Scotty Cameron by Titleist Futura putter

Popular on the professional tours for several months, the Acushnet Company's Scotty Cameron by Titleist Futura putter is now available in select golf shops nationwide. It carries a suggested retail price of $285.

The Futura is "a contemporary, high-tech concept putter'' that Cameron has been designing and developing for more than five years, company officials said. Most recently, Scott Hoch used one to win the PGA Tour's Ford Championship at Doral in early March.

The unusual shape allows 75 percent of the putter?s weight to be concentrated in the back "horseshoe," with only 25 percent in the face and body, to help get the ball rolling immediately. The sole was designed to never close during set-up, and the top line is shaped for a contoured look. Two plugs have been milled into the back of the face, and stainless weights have been applied to create even more stability and give the putter a solid sound and feel.

Cameron combined a milled aluminum face and frame structure with a very deep semi-circular backweight made of steel. The result is a deep center of gravity for enhanced balance, stability, forgiveness and roll.

The shaft connects to the head at a point behind the face and closer to the center of gravity, allowing the player to create a more flowing backstroke. On the forward stroke, the deep backweight helps the putter track square.