Custom 1-Off "Rory Method Proto" from WRX Oven Trip

[Pure745]

I just posted this in the WRX Oven Trip thread, but as a true putter fanatic, I think others would appreciate the work that was done at Nike Golf's "The Oven" as this putter is definitely one of the coolest putters I own.

 

The Nike thread is here: http://www.golfwrx.c...ur-and-fitting/

 

I'm really not even sure what to say right now, or even where to begin :) And again, apologize for what is going to be a long post with a lot of pictures.

 

I have been using an 009 on and off for years now, and before then, my first "high end" putter was a Scotty Cameron Newport I got for my birthday back in 1995 when I was a junior. I have been a putter fanatic for a while, and was a huge fan of Rory going over to Nike. Once I heard that he would have to give up his GSS 009 for a Method, I was intrigued to see how Nike would cater to his preferences since nothing in Nike's current Method lineup looked like his 009.

 

When the first pictures of Rory using the Prototype Method surfaced at a tournament in Abu Dhabi, these were my posts from the thread when I first saw them.. pretty much back to back, like a true putter fanatic who didn't know what else to say but still kept posting :)

 

Yeah.. that head shape looks really :censored2: good!!!!

 

I want one.

 

Once I found out I was going to the Oven, this putter would be "it" for me, and pretty much Holy Grail status if somehow I could get one, or even see one in person for that matter. I got to roll a few with my 009 compared to the Method, and the Method was great, but no chance in taking my 009 out of the bag. Here is my putter review I wrote when I got back from the Oven:

 

"Current: Scotty Cameron 009 Tour 350g

Nike: Method 006

 

Another situation where I thought there was no way the 009 is coming out after 6 birdies and an eagle in my 67 tournament round, no chance a Method was going to sniff this thing. Same type of process with the putter, I hit 1 putt dead in the center with the Cameron and he pulled me off to look at the skid. Almost 3" of skid, but the putt was dead center and pure. Now the Method, again, dead center but with almost no skid at all. I hit about 24 putts total, I made 23, I made every putt with the Cameron an barely missed one with the Method. Dave is the putter guru and was the guy behind the Rory version of the Method. I was joking with him the entire time since my 009 is the same head shape Rory had before signing on with the Nike. He showed me the advantages of the Method technology and what it could do for a more consistent roll. My thought was that I could care less how much it skids as long as it goes in, and he didn't see me miss one putt with the Cameron. I joked about that, but he was a good sport and definitely made a solid point about how much quicker the Method gets the ball rolling. I told him that I get how well it works, but unless it looks like Rory's or my 009, I won't be using it :) So, we will see what happens when my putter shows up.. If it looks like a Rory, it's going straight in the bag, if not.. the 009 isn't going anywhere. Guys like Dave are really what make the transition for players much easier.. he made Rory's putter and Tiger's putter and all the ex-Cameron guys one off putters with similar shapes and the Method technology. I can see why they all have made the change, the 1-offs are really amazing looking and going off what I saw with the skid reduction, the Method technology actually does work. I really hope Tiger gets a major win with a Method soon, just so that guys like Dave who have so much work invested in these athletes get the recognition they deserve!"

 

I was definitely not expecting to actually get a Rory Proto, it was definitely a pipe dream and I could not stop thinking about the "what if's" if David Franklin really did reach out to me to tell me he is making me one and what grip I wanted. Well, that day did happen.. and I was speechless when I answered the phone. Once I could formulate coherent sentences, we kicked around some ideas, and picked from the seemingly unlimited options that are capable at The Oven. I didn't expect this, but David sent me pictures throughout the process so that I can post them here, basically here is the chronology, from start to finish, of a 1 off Prototype putter done at The Oven

 

 

 

Mike Taylor welding the neck:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David shaping the bumpers and the result:

 

 

 

 

 

Finished product:

 

 

Coolest part, TH serial number!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the Method fits right in :)

 

 

I can't thank GolfWRX, Nike, and David Franklin enough. This really is a dream putter for me and means a lot to me. The putter is going straight in the bag and I will let you guys know how the Method technology compares to my 009. The Method and shaping is softer than my 009, and looks better than I could have imagined. THANK YOU!! :drinks:

 

• UPDATE 3/2/14 - Macro shot of the grooves - I figured I would take this picture because of the non-stop "the grooves are painted" posts in almost every Method thread. Here is what the face on my putter looks like, the grooves are definitely NOT painted!

