The Wilson Staff 8872 Putter

Around the time Henry Ford was ramping up his assembly line to produce automobiles, Thomas E. Wilson decided to enter the sporting goods arena. It was 1914 and Wilson's timing couldn't have been better because a young dapper lad with style and talent oozing from his pores took a strong liking to Wilson's equipment. Walter Hagen gave the line his blessing and became their first staff player. A few years later innovator and living legend Gene Sarazen joined the Advisory Staff.

While Wilson is known more for its woods and irons, the 8802 and the 8813 are standouts among putter collectors. The 8802 is considered a "unicorn" when it comes to putters and if you're fortunate enough to own one, it is recommended that you never let it out of your sight.

The mid-sized Wilson Staff 8872 Putter is considered a modified mallet, shaped like a trapezoid. The majority of the weight of the head is positioned at the back of the putter, shifting the center of gravity to the rear. This facilitates the ability to get the ball rolling off the club face. The head of the putter is anodized aluminum with a milled face.

Wilson integrates a TPU urethane insert into the face of the club. The putters are made with inserts that vary in hardness, giving players a choice in feel and responsiveness. They also adorn the putter with their Wilson Staff Winn AVS Wrap Grip.

In these days of high-dollar golf clubs, the cost for the Wilson Staff 8872 Putter may be the most attractive aspect of it. Retail price for the club is around $90, but if you scour the Internet you may discover a used one for as low as $30. That's less than you might pay for a dozen tour-quality balls that won't get you through a couple of rounds.

The proof is in the tour pudding; golfers tend to buy what the pros use. It's a daunting task to find one who uses the Wilson Staff 8872 on a regular basis. The professional putter market is dominated by the likes of Odyssey and Ping but the Wilson Staff 8872 remains a quality putter.