Am I the only one ?

[bladehunter]

A bit of a rant and question in one.

 

I've been on the lookout for near a year for an unrestored , preferably carbon ( oil can or black ox) circle t Newport or 009 ... One that resembles the condition of my oil can 33/350 Newport. Rusty and well used. One I can use and. Not give a shat if it touches fertilizer or sand. I always use a headcover , but I just mean one I can use and never have a thought of preserving condition in my head. I haven't used the tour rat I just acquired on course for this reason. It's new and my home greens were just top dressed.and that ticks me off. Not that the greens were dressed but that I have to think of such things. Yes I can and am using my Newport. But I want a tour stick to use and keep , and I would rather it be well used and oxidized so I can just grow that patina and not care. Are they all restored or does someone have them squirreled away ? I've had serious thoughts of buying a restored carbon head and throwing it in CLR to strip it and starting the process myself. Would the golf gods approve or would I never make another putt ? Lol. Or do I just take the rat , blast it satin and rub some dirt on it and call it mine !? I know I'm nuts. I must be the only one. Lol. Thoughts ?

[b.helts]

The people that are selling them are restoring them because they think they'll get more money.

 

The people that have the putter(s) you want, are you. They are putting with their 009 on wet, sanded greens and don't give a f***. They are not selling.

 

Good luck.

 

If it were me, in 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, whatever, I'd have a dope rat that everyone wanted but was 100% mine.

[Matt J]

I think the tour rats are excellent gamers. They are mostly like an OTR head, a little lower value than most CT's, and still are distinct. If you have a blasting cabinet, giving it a little "dulling" and then using it seems to be reasonable. Why not just game it as is and left the chips fall. If you choose this option you keep the discretionary budget to purchase another putter down the road. I always think that I have just the right stick and then 6 months later and am convinced that a different neck, head, or weight will make all the difference.

[bladehunter]

Sound advice. It is a 1.5 and my broody is a plumbers. So that gives me options for different looks. Something about the ss heads that look so much worse once used. They scratch and that shows. To me rust is pretty but a scratched stainless is not.

[b.helts]

What about finding an AOP? I know it's not tour, but it's tour's uncle.

 

Those rust up nice and it is a great looking head.

[Tcann32]

I've golfed with a member here several times and he always games his rat(s) and circle T's (I think it's been a different one every time..). I don't think he has one that he doesn't game. I'm sure there's one or two that don't come out in crappy conditions, but they all see the course.

 

This is the same situation with any collectible/fine items, especially cars. Some people with exotic car collections have 20 of the things sitting with zero miles, and some people drive a different one every day. No matter the situation or what it is, my view is the same, especially with high end items in any field: Usually these things have extra fine materials, countless extra hours of engineering and creativity put into them, all for the purpose of extra enjoyment for the owners use.

 

The operative word is USE. This stuff is supposed to be used.. cared for yes, but used none the less. The people that just collect might love them, but they love them because they are rare items, and if they don't use them, money is what is really on their minds. People that do use them appreciate their quality, and appreciate being able to use them, so the monetary aspect plays less of a role.

[bladehunter]

Well I have a 33/350 aop that' looks just like what I'm describing. Rusty and original. Owned it since 1998. I guess that's the obvious answer. But you know how the itch is. You want what you want. Lol.

[bladehunter]

I've golfed with a member here several times and he always games his rat(s) and circle T's (I think it's been a different one every time..). I don't think he has one that he doesn't game. I'm sure there's one or two that don't come out in crappy conditions, but they all see the course.

 

This is the same situation with any collectible/fine items, especially cars. Some people with exotic car collections have 20 of the things sitting with zero miles, and some people drive a different one every day. No matter the situation or what it is, my view is the same, especially with high end items in any field: Usually these things have extra fine materials, countless extra hours of engineering and creativity put into them, all for the purpose of extra enjoyment for the owners use.

 

The operative word is USE. This stuff is supposed to be used.. cared for yes, but used none the less. The people that just collect might love them, but they love them because they are rare items, and if they don't use them, money is what is really on their minds. People that do use them appreciate their quality, and appreciate being able to use them, so the monetary aspect plays less of a role.

