Scotty Cameron’s line of Titleist putters occupies a unique niche in the flatstick universe. After joining forces with Titleist in the mid-1990s, Cameron’s milled product line essentially created the $250-plus premium putter market. Titleist regularly leads the PGA Tour in putters in play, and Cameron’s putters have such a strong reputation – and resale value – that entire businesses are built around buying and selling them.
If you’re one of Cameron’s crazies, you probably know all about his new Circa 62 line. If you aren’t, read on and find out what this new line of milled putters is all about, and what a $299 putter can do for your game.
I’ve owned dozens of putters over the last 15+ years. I have two staff bags full of putters in my basement, and another five or six (my favorites) vie for my attention in my office. Somehow, I’ve made it this far without a Scotty Cameron by Titleist working its way into my rotation.
That changed recently when a new Circa 62 No. 3 putter joined the gang. Even though I’ve used a few high-MOI mallet putters recently, I still prefer a more classic-looking blade. The entire idea behind the Circa 62 line is classicism. Cameron has said the inspiration for the four models in the Circa 62 line was the sleek designs of classic putters he grew up with (1962 being the year Scotty was born).
Each of the Circa 62 putters comes with a silicon-treated cloth, a sheet of care instructions and an eye-catching yellow headcover with a ball-mark repair tool.
Cameron detractors, and there are a few, have populated Internet forums with criticism that the Circa 62s are too-close cousins to the original popular milled putters created in that era by TP Mills, much as many previous Camerons have been very similar to Karsten Solheim’s Ping designs. There are certainly similarities between the Circa 62s and TP Mills putters – the gracefully swooping flanges, the squared corners of the toe area, the circular sight dot – but it isn’t as if Cameron is the first one to incorporate Mills’ design cues, and Scotty has added some touches of his own. The Circa 62 putters also have visual similarities to the Cameron Studio Design putters that were dropped from his product lineup this year, thanks mainly to the gun blue finish.
Design
Each of the Circa 62 putters is entirely milled from soft carbon steel. The hosel and blade are milled from the same block of steel, meaning there’s no welding involved in the making of the putter. Most putters that are made using investment casting techniques have hosels that are welded to the blade, which can lead to inconsistencies in weight and feel from putter to putter.
The Circa 62 No. 3 putter has crisp, sleek lines and a simple white circle on the top line. Note that the shiny finish is prone to reflecting glare.
Carbon steel is prone to rusting, so Cameron has decided to use a black oxide finish on the Circa 62 line. This jet black finish looks great out of the box, but comes with some caveats. First of all, the finish is very reflective. The Circa 62 No. 3 I used definitely gave me a few bursts of unwelcome bright glare when I played in clear conditions. Second, the gun blue finish – like similar black oxide-type finishes – is quite high-maintenance. Each Circa 62 putter comes with a yellow cloth treated with silicon, along with instructions to wipe down the putter after every use. That’s because the gun blue finish doesn’t do much to protect the carbon steel from rusting, and the silicon on the cloth helps restore the protective barrier.
The first round I played with my Circa 62 was in drizzly conditions at a seaside course. When I got back to my hotel about 30 minutes after finishing play, I remembered to wipe down the putter – and it already had small brown dots forming on the sole and hosel. These mostly disappeared after using the silicon cloth, and I’ve been a bit more diligent about keeping the putter dry. But if you’re the kind of player who prefers to leave your clubs alone between rounds, beware that you may end up with a rusty putter sooner than later. I know people who actually love taking care of their gun blue Camerons, and others who stay away from them for this very reason.
Models 1-3 of the Circa 62 line are blades that share the same general design cues. They all have high toe areas to help golfers line up the blade better and avoid pulling putts, as well as a “draft sole” design that helps the putter sit squarely at address. These design choices made the Circa 62 No. 3 very easy to line up for me, and very comfortable to use on the green or from the fringe.
The Circa 62 family includes the No. 5 mallet and three blade-style putters. No word on why there’s no No. 4 model.
The Circa 62 No. 5 is a distinctive mallet model. It has an interesting concave sole to go with the high-toe design of the other putters in the family. I didn’t get the chance to try this model, but mallet-lovers take note.
