Introduction
One of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time is turning a beat up golf club into something that anyone would be happy, maybe even proud, to put into play. I have a very limited tool set and workshop so this means I’m stuck doing a lot of tedious work by hand. Personally, I prefer this method because each club I do has signs of genuine TLC. I don’t have the degree of craftsmanship you may see out of Ken Uselton or Spry Evolutions, but I put a lot of time and effort into turning a club into a unique custom piece that makes me, or its rightful owner happy.
Recently, I was approached by my good friend, Dan, asking if I could do a putter for him. After spending some time discussing what he was looking for, we made some decisions and decided to cover every detail we had the means to address. Below is what we came up with.
Read on for background on the story, but also some tips and guidance on possibly doing one of these projects yourself. If you just want to see pictures, there’s a lot, so just skip over the writing, I understand!
DISCLAIMER: I do not offer putter refinishing as a service. For Odyssey replacement inserts you can visit spryevo.com.
Background
When Dan was looking into what putter he wanted to do, he knew I had done some interesting things with Odyssey putters so he asked for a recommendation for a good blade putter. Lately, I have had a fondness for working with the White Hot Tour #1 so I strongly suggested this to him. Dan acquired a pretty beat Odyssey White Hot Tour #1 from eBay for a good price. Being the genius that I am, I didn’t take any “before” pictures, but a quick Google search will show you that this putter comes stock with a “tour-preferred bronze” finish. This is a plenty good-looking finish, but it’s not what Dan wanted so the finish would have to be removed.
Dan also wanted to replace the stock insert with something different. Based on previous experience, I also suggested we remove and replace the sole “weights” as well. Dan agreed and the work began.
Process
Phase 1
The first step was to remove all of the inserts. This process is really easy if you aren’t looking to preserve any of the existing hardware, but if you want to save the original parts, it can be a little tricky. I tend to save everything because I never know when a project will come up where I might need those parts.
After removing the inserts, the next step was to take out all the major dings the best I could. This was done using a hand file, belt sander, and a bench-mounted grinding wheel. Depending on the condition of the putter, this isn’t a perfect process, but it usually works pretty well if you have some patience and a steady hand.
Once I was done with all of the major blemish work, I hit the putter with an 80 grit sandpaper to get the remaining finish off and start evening out the various file marks and lines. After that, I went back over the putter again with a 220 grit sandpaper to get a more even finish.
Phase 2
After the previous phases of dry sanding, I went over the putter again with a 220 grit, but this time I wet sanded the putter. This gives a little smoother finish, and once it’s even on the putter, I followed the same wet sanding process with 400 grit sandpaper.
Phase 3
Ultimately, I wanted to get as much of a polished finish as I could. I proceeded to wet sand the putter with 600 grit, 800 grit, and then 1000 grit sandpaper to get a nice high polish. It’s hard to get into the cracks and corners, but this is one of those things I chalk to hand work versus bigger tools. If I had the sandblaster going, and different medias, then we start talking some different appearances.
Once I was finished with the 1000 grit wet sanding, I used a metal polish to buff the putter. At this point, I could have left the putter as is and it would have looked pretty nice as is, but Dan wanted a different finish.
Stamping
Dan wanted to do a lot of custom stamping. He wanted to put his initials on one of the bumpers, the year on cavity side of the neck, and his initials again on the face side of the neck.
As you can see, I had a case of the “highly-desired” double stamp on the bumper. Some putter makers leave this and it becomes an expensive, highly-touted collector’s piece, but I just felt it was a sloppy stamp. In some cases, this can be corrected by one more good, solid, deep stamp. That’s how I fixed the issue on this putter.
You’ll see the blue painters tape on the bumper. This is a trick people use to help line up their stamps and keep them in place while stamping. You can create a sort of “stencil” by using the masking tape.
Finish
Now that all the metal work was done, it was time to start working on the finish. Based on some previous putters Dan had seen, he wanted a dark bronze/copper torch finish. I suggested letting a little purple and blue come through because this is ALWAYS the best part of torching a putter. You get a nice “chameleon” effect from looking at the club at different angles in different light.
