Scotty Cameron bashing

[Matty]

I always wonder why guys will happily pay almost £300 for a new driver every couple of years but bulk at less than that for a putter you will use on every hole.

It's all in the marketing message isn't it?

The latest drivers are always more forgiving and X yards longer than the previous incarnation.

What can you say about putters? You certainly don't want one that is 17 yards longer off the tee. It needs to put the ball in the hole and it relies heavily on the human being attached to the handle to do that successfully.

 

[Slab]

Golf & golfers are no different to any other area of consumer purchasing

There will always be those who’ve purchased something that then turn into brand ambassadors for that manufacture/shop/brand etc etc

Either from a satisfaction with the product, service or price, a successful transaction can create a brand supporter & ambassador for years to come

Most purchases don’t create any strong positive or negative reviews/ratings but you’re more likely to see it happen when it’s a premium item that’s the topic. So the ‘top dog’ be it Rolex, Scotty, Sky or Rolls Royce will have quite a passionate following. And it happens because they typically are pretty good items...... and partly because who's going to admit to buying top of the range tosh

 

[Foxholer]

Interesting thread!

I'm not a Scotty fan, for the sole reason that they are, imo, seriously overpriced. But that doesn't stop them from being well made (and 'marketed' even better).

I've owned 4 or 5 and tried quite a few more (owning/trying putters used to be a hobby). It was only a small surprise that the (Retail) one(s) that felt right for me were almost certainly made by Bettinardi! Tried a few Circle Ts in my time too. Similar thoughts, except for a rusty, battered old one - matching its (seriously good, Pro) owner. Now those are seriously overpriced!

One thing that the price of Scottys has done, though it may be coincidentl, is drag the price folk are prepared to pay for a putter up, so the general quality has increased. I believe that's something to thank him for.

If you get a Putter that suits and you get on well with it, it doesn't actually matter how much/little it costs. However, I do smile at he guys who think that any Scotty will make then a better putter!

 

[NWJocko]

eh???

There's an annual (I think) conference in the US where they sell specific merchandise. Hundreds of threads on golfmwrx about it, aswell as hero worshipping of all things cameron......

From your username I'm sure you are a fan of their putters/brand and fair play to you. I don't dislike them in any way, just that I don't understand why that brand in particular seems to have attained cult status (as with Mizuno before you get too defensive )

 

[HawkeyeMS]

I use a Scotty, it's the best putter I have ever owned. It cost me £200 and I would happily spend another £200 if it ever needed replacing, unless I found a better putter then I'd buy that.

Frankly I don't give a damn what anyone else might think because judging someone on the kit they own is more a reflection on the judge than the judged.

 

[Scotty_Tom]

without sounding too defensive, and not aiming this specifically at you, but your comment is typical of a lot of people who don't know about something, who pass off a comment that is ridiculous and then taken on board an believed by haters, which is then used to bash something even more!!

A conference for a pitch repairer is far from the truth! there are two main events in the US every year, first of all the PGA show. one of Scotty's long time friends and distributer has a booth at the show concerned with all things Cameron. Scotty makes a lot of fancy and expensive putters for that event and they sell out instantly. There is also loads of other putters, tour / ltd / OTR for sale, as well as headcovers, t shirts, jumpers, pitch repairer tools, ball marker etc!

The second is the International Cameron Convention, where collectors from all over the US, Europe, asia and even Australia meet up in Ohio for a couple of days of golf etc. again putters / headcovers etc are produced!

 

[Foxholer]

that's a classy thing to say isn't it!

I'm inclined to agree with it!

Nothing so special about a CircleT putter that justifies the ludicrous prices!

 

[Rooter]

The second is the International Cameron Convention, where collectors from all over the US, Europe, asia and even Australia meet up in Ohio for a couple of days of golf etc. again putters / headcovers etc are produced!

That sounds fun!

 

[pokerjoke]

For me £200 spent on a putter is money well spent if it gives you confidence,purely
because putting is all about confidence.
If it looks good,feels good and generally gives you that confidence to hole more putts,then
to me that's a good investment.

 

[Scotty_Tom]

In most respects you are right, there is not difference between a OTR Select and a Tour Select, OTR Golo Tour Golo etc, (obviously exceptions apply where a pro has asked for something different ) but in essence the last few years, the 100% machine engraved tour putters are no different from the OTR ones.

But, then there are the others, like 009's, Cami Co's, GSS, welded necks, different finishes blah blah blah which all command big money. Why? because you cant buy it in the shops, only available to the tour. If you are not on tour you can try to place an order with a distributor and you expect to pay big $$$ for it.

Why should people be branded stupid for spending their own money on something they want. I don't see how it affects you in a negative way?? If they have the money and want to buy it, then why not.

 

[Scotty_Tom]

That sounds fun!

I take it you never bothered meeting up with any guys on here for a game of golf, no?

 

[BoadieBroadus]

There's an annual (I think) conference in the US where they sell specific merchandise. Hundreds of threads on golfmwrx about it, aswell as hero worshipping of all things cameron......

