A Glimpse Inside the Amazing World of Scotty Cameron

Just say the name Scotty Cameron and golfers immediately think of putters. It’s safe to say that very few club designers in the history of the game can claim that kind of word association. Maybe that’s because Cameron’s only goal from his humble beginnings working with metal in his garage was to create the finest putters and have the best players in the world trust them when everything is on the line.

Here, he talks about his newest line of Select putters, why his brand is so popular, and what you need to know before buying a new putter.

What sets your new Scotty Cameron Select putters apart from previous models? – “First and foremost, the new Select putters are the culmination of decades of design and research. Building on that experience gives me confidence that I’m releasing the latest and greatest putters I can create with regard to aesthetics, materials, sound, feel and performance.

“We’re at a point with technology and machining that allows me to have an idea, experiment with actual parts and see near-immediate results regarding how a product looks, feels and performs. The new Select putters represent the highest levels of the design and manufacturing process my team and I have perfected.

“We’re mixing multiple materials in putter construction in a way that’s never been done. Newly engineered face inlays with vibration-dampening material for a feel that’s just amazing – soft, but solid with unmistakable feedback. The sensation of contacting the sweet spot is immediate.

“Additionally, I’ve worked with aircraft-grade aluminum to explore weight distribution to increase MOI and concentrate weight in the perimeter. Mixing light aluminum with 303 stainless steel gives me the “canvas” to create the head shapes I envision.”
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What are some of the coolest features with these putters?  – “I love the refined, classy look of each model coupled with the performance feedback of our new multi-material face inlay technology. This new Select line is all about promoting feel, while expanding what’s possible with performance by mixing multiple materials to achieve the utmost in easy alignment, responsive feedback and unmatched stability.

“When you can get the design to appeal to the eye and it’s equally successful in terms of performance, you’ve done your job as a designer. And, I think I have!”
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When it comes to the popularity of Scotty Cameron putters, what has been the greatest key to your success and what inspires you to keep getting better? – “When I started out in the golf business, my goal was to create the finest putters possible and have the best players in the world trust them at the highest levels of competition. That goal hasn’t changed. From the materials to the manufacturing to the accessories (e.g., grip, shaft band, head cover and paintfill), every component has to be top notch. That’s why I only mill putters. The process is better. The result is higher quality, reliable and everlasting. I think setting extremely high standards and sticking to them has been the No. 1 key to the brand’s success.
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What are the most important things golfers need to know before purchasing a new putter? – “I encourage players to find something they like to look at first. Something that appeals to the eye. Looks inspire confidence. And, they do matter. But, there’s more to it than what a putter looks like. Pick a putter you love to look at and then understand what it’s designed to do versus what you’re trying to do. By that, I mean, figure out what kind of stroke you are trying to create. Is your stroke square-to-square? Does it have a slight arc? Or a larger swinging gate arc with lots of toe flow?

“These are the three basic stroke types. And, we just happen to design putters for each type of stroke.

“Our Select line is full of options from heel and toe-weighted blades like the Newport, Newport 2 and Newport 2.5 with lots of toe flow to the compact Newport M1 and Newport M2 mallets for smaller arcs. In the middle of these is our Newport 2 Notchback, which is a bit of a hybrid between the blades and smaller mallets. After you determine what you like aesthetically, and you’ve matched a design to your desired stroke style, getting the correct length is key. Length affects your setup, which sets eye position, as well as another important specification: weight. These decisions all translate back to your stroke path, which will be directly related to your success rate in getting the ball in the cup.Get that length right for your game, and you’re going to increase your odds for success.”
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Looking to the future, what’s the next great innovation in putters? – “I think innovation is going to come by making putters to help everyone play better. Making game improvement feasible by creating putters that help players putt better. Since anchored putting is no longer allowed, I’ve been exploring additional Dual Balance designs that put the best equipment in the hands of those who may be struggling.”
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What is your proudest achievement in golf? – “Having this dream of creating putters for a living and actually making it come true. To come from working with metal in a garage as a kid to building a team that understands my vision for creating the finest putters in the world. I’ve been given a tremendous opportunity, and it’s one that I don’t take for granted. It makes me proud to come to work every day to continue to build and live the dream.”

Tap Ins …
What is your most treasured golf possession? – “My father’s MacGregor Spur putter. My dad loved that putter and it taught me how passionate players can be about a putter. Pretty much spawned my career.”

What is one word you’d use to describe yourself? – “Curious.”

Best round ever and where? – “I shot 67 at Cascata outside of Las Vegas a few years back.”

Best putting tip you ever received? “Brad Faxon told me, ‘Don’t think; just let it happen.’ After all the analysis we do as players, the lessons, the drills, etc., this is still the best tip I’ve ever received. Granted, it works best if you have already done the work and put in the practice.”