Brand History #4
History of
Here, we introduce the history of Scotty Cameron from 1992 to the present, along with the backstory of the clubs released in each era. Click below the year you would like to know!
In the Japanese market, four models numbered #1 to #4 were released as limited editions, with 125 units each.
These were released in luxurious wooden cases and distributed by Modern Golf, the official distributor. On the release day, Scotty Cameron himself visited Japan, and purchasers had the opportunity to have their initials hand-stamped on the items.
This model dates back to the time when Cameron was crafting putters in his garage before signing with Titleist. It's a limited edition with a small production run, and models stamped by Cameron himself hold high collector's value.
Scotty Cameron gained confidence in his putter-making abilities when 12 professional golfers used putters he had created and competed with them on tour. This led him to start producing putters for amateur golfers. His first business negotiation in this regard was with Mizuno.
The order for that negotiation was for 700 putters.
The first to be released was the M-100, followed by the M-200 and M-300 in quick succession.
The M-100 also gained attention when Jack Nicklaus used it in the same year's US Open, further increasing its market visibility.
In the 1993 Masters, Bernhard Langer used the Scotty Cameron Classic I putter and secured victory.It was the moment that catapulted Scotty Cameron's putters to widespread fame when they were gradually gaining popularity at the time.
It is said that the model 4 was not released in Japan due to the superstition around the number 4, which is considered unlucky. This decision reflects Scotty Cameron's sensitivity to Japanese cultural beliefs and sentiments.
Scotty Cameron, who became famous for the putters used by Masters champions, didn't rest on the success of the Classic series but continued to introduce new products one after another.
The next release after the Classic series was the Scottsman.
It is said to retain the essence of handmade craftsmanship and express the tradition and its beauty.Initially, there were plans to introduce a total of seven models, up to "941" and "947". However, "943" and "947" were not released for sale, with only three prototypes produced.
Scotty Cameron's putters, which began their release with Titleist, featured a total of seven models: "Newport," "Catalina," "Coronado," "Del Mar," "La Costa," "Laguna," and "Napa." These models were named after the California locations where Scotty Cameron was born and raised.
When the GunBlue models were released, Tiger Woods had won two consecutive US Amateurs, and at that time, he was using a PING Anser 2 putter.
However, in the following year, he secured his third consecutive victory using a Scotty Cameron putter. To commemorate this win, the 1996 US Amateur Champion model was released, based on the Newport prototype.
The breakthrough for the Tri layered series came in 1997 when Tiger Woods won the Masters using it.
The intricate design, featuring different materials on the face, led to a high demand in both Japan and the United States, causing temporary shortages in supply.
Around this time, a new era began with the incorporation of innovative ideas, departing from the traditional design of the Classic series.
The face of the putter appears copper-colored, leading one to think it's made of copper. However, it's actually crafted from a proprietary material called Tri-Sole, which is a blend of 12 different metals and includes embedded silicon.
This unique construction made the micro-voids that secure the face indistinguishable from the outside.
While featuring a design similar to the Classic series, it underwent a significant finish overhaul, adopting an innovative finish reminiscent of a weathered oil drum.
In reality, each head had a unique color hue, and the finish at that time was consistent, making it a model that defied conventional standards of uniformity.
This finish received mixed opinions in Japan as well, with some people loving it and others strongly disliking it, causing a clear divide in opinions.
Due to the high humidity in Japan, it was prone to rust and became an unpopular model among collectors.
On the other hand, the head featured one of Cameron's iconic design elements, the crown mark, which was engraved for the first time on a commercially available product.
Between 1998 and 1999, Scotty Cameron released many models, and one of them was the Pro Platinum Series.This model was the first in Scotty Cameron's putter line to incorporate plating as a surface treatment.While plating had been seen on prototypes and tour-issue models, its introduction in commercially available products for the first time delighted Scotty Cameron fans.
The release of the Pro Platinum Series was eagerly anticipated by Japanese golf enthusiasts who were concerned about the susceptibility to rust in the Classic and Oil Can series putters.
