I have played golf for many decades. The vast majority of which I have used John Reuter's classic Bulls Eye putter. In the days when I could play (much better than I do know) the ever reliable blade putter holed more putts than any other putter I ever tried. Sure, I got funny looks, especially as everyone shifted to heel and toe weighted putters like the Ping Anser. But for me the Bulls Eye always came up trumps.
The best putter I have ever seen (and played with) is Mark McNulty from Zimbabwe. Mark's stroke using the Bullseye is incredible and the old adage about "beware he who putts with the Bulls Eye" has never been more apt than when Mark putts. Johnny Miller's unbelievable round of 63 at Oakmont in the final round of the 1973 U.S Open was also achieved with the aid of the Bullseye. (he mentions it on almost every telecast!)
The original Bulls Eye design was by John Reuters Jr. Made from soft yellow brass it was introduced in the 1940s and has been hugely successful ever since. In 1962, Reuter joined forces with the Acushnet Company and several subtle design modifications were made to the Bulls Eye's head shape, shaft and grip style. Each Bulls Eye continued to be shaped from brass heads for a soft, solid feel at impact. A unique flare tip and fluted shaft stood the test of time for enhanced touch and control.
Here is a listing of the original designs.
Original: Medium weight, rounded toe, flat top. For right or left handers.
Old Standard: Medium weight with square toe and top blade. Sight line
Standard: Medium weight with rounded toe and top.
Light Blade: Like Old Standard but lighter, narrower.
Heavy Blade: Like Old Standard but with heavier, wider blade.
Bulls Eye Junior: Standard blade. 30" shaft. Scaled-down grip dimensions.
Heel Shafted Flange: Medium-heavy weight. Offset hosel. Sweet spot slot for improved feel and alignment.
Heel Shaft Flange II: Like the Heel Shafted Flange but without the Offset.
Wide Flange: Heavy, wide flange for low concentration of weight. Sweet spot slot. Idea. for large or slower greens.
Wide Flange Offset: Same as Wide Flange but offset.
Flange: Medium weight, slightly offset. Single sweet spot sight line.
LaFemme: Light weight for the woman golfer. Rounded toe, top and flange.
Left Handed Flange: Like the Flange but for the one out of every dozen golfers who plays left-handed.
The ubiquitous Scotty Cameron got his hands on Reuters design in the 1980s and you can tell an original Reuters design from Scotty's remodel easily. A Bulls Eye with SC on the bottom is from Scotty. No SC and it's original. You would think the originals would be worth more, but that's not the case. As with all things Scotty, the collectors dictate the high prices, although his Bulls Eye style putters have rarely proved as popular as his Anser style putters.
The picture shows my 3 Bulls Eyes that get used in rotation. Two originals and one Scotty version.
