A:    While visiting a golf store that specializes in used clubs, we encountered some vintage putters and we noticed that putting with these old designs seemed almost effortless compared to modern putters.  Many of these were very primitive compared to today’s precisely machined, CAD-created putters.  Their grips were old, worn, often round like standard clubs.  Some had hickory shafts while others had tiny blades with no heel to toe balance at all.  Yet there we were, sinking putts on the practice green much more often than with the new putters there.    

We determined that the common characteristic of the older designs was that the ones that felt best and putted best weighed the least.  That was the catalyst that started us to work on the designs that ultimately became the Vapor.

A:    We had a target weight that we wanted the putter head to have and we knew that we wanted an appearance that, at address, was very clean.  The classic two-way blade with no offset was the most visually appealing.  We then just worked to achieve the profile and size that hit our target weight in aluminum, was perfectly balanced and had an original shape.  The fact that it suits both righties and lefties is a bonus!

A:    Aluminum seemed like the obvious choice for all of the right reasons.  First of all, it is very lightweight.  Using a heavier material at our target weight would have produced a very small head, and we felt that this would potentially create a less than ideal appearance at address and would be too unforgiving.  Second aluminum produces a near perfect feel at impact.  That is why so many clubmakers now use aluminum inserts into carbon steel and stainless steel designs.  Also, it is corrosion resistant.  The only drawback is the cost.  The 6061 aircraft grade aluminum that we utilize is more costly than stainless steel.  It is, however, worth it!

A:    Again, weight is the primary reason.  Graphite shafts weigh roughly 45 grams less than steel putter shafts and keep the balance of the putter correct for our design.  Graphite also damps vibration and when combined with the ideal impact feedback from the milled aluminum head, produces a comfortable, yet revealing feel.

A:    Grips are very personal as this is the only point of contact on the putter.  Our choice of the Pro-T was based upon the quality of the textured rubber with its robust ozone resistance and its great balance of softness, size and shape.  It is also a lightweight grip and maintains correct balance.  We believe that it suits the majority of golfers.  However, any grip that is not too large in profile and weighs between 55 and 70 grams would maintain proper balance and promote consistent feel.

A:    We believe that these non-standard lengths have been created precisely because today’s 500+ gram putters are too hard to control.  Golfers are willing to try anything to fix their putting woes and these elongated designs are just another desperate attempt.  After just five minutes with one of our Vapors, we believe that these golfers will realize that a standard length putter will work…as long as it’s an ultralight putter.

A:    AirCraft Golf Designs was created to provide an alternative to the vast majority of average putter designs. Our Vapor is almost 40% lighter than these putters.  But it is interesting to note that what our design intends to promote: relaxed hands, arms and shoulders, is precisely the opposite of what the advocates of extreme-weighted putters are seeking.  By hoping to engage the arm muscles, they seek to neutralize wrist movement.  Our opinion is that tension in these muscles makes fine tuning of putts much more difficult.  On the green, inches, even fractions of inches, make all the difference.  Relaxed control is our goal.

A:    There is really only one change that’s needed.  Relax your grip.  With a relaxed grip, forearm and shoulder muscles will be automatically tension-free as well.  The Vapor's full 5° of loft with no shaft offset allows a tradional set-up with the hands directly over the ball to produce a slight forward press.  Then, without some bizarre-looking, wildly extreme putter staring up at you, the pure Vapor blade will present a simple alignment task.  Take a deep breath, keep the grip soft and stroke with confidence.