I must say that when Scotty Cameron comes out with a mallet putter, it certainly strays from the ordinary (remember the Futura Phantom, anyone?) and his latest incarnation continues to do just that.
It seems like Mr. Cameron is staying with his red cherry-dot theme for 2009 with the Studio Select lineup and those features and looks carry over to a mallet versions, the Kombi, Kombi Mid, and Kombi Long.
Tag along as we check out the latest putter to get the “red-dot” treatment from Scotty Cameron.
Construction & Specs
The Kombi putters are milled from 6061 aircraft aluminum, have a thick face, and utilize something called “three-point” weighting technology, which is accomplished by having weights in the heel, toe, and extreme rear. This gives you a more solid feel and sound (which is very important) and in combination with a deep center of gravity, you get a mallet that is balanced, forgiving, and helps you to make a more consistent stroke for a better roll. Confidence and consistency equals more dropped putts (and cleaning out your playing partner’s wallet).
The Kombi mallets incorporate the Studio Select weighting technology which makes them more customized for the weight you desire (no more lead tape). The standard version of the Kombi mallet comes with circular weights in the heel and toe that allow for a variety of length and weight combinations to fit your particular putting stroke or style.
With the Kombi Mid and Long putters, with the head being larger, the rear circular weight is replaced with a central bar weight in order to create the “optimum head weight and balance for the longer lengths.” As with all the Studio Select putters the weights can be changed at the factory so you can get a putter that is truly fit for you.
The entire Kombi lineup features a double-bend, stepless shaft that provides a very clean look with a full shaft of offset to give you an unobstructed look at address. The T-shaped, red ink sight lines give you a “precise alignment reference” on the topline and body. It certainly looks fairly easy to line up a putt with the Kombi putter.
The topline is “misted” and with the sight line that runs along the rear edge alignment is a snap. All Kombi putters are finished with the bold (loud) red three-dot graphics and a red Cameron cord grip (best grip ever, IMHO). The grip on the Kombi Mid and Long is a 2-piece Split Red Cameron.
The Studio Select Kombi putters includes a silver headcover with “bold, red, Tour-inspired graphics,” which if it resembles anything close to the Studio Select headcover gets my vote for one of the more ugly headcovers I’ve seen (I used the term “gaudy” in my review). One man’s bold is another man’s gaudy. And hey, they’re easy to recognize on TV!
The Studio Select Kombi and Kombi Mid feature 4°of loft and 71° lie angle, while the Kombi Long offers 4° of loft and a 79° lie angle. All three models can be bent plus or minus 2°.
The new Studio Select Kombi mallets are available in three lengths; Standard (33″, 34″, 35″, and LH 35”), Mid (43″) and Long (50″). Custom Kombi options abound and include a 34 & 35”H (heavy) version, LH 33”, 34”, 35”, 34 & 35”H (heavy), Kombi Mid (42”, 44”) and Kombi Long (48”). I think that pretty much covers everybody.
Price and Availability
The Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi putters begin shipping April 1 and have a MAP price of $299, which is pretty much the same price point as the rest of Scotty’s retail putters.
Final Thoughts
I’ve seen a good amount of buzz surrounding this putter. Not only are the mallet fans out there (you know who you are) excited, but a few of the high-MOI putter fans seem excited as well. There is no doubt that Scotty Cameron’s are Tour-tested and he has came out with some really nice putters to fit a pretty wide spectrum of golfers.
It is nice to see though that Scotty has continued with his weight customization options with the Studio Select putter line and it will be interesting to see if this carries over to future putter lines. Say what you will about dropping 300 large on a putter but for the amount of use that one gets, it can be a pretty solid investment.
I’m not a mallet fan. I played a Fat Lady Swings for a couple of years in the late 90’s however found myself pushing a lot of putts and since moving back to a traditional blade have not looked back.
Scotty Cameron has in the past stated his belief that a pendulum stroke is not the correct way to putt therefore it always disappoints me when he puts to market a face balanced pendulum promoting mallet design. My assumption is that such putters are created to appeal to a market segment and are therefore of lower quality than the blade putters which he endorses as providing a better more consistant method of putting.