 

 

Absolutely. And that describes me to a t. I unloaded most of my collection of $500-$700 sticks to get the rat and the irons I'm playing and irons were used so they are perfect , but the rat bugs me in a way that I'll loose cash everytime I use it. Mainly because I'm never going to be the guy who will pay $2500 for putter. I guess is out of my comfort zone and I'll get used to it. Sounds ignorant. But I think if I dropped it on the cart path the anxiety would go away. Lol.

 

Just hard to shake. My " want " has been the same for near year. So no reason to think it will go away.

[Matt J]

That Byron in my avatar is 303 SS finished with a bead blast. I've played 15 or 20 rounds with it and you can barely tell it's ever been out of the head cover. Must just be the mirror finishes that show small surface scratching. I alternate between it and a carbon Newport depending on green speeds and must say I do like the patina that is developing on the carbon although I probably take too good of care of it and slow it down considerably.

[Matt J]

Trade the Rat for a plumber's neck to game?

[bladehunter]

That Byron in my avatar is 303 SS finished with a bead blast. I've played 15 or 20 rounds with it and you can barely tell it's ever been out of the head cover. Must just be the mirror finishes that show small surface scratching. I alternate between it and a carbon Newport depending on green speeds and must say I do like the patina that is developing on the carbon although I probably take too good of care of it and slow it down considerably.

 

Yep. I think the high polish sole is part of it. I could tape it up I guess. And probably not that big of a deal once the sand goes away. I'm a nut I know. My wife Calls me " special " on a daily basis

 

Trade the Rat for a plumber's neck to game?

 

The way I feel about it today , someone with a beached circle t Newport with dings and rust could get it.

[Paranorml]

Why not get some putter tape to throw on the sole?

[T-MAC]

I have a beached CT Newport, but it's SS and it doesn't have dings or rust on it. I've been thinking about getting a Rat but I prefer a plumbers neck.

You just have to keep your eyes open here and on eBay. Used CT's come up at decent prices from time to time. You just have to be ready to pull the trigger.

[bladehunter]

I have a beached CT Newport, but it's SS and it doesn't have dings or rust on it. I've been thinking about getting a Rat but I prefer a plumbers neck.

You just have to keep your eyes open here and on eBay. Used CT's come up at decent prices from time to time. You just have to be ready to pull the trigger.

 

I hear ya. I guess it will come eventually. What I want is a oil an or black ox beached circle t Newport with plumbers , midslant or longneck and no sight line ( top line or dot ok). Just haven't run across one. Sight lines are running rampant !!

 

 

Edit. And of course not restored of new. Price reflects condition. And all I want is a beater to use. And a price that goes with it. Don't want to pay for a $2k gamer. Thinking $1200 -$1500 gamer. That's my upper limit.

[Tcann32]

I was that way with my first scotty and first forged irons. Don't get a ding, don't let them get any water on them so they don't rust, etc. Till eventually it just happened and I was glad lol. I like keeping my stuff nice, but it's used.. No excuse to have it beat to crap cause that shows you don't care, but something that's gamed and in good condition shows the most appreciation for the product imo. Scotty didn't hand make the dang putter for it to sit on a shelf, he would want you to roll and game and appreciate it.

[Arizonalefty59]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

[bladehunter]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

yes and no... I actually prefer some newports to a plain jane 009 with flange line....... Im not wanting one used so that it is cheap... just so that I don't pay too much to then waist the money using it.. in other words not to by cheap and flip...just to buy cheap and not loose.... there has to still exist tour newports and 009 that are not restored... and if they do surely the price reflects it... even if just buy the price of restoration at the CS... I like the Rat compared to a 009 with flange line ... I had a shot at one of those today and the other guy wasn't sure about the flowneck and I hated the flange line on his.. so we mutually backed off... In fact if a midslant or longneck early carbon Newport tour walked up with tungsten weights and a sound slot I wouldn't swap it for a plain 009... Ill know it when I see IT......