A key thing to remember when torching a club is that it is imperative that you degrease the club, then scrub it nice and clean. I would even go so far as saying you should give it an acetone rinse after degreasing and scrubbing. When you torch a club, every little defect and spot will show through whether it’s a finger print or a rust pit.
After torching the putter to the desired color, it was time to do paint. This is a fairly easy process once you know what you’re doing. I chose silver, metal flake blue, and white to match the rest of the accessories that would go with the putter and they just flat out looked cool with the new finish. The beauty of paint? You can change it anytime!
With the painting done, it was time to put the pieces back together. I worked with Charles at Spry Evolutions to get a nice carbon fiber insert for the face. This carbon fiber is the same that is used on Formula 1 cars and is made in Italy. Charles then hand shapes and finishes it out of his shop in North Carolina. This insert has incredibly soft feel but doesn’t lose that responsive you often lose in a traditional non-metal insert. In addition to the face insert, Charles also made me a set of one-off prototype copper weights to bring the total head weight up. The copper weights really give the sole of the putter a nice look, but also help put a nice roll on the ball.
With the putter head itself complete, it was time for the finishing touches. Recently, Best Grips had acquired a new type of leather that had a carbon fiber looking finish to it. I thought this would be absolutely appropriate for this project. I worked with Albert at Best Grips to make a custom putter grip with blue stitching and a matching custom 1/1 silver carbon fiber leather Puttershoe for the headcover. I couldn’t have been happier with how these two pieces turned out (as usual).
Final Thoughts
I was pretty happy with how this project turned out. It looked great and performed better. As usual, by the time I was done with it, I was pretty over the whole thing and wasn’t as excited about it. Then Dan showed up at my house with his girlfriend on a sunny Sunday afternoon to pick up the putter. When his eyes lit up and he had the excitement of a new putter that is truly what he wanted and made for him, it made the time and effort worth it and revitalized my enthusiasm for the project. I’m not in the business to make a living customizing putters by any means. It’s a hobby that enables me to do some fun things, but it’s experiences like this that really make it enjoyable.
Special thanks to Charles at Spry Evolutions for his assistance in making sure we got the inserts just right, and to Albert at Best Grips for making the Puttershoe and grip customization so easy and so fast! These guys are truly a pleasure to work with on every project.
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Bill plays Scott Readman Concepts putters and accessories.
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Nice work, it came out beautiful! Charles has my 2-ball putter right for a little custom treatment, can’t wait to get it back.
Thanks Bill, look forward to using it in the spring!
-Dan
Where did you get the insert?
I have a Odyssey putter that has a scuffed insert. Can you replace it?
Head over to Spryevo.com. He’s the insert replacement king.
looking for a insert for my odyssey 3 ball putter. one just fell off and I cant find it.
Head over to Spryevo.com. He’s the insert replacement king.
Been given an Odyssey Dual Force Rossie Blade RH putter.
The insert has gone. What do you recommend as an insert material as I doubt that I can get a proper insert in my country town in Oz. Many thanks in anticipation. Den.
Den,
There are a couple of options. You can work with a small machine shop, or someone good at metalworking, to hand make you something. I’m not sure what cost would be like on that, and would likely be a bit of a headache, but it’s a local option. I’ve done that process myself with minimal tools and it was pretty time consuming.
You could also try emailing design@spryevo.com and ask for suggestions. He may have some different options and could ship to you.
Hope that helps!
Bill
Bill do you still do these refurbish jobs please?? I have Odyssey that has a scruffy face that I would like replacing..
Head over to Spryevo.com. He’s the insert replacement king.
I have an Odyssey two ball white hot putter that I’ve used well for years, unfortunately one of the ball insert on the top of the club broke apart. I hate to part with it. Can the ball insert be repaired or replaced?
Bill,
Yes, insert replacement is possible.
Best,
Matt
I have a sabertooth putter need new insert how much would this costs? Thanks robert
Head over to Spryevo.com. He’s the insert replacement king.
lost my insert for my tri-ball srt. Where or how can i replace please?
