Make Putters Beautiful Again

Historic artifacts and buildings, like soaring cathedrals or ancient carved vessels, carry the soul of humanity’s past. Their intricate stonework and weathered patina reflect patience, faith, and artistry, built to inspire awe and endure for generations. These treasures connect us to our roots, telling stories of devotion and resilience. Yet, modern architecture often favors efficiency over such timeless beauty. Sleek glass towers, though functional, can lack the soulful details that make historic structures unforgettable. We risk losing the sense of permanence these creations embody. Let us cherish these artifacts, preserving their legacy while learning from their craftsmanship.

Amen.

What happened to making putters that look like this?

Or this?

or even this?

Folks, we have lost the plot. Modern putters are an atrocity and an affront to the sport of golf. As much as Bryson and his style of play showcase a scientific alternative, golf is an art. Modern equipment, especially putters, reflect the opposite, a sentiment that seems to be espoused by a growing faction within the game. Kids nowadays (god I sound old) optimize for speed and distance and figure out the rest later. It’s an effective approach, but just not something I’m drawn toward. Where is the artistry in bombing and gauging?

I am here to take a stance against the incoming tide of hyper-optimization. Give me a beautiful old blade that is weighted perfectly and I’ll roll in putts left and right. I want to look down at it and think about how beautiful it looks, a modern blade with a sleek yet timeless design. I am ok with old-school Scotty fastback mallets, but the modern ones (won’t even discuss the spider/LAB/Odyssey monstrosities) are just not easy on the eyes. Too much focus on alignment, not enough on beauty. The equation is imbalanced.

I get the push by the plebeian (Covidian) new-comers to search for the coolest looking tech and alignment aides to make them look sophisticated (it has the opposite effect), but I yearn for the ages of a simple line on the ball and a blade putter. What happened to the art of setting up to a putt and using your eyes to line up?

Use the same putter for long enough, and you will become one with the blade. A duo forged at the fingertips; the bond strong as steel. Don’t capitulate and switch putters after a few bad rounds. Do not find refuge in counterbalanced zero torque nonsense. The secret is always more practice. Go spend 3 hours on a putting green and video your stroke. Go make 300 4 footers in a row if you can. Find a putter that feels great in your hands, is beautiful to the eye, and see it through. Persistence pays, and you will build confidence with each round and putt.

Those who wield blade putters are the last line of defense; a group of shining knights overlooking a vast wasteland of center-shafted “zero torque” desolation. We rise above the masses searching for pure off-center hits and pitch-perfect alignment at all times. Our putters mirror our mindset: they are simple, trustworthy and unfazed by the mallet mania around us.

We search for beauty in all things related to golf. The rhythm of the walk, the soft click of a flushed iron, and the classic look of our bag and equipment. We honor the games traditions and play the game the right way.

So to you, Scotty Cameron and all putter makers, I ask that you make putters beautiful again. By doing so, you not only uplift the golfer who shoots their lowest score with it, but also the sport as a whole.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Now that I’ve flushed out my thoughts on the current state of retail putters, I want to dive into the art of buying old putters on eBay. I love buying old putters on eBay. For the sake of this article, I’ll list out a few things to look for when you eventually decide to pull the trigger on that beauty you’ve been eyeing for awhile. For my money, any old (authentic, if the price is too good to be true, its a fake) Scotty on eBay is worth 10 trash new ones.

Happy hunting. If you’re patient and know what to look for, you can land some pretty cool pieces at great prices. Let us make putting a beautiful art again.

One commonly misunderstood golf rule is the removal of loose impediments in bunkers and penalty areas under Rule 15.1. Prior to the 2019 rules changes, you couldn't touch anything in hazards or bunkers without risking penalties, leading many to assume this still applies.

In fact, you can now remove loose impediments, like leaves, twigs, stones, or even animal droppings, anywhere on the course, including in bunkers and red/yellow penalty areas, without penalty. The key caveat: If the ball moves incidentally during removal, you incur a one-stroke penalty and must replace it (Rule 9.4b).

I’ve been dying to get out to Michigan to play some golf, so I put together a little sample itinerary of how I would do my first four day trip out there. Left out some gems and would love to hear your thoughts on ones that are must-play.

Base in two areas: Arcadia (Days 1–2) and Roscommon (Days 3–4). Fly into Traverse City (TVC); fly out of Pellston (PLN) or back from TVC.

Greens fees: ~$150–$300/round. Total drive: ~140 miles (Day 3).

Day 1: Arcadia Bluffs - Bluffs Course

Day 2: Arcadia Bluffs - South Course

Day 3: Forest Dunes (Roscommon)

Day 4: The Loop at Forest Dunes (Roscommon)

Pretty good way to spend 4 days.

Let’s focus on getting off the tee for today’s bit of advice, as I recently played with a 15 index who refused to hit drivers, only 3 irons off the tee.

Here’s a great video I found of Rory discussing his driver swing and favorite drills. I am a huge fan of the split handed drill he mentions about 2 minutes into the video.

My intention with BowtiedGolf is to grow it as the elite clubs do — through referrals.

If you’ve improved your look, laughed a little bit, or learned something because of this newsletter… why keep it to yourself?