The Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst putter honors Payne Stewart’s win in the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. The Toulon Pinehurst is center-shafted with Payne-inspired tartan graphics. Available June 13 at ToulonGolf.com with a MSRP of $1,800.

Did you ever know something without really knowing why you know it?

You are familiar with it, but ignorant of it at the same time.

For me, this “it” was the classic Payne Stewart victory pose.

Naturally, I’d seen the statue and watched the videos of him posing but, for some reason, I never really learned the story behind it.

The pose occurred at the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. I suppose that my wife being pregnant with our first kid in 1999, watching golf was not a priority.

Years later, I finally watched that Sunday duel between Payne and Phil Mickelson. After that, I understood more about the moment and the pose that would become so iconic.

Toulon’s Pinehurst Putter Honors Payne Stewart’s Victory

As per usual, licensing limits Toulon’s ability to come right out and say that this is a “Inspired By Payne Stewart” putter. They don’t really hide their intention very well, though.

If you read the Toulon Pinehurst putter’s back story and look at the putter, you know who the 1999 U.S. Open Champion they are referring to.

Interestingly, the Toulon Small Batch Pinehurst is not a replica of the putter that Payne Stewart used to win the championship. He had a SeeMore putter that weekend.

As such, the Toulon Small Batch Pinehurst is more of a hypothesis than an homage. If Stewart was alive today and looking for a new putter, I see this as the kind of putter that Team Toulon would build for him.

Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Plays to Payne’s Preferences

Since Stewart played a center-shafted putter at Pinehurst, the Toulon Pinehurst needed to be center-shafted. That was the easy design decision.

From there, Toulon got a little more creative with their interpretation, deviating away from the 1999 SeeMore look.

Did you think “PING Zing” when you saw the Pinehurst?  Maybe you thought Toulon Azalea, Bettinardi BB5 or Cameron Laguna. Regardless, those sweeping edges of the back end are tough to miss.

As it turns out, Stewart also had some success with a Zing.

Though not usually a center-shafted guy, I love the look of this putter at address.

While most of the Toulon Small Batch putters are good looking, the Pinehurst seems to have captured just a modicum more moxie than usual. Something about the shape of the metal is entrancing.

The Pinehurst gives a sly wink while walking away in its slinky dress.

Specifications: Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Putter

Material: 904L stainless steel Construction: CNC-milled Finish: Midnight Blue Face:Double Fly Cut with Small Tuna Overmill Neck: Center-shafted spud Toe Hang: None Offset: None Loft: 3° Lie: 70° Weight: 355 grams Shaft: Chrome stepless steel Grip: Custom Toulon Collection Dark Blue Pistol Production run: 75  MSRP: $1,800

Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Plaid

Most of the Pinehurst’s aesthetics are minimalistic. For a putter that honors Payne Stewart’s style, this seems a bit odd considering that he was known for playing golf in knickers and with a jaunty flat cap.

Don’t worry. Toulon didn’t forget about Stewart’s wardrobe and penchant for flair.

The bottom of the Pinehurst has a plaid theme, referencing the tartan fabrics that Stewart would wear.

Final Thoughts on the Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Putter

The Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst deftly walks the line between being art and being something to use on the course.

It’s a simple, yet amazing, interpretation of the classic Zing shape. I keep looking back at the address photo and drooling. I’m not making any putts with a center-shafted Zing, but I’ll blissfully spend all day looking at one.

I think that this putter does an excellent job of capturing the refined boldness that was Payne Stewart’s presence on the golf course.

If you’ve never watched the Sunday round of the 1999 US Open, it is worth a watch. Just go to YouTube and you will find it. Watching Payne and Phil battle it out is so entertaining. Finally seeing him strike the pose on 18 after draining the winning putt is a delight.

Find out more about the Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Putter at ToulonGolf.com

FAQ: Toulon Golf Small Batch Pinehurst Putter

How many Small Batch Pinehurst putters are being produced?

Seventy-five Pinehurst putters will be available worldwide from the Toulon website.

Why did Toulon go with this shape?

Payne Stewart won the 1999 U.S. Open with a SeeMore FGP but he had also gamed the Zing prior to that. The Pinehurst is a bit of a mixture of the two head styles

Is Pinehurst a private course?

Pinehurst is a public course. The U.S. Open will be played on the No. 2 course. Be prepared to dig deep into the golf cash to play there.

Are Toulon Small Batch putters a good investment?

Arguably, no putter is a good investment. If you want a return on your $1,800, drop it in a high-yield savings account. If that’s not your idea of fun, rip open some cases of basketball cards and see if you can find a Victor Wembanyama rookie.

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