Esthetics
The Circa 62s are very minimalist-looking putters. At address, the only thing that stands out is the tiny white sight circle on the top of the putter behind the sweet spot – no complicated series of lines or shapes. I think it’s great. In a putter market where every new design seems to be more overboard than the last, the Circa 62s are understated and sleek.
An interesting thing about the Circa 62s is that the Titleist name is nearly hidden on every model. Most Cameron designs have the Titleist name in the cavity on the back of the blade or on the heel area of the putter face. Not so on the Circa 62s. Each putter has “SCOTTY CAMERON” stamped on the face and filled with white paint, while the word “CAMERON” is on the rear of the putter. The Titleist logo only appears on the sole of each putter, and on the butt end of the grip.
A hand-stitched leather grip comes standard on each Circa 62 putter.
Speaking of the grip, it is a soft leather grip from Australia. It is hand-stitched, and the stitching runs down the bottom of the grip to serve as a raised “reminder” area. A few people who tried out my Circa 62 No. 3 didn’t care for this “steering wheel” feel, but I liked it. And if you’ve never putted with a leather grip, you’re missing something.
Other than black and white, the other color to be seen on the Circa 62s is a racing yellow. This color is used on a Circa 62 logo on each putter’s sole, as well as on the shaft band. The headcover (and a Cameron fan knows how important the headcover is) looks like leather and is the same yellow color. It comes with couple holes to hold the included milled “pivot tool,” though it wasn’t a very secure hold in my experience. Some people may also see a bright yellow Cameron head cover as a big “Steal me!” sign. But you should definitely use a headcover of some sort with the Circa 62s to protect the fragile finish and the soft carbon steel.
The Circa 62s look beautiful out of the box. The mill marks give the putters the look of a precision tool, and the finish looks like jewelry. But aside from the post-round silicon treatment that’s needed, I also found the finish of the putter to be less than durable. After hitting a ball out of a wet bunker, I decided to putt the ball from where it sat on the fringe. There was wet sand still stuck to the ball, but I couldn’t mark and clean the ball since it was just off the green. So I putted the ball to tap-in range, made that putt and left the green. As I put the Circa 62 back in my bag, I noticed that my 15-foot putt from the fringe had left a permanent mark on the putter face, thanks to the sand that was on the ball. I suppose in time I’ll see that as “character,” but for now I just see it as “that scuff on the face of my putter.”
Overall, however, these are simply great-looking putters. Everything about them, from the shape of the head to the mill marks on the face, looks fantastic. I enjoy reaching for this putter on every green, and feeling good about your putter can only help your confidence over the ball.
The high-toe design of the Circa 62 putters is meant to help golfers set up properly to the ball.
Feel and Sound
Carbon steel may be prone to rust and the black oxide finish may be less than durable, but the combination does create smooth feel and sound on the Circa 62 putters. I played multiple rounds with both urethane-covered premium golf balls and a few rounds with harder Surlyn-covered distance balls. The Circa 62 No. 3 felt and sounded great with both. The putter produces a solid, deep “click” at impact that is very pleasing. You also get an immediate sense of feedback, knowing whether you struck the putt flush or a little off-center. The feel is not as soft as putters with elastomer inserts, but the feedback is much better. And thanks to the carbon steel, the feel is better than most cast stainless steel putters.
The shaft band on the Circa 62 No. 3 shows its specs. The shaft band is not visible at address, as it’s on the underside of the shaft.
My only quibble with the feel was that the Circa 62 No. 3 felt a little light in the head to me. And it only comes in a 35″ version, so if I wanted to cut it down an inch or two, I’d end up with an even lighter putter (you can’t put lead tape on a putter this pretty; that’d be like putting duct tape on a Porsche). But the more I used it, the more comfortable I became with the putter – especially on fast greens.
Performance
In addition to its old school design esthetic, the Circa 62 line also has a classic performance style. If you’re looking for a high-MOI putter that will make up for a shaky putting stroke, you shouldn’t be looking at the Circa 62s. These are not high-tech, space-age corrective designs like Cameron’s Futura models. The Circa 62s are for people who appreciate a putter that gives them solid feel, reliable distance control and a simple look. Models 1-3 are non-face balanced blades that are ideal for someone with a “swinging gate” stroke, while the No. 5 mallet is face balanced for square-to-square strokes.
