Gear: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 OC Spec III and Phantom 11R OC Spec III putters
Price: $800 each
Specs: Available in 33-, 34- and 35-inch lengths with 3.5 degrees of loft, a 70-degree lie angle and one degree of shaft lean.
Available: September 22 (pre-sale), Oct. 1 (in stores).
Who it’s for: Golfers who want to reduce face rotation without changing to an unconventional-looking putter or sacrificing the sound and feed associated with a traditional Scotty Cameron.
What you should know: These limited-edition versions of the popular Phantom 5 and Phantom 11R combine Scotty Cameron’s lowest-torque construction with a black PVD finish, black shaft, black Matador Mid grip and three contrasting alignment lines.
The Deep Dive: The low-torque putter category
has been hot for two years, but some of the putters in it are so off-putting, visually, that many golfers refuse to even consider them. They’re like science projects gone bad. Scotty Cameron’s previously-released Phantom OC putters have been different, combining torque-reducing designs with shapes based on popular Scotty Cameron shapes.
The new Phantom 5 OC Spec III and Phantom 11R OC Spec III continue that trend and retain two recognizable mallet shapes. The OC stands for Onset Center, and both have a shaft positioned slightly behind the leading edge, aligned with the putter’s center of gravity (CG) and creating the onset.
Having the shaft enter the head in that spot reduces the head’s tendency to rotate open and closed during the stroke. Scotty Cameron describes the design as low torque rather than zero torque because, he claims, every putting stroke creates some torque. The goal is to make it easier for golfers to keep the face square to their stroke’s path, and his creations do that.
With only 1 degree of shaft lean and a conventional tapered grip, the OC designs should require less adjustment for golfers moving from a standard mallet than many torque-reducing putters. The Phantom 5 OC Spec III and Phantom 11R OC Spec III also have head weights that are also 15 grams heavier than Scotty Cameron’s conventional builds. A slightly stiffer shaft helps preserve feedback instead of allowing the head to feel disconnected from the golfer’s hands.
The Phantom 5 OC Spec III has a compact wingback shape that has been popular with professional golfers and recreational golfers for years. It features a full-face Studio Carbon Steel insert with chain-link milling designed to create a softer sound and feel at impact.
The Phantom 11R OC Spec III is larger, rounder and has a higher moment of inertia (MOI), making it more stable for golfers who want extra forgiveness on off-center strikes. Its face also has a chain-link milling pattern to soften the impact sensation and it is the only one of these two limited-edition models available for left-handed golfers.
Three bright alignment lines provide the only real interruption to the blackout look of the. Phantom 11R OC Spec III. The center line sits directly behind the ball, while the two outer lines frame it at address. That should help golfers establish the face angle and start line without turning the top of the putter into a road map.
At $800, these are not casual experiments. They are limited-edition versions of Scotty Cameron’s low-torque mallets for golfers who already like the OC concept but who want a darker, more distinctive presentation.
Think less science project, more blacked-out muscle car.
David Dusek is a senior Golfweek writer covering golf equipment.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Scotty Cameron Spec III putters: Classic looks, reduced torque
