My Mann Ma/66 Putter Build pics inside

[bladehunter]

Hello Guys and Gals..... I don't get excited enough about anything to start my won thread very often....But this is a special occasion so rather than post in the other thread on the putter Mod side I thought I would start a new one here.

 

I have been on a putter "quest" as of late... I started it by getting a proper fitment using a seemore fitter in my area.... That got me some specs to go with and since then I have been "hoing" putters like crazy...changing each to fit my specs and adjusting from there to make each fit my eye. Well I settled on a recipe that has seen my average putts per round drop from 36-now 30 (working hard to get under 30 now) ....These specs are a head weight of 375-380....length of 36.5 inches , lie angle of 69 degrees, loft of 2 degrees and a 50G weight in the end of the shaft...Yes I have found counter balancing to be automatic inside 10 feet.

 

I also have a few "wants" that are getting harder to find in an off the rack putter....I wanted one devoid of any sight aide...no line no dot... I prefer this mostly because I like to hit from the sweet spot of a putter...Most if not all anser styles have a sweet spot that is heel side of the sight line by at least a half ball to some that are a full ball inside. I find it easier to line the ball up without a sightline to catch my eye , especially since im not using it to line up with. The second want was a carbon steel head. I absolutely hate the feel of stainless compared to carbon steel... Now just think for a second...What was the last carbon , no sight aide anser head you remember being produced OTR? Was probably a Newport from around 2001......Sooo to make a longish story a tad bit shorter I decided a custom made putter was the only way to get what I wanted.

 

That is when I began researching and contacting prospective options to have this putter made for me.....This in itself was a foreign thought as I have never owned a putter made for me....I decided I would get what I wanted or I wouldn't buy....Well im not going to give details on who said what etc. But lets just say I found getting a carbon head made to be very difficult to say the least. Some said they could, some said they couldn't, some said ill see and call you back (and never did) and some said you can get it in carbon but not stamped the way you want and this was the highest priced option. I was discouraged to say the least... And then I stumbled across a thread here on the Putter mod forum.... I inquired and received a PM from a member with some details that peaked my interest.

 

The contact info was one of Lamont Mann.. A putter maker I had heard of and considered , but just hadn't seen the "one" that caught my eye yet.. The putter I had been told about is his new Ma/66 anser style offering. I saw the preliminary couple putters and was honestly blown away...I wanted in...I sent Lamont an email straight away and received a reply within hours. I had sent him my list f wants as described above and he replied that he could indeed include every single one. How could I refuse? Short answer I couldn't. Better yet I had slipped in under the wire to get the last of the initial run of 15 of these putters. Lamont sent me the official order form , I filled it out and sent it back and my order was in the pipe....At this point I was already impressed to say the least that I had been able to place my order with the "Mann" himself... No confusion could be had since the guy taking my order would also be the one milling it. I fear that this wont be the case for much longer as the word is getting out that the best quality work Is coming from Manns' shop and at some point he won't be able to do both.

 

Fast forward a mere day and a half and I received a text message from Lamont. I honestly almost fell off my chair... He had a few questions , options for milling and the neck... Talk about service.. That was the most convenient exchange possible. Not some third party salesman relaying messages. The artist himself directly conversing with me. Then on the fourth day I got the 1st of many pictures....WOW!!!! Something that I just cant get out of my head.... How many people who order putters custom made get to see the putter while in process? Im betting this is rare. I have never seen a 009 pic while being milled unless it was on a press release or something similar. Now today I received a ton more pics of the putter head after milling, turning out a neck, welding it on and polishing. Im so excited (cant you tell) and cant wait to roll this thing outdoors.. Yes im buying to put in my bag. This will not be a wallhanger!

 

Ill keep the finish and stamping quiet until I see pics....then ill post it here... let me know what you think and I know I have sung Lamont praises enough but if your in the market don't short yourself. Give him a look, you cant beat the service with anyone in the business!

[bladehunter]

more pics......

[IrishGolfer14]

Wow that's a beautiful putter. It must be awesome to get a custom putter and know that it's fit to your exact specs. I've been very tempted to do something like this, but I'm kinda nervous that I'll find out that I need a huge mallet(I've always been a blade guy).

[jrich61820]

Beautiful putter. Can't wait to see the finished product. Interested to see the finish and stamping you choose.
Congrats!!

[Ed Settle]

Great looking putter! Really like the milling and the neck. Well done!

[bladehunter]

thanks guys... hint on the finish ...we are kicking around a mix of black oxide, satin and polished and torched and/or polished neck.... we will see what lamont comes up with....I know it will be awesome either way....Stamping will be minimal...Ive fought off the urge to personalize it... But am still not sure on paint fill color either...thinking offwhite or a combo of off white and grass green.... we will see...

