First Look: Toulon Design Montecito Small Batch Putter

• Named after the central California city of Montecito.
• The Toulon Design Montecito features 904L steel construction and star-like top accents.
• Available Sept. 28 at ToulonGolf.com with a MSRP of $1,800.

If you have $1,800 and are in the market for something fancy, then today is your day. Head on over to the Toulon Golf site and grab their new Montecito Small Batch limited-edition putter.

This is the second Small Batch putter produced by Toulon Golf since their separation from Callaway Golf last summer. When Sean Toulon “retired” from his gig at Callaway he took the Toulon Golf name and his son Tony with him. Sorry Joe Toulon, you have to stay at Callaway. I guess we know which Toulon son Sean likes best …

Anyway, when you add the “humble architect” Toru Kamatari to the Toulon Golf team, you have a group of industry veterans poised to make some serious waves in the ultra high-end golf marketplace.

Touring The Toulon Golf Small Batch Montecito

The Toulon Golf Montecito is a heel-shafted half-mallet. It is more symmetrical than the Odyssey #9 but that is probably the best “ballpark” putter for the Montecito. By the way, do any of you think we will see another #9 from Odyssey? It has been a while.

The Montecito avoids a brick-on-a-stick excessive head weight by the inclusion of a bullet-shaped cutout on the sole. This empty space drops the head weight to a fairly standard 348 grams.

Rolex Steel Putter

Like the previously released Toulon Design Small Batch Dogwood putter, the Montecito is milled from 904L stainless steel. This is the same steel used by Rolex in their watches.

In addition to the marketing angle, 904L stainless steel provides some additional protection when the putter enters the putting environment. 904L stainless steel has more nickel and copper than typical stainless steel, making it more corrosion-resistant. Yes, the Montecito does also have a polished PVD coating that protects the steel but should a drop of water reach the steel, it will be better resistant to oxidation.

Specifications: Toulon Design Small Batch Montecito Putter

• Material: 904L stainless steel
• Construction: CNC-milled and hand-polished
• Finish: Midnight Brilliant Black PVD
• Face: Super Fine Double Fly milling
• Neck: Flow
• Toe Hang: 65°
• Weight: 348 grams
• Shaft: Chrome steel
• Grip: Toulon Special Mid-sized Pistol
• Production run: 75 
• MSRP: $1,800

What are your thoughts on snow?

The top of the Toulon Golf Small Batch Montecito is covered with snow. For those of you unfamiliar with “putter snow”, the putter maker hammers or mills dimples into the top of the putter and fills them with paint.

Of all of the things added to custom putters to make them fancy, snow is my least favorite. Maybe I’m the outlier on this but I find all of those spots distracting.

I did have someone tell me he liked the snow because it caused him to ignore the part of the putter with snow. Snow essentially turned that part of the putter into white noise.

At the time, we were talking about an Anser design with snow on the bumpers. He said that, with the snow, he only saw the center of the putter.

Using that example, maybe the snow removes everything but the front of the Montecito. That would turn this mallet into the narrowest of blades at address. I’m not convinced and, should you ever see me playing a putter with snow, assume you are actually looking at a doppelganger or have traveled the multiverse.

Final Thoughts on the Toulon Design Small Batch Montecito

Toulon Golf Small Batch Putters are beautiful. Yes, even with the snow I find the milling and overall design appealing. With these putters, we get to see what industry veterans can come up with when price and the need to mass produce are no longer concerns or constraints.

Is the Toulon Golf Montecito expensive? For sure. Funny thing is that, at $1,800, it is $200 cheaper than the previous Small Batch Dogwood. Think of it as clipping a 10-percent off coupon.

The Montecito name is perfect for a putter of this price range. For those of you not familiar with Montecito, Calif., it is a coastal town just below Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a ridiculously expensive place to live and Montecito is the place that Santa Barbara residents think of when daydreaming about living someplace nicer.

The Valley Club of Montecito is one of the highest-rated private golf courses in the country. It was designed by Alister MacKenzie and only the elite few will ever play there. A little online research suggests the initiation fees are $275,000 with annual dues of $25,000. That assumes that you actually get an invitation to join.

Maybe that is the way to categorize the Toulon Golf Small Batch putters. These are the exclusive country clubs of putters. They’re beautiful, but probably won’t make it on the best putter list anytime soon. It would be great to be able to afford being a member but most of us need to be satisfied seeing the beauty rather than experiencing it first-hand.

Find out more about the Toulon Design Small Batch Montecito at ToulonGolf.com

FAQ: Toulon Design Small Batch Montecito Putter

How many Small Batch Montecito putters have been made?

There will only be 75 Montecito putters available worldwide.

So are Toulon and Callaway totally separate entities now?

No definitive comment as of right now. The rumor mill says the separation may not be complete. What that means is up for discussion.