The Del Mar 3 putter gained popularity as Karrie Webb secured six victories on the LPGA Tour, becoming the money list leader. As a result, the Del Mar 3 putter disappeared from Japanese shops.
The series released in 1997 is called the "Tri-Layered" series. However, it had some minor issues, including difficulties in the manufacturing process due to the use of dissimilar metals for inserts. Water ingress through the gaps in the inserts was a common problem.
These issues were all addressed and resolved with the introduction of the "Trelium 2" series. The inserts in the Trelium 2 series are fully sealed with silicone resin, eliminating the problem of water ingress.
With the improved softer feel and added benefits, the "Trelium 2" series made a notable debut, hitting three birds with one stone.
While the sole and face engravings may differ, the basic design is somewhat similar, making it initially challenging to distinguish between the "Tri-Layered" and "Trelium 2" series. However, you can differentiate them by checking for a white border along the edge of the face of the "Trelium" series.
There was information circulating at the end of 2000 that Scotty Cameron would release four models, but in reality, only three models were released: 1, 1.5, and 2, while the release of the third model was postponed.
While there was great anticipation for new product releases from Scotty Cameron's fans, it is said that the actual sales performance fell short of expectations.
One of the contributing factors was the absence of the most popular Newport-style design in the released models. Additionally, the mixed opinions about the innovative design elements such as the black head with yellow markings and the red crown mark, similar to the Classic series, also played a role in the sales performance.
Scotty Cameron released putters made of 303 stainless steel, a material considered expensive and beyond the reach of amateur golfers at the time.
Furthermore, the addition of the Newport Beach, a model that had not been commercially available before, became a highly anticipated release among fans, and it gained popularity in the market.
The Newport Beach featured a slot design, resulting in a different sound at impact compared to previous models, which intuitively translated into a unique feel.
The high level of craftsmanship in this series is evident from the fact that tour professionals were using the off-the-shelf retail versions, showcasing its exceptional quality.
After 12 years of crafting conventional putter designs with a focus on quality, Scotty Cameron unveiled the "Futura" model in this year, bringing to life the innovative ideas he had been nurturing for a long time.
When it was introduced, everyone was taken aback, but the theory and ease of stroke it offered convinced many.
Furthermore, shortly after its release, many professionals, including Phil Mickelson, who had exclusively used L-shaped putters, started using it in tournaments, achieving success and bringing it to global recognition.
Tour players were in search of traditional mallet putters, so Scotty listened to what they were looking for. He began by maintaining a simple shape and experimented with various metals to achieve the sound and feel that complemented the design.
As a result of these experiments, a stainless steel body featuring a GSS (German Stainless Steel) insert was born. The insert had elastomer edges, which helped achieve the desired sound.
The Red X2 is equipped with three red dots positioned behind the shaft to guide the player into the correct address position. If the dots are hidden by the shaft, it indicates that the shaft is at a 90-degree angle, and the putter is properly set at a 4-degree loft for optimal performance.
The Studio Style, released in 2005, featured a stainless steel head with a deliberate insert of a different stainless steel material (GSS) within it.
The insert is bonded to the head using screws and high-performance polymer without the use of epoxy or adhesives.
The head, skillfully incorporating color, is not only beautifully crafted but also showcases a design that suggests it has reached its maturity after being part of Titleist for a decade.
The Studio Style putter became so refined and popular that it was often referred to as the 2005 version of the TEl3, achieving the highest levels of quality and popularity.
During this time, Scotty Cameron was achieving a balanced release schedule of both traditional and innovative putter models, alternating between them.
The "Circa62" putter introduced this time undoubtedly belongs to the former category, with the clear concept being "vintage." Scotty Cameron himself is an avid collector of items like cars, aloha shirts, surfboards, and more, and he drew inspiration from his hobby for this design.
This series showcases an extraordinary level of attention to texture and color, extending from the head to the use of genuine leather grips and the striking yellow headcover.