[Arizonalefty59]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

yes and no... I actually prefer some newports to a plain jane 009 with flange line....... Im not wanting one used so that it is cheap... just so that I don't pay too much to then waist the money using it.. in other words not to by cheap and flip...just to buy cheap and not loose.... there has to still exist tour newports and 009 that are not restored... and if they do surely the price reflects it... even if just buy the price of restoration at the CS... I like the Rat compared to a 009 with flange line ... I had a shot at one of those today and the other guy wasn't sure about the flowneck and I hated the flange line on his.. so we mutually backed off... In fact if a midslant or longneck early carbon Newport tour walked up with tungsten weights and a sound slot I wouldn't swap it for a plain 009... Ill know it when I see IT......

Half the fun is the hunt :)

 

I'd say just game the living hell out of the rat. It's a beautiful stick and I envy you dang righties since they don't make them in lefties!

[bladehunter]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

yes and no... I actually prefer some newports to a plain jane 009 with flange line....... Im not wanting one used so that it is cheap... just so that I don't pay too much to then waist the money using it.. in other words not to by cheap and flip...just to buy cheap and not loose.... there has to still exist tour newports and 009 that are not restored... and if they do surely the price reflects it... even if just buy the price of restoration at the CS... I like the Rat compared to a 009 with flange line ... I had a shot at one of those today and the other guy wasn't sure about the flowneck and I hated the flange line on his.. so we mutually backed off... In fact if a midslant or longneck early carbon Newport tour walked up with tungsten weights and a sound slot I wouldn't swap it for a plain 009... Ill know it when I see IT......

Half the fun is the hunt :)

 

I'd say just game the living hell out of the rat. It's a beautiful stick and I envy you dang righties since they don't make them in lefties!

 

 

 

yes sir... great chance that's about to commence... I was lights out with it on the practice green late tonight .... tee time tomorrow afternoon ... if she rolls the rock where im looking I may just call it good and stop looking...

[Arizonalefty59]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

yes and no... I actually prefer some newports to a plain jane 009 with flange line....... Im not wanting one used so that it is cheap... just so that I don't pay too much to then waist the money using it.. in other words not to by cheap and flip...just to buy cheap and not loose.... there has to still exist tour newports and 009 that are not restored... and if they do surely the price reflects it... even if just buy the price of restoration at the CS... I like the Rat compared to a 009 with flange line ... I had a shot at one of those today and the other guy wasn't sure about the flowneck and I hated the flange line on his.. so we mutually backed off... In fact if a midslant or longneck early carbon Newport tour walked up with tungsten weights and a sound slot I wouldn't swap it for a plain 009... Ill know it when I see IT......

Half the fun is the hunt :)

 

I'd say just game the living hell out of the rat. It's a beautiful stick and I envy you dang righties since they don't make them in lefties!

 

 

 

yes sir... great chance that's about to commence... I was lights out with it on the practice green late tonight .... tee time tomorrow afternoon ... if she rolls the rock where im looking I may just call it good and stop looking...

Keep gaming it and if another one pops up that sparks your interest, pull the trigger. Before you know it you'll have your own collection of tour sticks.

[Tcann32]

What you're looking for is a cheap 009. Those days are long gone unfortunately.

 

 

 

yes and no... I actually prefer some newports to a plain jane 009 with flange line....... Im not wanting one used so that it is cheap... just so that I don't pay too much to then waist the money using it.. in other words not to by cheap and flip...just to buy cheap and not loose.... there has to still exist tour newports and 009 that are not restored... and if they do surely the price reflects it... even if just buy the price of restoration at the CS... I like the Rat compared to a 009 with flange line ... I had a shot at one of those today and the other guy wasn't sure about the flowneck and I hated the flange line on his.. so we mutually backed off... In fact if a midslant or longneck early carbon Newport tour walked up with tungsten weights and a sound slot I wouldn't swap it for a plain 009... Ill know it when I see IT......

Half the fun is the hunt :)

 

I'd say just game the living hell out of the rat. It's a beautiful stick and I envy you dang righties since they don't make them in lefties!

