Toulon Golf Small Batch Latrobe Putter

• Named after the birth city of the golfer often referred to as “The King.”
• The Toulon Small Batch Latrobe is a historical design, modernized to be playable today.
• Available Feb. 9 at ToulonGolf.com with a MSRP of $1,800.

Load up the family! It’s time to visit our next city on the Toulon Small Batch Tour. Last month, we explored Santa Monica, paying homage to a golfer named Tiger along the way.

Today, we are seeing the sights in Latrobe, Pa. Why has Team Toulon taken us to Latrobe? Obviously, it’s to see the glass-lined tanks used to brew Rolling Rock beer at the Old Latrobe Brewery. I know that I cried 33 tears when Anheuser Busch purchased Rolling Rock in the early 2000s and moved production from Latrobe to Newark, N.J.

Does Rolling Rock beer really deserve the limited-edition putter treatment? It is historical. The beer was first brewed in the 1930s. Prior to the move from Latrobe, those green bottles of Rolling Rock were a staple consumable for people looking for good beer at a reasonable price.

My guess is that the Toulon guys just really like Rolling Rock. If that is not the case, then maybe they named this putter after Latrobe because that is the city where Arnold Palmer was born.

Now That’s a Blade

Most Wanted Blade Putter testing is underway. That means we are very close to the annual “that’s not a blade” outrage in the comments section. Hopefully, that will not be your response today. The Toulon Latrobe is not only a blade, it may actually be the blade.

If golfers were ever to agree on anything, I’d say it would be on the fact that the Bullseye and the 8802 are the iconic blade putters. Yes, the Anser is iconic as well but, compared to the sleek nature of the Bullseye and 8802, the Anser is bulky and less blade-like.

The Toulon Small Batch Latrobe commemorates Arnold Palmer and his putter. The story goes that Palmer had a hand in the design of the original 8802. With this in mind, how could Toulon not name their version after The King?

The Toulon Small Batch Latrobe: Will it Golf?

Through the decades, the 8802 putter style became an icon, just like Palmer’s multi-colored umbrella logo. Many companies have produced their interpretation of the design through the years, most of those still closely mirroring the 1960s’ original.

Golf has changed in the past 60 years. In particular, golf courses have changed. Green speeds are way faster than what Palmer and his compatriots experienced when the 8802 was created. Because of this, the original designs are likely too light for today’s greens.

To meet modern putting needs, Toulon tweaked the weighting scheme for the Small Batch Latrobe putter. While the top of the Latrobe still looks 100-percent classic, the bottom is fitted with a tungsten plate. The tungsten is heavier than the steel it replaced and its inclusion brings the weight up to 355 grams, This head weight makes the Latrobe more playable on faster greens. That weight surprised me a bit. I did not expect the 8802-style Latrobe to be 10 grams heavier than the Anser-style Santa Monica.

Cosmetic details on the Latrobe are all about Arnie as well. On the sole plate, you’ll find seven engraved crowns, a nod to The King’s seven major championships.

Matching your watch to your putter

Most of the Toulon Small Batch is milled from 904L stainless steel. According to Toulon, getting all the angles to flow just right was a challenge and required “countless” hours on the mill and multiple prototypes.

Using 904L stainless steel is a continuing theme for the Toulon Small Batch putters. This metal makes the putter more functional and more fancy. The functionality increases since the boosted nickel and copper content makes 904L steel more durable and corrosion resistant.

Since 904L is the steel that Rolex uses in their watches, it also makes the Latrobe fancy. Can’t really get much fancier than Rolex. (Yes, I know there are fancier watch companies out there but none have the name recognition for fancy that Rolex does.)

Specifications: Toulon Small Batch Latrobe Putter

• Material: 904L stainless steel with tungsten sole weight
• Construction: CNC-milled and hand-polished
• Finish: Brilliant Black PVD
• Face: Fine Double Fly milling
• Neck: Classic flow neck
• Toe Hang: 70°
• Offset: One shaft
• Loft: 3°
• Lie: 70°
• Weight: 355 grams
• Shaft: Chrome stepless flare tip steel
• Grip: Toulon Special Black and Charcoal
• Production run: 75 
• MSRP: $1,800

Final Thoughts on the Toulon Design Small Batch Latrobe

The Toulon Small Batch Latrobe is a putter fit for The King. Arnold Palmer truly earned that moniker. He was a hell of a player and, for a long while, he transcended the game of golf and became something regal. Even non-golfers knew, and still know, his name.

When I was a kid, I knew the Arnold Palmer name from the local dry-cleaning shop sign well before I knew anything about golf.

Being called “The King” is a big deal. Think about those who have earned that badge. Elvis was The King of Rock and Roll, Michael Jackson was The King of Pop and Benny Goodman was The King of Swing. LeBron James is a king on the court and Jerry Lawler a king in the ring. There would be no Marvel Universe without Jack “The King” Kirby.

The Toulon Small Batch Latrobe is not a putter that many people would be comfortable putting in the bag. Not just because it is really expensive, either. In some ways, it is a design whose time has passed. At the same time, it is also arguably timeless. Sixty years after its debut, some golfers still view Palmer’s creation as one of the only true blade putters.

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

FAQ: Toulon Design Small Batch Latrobe Putter

How many Latrobe putters are being produced?

Only 75 will be available worldwide.

Do people really game this style of putter?

Professionally? Not many. Phil is probably the only one I can think of who plays something similar to an 8802. Recreationally? I bet there are hundreds of 8802 players. Maybe thousands, but I’m decreasing my wager significantly if we go much beyond that.

Why don’t companies include 8802-style putters in their releases?

The simple answer may be that these are hard to make. Even a veteran crafter like Toulon spent extra time getting the design right. Maybe it is just a story of consumer demand. People don’t buy them so companies don’t make them.

Enough of the Small Batches. When will we see a Large Batch release for the golfing masses?

I feel you. All I can say is hold on just a little longer. Things are in the works. Rumor has it that a box of something may even be FedEx-ing its way to me right now.