You won’t be able to replace it with a stock insert from Odyssey, but you can go over to spryevo.com and look at your aftermarket options. If he doesn’t have one for your putter, contact him and see what he can do for you.
Is this USGA approved? Would I be able to use a face insert in USGA governed play?
I’m under the impression it is, but you may want to speak to Charles at design@spryevo.com for more clarification.
Bill
I just bought a used odyessy with a balata & i wanted to know about having some work done on it.
What question can I answer for you?
I have an Odessy Rossi putter. Where can I find a replacement insert for it? TY
If you’re looking for a stock/factory replacement, Callaway does not offer this service.
For aftermarket, contact Charles at design@spryevo.com.
How did you get the paint fill that was from the factory out of the Odyssey logo and all of the letters?
What I didn’t get with acetone got blown away by heat.
I have an Odyssey White Hot XG #5 CS putter I bought with issues. The insert will need to be replaced and the shaft has rust pits. I like the putter but I am on Social Security retirement so funds are limited. I don’t know if this putter is worth restoring but I do like the look and set up of it. Can I get a rough estimate of what it would cost to replace the insert and shaft? The Body of the head is in excellent shape. Thanks much!
We don’t do restoration work, and Odyssey doesn’t offer an insert replacement program so you’d have to go aftermarket which can typically be done Spry Evolutions with different materials. As far as shaft replacement, your local club builder and can easily address that.
I have an Odyssey White Hot XG #1 putter that needs a new face insert. The existing insert is marred in the center where it contacts the ball. I can send photos if you want to see it. Anyway, I’d like an idea of the cost to replace the existing insert. Other than the face replacement this putter is in good condition and doesn’t need any other work.
Thanks,
Tom Mason
We don’t offer these services. If you go to spryevo.com, Charles over there may be able to help you out.
What adhesive do I use to put an aluminum insert back in my odyssey Vera 7 putter
Does anyone know where I get get the 2 ball replacement inserts. I have two of the balls on top of the putter that have cracked and the putter is out of warranty.
You won’t be able to replace with anything stock. They want you to buy a new putter is my guess.
You can explore aftermarket at spryevo.com. That’s where the insert in this article is from.
How easy is it to take out and replace an insert?
Read this article which talks about it more. It’s not hard.
I am looking to buy a insert for my White Hot putter. Can someone direct me in the right direction? I have tried all sites, Nothing. Thanks
You won’t be able to get a stock OEM one. You can get an aftermarket one at spryevo.com.
I have a Rossie II that needs a new insert. Any suggestions?
Larry,
Check out Spryevo at the link in the story above.
Best,
Matt
Anyone in the UK available for putter insert replacements ?
I recently purchased an Odyssey Dual Force Rossi II putter with a black insert. Can the White Hot insert be put in this putter? If so, what is the cost?
Thanks
Ronald,
Bill is no longer writing for PluggedInGolf, and unfortunately I can’t speak to putter restoration questions.
Best,
Matt
What discs did you use on the bench grinder?
Been looking at flap wheels and extra-fine are scarce!
Bill is no longer writing for PluggedInGolf, and unfortunately I can’t speak to putter restoration questions.
Best,
Matt
i need a insert installed in my odyssey 2 ball o-flange putter
I need a replacement insert for a Bobby Grace putter that is about 20 years old. It is currently a hard rubber insert and I like the feel. Is this something you can do?
Jim,
Plugged In Golf doesn’t do repair work professionally or sell anything, so unfortunately we can’t help you with this directly.
-Matt
i got an odyssée putter rossie White ice .and i got à little ball of air on the surface on m’y putter.what i can do to fix it
Clement,
Unfortunately I do not have any experience with air bubbles under the insert. I would suggest contacting Odyssey.
Best,
Matt
What did you use for the border around the face insert?
Abel,
Unfortunately, Bill no longer writes for Plugged In Golf and thus cannot answer your question.
Best,
Matt