I appreciate high-MOI putters for the way they minimize the loss of distance and accuracy on off-center hits. But I always struggle with distance control with such high-tech implements. The Circa 62 No. 3 was totally intuitive on all kinds of greens. While I didn’t exactly drain miles of putts with it, I also left myself a lot of easy tap-ins for second putts thanks to the excellent distance control. I also found the relatively compact design of the putter to perform better on tricky breaking putts than large high-MOI mallets.
Conclusion
For the $299 street price, I was expecting the Circa 62 No. 3 to be my dream putter. While it let me down in some respects (the care regiment required for the black oxide finish), it was a very strong performer that has won the starting spot in my bag with its feel and consistency.
To really be my dream putter, I’d need to make some modifications to the Circa 62 No. 3. First, I’d need for there to be a sturdier finish. Second, I’d want the topline to be misted or similarly treated to cut down on glare on sunny days. Third, I’d want the option of being able to order a shorter length with a heavier head (34″ with a 340-gram head would be ideal, and our Editor Erik prefers an even shorter, heavier 33″ and 350 grams). Maybe I’m picking nits, but a premium-priced product like the Circa 62 putters is certainly open to scrutiny. Pay more, expect more, I figure.
The complete package: The Circa 62 No. 3 with head cover and pivot tool.
A few of those options are available by going through Cameron’s Custom Shop (Pro Platinum finish, shaft cut down a half-inch), but that would add even more to the price. And despite my little wish list, the fact is that the Circa 62 No. 3 is a solid putter that looks great. I’m of the belief that 90 percent of putting is confidence (and the other 10 percent is pretty much luck). If you love classic-looking milled blade putters and don’t find $299 to be too much for a club you’re going to use on every hole, then you’re likely to find the Circa 62 line to be worth the price.
Great review, Don. I’ve played most of the season with a #3 and while I’ve tried others because of the maintenance issue, I keep coming back to it. It works for me. As an aside, I picked up mine on eBay for $220 then sold the grip and headcover for $60 each thus yielding a $100 putter. At that price I’ll let it rust a little before sending it in for the pro platinum finish.
Don, putting is so old school.
Jeff: Thank you for chiming in, Mr. Zero-Putt. Some of us have to work harder to get the ball in the hole…
Great review. I own 5 scotty cameron putter but not this one. I might have to try it but the only problem is that i am a lefty. Don’t know if they have a LH version on the circa #3. I do know that they have a lefty in the Circa #2. I think Scotty Cameron should have an option for all dexterity in the headweight, 33″ 350g head, 34″ 340g, 35″ 330g heads. Someone who is close to Scotty should suggest to have all lines of putters in RH/LH with different head weights. But hey great review.
This was a great read. I have been on the fence so long. I thought I would never pay $300 for a putter – being happy with my Ping B60. But I went to a local retailer and demoed the Circa #3 along with the Newport 2. The winner for me was the Circa #3. More feel… than the Newport 2 – I think the insert on the Newport took some of the feel away and the softer carbon steel on the Circa added to the feel.
After the demo, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. I kept on reading this article, along with the excellent photos, I am afraid I made that plunge. Oh, Lord…
Thanks again.. I think. 🙂
..btw, current stock leaving the Scotty Cameron factory is “black baby t” grips – not the aussie leather. So, a downgrade in my opinion. So, if you want to get the aussie leather grip, you need to use the old stock left in the channel.
Great review! I bought the Circa 62 No5 as I’ve been using mallets for the last 3 years and didn’t think I could make the jump straight back to a blade. I justified this purchase, b/c I’ve been buying $300-$400 drivers the last 3 seasons…and I don’t even get to hit that club on every hole. But a $300 putter…you get to hit it on every hole…sometimes more than once!! All I can say is Awesome Putter! This putter’s strength is distance control. I may be able to knock down 6-8 footers with my two ball better, but that was only because the 2-ball blew my first putt by the hole and that is what I needed to save my par! With the Circa 62…all I have are tap-ins left! I have the leather grip on mine and wish I had the baby T that is shipping now on all Circa putters. I find myself caring for the grip, almost as much as the black oxide head. Don’t get me wrong, I love the grip….it’s just not meant for the early morning rounds, when the morning dew is still around. As a side note, you can pick up this club on eBay for about $179 or so….! Don’t spend another dime on the latest driver technology….go get you a Scotty Cameron Putter…and watch your scores drop!!!
