Birth of a Legend (Part 1)
The Making of the Elmer M2 Putter
You're probably already aware of the Elmer M1 mallet-style putter (if not, have a look at www.elmergolf.com). This product was designed and developed to provide the ultimate in balance, weight adjustment and, most importantly, lie angle adjustment. If you missed the article ‘Why the flat stick MUST be flat', visit http://www.elmergolf.com/articles.htm to understand the importance of this vital putter specification.
Following the launch of the M1 we received many requests to produce a ‘normal' heel toe style putter (some golfers just don't like mallets) incorporating our same patented lie angle adjustment feature. So the idea and specification of the M2 was born. I mentioned to Clinton, the editor of SA Golf Trader, that we were going to produce this new model and he asked if we would be prepared to walk readers through the whole design and production process. So, here goes:-
Following some rough sketches on the back of the proverbial envelope, a 3-dimensional drawing was created allowing us to view the M2 from all angles and make small adjustments to the size and shape to achieve the basic specifications:
- Balance - must be exactly in the centre to achieve perfect face balance.
- Head weight - 340 to 350 grams including the adjustable hosel.
- The specific gravity required to achieve the above weight at our design dimensions determined we must use stainless steel as the production material.
- Shaft had to be perpendicular to the body (ignoring the face loft) and set to 1 degree more than R&A and USGA rules.
- Vertical moment of inertia to achieve maximum top spin roll.
- CNC-milled Polymer face insert compression tested to R&A and USGA specifications.
- Hosel must connect exactly in the centre so the shaft is directly in line with the point of impact.
After much ‘tweaking' the drawing below shows a three dimensional drawing of the finished design.
This and many associated CAD files go off to the toolmakers. The toolmakers utilise the CAD files to produce a Computer Engineered and Machined (CNC) brass master of the design - more about this process later!
Whilst the drawings are ‘winging' their way to the tool makers we start working on the cosmetics as some of these features may need to be incorporated in the ‘brass master'. As always, all those involved have their own ideas as to how the M2 should look. So, after much discussion we decided to get two different cosmetic versions sampled and also get you, ‘the customer' input.
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Black Nickel plated with CNC machined
White face insert and White lettering. | Satin finished Stainless with CNC machined
Black face insert and Black lettering |
We will give you the chance to vote for your preference and all participants will go into a draw for the first M2 produced!
[This article originally appeared in SA Golf Trader]