Anyone still play a Futura / Futura Phantom?

[InTheHole!]

Just curious... ok, I am looking to get one.

I seem kind of embarrassed to ask this, but is anyone still playing a Scotty Futura or Futura Phantom (aka the "branding iron" or "monstrosity")? Dare I say I ventured to the course the other day with a borrowed Futura, and I kind of like the balance and the ease with which the putter swings. My only gripe is that the Futura sits open at address, and some manipulation is required at address.

I tried the Futura Phantom indoors and it def sits better and the "ting-y" sound is also somewhat more muted compared to the Futura.

Would appreciate some insights before I take the plunge, and also get a ear-ful from the Mrs for spending $ on a branding iron!@!@!!

[MR.PINCHY]

very solid putter...

 

when i played at GLEN ABBEY(which was the host of 04's Cdn. Open) i borrowed my friend's

 

and has 26 putts with it..

 

with the score of 75..(was driving the ball rough)

 

itz well balanced..

 

only thing i don like about it is its weight... too light!

[MojoEd]

I recently picked up a Futura Phantom. I wasn't crazy about the look either, but I demoed a lot and had the most success with it. So far no complaints. I wouldn't worry too much about the $ - they can be found v. reasonably priced on e-bay. Your wife is another matter. When I showed it to my wife, the first words out of her mouth were "you are not planning on taking that out on the course, are you?" LOL.

[Madball]

I play the Phantom Futura.

Before that I played the regular Futura,

but I like the black finish with the white line much better.

 

Best putter I ever used........... I never made so many long putts before

this one and short putts are almost automatic. (cool)

[trossignol]

I love mine and I have a slew of Scotties. The Futura series itself is very solid. This is why he is attempting the tour only C-5 series. As Mr. Cameron will do he will keeping working on this shape until is hits it big.

 

The alignment lines are very helpful. Ball contact sounds solid. I make more 4-6 foot but with this putter than any putter I have ever used. It is very clanky and bulky in my bag though, kind of a pain, but I would never get rid of it.

 

Yes it does have to be manipulation as required at address.

[KevCarter]

I seem kind of embarrassed to ask this, but is anyone still playing a Scotty Futura or Futura Phantom (aka the "branding iron" or "monstrosity")? Dare I say I ventured to the course the other day with a borrowed Futura, and I kind of like the balance and the ease with which the putter swings. My only gripe is that the Futura sits open at address, and some manipulation is required at address.

 

I tried the Futura Phantom indoors and it def sits better and the "ting-y" sound is also somewhat more muted compared to the Futura.

 

Would appreciate some insights before I take the plunge, and also get a ear-ful from the Mrs for spending $ on a branding iron!@!@!!

 

InTheHole!,

 

I have found that if the Futura is too upright for you (toe up) it wants to sit more open. This is not as pronounced with the newer Phantom. I had mine bent a little flatter and now don't have that problem. I think both the old and new models are great putters.

 

Kevin

[tarik]

I currently own a Futura Phantom 2 (center shaft) and must say that it is a very solid putter. The ball gets rolling instantly and distance control is awsome. great lines at address too! I would go with this putter if you have a very mechanical stroke, with a straight back and forth swing path. I say this because I don't get a great deal of feel from this putter and I am definitely a feel player. I've also noticed that when putting with a slower tempo the putter has a tendency to close and forces me to pull putts. I only use this putter when I'm having issues with my Newport 2, but find that it is a back-up that will always deliver.

[jimmyjames]

This past fall I did some testing with the original Futura. I thought it had a great feel, the only thing that bothered me was that the putter felt really really light. Being the ho' that I am I unloaded it on ebay.

[Cameron Circle T]

I still play a futura every now and then, i went to the red x2 bc i found the futura to be a little flat for me with the way it set up, just felt uncomfortableto me at times. Its a great putter if you have the extra weight in the sole bc it completely gets rid of the tinny feel and sound and makes the putter a great feel. Couldnt play mine without it.

[mickfan4]

I played a Futura all last year and picked up the Futura Phantom at the end of the season.

The newer one does sit a little nicer for me.

The old futrua I used was the one with the circles and two red lines for alighment and I loved that.

 

Tons of confidence on the short putts with it.

 

I noticed that I need to really focus on reading the greens better. It hits the ball exactly where your aim it so if you get the reads down you will make some putts. Don't let the size/sound bother you, the only sound you need to hear is the ball bouncing in the cup!!!

 

If wieght is an issue you can add some weights to the bottom of it, get them off ebay super cheap.

 

You'll love it!

[JHR]

I just sold my last one, i used one for the first year it was out, great putter. I could never get used to the sound, it made me think i was still playing softball.

[lars]

i play the phantom and really like it. it displaced a putter i had in the bag for 4 years. good balance and solid feel. my only issue, and it goes for most putters, is head weight. i prefer a heavier putter, so i add lead tape to my liking.

[MarLin]

I'll chime in with another positive comment about my Futura Phantom. I tried a few original Futuras, but the way it sat at address bothered me, and I never bought one. But I did like the feel and sound.

 

When the Phantom came out and I read they had corrected the opening at address issue, I was interested. I bought one new on eBay in the first week of July, and it's been in the bag ever since. I'm a huge fan of the Phantom. Like someone else said: it goes where you point it. The white line on the black body is the best alignment aid I've used.

 

I will say you'll get used to the sound. When I hit my Mil-Spec Newport now, and not hit it on the absolute sweet spot it sounds/feels dead. The sweetspot on the Futura is without a doubt bigger, and a lot more forgiving.

 

For what they're going for on eBay these days, you just can't beat them. I know I'll probably start & finish the '06 season with mine.

[Johnny]

Still have 2,

1. black tour issue

2. adjustable face prototype (normal color)

[gtaj]

ive played the original (no sight lines) for 3 years now. balance and feel are fantastic. heres the thing that keeps it in the bag - hold it in your left hand, face up. now drop a ball from a couple of inches up and down across the face. you can mishit a put up to 1/2" either side of the sweetspot and not tell the difference. moi is real.

[TheBUNKY]

A friend has the knock-off of the original and like it. To see it out on the green without the headcover, you would think it was the real thing. Even makes the ping sound as he putts. Amazing how much the originals have come down in price, especially on eBay. I think you can pick one up nowadays for a little more than 100 Wendy's Jr Bacon Cheeseburgers (cool)

[tarik]

I'd say its a little closer to 150-175 Wendy's 5-piece chicken nuggets. (cool)

[rockstar571]

wonderful putters i too used to play the original now i play the phantom

[InTheHole!]

Thanks for all the input guys, bit the bullet, took out my wallet and bought a 34" Futura Phantom - used it for the first time today and it treated me really well, enough to recoup some of the $$ spent already. No 3 putts for 18 holes.

 

Now to get one of this weights for my putter - want to experiment with a heavier headw weight. Anyone have experience with these weight inserts that can be ordered or bought off ebay?

 

Thanks

[MarLin]

The one from www.putterweight.com looks the best (you can get the black anodized aluminum) and fits the best. However, at a minimum weight of 40 grams without the weight plugs, I thought the putter was just too heavy. Distance control suffered using it. I sent it back and had him drill out some of the mass in the thing, and he said he was able to get it down to about 20 grams. I use that on faster greens, but standard greens the 340g weight is just fine. I think the Phantom seems light when you come from another putter simply because the weight is not where it used to be - so your mind tells you the putter is light. I've come to the conclusion it's not. My distance control returned when I removed the weight.

 

Your mileage may vary, and the putterweight isn't permanent - so you can experiment.

 

Good luck!