Say hello to the Toulon Small Batch Rochester. As per usual, Toulon has milled some golf history into their latest limited-release putter. Most of the time, a Small Batch putter honors a significant golf location or an influential person.
This time, the Small Batch Rochester honors both.
Not only is Toulon celebrating the staggering number of golf courses in the Rochester, N.Y., area, but they are also honoring the legendary Scottish golf architect Donald Ross, the designer of four of Rochester’s most prestigious courses.
That’s a 2-for-1 Large Batch knowledge drop if I ever saw one.
On the banks of Lake Ontario
As a West Coast guy, I had no idea how many golf courses are in Rochester. Naturally, I’d heard of Oak Hill since it hosted the 2023 PGA Championship but I didn’t realize how many other courses were in the area until I pulled up Google Maps.
According to my pal Google, there are “62 highly rated golf courses within a 45-mile radius of Rochester, N.Y.” If there are 62 “highly rated” courses, I can only assume that there are dozens of “goat track” courses as well.
That’s a lot of courses for a city that looks like Hoth for nearly three months a year.
Donald Ross and Rochester
In addition to Oak Hill Country Club, Donald Ross also designed Monroe Golf Club, Irondequoit Country Club and Country Club of Rochester. Though these other courses lack the elite resume of Oak Hill CC, they have hosted amateur and other smaller tournaments through the years.
Those familiar with the courses describe them as prime examples of Ross’s course design philosophy. Ross’s courses are known for being challenging tests but they are also designed so that the land dictates the course rather than the course redefining the land.
Ross’s turtleback greens are diabolical but the rest of a Ross course flows with the natural landscape.
If none of Ross’s Rochester courses is spiking your blood pressure, he also designed a somewhat well-known course called Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.
Specifications: Toulon Small Batch Rochester putter
- Material: 904L stainless steel and 6061 aluminum
- Construction: CNC-milled
- Finish: Tour Satin Black
- Face: Fine Diamond Mill
- Loft: 3°
- Lie: 70°
- Toe Hang: 35°
- Weight: 365 grams
- Shaft: Black Stepless steel
- Headcover: Dark Green Leather
- Grip: Toulon Pistol Midsized Dark Green
- Production run: 75
- MSRP: $1,800
It’s like a Dalehead with a plump rump
The Toulon Small Batch Rochester is a mid-mallet putter that deftly merges blade and mallet design elements. Up front, you’ll find classic blade putter elements such as the plumber’s neck and a simple sight dot on the topline for alignment.
The rear of the putter extends beyond typical blade width and is rounded off like other small mallets such as the Toulon Small Batch Palo Alto.
The face features Toulon’s new Fine Diamond Mill pattern. Two sole weights are located toward the front corners. This positioning makes the Rochester feel like a blade by moving the center of gravity toward the front. This weight placement also increases its stability.
To me, this sounds like the front of the putter is the workhorse with the rear being there for looks. To say it another way: the Toulon Small Batch Rochester is business in the front and party in the back.
Therefore, I have decided that from now on, we shall refer to all mid-mallets as mullets.
Small Batch Rolex steel returns
Last month, the Small Batch Bandlands putter was not milled from 904L stainless steel, aka Rolex steel. While I applauded Toulon trying something new, not having a Small Batch putter crafted from 904L was disturbing.
To me, Small Batch equates with 904L stainless steel, combining the corrosion fighting of elevated nickel and copper composition with the precision of expensive Swiss watches.
Thankfully, all is now right with the universe again. Collectors can once again match the stainless steel of their watch collection with that of their putter collection.
The Toulon Small Batch Rochester putter
For some reason, I now have a strong desire to play some, maybe a whole bunch, of golf in the Rochester area. Naturally, I’d love to play the four Ross courses but, like the Small Batch releases, those country clubs are likely beyond my municipal means.
Daydreams are always free, though.
I’m interested to hear some reviews from those of you who are familiar with Rochester golf or any of Ross’s courses. Would you say Rochester is a golf destination or could you have just as much fun playing in Sarasota Springs?
Conquer the turtlebacks with the Toulon Small Batch Rochester at ToulonGolf.com
L. John Miller
8 months ago
Finally ROC is recognized. Why UNY is not a destination for those ooor souls who live in Fl Miss Ala Texas Geo SC during the summer months has always mystified me. No humidity. Water w trout not alligators. And incredible golf – w RTJ and Ross everywhere. For literally no money.