Great review … very accurate. I also have a closet full of putters, most of them very gimmicky. I’ve been using the 2 ball for a few years with on and off success, so I recently decided to get a Scotty. I tried them all (new and used) and decided on the Circa 62 #3. If you’ve never tried a Scotty, you have to at least try it. I can’t describe how intuitive and balanced this putter feels over the ball. Yes, it’s difficult to maintain and there can be some glare off the top. But those are the trade offs to a beautiful looking putter that putts the ball true. I always thought of myself as a mediocre putter. But lately with the Circa 62 #3, I feel like a great putter. It inspires the confidence to try to sink it from anywhere on the green. That’s a good thing.
I have four black oxide Scotty’s that are black oxide and keep them like new with Birchwood gun blueing that I got at Walmart for under 10 bucks. It’s easy to do and fun to see them all shiny and black again. I bought a circa#3 yesterday for $175.00 at the local golf discount shop that was a bit rusty and today it looks new and would sell for $225.00 easy on ebay, BUT I’m gonna use it for a while and may keep it for ever !LOL……….there’s no putter that feels and puts better !!!
I recently purchased the Circa 62 #3. Hands down, the best putter on the market. I got away from Cameron putters the last 2 years, believing $300 was too much for a putter. But now that I am using a Cameron again, I feel like I wasted the last 2 years on the greens. Scotty knows how to create putters, and there is a reason they are in the bags of many PGA Tour players. Thank you Scotty for your attention to detail and your classic designs.
I recently purchased a Circa ’62 #5 on the web (used) for $100.
I really respect cameron putters, ( I used a Newport 2 terillium insert model for a couple of years), but had switched to a great 059 Ping Anser last year. After two rounds with the Cameron #5 (my first “mini” mallet putter) I now have a ping putter for sale. WOW! No more “left short” par putts and birdies! REAL feel, alignment, and a natural slow heavy pendulum stroke every time!! I am no longer a 3 putter. Long lag putts almost magically
end up within 6 inches of the hole, or take a 41/2 ” drop! When the golf world discovers how well this particular putter drains
long and intermediate putts…well, get one now, it will REALLY make a difference in your game. ( I don’t mind having to take care of, and wipe down after every round, the hands down BEST STICK in my bag.)
I am trying to settle in on a putter….and stick w/it for a while. I have used a twoball, a mallet and most recently on the web, purchased a Scotty Cameron Circa 62, Model #3. I have been using the straight back and though storke, but what I read here is about the gate stroke being more amenable for this type club. I hate to admit this, but I had not even heard of the gate swing until now. How do I learn how to make this stroke correctly? I am looking for some help on how to practice, (master) this technique. I really like the feel of the club and the sound the ball makes when contact is made. I am having some difficulty with long lag putting and seem to leave the ball short regularly, rather than beyond the pin. After five years, I am still in the learning stages…….but I would really like to learn how to use this putter most effectively. Your thoughts and guidance most welcome.
Bruce Landry
Annapolis, MD
The gate swing stroke is just a nice easy
mini golf swing Bruce. Just hold the club at about 60% of normal pressure and make the back swing the same distance as the follow through and the club will open a bit and then close to square on the downswing and don’t
make it complicated, that’s all you need to do. I am the best putter I know and use the “kiss” method.(keep it simple stupid) LOL
TRYING TO SINK EVERY PUTT WILL WEAR YOU OUT. So accept the misses and relish
the sinkers ! I have 30 Scottys and my main problem is to decide which one to use as they are ALL terrific ! Good luck Bruce from
a great 83 yesr old geezer! Ken
BTW Bruce, I have a friend near where you live named Bruce Crampton who teaches
golf and was on the PGA and Champions
tours and taught me how to putt 60 years ago and his stroke is pure simplistic quality.