The model name "Circa62" signifies the approximate year 1962, which is around the time Scotty Cameron was born, serving as the inspiration for this model.
In 2008, the model bearing the "Studio" name was released, and one could clearly sense the exceptional enthusiasm behind this particular model.
The "Studio Select" series, which utilizes precision-milled 303 stainless steel, is exemplified by the design featuring the eye-catching red dot graphics, a high toe design, and circular sole weights attached to the heel and toe. The Newport putter is a notable model in this series.
The weight screws attached to the heel and toe enhance stability, expanding the sweet spot and reducing head movement when hitting off-center shots.
For the first time in Cameron's putters, it features adjustable weights straight from the factory, providing a fine balance between head weight and shaft length. The design with a raised toe helps prevent toe-up positions and allows for a square address.
The stepless shaft and the new Red Cameron Cord grip contribute to the clean appearance, delivering a soft yet solid feel when striking the ball.
A model named after the California land where Scotty Cameron was born and raised was released. This series included five models named after places in California: "Coronado," "Monterey," "Hollywood," "Del Mar," and "Sonoma."
On the sole of each model, you'll find designs inspired by California's coastal imagery, including the seagull, sun, and waves.
Furthermore, the honey-dipped finish in the style of "Circa62" maintains that vintage aesthetic, evoking a sense of the good old days in its design.
Not only in terms of design but also functionally, the Studio Design putters incorporate adjustable weights that can be customized at the time of shipping. This allows golfers to tailor the length and weight to their preferences, ensuring optimal putting performance.
The Select series is the culmination of Scotty Cameron's desire to create the world's finest putters, backed by research from his Putter Studio. Each putter is meticulously milled, showcasing an elegant form with a refined Black Mist finish that is endorsed by tour professionals.
The Deep Milled face enables a softer feel and sound, while the weight system allows for adjustment of length and balance, providing stability. The Black Mist finish and the red Cherry Dot further enhance the refined appearance of the putter's body.
Simultaneously, a new mallet-type putter, "GOLO," was also released. It represents the latest mallet putter with trusted performance for tour professionals.
The popular California series received a complete overhaul, resulting in a masterpiece that embodies craftsmanship. It features Scotty Cameron's unique toe and heel weights for precise roll and introduces the Deep Milled face, which has garnered popularity in the Select series, providing a softer feel.
The head's finish is further refined with a deep platinum-colored Sea Mist finish, inspired by the morning mist over the California coast, enhancing the overall design.
In the lineup of five models for head-neck types, the California series features Fastback and Monterey 1.5 in place of the previous California series models Coronado and Hollywood.
The Select (2014) model is a minor revision from the previous 2012 model. The external appearance shifted from a Black Mist finish to a Silver Mist finish. However, it retains features like adjustable weights and the Deep Milled face from the previous model.
Additionally, three new mallet-style putters have been added to the lineup: Roundback, Squareback, and Fastback.
These three models feature aluminum sole plates on the sole, providing a higher MOI (Moment of Inertia) and a larger sweet spot.
Moreover, at address, a crosshair alignment aid is positioned to help golfers set up squarely to the target.
The successor to the GOLO model introduced in the Select series from 2012. It features a precision-milled steel frame and a lightweight aluminum face-sole core that are integrated, generating a high MOI (Moment of Inertia) to enhance stroke stability.
The Select Weights made of 303 stainless steel are incorporated into the heel and toe of the face-sole core, increasing the forgiveness of putts.
The use of shock-absorbing materials placed at the junction of the face-sole and the body provides a soft sound and feel upon impact.
Since the start of the men's tour in 2015, professional golfers have shown a high adoption rate of the GOLO series, with Tanihara, who led in average putts last year, using the GOLO 5R and GOLO 7, while Yusaku Miyazato opts for the GOLO 6.
The Futura X5 and Futura X7 share the same design, but they have some differences.