 

[Maaaaaardy]

AMAZING! Tai that is so, so sick man. I'm glad you've received something you'll treasure forever and had an amazing day. Hope it actually works now!

[Judge440]

Wow. Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[Scotty1140]

Dude that insane.

[Fish-N-Chips]

holy smokes man.. You have so many, you should just send one my way!

But for real though, that is an amazing putter. You're one lucky dude.

[Dizz]

Tai... that's so badass. Good things happen to good people... enjoy it man.

You and I are both big Cameron fans but that putter is way more cool than any Cameron you have.... I hope you don't take offense to that. I only say that because there are not many people out there that care enough about someone to do something like that and there looks to be a ton of hand work that went into creating you a putter. That thing is unbelievable.... I'm sure you will but hope to hear about you making everything with it...and it making the bag.

[ckay]

Sick!! Love the rounded bumpers. I hope it drops a lot of putts for you.

[Pure745]

Thank you everyone for the comments. I still am in complete shock that this putter was made for me, and cannot express how much I appreciate the team at Nike and GolfWRX for making it happen. This is just another example of how my vision of Nike was changed after the experience there.

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1374347170' post='7499890']
Tai... that's so badass. Good things happen to good people... enjoy it man.

You and I are both big Cameron fans but that putter is way more cool than any Cameron you have.... I hope you don't take offense to that. I only say that because there are not many people out there that care enough about someone to do something like that and there looks to be a ton of hand work that went into creating you a putter. That thing is unbelievable.... I'm sure you will but hope to hear about you making everything with it...and it making the bag.
[/quote]

Thanks Dizz. I'm a huge Cameron fan, and agree that this putter is the cool putter I have ever owned. It was really funny to see David's face when he realized that I actually knew (and cared) that there was a difference between Rory's 006 and the retail 006. This putter is going straight into the bag, and will keep you posted on how well it does for me. I'm very interested to see the effects of the Method face, on the monitor at The Oven, the amount of skid with my 009 ranged from 1-3.5", my best with the Method was 0.3".

[xThor]

wow that is beautiful!

[Dizz]

A one-off totally BA custom putter is great... one that works is priceless. I'm insanely jealous... I would love to own something that cool.

[SheriffBooth]

[oneaugusta]

What a collection, the Damascus Byron's get my vote.

[Boogs2]

That is SICK! I still hate everyone that went on that trip j/k

Beautiful putter man and its awesome that Nike rolled out all the stops to make WRX'ers feel like the pros!

[Sean2]

Terrific looking putter! :-)

[PZero]

Feel free to pass your 009 on to me, I've been dying to get one.

[J13]

wow speechless. Unreal putter Tai.

[bioman]

This thread angers me.

[jyamat]

Congrats to you!!! What a dream!

Kudos to Nike as well for making this happen. Wow....

[TRoc9892]

I'm jealous to the point of anger lol. I'm glad that such a putter would go to someone who would truly appreciate the care and effort it seems they happily put into such a club. I would agree that that is one of the coolest putters I've ever seen.
It also appears to me that the folks over at Nike care so much that using a putter with they're technology would benefit you, they pulled out all the stops to deliver you one!

[WVP]

How about that letter? That gotta get framed and put on the wall. So cool....

[mikes919]

Amazing! You're right, the TH serial is one of the coolest parts.

[HammerTM24]

Simply beautiful! Congratulations....

[Big Ben]

Amazing putter and amazing lineup, enjoy that beauty she's a peach! BB

[nova6868]

I'd take that Method over any of your Camerons.

[Scotty1140]

You know you've reached a certain putter status when you get your own serial number lol.

Like I said before, insane looking putter. Enjoy

[MB Dirtyy]

I don't think I've ever been more jealous in my entire life. I can't stop staring at it. #thosebumperstho

[Macattack]

Looks awesome man. What grip did you put on it?

[byw]

unreal flatstick kudos to nike for making that happen. hopefully it works as good as it looks

[jdweaver]

That looks amazing!

[TheMoneyShot]

Coolest putter ever!!!