 

I roll my friends righty super rat every time I can, and every time I do, I think of starting to putt right handed.. That and selling most of the stuff in my house to buy one haha. At least it keeps us lefties in check financially.. Lol

[bladehunter]

well I guess the search is over..lol played a late 18 today with the Rat and had 10 1 putts..... best putting round of the year so far... really looks good behind the ball and seems to hold square through the strike ( toe hang seems to suit my natural stroke) ... the seal is broken , lol its all down hill from here.. thanks to all who listened to my rant...

[Matt J]

I think you made a good call. And congrats on the good putting round!

 

If you get desperate and experimental you could always order up a DH-89 plumbers neck from Byron Morgan ;)

[bladehunter]

I think you made a good call. And congrats on the good putting round!

 

If you get desperate and experimental you could always order up a DH-89 plumbers neck from Byron Morgan ;)

 

 

 

thanks! played one of my matches for the club match play tournament this morning and I had 6 - 1 putts on the front alone..... ive liked putters before..but I swear this one was made for me... im sooo glad I actually used it... and I already am over it being "new" .... so all is well... if I could just find a driver that I feel this confident with I would be ready for all comers! lol

[DirtShark]

honestly playing with a good putter will perform better then others but if you put the time into putting like you would do at the range, you could make 10 out 10 putts with broomstick. I've used a top flite $30 putter a round before and shot a low score like I would using Scotty. of course a good putter going to give more confidence on putting. but hey that's jus me.

[TheInfidel]

Nobody every bought a Ferrari to only look at it. Game that bad boy.

[jrich61820]

Jack I sold a 009 gamer last spring JUST like the one you described to Joey2aces. I also used a beautiful 009 oil can all last summer ( was starting to get some minor oxidation in the back cavity and on the sole ).

The putters ARE out there, it's just like finding a needle in a HayStack.

Good luck with the search and I'll keep an eye out for you one as well:)

[bladehunter]

Jack I sold a 009 gamer last spring JUST like the one you described to Joey2aces. I also used a beautiful 009 oil can all last summer ( was starting to get some minor oxidation in the back cavity and on the sole ).

The putters ARE out there, it's just like finding a needle in a HayStack.

Good luck with the search and I'll keep an eye out for you one as well:)

 

 

 

ah yes "THE ONE" that got away! I missed it being listed as I remember by mere minutes and that Scoundrel ( im kidding joey) swooped in and stole it from me! but yes that one you sold joey was the condition and price im speaking of! needle in a haystack!

 

 

 

[Matt J]

Bladehunter, I was thinking of you this morning....

 

I just started gaming a brand new SS Byron. I was carpet putting and noticed a small ding on the sole a few days ago. Every time I wiped it down my eye was drawn to the ding. Today, I thought, "why leave it?" About 30 minutes later the ding was ground out and the finish was restored.

 

Not everyone wants to take a rotary tool to a putter, but if that thing gets scratched to the point it's bothering you, why not send it to someone for a little buffing.

 

I'd probably let it go until the off-season and when you know you have a week or ten days find someone on the board or maybe even local and for the price of shipping each way and a little beer money it'll look good as new. There are a heck of a lot of good DIY threads on the forum too, so if you have any interest you could work it out on a cheap SS putter and then give the Rat a little makeover. At this point it's easier for me to fix something than to let it bother me.

 

Anyways, just a thought... hope it's still treating you right.

 

You know, I thought of this because of your reference to scratches on the sole. They're the easiest to deal with, I try very hard to protect the face and the top line as they're a lot tougher to deal with properly. BTW, I'm talking about a little touch up. A lot of full service refinishers take off too much material in an effort to make a putter look perfect. They know the average consumer is much more concerned with the aesthetics than the head weight. But, there are quite a few of us on here that know how to do it right, and it's not rocket science that's for sure.

 

It's an advantage to a raw SS head in that the finish just needs to be buffed to the right sheen. A carbon head requires new black ox or whatever finish every time.

[johngalt312]

At present, unless you find one very beat up, I do not think that you will be buying a 009 for less than $2K.