Putting Tips & Techniques
How to Choose the Right Scotty Cameron Putters For You
Best Scotty Cameron Putters: An In-Depth Guide
Scotty Cameron putters, produced by Titleist, are renowned for their precision engineering, high-quality craftsmanship, and exceptional performance on the greens.
Used by many professional golfers, these putters come in various models to suit different putting styles and preferences.
Below is an overview of some of the best Scotty Cameron putters, their key differences, and which golfers might benefit from each, along with examples of pro tour players who use them.
1. Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2
- Description: A classic blade putter with a traditional plumber’s neck design, offering precise feel and control.
- Key Features:
- Milled Stainless Steel Construction: Provides a soft, responsive feel.
- Refined Design: Thinner topline and narrower flange for a clean look.
- Medium Toe Flow: Suitable for slight arc putting strokes.
- Who Benefits:
- Golfers who prefer a traditional blade look and feel.
- Players with a slight arc in their putting stroke.
- Pro Example:
- Tiger Woods uses a custom Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS (German Stainless Steel) putter. He has won multiple majors with this putter, showcasing its performance at the highest level.
- Sources:
2. Scotty Cameron Phantom X Series
- Description: A line of modern mallet putters offering high stability and advanced alignment features.
- Key Features:
- Multi-Material Construction: Combines steel and aluminum for optimal weight distribution.
- Alignment Aids: Enhanced visual cues for easier setup.
- Face-Balanced Options: Ideal for straight-back, straight-through strokes.
- Who Benefits:
- Golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and stability.
- Players who prefer a modern mallet design with high MOI (Moment of Inertia).
- Pro Example:
- Justin Thomas uses a Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5 putter. The putter’s stability and alignment aids have contributed to his success on tour.
- Sources:
3. Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2
- Description: A mid-mallet putter that blends the feel of a blade with added forgiveness.
- Key Features:
- Wider Profile: Provides a larger sweet spot while maintaining a compact look.
- Mid-Bend Shaft: Offers medium toe flow for slight arc strokes.
- Balanced Weighting: Tungsten weights enhance stability.
- Who Benefits:
- Golfers wanting a balance between blade precision and mallet forgiveness.
- Players who prefer a slightly larger head without a full mallet size.
- Pro Example:
- While specific pros may not publicly use the Squareback 2, many tour players opt for mid-mallet designs to achieve a balance of feel and forgiveness.
- Sources:
4. Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2.5
- Description: Similar to the Newport 2 but with a slant neck for increased toe flow.
- Key Features:
- Slant Neck Design: Promotes more toe flow for stronger arc strokes.
- Refined Plumbing Neck: Offers a different visual setup compared to the Newport 2.
- Solid Milled Construction: Enhances feel and feedback.
- Who Benefits:
- Golfers with a more pronounced arc in their putting stroke.
- Players who desire a blade putter with additional toe flow.
- Pro Example:
- Collin Morikawa has used a Scotty Cameron prototype similar to the Newport 2.5, benefiting from its toe flow to match his stroke.
- Sources:
5. Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12
- Description: A high-MOI mallet putter designed for ultimate stability and forgiveness.
- Key Features:
- Wingback Design: Distributes weight to the perimeter for increased MOI.
- Dual Alignment Lines: Simplifies aiming and setup.
- Face-Balanced: Suits golfers with minimal arc or straight strokes.
- Who Benefits:
- Golfers who struggle with off-center hits and need maximum forgiveness.
- Players seeking assistance with alignment and a stable putting stroke.
- Pro Example:
- Patrick Cantlay has used a mallet-style Scotty Cameron similar to the Phantom X 12, aiding his consistency on the greens.
- Sources:
Differences Between Scotty Cameron Putters
- Head Design:
- Blades: Newport series offers traditional blade designs for maximum feel.
- Mallets: Phantom X series provides modern mallet designs for enhanced forgiveness.
- Toe Flow:
- Low Toe Flow: Face-balanced models like Phantom X 12 for straight strokes.
- Medium to High Toe Flow: Newport 2.5 and other models for arcing strokes.
- Alignment Features:
- Minimalist: Blades have subtle alignment cues.
- Enhanced: Mallets feature prominent alignment aids.
- Feel and Feedback:
- Blades: Provide precise feedback and are preferred by feel players.
- Mallets: Offer a more muted feel with added stability.
Which Golfers Would Benefit
- Blade Putters (Newport Series):
- Ideal For:
- Players who value traditional aesthetics and precise feel.
- Golfers with a slight to strong arc in their putting stroke.
- Ideal For:
- Mallet Putters (Phantom X Series):
- Ideal For:
- Golfers needing forgiveness on off-center hits.
- Players who benefit from visual alignment aids.
- Those with a straight-back, straight-through stroke.
- Ideal For:
- Mid-Mallet (Squareback 2):
- Ideal For:
- Golfers seeking a combination of feel and forgiveness.
- Players who prefer a slightly larger head than a blade but smaller than a mallet.
- Ideal For:
Additional Pro Tour Player Examples
- Jordan Spieth:
- Uses a Scotty Cameron 009 prototype, a custom blade putter similar to the Newport series.
- Relies on its feel and precision for his putting success.
- Adam Scott:
- Has used various Scotty Cameron models, including the Futura X mallet putter.
- Chooses mallet designs for their stability and alignment assistance.
Sources:
Conclusion
Scotty Cameron offers a range of putters to suit different styles, preferences, and stroke types. Whether you prefer the classic feel of a blade or the stability of a mallet, there’s a Scotty Cameron putter designed to enhance your performance on the greens.
By understanding the differences between models and considering your putting stroke, you can select a putter that complements your game, just as many professional golfers have done.
