The making of an original design Byron Morgan Hand Made

[drewspin]

Thank you, Tracy.

 

Oh, yes. Byron has rolled it aplenty with a dryfitted shaft: "Looks and sound good, very soft." The report is that it is very solid with no hint of thinness or pinginess... the CG is dead center in face. Sounds like a winner.

 

The putter officially has a name: Channel Islands

 

Some more polishing, then being sent off to be gun blued.

[wwhitehead]

This is probably the coolest post I've ever seen on GollfWRX.

 

WW

[opus_mh]

aww man.... i liked the turf surfer better :drinks:

[ajlacombe]

Thank you, Tracy.

 

Oh, yes. Byron has rolled it aplenty with a dryfitted shaft: "Looks and sound good, very soft." The report is that it is very solid with no hint of thinness or pinginess... the CG is dead center in face. Sounds like a winner.

 

The putter officially has a name: Channel Islands

 

Some more polishing, then being sent off to be gun blued.

 

 

 

 

Could you tell us what inspired that name?

 

 

Wild Guess: The pie pieces in the back are the islands (since there are two) and the two channels are the channels? Probably not close like my shape guess :drinks:

[drewspin]

the Channel Islands are a group of 8 islands off the California coast, and the rest should be obvious from the pictures.

[4rheel]

Appropriately named. I think your putter came out great and it is very close to the original drawings. As many already noted, a perfect blend of old and new. Still got your day job? (cool)

 

Hope Byron putts this one into production.

[drewspin]

Thanks, Sam. You did great drawings!!

 

Whether this goes into production depends entirely on demand. If there are orders, Byron will make them.

 

Day job, for sure.

[drewspin]

Final pics in unblued state.

[daheels]

That is a beautiful putter. It was also pretty cool to see it come to life.

[drewspin]

Byron, what can I say: you are a master craftsman.

 

Special thanks to Sam Rhee (4rheel), who did the initial illustrations that helped me communicate the design concept to Byron. Anyone who needs some help with illustrations, especially anything like this project, should talk to Sam.

 

Sam, you dog. I can't believe you got to see this in person before me!!

 

 

Let's hear your report, man! I'm sure you got to roll a few with Byron.

 

Finally, the plans for a limited production run of the Channel Islands Turf Surfer are in the works.

 

With sufficient demand, they will be CNC-milled from 11L17 carbon steel with custom hosels of all types done by Byron.

 

The pricing will be very reasonable for a true custom putter.

 

If you want to get on the list for one, send a PM to Steve at zmangolf. We will be putting together an order sheet in the next week or so.

[Hairpie]

Your putter turned out terrific ;) .....I love the shot taken in the parking lot where Byron's shop is....I remember being there awhile back....Again, a great looking putter...

[4rheel]

Dude, take that pic down. Had I known it was going to be posted, I would've brushed my locks ;) Besides, we want to see pics of the finished piece of art.

 

I just so happened to be in the neighborhood and stopped by to visit Byron. What luck your beautiful shtick was sitting their after getting the finish applied. And yes, I thought you should be the first to try your putter out but Byron insisted I give it a roll (I quickly obliged).

 

What can I say about your Turf Surfer. Appropriately named since the beach was literally a block away. I'm very biased and cannot put into words what an awesome putter this is. I love the design. Personally, I think it came out better than the drawing. I was impressed by how stable it felt even on off-center contact (on purpose, of course). Those "pie" pieces really seem to give it a great balance. Nice design, Drew!

 

Enough already. I'll leave the real review to you. When do you get it?

[drewspin]

The pic stays! I thought that's how all you Califonia guys like your hair, anyway.

 

Thanks, Sam. I'm really happy you got to putt a few with it. Nice mini review. I'm sure it will be tough to be objective in in my own review too... I'll have to get some neutral observers out for test drives (putt4doh, Jaw2000) and others. Jeff pulls no punches, so if he doesn't like it he'll have no hesistation telling everyone it's an over-hyped harebrained idea of a putter ;)

[Gxgolfer]

What did the final Spec numbers turn out to be?

[drewspin]

370g

3:45 toe hang

71* lie angle

will be 33.5" at final playing length.

[jaw2000]

While it is true I don't pull punches - I do try to use tact - something that was mis-understood elsewhere!

 

I'd really like to try it out, if my game were worthy - else I'd just out bad habits in it.

 

Frankly I see is as the best of both worlds - a mid mallet (I had a red x that I added weight to - worked great), and a heel toe weighted high MOI - seems like it can't miss.

[drewspin]

I need a putter cover for it - suggestions welcome.

[sync71]

That is one SWEET looking putter! That's so cool that you drew it out and ended up with a finished product like that.

[jaw2000]

Either here or on tourspecgolf (maybe, as I forget), I had some covers made for me - AM&E covers.

 

If this is not larger than the red x, then the AM&E mallet will fit it.

 

Good luck!

[drewspin]

Thanks, Jeff. Should be no bigger than a Red X.

[drewspin]

That is one SWEET looking putter! That's so cool that you drew it out and ended up with a finished product like that.

 

Thanks. To give credit where credit is due, I explained the concept to Sam, he drew it up, we went back and forth a couple of times to get it nailed down, I sent the drawings to Byron, he added his own tweaks (many) and handmade it.

 

Mine was the easy job. :blink:

[jaw2000]

Noooo - Temporary get used to it grip - then wait for the club byron grips to come out!

[drewspin]

It may be temporary until they have the black shark skin in stock :blink:

 

I like this one too:

 

[yoonie]

beautiful! I have to say, I almost like it better unfinished, but it's damn close.

[ramylson]

Wow. That's all I can say.. wow.

 

Absolutely beautiful. And, it was very interesting to see the putter form from a block of metal. Thanks for letting all of us view the "magic".

[drewspin]

 

 

The coolest sightline ever:

[drewspin]

Carpet putting only. GREAT feel. The Head Speed shaft with it was an inspired choice.

It's going in the bag (as soon as the damn snow melts)

 

:blink:

[hurricanewarning]

 

 

The coolest sightline ever:

 

Is this model for sale already? How much it is?

[drewspin]

It's not ready yet.

 

We will announce pricing when it is ready.

[Z-Man]

The first batch of Channel Islands are almost done. They will be numbered 1-6 and being made in 2 styles in right and left handed . The finish on this limited series is black oxide,there after it will be Coldstar. The putters are simply gorgeous,you will be amazed.I am getting Harry to make us a special grip which will also be numbered. No pictures until they are finished