Look him up and get the best lesson you’ve
ever had……….tell him Kenny sent you and you’ll get a nice smile I bet……cheers 😆
OOPS! IT WAS 1958 50 YEARS AGO ! 😳 😳
I recently bought a circa 62 for $200 dollars at my local Edwin watts golf store. What a bargain! I didn’t care for the leather grip much however so i got it replaced by a black baby T. After a full season of use however the matienance of the putter just got to much so I sent it in for a pro platinum finish.
Although the finish was expensive it was well worth the price.
The bottom line is that it is a great putter
i purchased the circa #2 a few months back on ebay (largely thanks to this great review) and also because i wanted an upgrade from my 98′ newport longneck… anyway, i’ve been hesitant to take it out on the course for fear of rusting. then, i purchased the oil cloth from the cameron store online, but am still hesitant to ruin such a good looking club. yet i can’t wait and so i’ll be adding it to the bag starting this weekend. is it enough to just wipe it down after each hole? does the cloth need to be reapplied with anything? thanks.
Hello,
I got one of these babys a #3,and you said in your review that you would like it at 34 inch lenght and a 340gram head.Well thats what I have ,they made a few of these for the asian market.Although it cost a bit more due to it being rare,it is the closest thing to a pro platium model for a quarter of the price.
My old ray cook putter is a thing of the past now.
😯 I was reluctant to buy a putter that is soo expensive. After using a Circa 62 #3 from my proshop, I had to have one. GREAT feel and balance. I dont think that i will need another putter again!!! 😛
I have a circa 62 #1 and although i try hard to maintain it the face has still rusted. Is there a garauntee if this happens and titliest replace the putter, because the face is not supposed to rust ❓ ❓ ❓ ❓ ❓ ❓
Hi guys,
Great article! I love anything that Scotty makes and have for a while now. Most recently, I bought the new circa 62 #2. I bought it the morning of a huge tournament that I played in because I couldn’t get a feel on the greens with my other scotty.
I am usually really good about taking care of them, but after this tournament (btw, it was raining the whole time) I stuck it in my trunk and left it overnight. In the morning there were just a few rust spots, but still very depressing.
I’m looking for advise on how to safely clean and be rid of the rust. But I would prefer to do it on my own. Any at-home remedies for rust spots?
Eric
Don’t take this the wrong way, but all I can say about rust is if yours has rusted due to leaving it in your boot while it is wet and especially if it had a wet headcover over the head,then it is your own fault.
My uncle used to leave his clubs in the boot all the time and all his shafts now are rusty.Not a good idea and if you boot has a leak it is even worse.
If you must leave them in the boot due to a wife that does not share your love of the game and your equipment,then you could
A. leave your wife or
B.put a dehumidifying agent in the boot like damprid.
I personally take my clubs into the kitchen and clean and dry them one by one,fill up my water bottle add some more snack bars and replenish my balls tees etc.Then they go in the golf cupboard. If I played in the rain my house is like a chinese laundry with headcovers etc everywhere.
I have covers over my irons (neoprene), and standard covers on my woods and putter. I have no rust on my clubs anywhere and even my raw steel vokey has struggled to accumalate any.
Take care of yourself and your equipment and you will feel great and your clubs will be fine and then you will be playing your best golf.
How do I clean my Scotty Cameron Putter 62 CIRCA Model 3 it start to get Rusty…. Can I oil it with Baby Oil…. or is there anything I can do Please advice? Thxs
I was thinking of a number 1 model to get with my new set I’m planning, so thanks for this review, it was worth the read.
May go with the new Newport line however, as I can get a 34″ model that way.
One thing with the glare…that doesn’t bother me at all because I look at the hole when I putt, makes distance control much easier in my opinion. So if you don’t like the glare, maybe try looking at the hole 🙂
I’ve just purchased a Circa 62 No. 5 for £96.00 reduced from £170.00, times are hard for retailers in the UK at the moment and there are bargains to be had !! Portsmouth Golf Centre in UK has one Circa 62 No 3 left at £99.00. I tried Mizuno, Taylor Made, Yes, Odessey etc etc and nothing compared to the feel of the Circa 62. I’m slightly concerned about maintenance but I guess that’s the price of having something retro….call me sad but I think it looks fantastic. Does anyone have any good tips other than drying regularly and using baby oil….for the club? 😀
I use carnuba wax every os often and it works very well to keep it
shiny. And the oil rag too. Simonize aut wax is also a solution but a harder wax is longer lasting……..good luck,Ken 😆
I bought the #2 with the charcoal mist finish.. It is ,by far, the best putter I have owned. It does not rust…..
