Scotty Cameron Releasing New California Series of Putters
CHASKA, Minn. — Putter guru Scotty Cameron is set to release a new line of Titleist putters, the California Series, at the end of September. On Tuesday at the PGA Championship, many pros got their first look at the new flatsticks. Rod Pampling and Darren Clarke immediately requested that models be made to their specifications and planned to try one on the practice green here at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
There are four models of California putters, each named for a town. From the top, they are Coronado, Monterey, Sonoma and Del Mar.
The most noticeable feature is the new finish. Cameron refers to it as "Honey Dipped." The gold tone is created when the stainless steel heads go through a special heating process. Depending on the light, the California putters show flashes of pink and purple too.
When I spoke with Cameron on the range at Hazeltine Tuesday, he made it very clear that the look of the putters was very important. "I want it [the look at address] to be flowing, because if anything gets stuck or looks sharp, your eye goes to it," he said. "That makes the putter look like a brick on the ground."
Two other subtle things help to keep the look of the putters clean. First, there are no steps in the shaft of the California putters. Second, the decorative shaft band has been placed on the back of the shaft near the handle. These details are designed to make it easier for your eyes to concentrate on the ball and your line at address.
While he refers to the putters as "old world classic," there is at least one modern feature built into the new putters. On the sole of each California model are two 10-gram weight screws. Like the screws used in the Studio Select putters, these screws are not designed to be removed or adjusted by the golfer. However, via custom order, they can be changed to create heavier versions of the putter using the same head.
The Coronado is a classic blade putter with two steps in the back flange area. It features a single alignment dot on the top and a round neck. The Monterey is a classic heel-toe weighted, Anser-style blade with a plumber's neck and a single-line alignment aid. The Sonoma also features a plumber's neck and a single alignment line, but it has a rounded back flange and slightly longer face. The Del Mar has a larger, circular back flange with a high toe area.
When they are released in late September, the California Series putters will retail for about $299.
(Photos by David Dusek)
Ugliness on a stick.
Posted by: 1of5 | August 11, 2009 at 05:38 PM
When, oh when, will the Laguna return?
Posted by: bajaokie | August 11, 2009 at 06:13 PM
Now he's making copies of copies! What a genius he is. No, lets run and spend 400 on a 4 head cover!
Posted by: Bill | August 11, 2009 at 07:45 PM
As a cameron fan this newest offering leaves me a little disappointed ans wanting.... ho-hummmmmm
Posted by: mrbirdog | August 11, 2009 at 07:48 PM
Is there something new here that I'm missing? Other than a new finish which obviously has little or nothing to do with performance, I'm not seeing it.
Posted by: RobN | August 12, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Not bad. I like the idea of going back to the older, classic lines he created in the past. It would be really nice if he made putters from GSS available to the general public.
Posted by: Corey | August 12, 2009 at 11:47 AM
show retail prices of ea model pls
Posted by: R Ingram | August 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Pricy in this time of our economics downfall
Posted by: Joe Gooch | August 12, 2009 at 12:25 PM
as good as Titleist Scotty Cameroon brand name is, i was hoping the Guru would come up with new innovative putters that would help improve putting for everyone. these putters looks like they just got another facelift from old models, and selling for premium. though SC had brilliant ideas with futura line looks like nike "method" is something more "innovative" than this california line.
Posted by: hb | August 13, 2009 at 12:52 AM
@ hb- and yet, the sheep will flock to these, gleefully shelling out the $300 each, to rack up 30-40 putts a round.
This does remind me of a $20 Wal-Mart brand putter I bought for my first ever flatstick. It had the "honey" covered Anser look, with those weird purple-ish shimmers... I thought the metal was tarnished, or the plating was messed up. Looking back, I should've kept that putter and sold the idea to SC. I missed on that one LOL.
Posted by: Justin | August 13, 2009 at 10:30 AM
"The Guru of copycats"...Copy a good putter and stamp it with BS and slap a very high price tag for suckers..
Posted by: Atong | August 13, 2009 at 11:01 AM