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Have you jumped on the boutique putter bandwagon?

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At one time I believed that the best putter one could purchase was a Scotty Cameron. If you can easily misplace or hide $2500 plus from the wife, you can purchase the holy grail of all putters, the Cameron 009…

The Cameron 009 is quite possibly the most coveted of all Cameron putters, except for Tiger’s own personal magic wand. Unfortunately, not all of us have a spare $2500 + laying around, myself included.  Luckily for the masses, we have some great options. Options that are more attractive than any "off the rack" Scotty Cameron flatstick.  In fact, I could argue that the off the rack offerings coming out of the Cameron studio are pretty lame right now. Two companies that come to mind are Byron Putters and C&L 350 Milled.

Sure, there are myriad offerings in the boutique, custom putter market, but I am speaking from personal experience and a lighter wallet. For a lot less than any used Circle T putter, I purchased 2 Byrons and a 350 Milled C&L putter. Both custom finished to my own exact specifications. Want your initials stamped? Done. Want a special finish? No problem. Want a special headweight? Sure. Almost forgot, you need a sound slot as well? Absolutely. In less than 4 weeks since placing my Byron 007 putter order, I was the proud owner of my first Byron 007 Oil Can putter.

Oil Can Byron 007 with Club Byron AME headcover.

This Byron 006 is right at home with this AME Golfwrx.com headcover.

Oh sure, I still love my Scotty Cameron Inspired By David Duval putter, but it may have a really difficult time getting back in my bag as my gamer. I can remember when I switched from an old Ping Anser to my first Cameron, I was in love and I thought that love would last forever. We are all fairly fickle when it comes to putters. Well, maybe nowhere as much as Mark Calcaveccia is. The Byron 007 just feels like such an advancement in feel, and especially in the looks or quality department. It certainly doesn’t look or feel mass produced in any way, shape or form. Order an 006 or 007, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

As you can clearly see, the face milling on this Byron 007 (above) is second to none.

Black oxide Byron 006 is a real looker.

Interior pocket milling is evident as are the handstamped Byron letters.

Soon after purchasing my Byron putters I gave in and called Lee at C&L 350 Milled putters and placed my putter order directly with him. Being able to pick up the phone, speak about putters and then order a custom putter from one of the company’s owners is like a breath of fresh air. I asked Lee if it was possible to get pictures of my custom 350 Milled flatstick all through the manufacturing process. He happily obliged!

She looks a little raw right now, but she won’t after smoothing and an oil can bath.

Being able to see the putter’s progress up close really makes you love your putter that much more. My Oil Can C&L 350 milled putter won’t be here for about a month, but from the looks of the raw putter pics, I am confident that I’ll love it right out of the box, no questions asked. Well, I may ask, "Why didn’t I order this sooner?"

My raw putter, clamped down in the vice getting my initials punched by Chip himself.

It looks really neat to see the milling and stamps; sans oil can finish/paintfill.

I think that Scotty Cameron has really separated himself from the golfing masses. Unless of course you desire any of his non-traditional, newer offerings. In fact, older pro platinum, oil can, gun blue and studio stainless are beginning to cost more USED, even for the non-limited edition stuff. If you desire a tour caliber putter, you’ll have to pay used car prices for that 009. Great putter companies like C&L 350 Milled Putters and Byron Morgan Putters are providing the services that Scotty won’t. Personalized, custom putters at a fraction of the price, not off the rack and with 100% of the quality, finish and feel that many hardcore putters simply desire and demand. Hopefully these guys won’t turn into a Scotty Cameron Studio anytime soon, because I’ll want to place another order or two again in the very near future!

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. GolfTurtle

    Aug 17, 2009 at 5:58 pm

    GREAT review! I’m in the process of ordering my first custom putter right now. Called Byron’s shop and spoke with Steve who answered every question I had and sent over the order forms! LOVING feeling as important as a Pro. I’m so pumped! Now just to decide which stampings to go where…hmmm..
    The SC Cali line coming out just sort of looks cheap, I wasn’t impressed at all, so when the time came around to check out a new stick I decided to use my brain and not follow the masses. If all goes as expected I’ll be a loyal repeat customer of BM from now on. I may check on the C + L’s also.
    Scotty who?
    ~GolfTurtle

  2. D Young

    Aug 6, 2009 at 1:58 am

    If you are impressed with these putter companies you will be blown away by what Kevin Burns is doing at KB Golf. Check out his 3D configurator at http://www.kbputters.com which allows you to build your putter on line. Additionally, he has a fitting machine that he has invented and uses to make sure you get the exact right putter. Any line configuration, color, etc. No stamping, all milled. I’m real happy with my 73 degree, 34.75″ putter with custom lines and paint. Check it out.

  3. zach blai

    Sep 28, 2007 at 10:37 pm

    i have a 350 milled and it has eliminated all of the camerons that i own…in my opinion it is one of the best putters that no one knows about!!!!

  4. R Hetzel

    Sep 25, 2007 at 6:49 pm

    There are two link in the article. For Byron putters you can e mail Drew at:

    [email protected]

    For the C&L 350 Milled putters e mail Lee at:

    [email protected]

    Enjoy, both these companies AIM to please!

  5. chuckfdc

    Sep 25, 2007 at 3:51 pm

    How do I get in touch with these 2 putter makers ??

  6. K Vakamudi

    Sep 22, 2007 at 11:45 pm

    I have a hard time understanding why anyone would spend money on a forged and skim milled Scotty when guys like David Mills, Morgan, and 350 Milled are making such fantastic products.

    Forget the fancy marketing and weekly limited edition head cover releases. These guys know just one thing – great putters.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

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GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

 

 

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Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

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Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
  • Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
  • Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
  • Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
  • Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
  • Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
  • Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

  • Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
  • Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
  • Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
  • Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
  • Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
  • Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
  • Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping Max G440
  • Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
  • Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
  • Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
  • Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
  • Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
  • Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
  • Wedges
  • Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase

  • Driver: Ping 440 LST
  • Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
  • Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
  • Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
  • Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
  • Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
  • Putter: Ping PLD Anser

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Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge

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Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX

3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX

7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX

Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)

Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

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