I had used a Ping Anser for many years, and I was deadly with it inside 10 feet. The problem I had with the Anser was lag putting. If you miss the sweet spot by a quarter inch you might leave a 25 footer 8 feet short. I switched to an odyssey and could lag very well, but I lost the dead eye from 10 feet in..it was too light…
With the #2 I have the best of both worlds. I lag well and am deadly for 10 feet…..
no wonder a lot of the younger guys in the NCAA and the Nike tour use it….
😛 Been playing this game since a baby. Retired now and still play to a 6. I’ve tossed around the “Scotty Xerox” moniker a bit. Finally bought a #3 and I love it. Being an old fart I like the classic lines and FEEL. I still hate alignment marks, I turn my ball to the bank side even so the simple dot is a plus for me. I didn’t like the Baby “T” at first and thought the lie was a little flatter than I liked and the head was too light. But I decided to alter my setup to fit the putter. I’m in the Stan Utley school of putting so the toe down balance was “GREAT”. Guess what? Scotty knows putting. I “BELIEVE” my putting has improved; therefore it has. As for the rust issue ( I have a charcol mist finish) The silicon rag is fine and for you gazzillionaire Republicans out there Carnubba wax is fine but us “rednecks” prefer Hoppe’s #9 gun oil; makes the putter smell like the deadly instument it is. Happy hunting.
I have a Circa 62 model no 2. I paid £175 for it. After one month of oiling it after every round as required it started to rust and has continued to rust. I now need to scrape the rust off before every round with a hard groove cleaner. It was a complete waste of money in my eyes as very few other putters on the market require such attention or are prone to such high levels of rust.
I would also take a look at the wax you are using, could be that as I have never used any wax, just cold water, nailbrush and a towel off.
I have had my scottie 62 #2 for a couple years now. By far the best putter I have ever had.
I was very good with my ping anser (20 years) from 12 feet in, but the sweat spot was so small if I missed it by 1/8″ on long putts It came up short. I switched to a Odyssey and was a great lag putter but was not near as good form 12 feet. It seemed to be too light.
I have the best of both worlds with my #2. I can lag very well and am deadly from 12 feet in.
The weight is just right, not to heavy and not too light.
Darn I guess I forgot I posted this 5 months ago….
I picked up a like new Circa 62 #5 Sales Sample about a month ago for $100. It has the Circa 62 cover and divot tool but the cover is not original. I have yet to find another with a a price on it (other than ebay) and am wondering if I picked up a good purchase or not. Anyone know the worth of a Circa 62 #5 Sales Sample?
This is a putter that has not been that popular
and I have bought and sold several at between
$75 and 110. A sales sample is worth a bit more to collectors but stll does not rank very high,, It putts very well however.
Received a ‘used’ Circa ’62 #1 for Christmas–WOW!!
I never would have paid that much for a putter, however, from the very beginning it proved to be worth every dollar!
The balance and feel were a dramatic improvement over my Ping-which I cannot say anything ill about. It is just that my Scotty is that much better. The ball just roll cleaner and easier.
It has the stitched leather grip-a bit funky in the beginning, however I am now in love with it!! it is just part of the feel.
Do not know if I could ever go back to anything else!!
Wenol metal polish removes the rust and leaves a protective coating.
I have both the 2 and the 3. Different hozzle, but for all practical purposes identical.
I own the circa 62 model 3. All original down to 35″ shaft all decals are intact. Too heavy for my 126lbs. I collect them. This is one hell of a made putter. Would Scotty expect anything different? NOPE!
I bought a circa 62 model 1 and love it. It has some rust on it and I thought about taking it to a gunsmith to blue it like they do guns. Is this a good idea? Also, I have always putted on the toe side of the sweetspot and this works great with this putter! I guess I’m just an old fashion type…I also have a couple of the modern models and to tell you the truth I putt better with the 62 than I do them!!