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

[GKrest]

Wow that looks amazing. Gotta love getting your own serial number!

[tyro]

HUGE congrats man! I can't wait to hear how it compares to the Camerons. It has a nice blend of classic looks and modern tech.

I've got a special something coming from J.W. that should scratch the putter itch for a while. I'm just not ready to drop $2k+ on an 009 yet...

[Pure745]

[quote name='amackey10' timestamp='1374374977' post='7502370']
Looks awesome man. What grip did you put on it?
[/quote]

It's a Method smooth pistol type grip +4 wraps, identical to Rory's setup. Head weight is 357g and 34" to the end of the grip.

[PDoN]

That's a sick stick!

[fr0sty]

I can only think of one word to describe that putter: PERFECT.

[sk33tr]

That is amazing!

[Dizz]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1374383047' post='7502988']
[quote name='amackey10' timestamp='1374374977' post='7502370']
Looks awesome man. What grip did you put on it?
[/quote]

It's a Method smooth pistol type grip +4 wraps, identical to Rory's setup. Head weight is 357g and 34" to the end of the grip.
[/quote]

Are those his specs? I know he used to play tour only New Decade Yellow 580's with 2 extra wraps. I knew a guy at Titleist that worked on his clubs.

[chickenpotpie]

Wow, that is just plain awesome. I couldn't imagine having a Nike branded club with my name on it! You are like the WRX version of Jordan or LBJ, LOL

[slide13]

That's pretty awesome! To see the in process pics is really cool too, lots of work went into that putter. Amazing to have a company like Nike do that for you. Looks right at home next to the 009s and DH89s. Congrats!

[Big Ben]

[quote name='byw' timestamp='1374375963' post='7502438']
unreal flatstick kudos to nike for making that happen. hopefully it works as good as it looks
[/quote]I agree, that was a one hell of a kind gesture and a wonderful experience. Well done Nike! BB

[UnderPar18]

TAI,
I am truely jealous of that putter. You have what soooo many of us want. When at the Oven was there any mention of Nike coming out with this putter? I feel like they could charge $350 and sell a ton of these!

My second question is how does the 006 midnight compare in shape to a 009 if it does at all?

Thanks,
Sully

[jokerusn]

Damn... That is one sweet putter. I've putt with the 006 and liked it a lot but that one fixes everything I'd change about the 006. I hope they make that shape in the next retail line. Just perfect IMO.

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374416758' post='7504492']
TAI,
I am truely jealous of that putter. You have what soooo many of us want. When at the Oven was there any mention of Nike coming out with this putter? I feel like they could charge $350 and sell a ton of these!

My second question is how does the 006 midnight compare in shape to a 009 if it does at all?

Thanks,
Sully
[/quote]

I agree, this is the kind of putter that can demand the SC price point and sell well. I hope Nike reads all of the positive comments and gives us what we really want!!!

[PixlPutterman]

I hope its ok that I hate you now

[Dizz]

[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1374419605' post='7504876']
[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374416758' post='7504492']
TAI,
I am truely jealous of that putter. You have what soooo many of us want. When at the Oven was there any mention of Nike coming out with this putter? I feel like they could charge $350 and sell a ton of these!

My second question is how does the 006 midnight compare in shape to a 009 if it does at all?

Thanks,
Sully
[/quote]

I agree, this is the kind of putter that can demand the SC price point and sell well. I hope Nike reads all of the positive comments and gives us what we really want!!!
[/quote]

See... I totally disagree.... this would NEVER sell at the retail level for $350... just like their Method putters rot on the shelves now.

Personally I think they'd sell more of them if they made them VERY custom like Tai's and have a custom order program where they could charge $500. Maybe some kind of program where you can choose some custom options like: alignment aid(s), finish (traditional Method satin, midnight, etc), bumper/shoulder shape, paintfill, stamping, grip, headweight... and then obviously the price can be based on whatever else they decide to make available at the custom level.

But I think going the way of just stock, flat retail $300-350 putters is totally extinct as there is no way to add enough value for the customer to spend their money.

What makes Tai's putter truly special is the custom features to it... I mean he got his preferred shape-- attention to detail with the bumper/shoulders shape, topline thickness, site dot (alignment aid), weight, grip and gripping instructions.

You could couple that with sending reps to accounts to go through putter fittings with demos of different shapes... obviously your bigger NIke accounts, etc. But I think just having a cool custom program by the OEM's is lost right now. I mean I would absolutely LOVE to play a totally spec'd out for me Nike Method but there is NO way I would pay money for a retail one.

[TheMoneyShot]

Nike, take the design of this Tai/Rory putter and release it in the new series that is coming out in November. This putter with adjustable weights would be sick!!!! Make it happen guys. If you build it, we will come..

[shootstill]

What a gorgeous putter - and a cool story to go along with it!!

[mdgboxx]

We have a couple of great putter makers on this board. But, to have an OEM custom make a 1/1, proto for a non-staff is something that I truely didn't expect to see. I envy you, you now have something to, [u]really[/u], BRAG About. Best of luck with it, sink them all.

[UnderPar18]

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1374434410' post='7506820']
[quote name='TheMoneyShot' timestamp='1374419605' post='7504876']
[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374416758' post='7504492']
TAI,
I am truely jealous of that putter. You have what soooo many of us want. When at the Oven was there any mention of Nike coming out with this putter? I feel like they could charge $350 and sell a ton of these!