From your username I'm sure you are a fan of their putters/brand and fair play to you. I don't dislike them in any way, just that I don't understand why that brand in particular seems to have attained cult status (as with Mizuno before you get too defensive )

I think its the annual collectors convention that you're referring to, and is organised predominantly by scotty enthusiasts rather than scotty himself or titleist. but yes I imagine there will be people there who go a bit ott about the release of pitchmark repairers. there's also one in japan I think that is properly hardcore

but these guys are serious collectors of rare items and it is a separate specialist hobby like collecting classic cars, or model trains or antiques.

I think the criticism of SC putters is largely because more than any other club, a new it stands out as being significantly more expensive than the norm, a full bag of vega or miura probably the same which is why miura wedge man got pelters on here a few months ago.

the criticism is not of the product itself, but of the people who use them and believe that they are better performing simply because they are more expensive, or because pro's have one. that is the attitude that I think is actually being criticised.

as mentioned, I had a thing for them and bought a few. do I think a gun blue Newport looks better than an odyssey 2-ball? Yes. do I think it putts any better or better than any other putter? No, I think that would be delusional.

 

[NWJocko]

without sounding too defensive, and not aiming this specifically at you, but your comment is typical of a lot of people who don't know about something, who pass off a comment that is ridiculous and then taken on board an believed by haters, which is then used to bash something even more!!

A conference for a pitch repairer is far from the truth! there are two main events in the US every year, first of all the PGA show. one of Scotty's long time friends and distributer has a booth at the show concerned with all things Cameron. Scotty makes a lot of fancy and expensive putters for that event and they sell out instantly. There is also loads of other putters, tour / ltd / OTR for sale, as well as headcovers, t shirts, jumpers, pitch repairer tools, ball marker etc!

The second is the International Cameron Convention, where collectors from all over the US, Europe, asia and even Australia meet up in Ohio for a couple of days of golf etc. again putters / headcovers etc are produced!

Apologies, I didn't phrase it well. I didn't mean they had a conference to launch a pitch mark tool, I was referring to the international conference where they produce specific merchandise.

I am not a "hater" of anything golf related, other than perhaps that phrase. As mentioned I should have made my point more clearly :thup:

However, the fact that there is an international convention sort of sums up the "hype" around the brand (I believe there are also Byron Morgan events also?)

If people enjoy that then good luck to them, I just don't understand how a putter brand has turned into what Cameron is today.

 

[Rooter]

I take it you never bothered meeting up with any guys on here for a game of golf, no?

that i have on numerous occasions, however we didn't compare putters, headcovers or pitch mark repairers first. probably as most people here are normal. Although, what is normal?

 

[NWJocko]

I think its the annual collectors convention that you're referring to, and is organised predominantly by scotty enthusiasts rather than scotty himself or titleist. but yes I imagine there will be people there who go a bit ott about the release of pitchmark repairers. there's also one in japan I think that is properly hardcore

but these guys are serious collectors of rare items and it is a separate specialist hobby like collecting classic cars, or model trains or antiques.

I think the criticism of SC putters is largely because more than any other club, a new it stands out as being significantly more expensive than the norm, a full bag of vega or miura probably the same which is why miura wedge man got pelters on here a few months ago.

the criticism is not of the product itself, but of the people who use them and believe that they are better performing simply because they are more expensive, or because pro's have one. that is the attitude that I think is actually being criticised.

as mentioned, I had a thing for them and bought a few. do I think a gun blue Newport looks better than an odyssey 2-ball? Yes. do I think it putts any better or better than any other putter? No, I think that would be delusional.

Good post and yes, as per my other post I was (poorly) referring t the convention.

I don't criticise either the product or the people that use them, more the hysteria that has built up around the brand, same with the Mizuno blues brothers

 

[Scotty_Tom]

that i have on numerous occasions, however we didn't compare putters, headcovers or pitch mark repairers first. probably as most people here are normal. Although, what is normal?

But did you talk about golf, and clubs and the latest taylor made driver / irons / rocketlauncher?! the point is it might sound sad, but its the same as what people on there do; meet up with like minded others, talk golf (putters or whatever) and have a good time. Ive never been to the ICC but I have met up with a few other collectors in Europe, USA and Australia, and they are just normal guys.

but like you said, what is normal?!!

 

[Foxholer]

Good post and yes, as per my other post I was (poorly) referring t the convention.

I don't criticise either the product or the people that use them, more the hysteria that has built up around the brand, same with the Mizuno blues brothers

Ping?

 

[Rooter]

but like you said, what is normal?!!

Exactly! what ever floats your boat mate, enjoy!


PS. Still think they are over hyped and over priced putters!!

 

[Scotty_Tom]

I might be sounded defensive of the scotty brand in here, I am a little yes, IMO his putters are the best and I play and collect them. But over the last few years I have become a little disillusioned with it all, especially the collector scene, he can put his name on anything and it will sell. The forum is not what it used to be 5-6 years ago, putters hardly ever get a mention now, unless its the newest, brightest, twisted welded neck etc. its all about what something is worth and people scrambling to buy something to 'flip' as soon as it arrives.

The thing that does get my back up about threads like this is the bashing of people on a personal level. I must be stupid for spending big money on my collection, but then I have that money to spend, so maybe im not so stupid after all?? maybe I just work hard, earn my money and spend it on what I like!??

 

[Scotty_Tom]

PS. Still think they are over hyped and over priced putters!!

which is fine, just don't call me stupid! haha!