosels backwards. I'd send it back and ask him to fix it :)

 

-CHRIS-

[sfdoddsy]

If he did it reluctantly, one wonders why it is so prominently featured on his website.

[TM golf guy]

Looks good, not sure how I feel about it though.

[ak108]

Give Tom a break. He's a person who wants to make all his customers happy. Whatever the customer request, if Tom can do it he'll do it for the customer's satisfaction. No trademarks crossed anyways.

[xxio]

One important but overlooked aspect I'd like to add is that Slighter put the spider web on his own putter. So again no issues for me here.

[golfluvzme]

Lamont,

 

If you think I'm trying to stir one up, read my post. My stand is it is ok since it is not trademarked and not a recognizeable logo like the honeycomb or the bee. RJB did the spider web on maybe 10? putters. IMHO that is not enough to make it "attached" to his product.

 

The actual result is just too similar to RJB's work not to have been inspired by it. Maybe if it was a different type/design on the spider web I wouldn't be asking for everyone's opinion. A little acknowledgement would be good. But we all know some of these guys don't get along real well.

 

We are thinking opposite on the inspiration- I do doubt if Slighter knows that Bettinardi's dreamweaver existed, but I would guess that the guy who had it done MIGHT have. Maybe the acknowledgement should've come from the guy who had it done.

 

I understand your passion for Tom. We all know is stand on stampings/designs that are not trademerked. I'm fine with that. I was hoping since Tom is a good guy and IF he was inspired by the dreamweaver he would have acknowledged it. There is no requirement in the putter industry to do that but it would show something about the person who makes the acknowledgement.

 

XXIO,

Yer right, my original post was a bit defensive. I edited it a bit and hope that it does more to show my feelings toward the putter and not towards the opinions being given. We live in a free society and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If not, we'd all be using the same putter....................perish the thought on that one.

LaMont in AZ

[golfluvzme]

If he did it reluctantly, one wonders why it is so prominently featured on his website.

Who said he did it reluctantly? I figure that the request was made, Tom saw an awesome challenge and stepped up to the plate. Just a heck of a job getting it done.

Tom's work is getting better and better. 2007 is going to be an awesome year for alot of putter makers that were quiet or just getting momentum in 2006.

Can't wait to be a part of it,

LaMont in AZ

[choeppner]

Give Tom a break. He's a person who wants to make all his customers happy. Whatever the customer request, if Tom can do it he'll do it for the customer's satisfaction. No trademarks crossed anyways.

I'll give tom a break when he stops Copying other peoples stampings just to make a quick buck for himself. There is a reason in the collector circles he is known as the Devil in the south. Still waiting for him to come up with some neat and original stuff of his own. Tom seems to be more worried about making a quick buck for himself than showing respect to any of the other makers out there.

 

And yes. I did e-mail him these same thoughts. For a guy as talented as him, it seems funny that all he can do most of the time is mimich others to make some change for him.

 

Once he putsthe thought into the ORIGINAL design then I will start to respect him again,. He got busted for doing the same to camerons he apoligized. Said he didn't know better. Now he is doing the same thing to poeples putters to make themlooklike betts

 

 

-CHRIS-

[drewspin]

unless there is a TM or design patent on the spider web: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[smarshal75]

Give Tom a break. He's a person who wants to make all his customers happy. Whatever the customer request, if Tom can do it he'll do it for the customer's satisfaction. No trademarks crossed anyways.

I'll give tom a break when he stops Copying other peoples stampings just to make a quick buck for himself. There is a reason in the collector circles he is known as the Devil in the south. Still waiting for him to come up with some neat and original stuff of his own. Tom seems to be more worried about making a quick buck for himself than showing respect to any of the other makers out there.

 

And yes. I did e-mail him these same thoughts. For a guy as talented as him, it seems funny that all he can do most of the time is mimich others to make some change for him.

 

Once he putsthe thought into the ORIGINAL design then I will start to respect him again,. He got busted for doing the same to camerons he apoligized. Said he didn't know better. Now he is doing the same thing to poeples putters to make themlooklike betts

 

 

-CHRIS-

 

I hate doing this to a rather well liked Golfwrx member, but I gotta call a foul here. This is a totally unecessary personal attack that really doesn't reflect the spirit or rules of the Golfwrx forums.

[choeppner]

It's not a personall attack if it's based in fact. We're all allowed to have our opinions. And I know I am not the only one that thinks this way.

 

-CHRIS-

[Geo]

It's not a personall attack if it's based in fact. We're all allowed to have our opinions. And I know I am not the only one that thinks this way.

 

-CHRIS-

 

I'll chime in with my opinion in a bit (read: everyone wait with baited breath :) ), but you're not. I am curious though, how did Slighter get to be known as the "Devil in the south" when he's located in the Pacific Northwest? :cheesy:

[choeppner]

Beats me George. LOL That's just the nickname I've always heard used for him. Not a clue what's it's roots are.

 

-CHRIS-

[smarshal75]

It's not a personall attack if it's based in fact. We're all allowed to have our opinions. And I know I am not the only one that thinks this way.

 

-CHRIS-

 

 

So what do you have to corroborate your facts? Certainly, you're entitled to an opinion, but you took it to far with the name calling. I think its time this thread was locked up.

[Hungsolo]

I can see why people are upset that he copied the dreamweaver, but it's not on a Bett right? What he did with the cameron stampings was on cammys right?

 

I understand that you guys are upset, but it seems that these are different issues altogether. If he's making a Slighter putter look similar to a Bett (which isn't copyrighted) I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

 

I don't want to start the tired old argument that everyone copied Karsten, but if his customer likes the spidey design, and it's his own Slighter putter, that's cool with me. It's not like there's a New Limited edition slighter webface putter that he's selling 500 of. The customer probably saw the Bett, knew he'd never have one, and asked Tom if it was possible. I think it's pretty cool.