[finchi5]

Wow! Simply wow

[bladehunter]

[quote name='OldGolfer87' timestamp='1416020574' post='10449603']
Whats good about Ping .... they have only making quality golf equipment since the late 60's and in 2015 still quality ......... I wonder if the OP was born yet when Ping was making and selling golf equipment or if he really knows what a quality equipment manufacturer really is
[/quote]

Lamont sent me these update pics a while ago..i just now got a chance to post them. Stamping complete! Looks amazing! Black oxide coming next .....

[j.a.]

The evolution of this beatiful putter is fantastic. You are getting a gem by LaMont.

[bladehunter]

thanks...I know it is going to be the crown jewel of my small collection... for now! the custom build process is addictive....I catch myself planning the next one already...I don't even have this one yet!

[jpalermo]

[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1416076144' post='10451599']
thanks...I know it is going to be the crown jewel of my small collection... for now! the custom build process is addictive....I catch myself planning the next one already...I don't even have this one yet!
[/quote]

It is especially since Lamont is so accessible.

[bladehunter]

[quote name='jpalermo' timestamp='1416076884' post='10451631']
[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1416076144' post='10451599']
thanks...I know it is going to be the crown jewel of my small collection... for now! the custom build process is addictive....I catch myself planning the next one already...I don't even have this one yet!
[/quote]

It is especially since Lamont is so accessible.
[/quote]


yes.... absolutely.... I cant tell you how great his service is.. could not be more informing and personalized....and the work is as good or better than any builder on earth... anyone who looks over Lamont while having a custom built is selling themselves short ....end of story!

[jpalermo]

[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1416102565' post='10453639']
[quote name='jpalermo' timestamp='1416076884' post='10451631']
[quote name='bladehunter' timestamp='1416076144' post='10451599']
thanks...I know it is going to be the crown jewel of my small collection... for now! the custom build process is addictive....I catch myself planning the next one already...I don't even have this one yet!
[/quote]

It is especially since Lamont is so accessible.
[/quote]


yes.... absolutely.... I cant tell you how great his service is.. could not be more informing and personalized....and the work is as good or better than any builder on earth... anyone who looks over Lamont while having a custom built is selling themselves short ....end of story!
[/quote]

Trust me I feel ya, I have 3 and picking up number 4 real soon (Monday)

[bladehunter]

awesome... if I were close enough to pickup in person It would probably be bad...I would buy one everytime I walked in!

[jpalermo]

I moved out here 5 months ago and this is the first one that I have purchased since I have been here. I got one in 2012, 2 - 2013, the one coming in 2014, and something really special planned for 2015.

[jdhallissey]

I have a MA66 too. Looks sweet. I still roll my custom I designed with him. Can't tell you how good he is! I have 4 putters at the house of his too lol

[bladehunter]

just got in off the road....heres a update on the build.... head just came back in from being treated to a Black oxide finish... Paint fill is next ...cant wait to see this in person...

[NTKT10]

Looking great so far. I love the feel of mine and will have to put some pictures up in the future.

[bladehunter]

[quote name='NTKT10' timestamp='1416945614' post='10502603']
Looking great so far. I love the feel of mine and will have to put some pictures up in the future.
[/quote]


ITS HERE!!!!!



ill make this a long story short and just say that Lamont went out of his way to get me my putter for an outing that came up for the thanksgiving holiday.....Pictures below show the custom counter balance weight Lamont turned out form me complete with his logo...Threaded for easy removal and adjustment. but that wont be needed as he nailed the balance on this one!.. Ive been experimenting with counterbalancing most of the summer and this is the best feel balance wise of any ive held. So far I have only carpet rolled her but wow all I can say is it feels great!. We ended up with 380G head, 50G butt weight and a SS claw grip at 36.75 inches .....2 degrees loft and about a half shaft of offset. Its the culmination of all of my experimentation with counterbalancing ....and its perfect for me , right down to the lack of sight aides and the fluted shaft!

Ill have it on the course tomorrow and ill post my review of real world use late tomorrow... IF you see this Lamont, Thanks again!

[bladehunter]

[quote name='NTKT10' timestamp='1416945614' post='10502603']
Looking great so far. I love the feel of mine and will have to put some pictures up in the future.
[/quote]



feel free to post them here , I would love to see it! same goes for anyone else...I would love to see more of Lamonts work!

[fore_life]

man, I really like that putter! good work Lamont!

[Hairpie]

Very nice...always big fan of the fluted shaft for its great feel...

[cz13X4]

love the shape at address

[bladehunter]

thanks Guys!..... finally got it onto the course on Thursday ....and I instantly got along with it..made two putts over 20 feet with it in the round and no 3 putts!!! ..that's on greens I have never putted on ,with a putter I had never touched. and im not a great putter..... soft feel makes newer stainless offerings from the other guys feel even more harsh . All I can say is its perfect for me... balance, soft feel, toe hang, etc just feels natural . I have finally found my game day putter. If you have been searching like me and find flaws with any off the rack putter ,you should stop wasting money and just have one built ... I wish I had months ago!