The X5 features a stainless steel face and body that are integrated, allowing for optimal weight distribution. On the other hand, the X7 utilizes a 6061 aluminum face and sole, with vibration-dampening material placed between these premium materials. This combination of two different materials results in a larger sweet spot and a soft, solid feel in the putter head.
In addition, this model is also available in a Dual Balance version. By distributing 50g of weight in both the head and the grip end, it ensures stable putting.
The blade model features a 303 Soft Stainless Steel face and body, while the mallet model utilizes a combination of 6061 Aluminum for the face and stainless steel for the body. With a vibration damping system, it delivers a soft feel and a solid sound that enhances the player's sensitivity to the maximum.
The Notchback model has also been released, and its naming is inspired by Scotty Cameron's love for cars. "Notch" refers to a step or groove, and "back" indicates the back or rear. This model features a stepped design in the flange section.
Due to the increasing demand for 33-inch putters, Scotty Cameron has introduced special limited edition models tailored to 33-inch users. These models are designed with the optimal head weight and two 20g weights, providing 33-inch users with the appropriate weight balance.
Additionally, these 33-inch limited edition models feature a Matador Small grip, which is thinner and one inch shorter than the regular Matador grip. These specifications are unique to the 33-inch limited edition models.
It has evolved all three aspects: "SIGHT" ,"sound", and "sole" to become this model.
Scotty Cameron pays meticulous attention to details like edges and angles, creating intricate shapes almost like sculptures. This attention to detail gives the entire head a clean and crisp appearance, instilling confidence in your putting when you address the putter.
Expanding the vibration damping system between the face and body by 30% from the previous model has further improved the soft feel and delicate sound of this putter.
The newly designed 4-Way Balance Sole in this latest Select series allows for shifting the balance point of each model, making it possible to set up the putter squarely and comfortably at the address, enhancing ease of alignment with the target.
The PHANTOMX putters are the successors to the Futura series, featuring a multi-material construction with a 303 stainless steel head and a 6061 aluminum milled face. By using lightweight materials on the face and heavier materials on the rear portion, it's possible to increase the moment of inertia.
The shaft bend, which changes the shaft's bending angle, is also one of the enhanced features, offering low bend, mid-bend, and straight shaft options.
Designed for easy alignment with neon yellow sightlines and triple milling to allow you to address your target squarely.
The grip has also been fine-tuned. Known as the Pistolero Plus grip, it features a thicker profile from the middle to the bottom, making it easier to fit into your hand, and has a textured surface for added feel.
Newly balanced weights have been introduced for enhanced performance. By combining tungsten in the blade models and stainless steel in the mid-mallet models, the sweet spot has been expanded in all models, resulting in increased stability.
As a return to the fundamentals of sound and feel, the Special Select series is entirely designed and manufactured in the United States. Crafted from a solid block of 303 Soft Stainless Steel, it achieves high performance unique to 303 stainless steel, providing a consistent sound and a soft feel throughout your play.
Five new neck shapes designed to support the ideal address position and provide a toe flow option favored by tour pros. The Plumbing Neck is positioned rearward from the leading edge, ensuring that the neck does not impede the golfer's line of sight during address.
Newly designed neck options include the Short Slant Neck, Slant Back Neck, Flowback 5 with a mid-bend shaft, and Over-Top Neck.
"Super Select" was developed through a relentless pursuit of excellent putter design, building on the success of the Special Select and feedback from top players. It represents an evolution in the design of blade and mid-mallet putters, featuring new milling techniques, improved neck designs, refined shapes, an evolved multi-material construction, and cutting-edge weight distribution, pushing the Select putters to a new level of performance.
For the blade-type putters, a slightly wider profile and a weight distribution around the perimeter were introduced in the "Plus" model, increasing the MOI and enhancing forgiveness.
After deep face milling, a second milling process is used to level out the peaks and valleys on the surface, providing a more stable contact with the ball. This design, inherited from the Tour prototypes, delivers both an appearance and feel that are unmatched, resulting in the most stable face yet.