Are the Cameron putters expensive?  Yes.  But the feel and balance is second to none in my opinion.  A lot of people change drivers every year or two and don't think twice about dropping $300-$400 for the hope of more distance. Yet don't want to spend the same amount on a putter.  Once you find a putter that fits you, feels good to you, and rolls the ball great, keep it in the bag.  Putting is where you can make one of the biggest differences in your scores.  On most courses, you are only going to use that $400 driver 12-14 times per round.  You are going to use your putter 30 or more times per round.  If you compare the Cameron prices to the top line putters from png and Odyssey, they are not that much more expensive.  

Allen hit the nail on the head.  We all will drop 400 bucks on a new driver that is used FAR less than the putter.  I have 4 Scotty's and having used other brands in the past I would never go back.  The feel and sound is different with Cameron.

Its worth every penny ... balance, feel ... I had one Scotty for 8 years, just recently bough another, milled face putter ... go on ebay, you can find good used Scotties for reasonable price .. you wont regret it!

You also have to ask yourself, how many strokes can I drop with a $400 driver when you only hit it maximum 14 times.  A great putter as stated earlier you will used approximately 30 plus times a round.  If you two putt every hole that is 36 putts and if a great putter like a SC can help you cut your stroke count by 5 strokes, where is the best investment.  Just an opinion.  Short game and putting is a major factor in the short game is where you score....... 

My memory may be mistaken, but I recall in the 90's and early 2000's that Titleist also had some branded putters that weren't Scotty Camerons.  They were about $100. 

I agree with the sentiment from the other posters here though.  How many strokes will a 913 driver save you vs. a Scotty, which th latter is cheaper?  And how much more will you use your putter?

I don't own one, but would love to.  I made the mistake of buying a competing brand a couple of years ago when the store didn't have any Scottys in stock.  It's a great quality putter, but I do kick myself for not buying a Scotty.  You won't regret it.

I just want to agree with all the Cameron lovers.  WORTH EVERY PENNY

I just want to agree with all the Cameron lovers.  WORTH EVERY PENNY

A Scotty putter does come at a high premium, but depending on your game and how often you change putters, it might be worth it.  I've only used 2 different putters over the last 20 years.  So for me, I can justify the higher cost.  I am a little surprised there isn't a slightly more affordable Scotty, but obviously the market research says there doesn't need to be one.  And if you check around for used ones, you can usually find a pretty good deal.  I have two Scottys and if I told you how much I paid for them, you wouldn't believe me.

Wanted to thank all of you who replied. Hopefully you receive this as part of the thread as I didn't see a way to respond to all, and essentially it's the same message.

First to those with high praise for SC putters, I'm right there with you. Never disputed the quality and playable of the product. The point I was trying to make was more towards Titleist market share and business opportunity (though they seem to be doing fine without me). Just thought they might be missing out on the bigger population who may not be able to afford a SC, but still want to associate themselves to the great Titleist brand.

While Titleist will always be considered a "players" brand, they've started to come around to some game improvement equipment for the common player. A Titleist putter line, a tier below SC, is something I think common players would eat up. SC will always be SC, and will always attract the better player for all the reasons you guys lay out, so I don't think a second line would eat too much into SC sales.

I'll be honest and say I never considered the value (non-$) of a putter in the bag. The point on how much it is used in a round is a great argument. Maybe it's because I've always been a decent putter, and lacked a consistent tee game, but it seems more technology is being invested in the driver these days and people tend to chase after that. As I'm sure all of you can attest to, the game isn't much fun if you're not driving the ball well. Sure, you can grind out a good score with a good short game, but the enjoyment factor increases with an overall better tee to green game.

All that said, your loyalty to SC had me out there on eBay last night. As someone who is currently eyeing the png Scottsdale TR Shea H mid-mallet, I'm going to give the SC GoLo a trial run at Golf Galaxy over the weekend.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Charlie, you have some good advice and you make some good points about putters.  I had owned two putters since 1970 so I'm a hard sell.  Last fall I was at a club where the pro shop had a fantastic array of Scottie's.  When I tried the GoLo I told my wife that I had to have one and she bought it for me.  I had played an old png putter for a long time but the feel, the balance,  and that smooth club face of the GoLo gives me a lot of confidence.  On short putts I'm hitting center cup more often, on the layups I'm getting in close enough for an easy second putt.  I think I'm getting the speed right a lot more often.  Since I got this new putter in October I'm not 100% sure but I don't think I have had a three putt.  Hope this helped a little with all of the other comments..