My second question is how does the 006 midnight compare in shape to a 009 if it does at all?

Thanks,
Sully
[/quote]

I agree, this is the kind of putter that can demand the SC price point and sell well. I hope Nike reads all of the positive comments and gives us what we really want!!!
[/quote]

See... I totally disagree.... this would NEVER sell at the retail level for $350... just like their Method putters rot on the shelves now.

Personally I think they'd sell more of them if they made them VERY custom like Tai's and have a custom order program where they could charge $500. Maybe some kind of program where you can choose some custom options like: alignment aid(s), finish (traditional Method satin, midnight, etc), bumper/shoulder shape, paintfill, stamping, grip, headweight... and then obviously the price can be based on whatever else they decide to make available at the custom level.

But I think going the way of just stock, flat retail $300-350 putters is totally extinct as there is no way to add enough value for the customer to spend their money.

What makes Tai's putter truly special is the custom features to it... I mean he got his preferred shape-- attention to detail with the bumper/shoulders shape, topline thickness, site dot (alignment aid), weight, grip and gripping instructions.

You could couple that with sending reps to accounts to go through putter fittings with demos of different shapes... obviously your bigger NIke accounts, etc. But I think just having a cool custom program by the OEM's is lost right now. I mean I would absolutely LOVE to play a totally spec'd out for me Nike Method but there is NO way I would pay money for a retail one.
[/quote]


You make some good points, but I disagree with some of it. I like the idea of some personalization, but not for your price point. The guy who spends $500 was options like deep milling, different shapings, different material (stainless vs. carbon), different neck styles, etc. I just think that it has to be below what a truely custom Machine, Byron, etc costs. Nike isn't going to hold its value like a Cameron so for them to charge that much I think even less people would buy it.

I say $350 gets you a putter like Tai's with custom paintfill, name on neck if you would like, and site line/ site dot options. Maybe a black finish and satin release.

Again just my opinion I know some will disagree.

[Dizz]

I think we agree actually... the price and custom options I mentioned weren't meant to be taken literally though. They were just guidelines for a custom program... whether they're $350-400-500 it was just a number I tossed out depending on whatever the custom options actually were... My main point was it was custom for the player and not just stock options like they have now that just sit on shelves... JMO.

Not sure about deep milling though-- I think that's a "Cameron term" that doesn't really do anything... Lol.

[tywebb19]

NikeID putter service!

[TheMoneyShot]

[quote name='tywebb19' timestamp='1374443679' post='7507964']
NikeID putter service!
[/quote]

That would be perfect!!!!!

[BluehoseGolf]

Tai-I wont tell you what I would do on this website for that putter, but there arent many things I would not do. I am a Titleist fanboy (yes I admit it) and I would bag that in a heartbeat.

[schuyler]

NikeID putter service would be revolutionary. If you could see everything on a layout, then add extra stampings, finishes, necks, ect for added price like they do with shoes, Nike would make a killing. However, I don't see this happening in the near future.

But, if they did release the 006 rory proto, me and many others, I don't think would have any problem paying $350 for one even without customizations. I don't understand why any major oem's don't make the dalehead shape anymore, other than cameron. I can't imagine a cast dalehead shape being that hard to produce.

[UnderPar18]

I still want to know if the 006 is similar to a 009 or far off? Does anyone know?

[Dizz]

Can JW get a cut Nike? You're welcome... Lol.

[schuyler]

[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374444836' post='7508106']
I still want to know if the 006 is similar to a 009 or far off? Does anyone know?
[/quote]

Midnight 006, is completely different from 009. Very far off. The rory proto 006 and tai's is almost identical to an 009. Take a look Tai's comparisons to his 009, very similar.

[UnderPar18]

[quote name='schuyler' timestamp='1374445119' post='7508148']
[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374444836' post='7508106']
I still want to know if the 006 is similar to a 009 or far off? Does anyone know?
[/quote]

Midnight 006, is completely different from 009. Very far off. The rory proto 006 and tai's is almost identical to an 009. Take a look Tai's comparisons to his 009, very similar.
[/quote]

Can you elaborate how the 006 is different than a 009? I had a DH 89 in the past that is similar to a 009, but I have never had the chance to see a 006 in person.

[Whiskey_fire]

Ok well did you game it yet or what ?

[Pure745]

[quote name='schuyler' timestamp='1374445119' post='7508148']
[quote name='UnderPar18' timestamp='1374444836' post='7508106']
I still want to know if the 006 is similar to a 009 or far off? Does anyone know?
[/quote]

Midnight 006, is completely different from 009. Very far off. The rory proto 006 and tai's is almost identical to an 009. Take a look Tai's comparisons to his 009, very similar.
[/quote]

It depends on how fanatical you are on the putter head shape To some, the 006 is "similar", to me, they are nothing alike. Mainly the bumper shaping, slope of the shoulders, top line etc.. very fine details, that once you add them all up, the putters start to become very different.

[quote name='Whit' timestamp='1374445441' post='7508178']
Ok well did you game it yet or what ?
[/quote]

I did, I definitely need more time with it. I took it out today cold turkey and I was off all day. I made a few birdies, but lipped a bunch. I have been using the black 009 in the last picture with the long neck which has less toe hang. Putter has a very soft feel, but not too soft.. much softer than either 009 due to the Method face and puts a really pure roll on the ball. Once I get at least a practice session in, I expect much better results.

@JW - the Rory grip setup I was referring to was for the putter only, not the irons.