Maybe you stumbled across an old, beat up Newport at a garage sale. Or it could be that you’ve had a Studio Design sitting in a spare golf bag for the past twenty years. Either way, you may be wondering, “Is my Scotty Cameron worth refinishing?”
While it’s probably not worth investing $150 or more in refinishing any old putter, Scotty Camerons aren’t your average club.
They’re something special.
Why Are Scotty Cameron Putters So Popular?
No brand in golf is more closely associated with premium putters than Scotty Cameron. And it’s not just because their putters have led hundreds of pros to tour victories over the past 20+ years.
It’s the top-of-the-line materials and overall attention to detail. It’s the balance and feel of the club in your hand. It’s the flow of each stroke and the uniquely crisp sound as it strikes the ball.
It’s true. The Scotty Cameron name is worth something all on its own. But if their putters weren’t consistently delivering, the name wouldn’t mean a thing.
Scotty Cameron is synonymous with quality and reliability. This is why their clubs are so popular. And it’s the reason they hold their value better than almost any other putter on the market.
It’s also why you should consider having yours refinished to its original condition.
Determining the Value of Your Scotty Cameron Putter
Thinking about sending your putter into the Scotty Custom Shop or another putter restoration specialist? If so, you should start by assessing your club’s current value.
Your Scotty Cameron putter’s value is a major factor in whether to refinish it.
So, what’s your club worth? Consider the following factors:
Putter Condition
It shouldn’t be a surprise that your putter’s overall condition is the number one thing to consider when evaluating its value. A putter that’s still in pristine condition will always be worth more than one showing signs of wear.
Pay particular attention to the club face and sole. These areas are the ones most affected by use. And damage there is more likely to impact performance.
Putter Rarity
Over the years, Scotty Cameron has released dozens of putter models. And that doesn’t just include tried-and-true clubs like the various Newports. They’ve also crafted limited edition models and other, rarer putters.
Needless to say, your model’s rarity will play a huge role in how much it is worth. If you happen to have one made for Tiger, you could have a small goldmine on your hands.
Modifications
The last major factor in determining your club’s value is how original it is. While mods can enhance the club’s performance and aesthetics, they probably won’t increase its value. If anything, they’ll bring it down.
Scotty Cameron enthusiasts generally prefer putters in their original state.
Estimating Your Scotty Cameron’s Value
Once you’ve got a good handle on your putter’s condition, rarity, and any mods, you’ll be ready to estimate its value.
You can start by browsing recent sales of similar putters. Check eBay and other auction sites. Look at dedicated golf equipment marketplaces. Do a search on any popular online golf forums.
As you look, remember that asking price doesn’t always indicate actual price. Just because you find a dozen auctions pricing your club at $450 doesn’t mean they’re selling. So be sure to estimate your club’s worth based on the value of items that have actually sold.
You should be able to get a solid grip on your club’s value by researching online sales. But if you’re still uncertain, you could always get a professional appraisal. This is especially the case if your club is particularly rare or unusual.
The Basics of Refinishing Your Scotty Cameron
What does it mean to have your Scotty Cameron putter restored? Is it nothing more than a facelift? Or could it have the potential to improve your club’s performance, extending its lifespan and your investment?
Before you spend hundreds of dollars on custom work, you need to understand what refinishing a club is all about.
So, What is Refinishing, Exactly?
Refinishing a club includes cleaning, repairing, and restoring it to its original condition. This means removing old paint fill, scratches, dings, and rust. It can involve giving the club a new finish, painting it, and even re-grooving the clubface.
But the goal of refinishing isn’t the creation of something new. It’s restoring it to its original look and performance.
Why Should I Consider Refinishing My Club?
There are dozens of reasons you might consider refinishing your putter.
Maybe you want to repair any wear or minor damage, so you can continue to enjoy it. Maybe you hope to sell it, and you know its value will increase after it’s refinished. Or maybe you’d like to pass it down to a son or grandson, and you want it to look its best.
Not only will a refinished club look and play better, but it will be better protected from the elements as well as future wear.
But is it always worth the cost?
Weighing the Costs of Refinishing Golf Clubs
The cost of refinishing your putter will vary wildly, depending on who does the work.
Many Scotty Cameron owners assume that the only game in town is the Scotty Cameron Custom Shop. There are some really good reasons to put them at the top of your list. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop around, especially if you aren’t planning on reselling.
Why Choose the Scotty Cameron Custom Shop?
The most die-hard Scotty Cameron enthusiasts swear by the company’s custom shop. After all, they’re the ones who crafted the club in the first place. So it only makes sense that they’d be best equipped to refinish it.
The custom shop can fix your putter and make it look new again. But that’s not all. They can also customize it to perfectly fit you.
And once they’re finished, they can authenticate it and register it in their database. That way, there’s no question that it’s legit.
This is definitely the route to go if you think you’ll ever want to sell it.
But all those benefits will cost you.
You’ll pay anywhere from $325 to $450 for a complete refinishing job from Scotty’s Custom Shop.
Why Choose Another Custom Shop?
There are dozens of other custom shops out there that specialize in refinishing golf clubs, including Scotty Camerons. You may even have one within driving distance of you. But even if you don’t, you can find plenty of options online.
Generally, you’ll pay significantly less to have your putter refinished at one of these unofficial custom shops. And if you choose a well-reviewed one, you may not even notice any difference between it and Scotty’s Custom Shop. Just be sure to shop around and read reviews before finalizing things.
But be warned: If you go the unofficial route, you won’t be able to send your club into Scotty at a later date. Scotty’s Custom Shop will only work on clubs that are original.
A Few Closing Thoughts
Hopefully, you’re a lot closer to answering that question we started with: “Is my Scotty Cameron worth refinishing?”
Refinishing it has the potential to breathe new life into your club. It can restore its original performance. And it can make it look as good as new.
But it will come at a cost.
Whether that cost is worth it or not hinges on your club and your intentions.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that your Scotty Cameron isn’t just any golf club. It’s a finely crafted piece of equipment that’s meant to last you a lifetime of fun and frustration.
