Expert Review: Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2 Putter
All photos courtesy of Joe Mallock
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I purchased with my own money in April of 2020.
My take
The Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Putter has an incredibly soft feel and a desirable, heavy weight. This is a putter geared for more skilled players who want better touch on fast greens. Plus, the weight of the club helps eliminate any shaky movement from the putting stroke.
About the club I own
- Model: 2018 Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 putter
- Shape: Blade
- Hosel Neck: 90 degree
- Balance Point: Four way sole balancing
- Shaft Length: 33”
- Grip Type: Matador Midsize 11”
- Finish: Stainless steel
About me
- Average Score: 79-85
- Handicap: 8.8 index
- Experience: 25 years
- Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
- Stroke Type: Straight back, straight through
- Golf Ball Used: Srixon Z Star XV
- Height: 5’ 7”
Test conditions
- When I bought the putter: April 2020
- Days tested: I have played with this putter for 2+ years
- Where I’ve used it: I’ve used it everywhere. I mainly played at Oak Hills Park Golf Course in Norwalk, CT and now I play at Black Creek Club in Chattanooga, TN.
- Weather and Wind Conditions (list out the conditions you’ve used it in): I’ve played in all weather conditions, from calm, sunny days to wet and windy days.
- Green Speed: I have used this putter on greens of all different speeds. Typically, I play courses with faster greens.
- Grass Type (bent grass, bermuda grass, poa annua): Bent grass
How it performs
What I was looking for
When I bought this in 2020, I was looking for a soft putter that would give me better touch on fast greens. I like blade putters, but I wanted something with more weight, which I felt would help improve the tempo of my putting stroke.
Why I chose this club
I’ve been around the game of golf for 25 years, and people absolutely love their Scotty Cameron putters. I decided it was time to pony up and see if the club was really worth it.
I did not consider other options. I had previously played with an Odyssey White Hot #3 and a Titleist Dead Center SP-209. I knew I wanted a Scotty Cameron blade.
What I love about it
- Face Feel: I love the feel! Soft as butter. This gives me the confidence to strike each putt with the right amount of force, especially when I’m playing on quick greens. And if I don’t strike the ball right in the center of the face, maybe slightly on the toe or heel, the feedback from the club is super clear.
- Weight: I love the weight of the putter. The sole of the club contains two 20 gram weights, one in the heel and one in the toe. When I take the club back, I can really feel the weight, which helps me maintain a smooth pendulum motion. This helps me make a consistent stroke every time.
- Alignment: There is a straight, black line on the back of the putter which gives me confidence that I’m going to strike the ball in the center of the club each time.
- Length: I play a 33” putter because I’m 5’7” and I really like to have my eyes right over the ball. I definitely lean over more than most when I putt, but it’s what works for me, and the 33” length is perfect.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The club is beautiful. It’s a piece of art. It’s hard to not just stare at it.
- Grip Feel: I love the grip. Not too thick, not too thin, it’s just right. Each thumb rests nicely down the grip and it’s the perfect thickness to help make sure my wrists don’t get involved in my putting stroke.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Forgiveness: This is not a forgiving club. When I don’t hit the center of the putter face, I can feel it, and the ball does not come off with the same speed or soft pop.
Best Putt or Round with this Putter
I used to get pretty nervous for putts inside of 8 feet—not a gimme distance, but certainly a makeable putt. My stroke would feel foreign to me and I had no confidence that I could put the ball on the line I needed. With this Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2, I feel the heavy weight as I take the club back, and more often than not, I now bury putts inside of 8 feet right in the center of the cup.
Value for the money vs. other options
The TaylorMade Spider can cost up to $350, Odyssey White Hot putters can cost $250, and the Bettinardi putters can cost $400+. I paid $400 for my Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 putter in 2020, and while I know the other putters are also quality (though I haven’t played them all,) everyone raves about the exceptional feel and soft touch of a Scotty Cameron putter, so I knew that’s what I wanted…and it certainly delivered!
Final verdict
My putting confidence is the highest it can be with the Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 putter! The heavy feel and soft touch helps me put a smooth stroke on the ball every time. Plus, the precise feel in the middle of the clubface is excellent for putting well on fast greens.
- We price match
- Returnable