Sugarloaf Social Club dropping new custom putter to celebrate spring

As a way to bring together their love for classic golf gear, and to create something unique, Sugarloaf Social Club has paired up with Japan’s Makino Golf to produce a limited edition putter that will be available March 31st.

What is Sugarloaf Social Club?

Sugarloaf Social Club aka. SSC began as a simple idea among friends, which originated like many great and sometimes less great ideas in a group chat with college friends. The difference maker was those friends not only shared a deep passion for golf but also had an appreciation and nostalgia for a certain era of the game, the style, and the gear. This chat morphed into an annual golf trip and from there an Instagram account.

It was then, in 2017 that Sugarloaf went from something fun, producing small-run headcovers and other accessories to a full-time creative agency that has now worked with some of golf’s biggest and well-known brands. This ability to design and create things that appeal to their tastes has made them a hit with like-minded golfers.

What is Makino Golf?

Makino Golf is a boutique club company in Japan that specializes in traditional forged clubs including blades, small cavity backs, wedges, and puters.

Makino’s ability to produce clubs that not only performed but looked beautiful helped drive Sugarloaf Social Club founder Ian Gilley to work with S. Nomura to create the limited edition putter.

“When the opportunity arose to make something with Makino, I had a clear idea of what my dream putter would look like,” Gilley said. “Tri-sole Anser-style, with a site circle dot, and a deep oil-can finish with wonderful blue tones.”

“We wanted some fun Sugarloaf branding details that didn’t take away from the craftsmanship of the putter so we have our SSC Arrow on the bumper, ‘PLAY OR PERISH’ hidden on the neck, along with other subtle details on the sole and face.” he added, “S. Nomura had the wonderfully creative idea to top all this off with one of his three ‘Fly Girl’ marks holding our Sugarloaf Arrow in the cavity.”

With more golfers looking at ways to showcase their personality with custom clubs and accessories, this limited edition putter is another example of golf creatives bringing cool ideas to life to share with others. When asked if this will be a one-off thing or a continuing partnership, Gilley says, “If this run is a hit, we will no doubt do another design!”

Price, specs, and availability

The 21A1MM Sugarloaf Fly Girl Plumber’s Neck putters go on sale March 31st at 8 pm Eastern at sugarloafsocialclub.com for $750. There will only be 12 putters available for sale through the site, with the remaining 8 of the 20 made being distributed through partners in Asia.

Each individually numbered putter is finished by hand with a deep oil can finish, and comes with a custom leather Best Grip putter grip and genuine leather headcover made in Japan.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2024? Find a fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

Golf.com Editor

Ryan Barath is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s senior editor for equipment. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. Before joining the staff, he was the lead content strategist for Tour Experience Golf, in Toronto, Canada.