The Acushnet Company is introducing four new Scotty Cameron by Titleist putters to its flagship Studio Style series -- a Futura Phantom, two Futura Phantom Mallets and the new American Classic III family.
The Red X and Red X2 mallets and traditional Studio Design models remain in the line. All of the new Cameron putters are available immediately.
The putters in the new four-model Studio Style line feature a pure, high-grade machined inlay of German Stainless Steel attached to the precision-milled, satin mist Studio Stainless Steel body through a special vibration pad, company officials said. An elastomer cushion to further enhance the soft feel and sound surrounds the entire inlay, according to the company.
The Studio Style line (suggested retail price $300), Acushnet said, features two primary body styles, the softer, more flowing lines of the Newport and Newport 1.5, and the crisp, boxier lines of the Newport 2 and Newport 2.5. The line also features two neck styles.
The square plumbing neck on the Newport and Newport 2, the company said, is designed with a full shaft of offset. This neck, according to Acushnet, produces less toe hang and therefore encourages a slightly inside to square stroke, while the shorter, flare neck on the Newport 1.5 and Newport 2.5 is designed with only a half shaft of offset. Acushnet said this neck provides more toe hang, or toe flow, and encourages a more flowing toe open-to-close stroke.
The new Futura Phantom improves upon the original high-tech Futura mallet putter that Titleist introduced in 2003, and features a milled aluminum face and frame and a deep semi-circular steel back weight. The result, according to Acushnet, is a dramatically deep center of gravity for improved balance, forgiveness and roll. The sole rudders on the Futura Phantom (SRP $285) have been extended for better stability at set-up.
The new Futura Phantom Mallet and Futura Phantom Mallet 2 (SRP $285), the company said, extend the Futura family and heavy back weight concept into a more conventional mallet profile and size. The mallets are force balanced due to the heavy back weight being closer to the face. Force balanced, according to Acushnet, means they have no toe hang like a face-balanced putter, but putt like they have toe flow, which helps produce an ideal stroke.
Acushnet said the American Classic III family (SRP $200) has roots in the original brass Bulls Eye putter. The three-model line, according to the company, features longer blade lengths that are pinched in the heel and toe to produce a sleeker, more contemporary look and improved performance.
The milled one-piece steel construction flows up from heel to toe and features a satin mist finish, copper tungsten heel-toe weighting and a single sweet spot dot on the top line. The Flange and Heavy Flange models, Acushnet said, feature one-quarter shaft of offset with a perpendicular sightline on the back.
Copyright 2005 PGA.com. All rights reserved.