I love mallets but not at that price ,my three ball will do just fine
I agree, while as per my comment above I’m no mallet fan if I were I would go down the Odyssey route.
The original 2 ball is a Pelz inspired design and Pelz is king of the pendulum stroke, therefore, if I were after that stroke and putter style I would look to the expert and not Cameron whose true putting beliefs lie in the blade department.
(All that said Cameron’s blades are beautiful, I just wish I could afford one!)
I don’t think that comment makes much sense at all. Scotty’s released several mallet putters dating back for quite awhile. A mallet does not necessarily mean you must use a “straight back, straight through” stroke, and you would do well to read some of the comments here.
Interesting link. I retract some of my comment above, as per link the putter is not quite face balanced. Nevertheless, surely it is not a contentious comment that a mallet style putters is more (best) suited to a pendulum style stroke? Probably off topic here though.
I just bought a newport 2.6- lag is great, feel is great, grip is awesome! but i don’t feel confidence when lining it up. I have practiced with it for over 4 hours now so i’m really giving it a go… i just think a may have to swtich to something like this to give me that line up confidence like my previous yes natalie long allignment line.
I checked out the Kombi at length yesterday, i could have sworn it was 100% face-balanced. Guess i’ll have to take a closer look, but i’m telling you, if you rest that thing on your finger, it is balanced. Moreso than the X mallets.
You may be splitting hairs. Scotty Cameron said it was “almost” face-balanced, and that “they have just a bit of toe hang.” Maybe “a bit” to him is 5°?
Just won one in a tournament this past weekend. I have used a 2 ball for the last 4 years, but is it out of the bag now. The Kombi has much better balance and the feel (response) is amazing!!! The only negitive thing I have found yet is it is so soft it is harder to get to the hole on longer putts. 15 ft and in it is automatic. Nothing against the 2 ball, i still love that putter but the Kombi is in another class.
i think its beautiful. and i love malets. and hey dont blame the putter for the push there neil.
I been using the Kombi putter for the pass two months. The putter is very balance from 15 feet to 58 foot . I like the sound and feel of the kombi putter. Its much better than my two ball callaway putter and my taylormade spider..
Must just be a personal thing. I went to the Kombi because it cured me of poor distance control on putts over 15-20 feet. I’ve had four Scotty Cameron putters in the past decade and this is the best yet (for me anyway). It is as smooth as butter on the takeaway and slightly off-center hits don’t seem to alter the ball line. In this regard it’s also great for precision on the four-five footers.
having played and owned several Scotties, I find this one both better and bitter. It seems to play esp well cross-handed where the stroke becomes straight back (and under), and straight through, and less stable with an inside to down the line to inside type stroke. It also plays well with a “both hands under the handle” type grip which provides the control/stability this particular bigger (Heavy) head seems to need to make a purer roll. Still, it seems a bit unstable as it rolls out and, for me will require further tournament play to reveal its true character.
There is one small downside to the Kombi, and it actually has nothing at all to do with the putter itself. Since the Kombi is constructed of aircraft aluminum, it is “very” soft and quite easy to nick or scratch. So if you’re one of those who likes to keep your putter well protected be sure you NEVER lose the Kombi head cover because you can not, under any circumstances, purchase a replacement…at least from Scotty Cameron. I called to order a spare cover and was informed it is the only putter cover they will not sell individually, and my begging did no good.
If anyone knows where I can find a generic cover that will fit the Kombi, please let me know, but all the large mallet covers I have tried at every golf store in town won’t fit it.
I kinda think Scotty Cameron would have trouble walking down a 500 yard wide fairway without hitting both sides of his swelled head on tree limbs. No putter cover replacements, can’t change putter weight without sending putters back to factory. Whoa, a lot of waste going on here for what exactly? If someone knows the answer why please let me know. I like the way the putters play but I question the makers power tripping. Its uncalled for and unbecoming, I am sure Tiger is his role model.
Hi, anyone had been the experience playing with a modifing a KOMBI MID, cutting the lenght to 34/35″?