About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I won at a tournament in August of 2021.

My take

The Scotty Cameron Special Select Flowback 5 putter is outstanding. With a great feel, a sleek alignment aid, and a beautiful design, this putter is definitely tailored to more advanced golfers who know what they are looking for in a putter.

About the club I own

• Model: 2020 Scotty Cameron Special Select Flowback 5
• Shape: Half mallet
• Hosel Neck: Heel full shaft
• Balance Point: Near face balanced putter
• Shaft Length: 34 inches
• Grip Type: Pistolini Plus Grip
• Finish: Milled 303 Stainless Steel

About me

• Average Score: 75–78
• Handicap: 2.5
• Experience: 15–20 years of golf
• Dexterity: Right handed
• Stroke Type: Straight-through stroke
• Golf Ball: ProV1X
• Height: 6’0”

Test conditions

• When I bought the putter: August 2021
• Days Tested: About three and a half months of play
• Where I have used it: I golf in Western New York, where I have put in many hours on the putting green and golf course
• Weather and Wind Conditions: Anywhere from perfect conditions to windy and rainy days.
• Green Speed: 12 stimp
• Grass Type: Bentgrass

How it performs

What I was looking for

I actually won this putter in a tournament auction, so I said, “why not give it a try? And if I don't like it, I can sell it for a profit.” Each of my previous putters have been a half mallet or a blade. I was looking for a putter that had a soft feel when hit off of the face and a solid sound on impact; I did not want a tin-can noise. And it needed to be a well-balanced putter as well. Thank goodness I placed a bid on this putter—it will be in the bag for a long time.

Why I chose this club

The only thing I had to get used to was the thinner grip. I was a fat-grip golfer, but now with this skinny Pistolini grip, I get much more feedback on my putts. If I mishit, I know instantly just from the feel of the milled 303 stainless steel that runs up the shaft. The forgiveness on this putter still will make the ball roll the desired distance and only fall off of line slightly.

What I love about it

• Face Feel: The milled 303 stainless steel with the mid-milled face pattern and a hand-finished touch gives this putter an unbelievable feel and sound. It feels effortless when I start the ball rolling; and I still receive the feedback I am looking for in each putt. There is no other putter that I have experienced either this feeling or sound with.
• Forgiveness: The interchangeable sole weights on the toe and heel of this putter increase the sweet spot and improve forgiveness. They are customizable to the individual’s liking. When I miss the sweet spot slightly, the distance of the putt will not change.
• Weight: By using the interchangeable weights, I can make this putter fit my specific needs. I have the stock weights equipped, which gives me a feeling of full control while still being able to feel the weight of the putter. This gives me confidence to take those aggressive lines.
• Alignment: When standing over this putter, it is easy to use the top line to see where I am aiming. I do not use the line on the ball to putt, just the line on my putter. When I am standing over this putter, I know exactly where that top line is aiming. The black line against the stainless steel stands out and directs me perfectly.
• Length: The length of my putter is 34 inches. The club comes in other lengths as well, but 34 inches is perfect for the way I stand over the ball.
• Aesthetic Appeal: With the 303 stainless steel and the mid-milled face pattern, one is looking at a top-of-the-line, “luxury” putter. Not only does it look beautiful behind the ball, but also hanging out of the bag.
• Grip Feel: The Pistolini plus grip in my hands feels like quality material. Whether it is wet and cold or hot and humid, I will always get a solid grip on the putter while getting the feedback I need. I was an oversized-grip golfer, but I do not think I can ever go back now.
• Customization: Scotty Cameron allows a ton of customizations—everything from adding initials and stamps to changing the color of the topline or the weights. One can even add length to their alignment line on top of the face if that's what they need. The weight selection ranges from 2x5g weights up to 2x30g weights. These are available in increments of five grams. The loft of the putter can also be increased or decreased; users can increase the length of the putter in increments of half inches. Add whatever grip is wanted, change the shaft band on the putter, and even choose the putter cover; every aspect of this putter is customizable.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: This putter does have an increased sweet spot and is weighted to help improve mishits. The ball will roll the distance, but golfers still have to keep that face square at impact, or it will fall off of the line. This putter is meant for advanced putters/golfers.

Best Putt or Round with this Putter

My long putts have begun dropping way more frequently. Then when it comes to those 5-foot sliders, my confidence to hit it through the break and drop it dead center of the cup has increased tremendously. My distance control has become “elite,” no more leaving putts very short or shooting them way past the hole. The confidence I get from this putter being in my hand has allowed me to leave those long putts nowhere but within 3 feet of the cup. My distance/pace control while putting has been the absolute biggest improvement since using this putter. This has definitely improved my game because I cannot remember the last time I 3-putted, even after coming back to golf after the winter.

Value for the money vs. other options

Yes, the Scotty Cameron Special Select Flowback 5 is expensive—for a reason. I have yet to putt with another putter that gives me the feel and feedback this putter does. These Scottys will also last forever due to their craftsmanship. Another putter I own is the Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven S putter, which is about 200 dollars cheaper than the Scotty—but, again, for a reason. Yes, the Odyssey is a great putter; it provides me great distance control and forgiveness. But it will give me a plastic-like sound on impact, and I will not get the feedback I feel in my hands as I do with the Scotty. If the club does not sound good or give me the feedback I need, then how can I have confidence while putting? The Odyssey Stoke Lab Seven S is a great putter, but for those who are willing to pay top dollar for a putter, choose Scotty Cameron. Golfers will get the high quality, high performance, and great feel that the price tag promises. No 200-dollar putter will come anywhere close to this putter.

Final verdict

This putter has blown me away and reduced strokes. The look and feel of standing up to a putt with this club gives me the confidence to 2-putt from anywhere on the green.