Very well put AC RixRox.  That is the best example and explanation I've ever heard.  Thanks 

Everyone has great points.  If you look, there are great deals on SC's out there.  I just picked my first one up this past September and it is worth every penny.  I was in Myrtle Beach for a golf trip and checked out the new Golfsmith store.  There was a SC on the used rack.  After talking to a store associate, he told me a local gentleman purchased the putter and did not like it.  Golfsmith has a 30-day playability policy.  Return the club in any condition up to 30 days after purchase and they'll give you a full refund in store credit.  This guy used his SC Newport 2.5 for less than 9 holes and returned it.  Normally $349.  Had it listed at $299 on the used rack.  I got lucky and they were running a special on used clubs, %40 off all used equipment.  No brainer there.  I practically stole the thing!  A new SC for $180!

Second time sports, Play it again sports etc... sometimes have used Camerons....keep your eyes open!  Also, some pro shops have great deals on clubs this time of year...it may be worth a phone call or two...

JAT, Good Luck!

Earlier this month my Brother was in the pro shop of one of our local golf courses, and he picked up a Scotty putter for a "very good" price. I won't say what it was, but it was less than some other brands of lesser quality, and price. The pro shop had several models on hand, and was trying to make room for the new models. Check out your local golf courses that have SC putters, and you just might find a bargain.

Here is an option - buy a used Cameron and send it in for a refinishing.  You can end up with a very sharp putter for a fraction of the cost of a new one.  

Knocking the ball around the indoor green with my SC Golo using tape to mark off distances to hit to. Wow! The SC is almost intuitive in stroking the right distances. It's so easy to line up by eye even with the glossy black line up line on black metal finish. I cannot wait to go south of the snow to try it out in match / play.

I got my new 2013 SC GoLo for $200. $180 for your Newport 2.5 is a real good deal!

Charlie:

My Scotty is at least 10 years old.  Prior to owing it I bought at least 1 putter a year trying to find the magic.  They haven't really changed prices much since I bought mine.  I think I have the best putter made and it really has turned out to be the cheapest option.

Marc

Hello Charlie,

To answer the question you asked, yes, Titleist does miss out on a large share of the market by only offering SC putters. Titleist had long had an elitist mentality that their clubs were for "players" and offering outstanding product like SC putters fits that mindset. Why they only offer SC putters? Perhaps its a business agreement between Titleist and SC. Perhaps Titleist chooses not to compete with companies that offer putters at lower prices.

As for people changing putters frequently, they've probably never been properly fitted for a putter. They grab a 35" off the rack and take a putting stance in which they fit themselves to the club. If they would start with a comfortable putting stance first and then get fit for length, they might learn they're more comfortable with a 36" or a 34.5".

Interesting conundrums.

No one club has more strokes per round.  So it is the most critical in the bag.

No one club is purchased more on what suits the eye than one that is fitted to their stroke.

Who takes lessons and learns their best stroke tendencies?

How hard is it to find both fitter expertise and a full lineup to get fitted properly?

If one has invested in the steps to learn their potential and been fitted properly, then a SC will last years longer than a driver as a suitable club to keep in the bag.  It's getting past the design of the year and the gadget of the moment and the impulse purchase to hope the next putter will solve everything that is the hard part.  Adding some more affordable (?) putters for these stages of personal growth may not be a market that adds value to the franchise, especially for SC.  Adding a line that is subpar in quality to SC but has the Titleist name will be confusing and leave questions as to Titleist's association with the best quality in the market.

Well spoken! Rolls Royce and Bentley have a similar market problem.

I agree. Very well spoken indeed.

I would point out that Mr. Solheim offers a variety of putters at different price points and nobody in their right mind would describe those products as subpar quality. I whole heartedly agree that once you have identified a putter style that matches your stroke and you've been properly fitted then absolutely an SC putter is an excellent investment that will pay benefits for years to come.

Titleist is a company that doesn't make mistakes. I'm sure they've crunched the numbers and have made a conscious business decision not to enter this market.