Kingston KP2 - A storied past

oneaugusta · February 5, 2015

Pull up a chair if you have the time, otherwise just look at the pictures.

Early last summer I looked at the Kingston line and was very impressed with them so I contacted Kyle about a possible flow neck KP2. Unfortunately he was unable to find a suitable person to do a welded neck so Kyle made the offer of a raw KP2 so I thought I’d give the plumber neck another go and see if I could putt with it. After receiving the putter I put a nice torched oil finish on it, ready to try. Loved the feel and wonderful balance of the KP2 and worked fine on the long putts but couldn’t get the toe to release on short ones.

In early November I Contacted Tom Slighter about cutting off the plumber neck and welding on a flow neck like a Rincon or short flare, Tom said no problem and sent me some sample pics to look at. Tom got the putter done and back in less than 2 weeks and did a top notch job. If you want something like this done right send it to Tom, weld was neat and perfect with the position and toe hang exactly what I ask for. Putted with the Flow neck KP2 for the last month of the season and just loved it, didn’t make every putt but my speed and direction were really good with it.

Just before Christmas I refinished a Studio Stainless Newport 2 for a member that had been softened on the nose of the topline and bumpers, really loved how it looked. Pulled the head on the KP2 flow neck and stripped of the finish again, did some filing and used the dremel a little to get the look of the NP2. Refinished the putter yet again with the same Torched blue oil finish.

Early January, bored and trolling one night in the clubmaking section I read the topic about putter shaft flex. Some interesting discussion where some say it can make a difference in feel and some not. Tad Moore had some thoughts on it that made sense to me “and we all know how respected Tad is in the putter world”. I sent Tad a pm about the shaft topic and he graciously offered to send me what he called a “feel” shaft to try; if I liked it pay him, if not send it back. Installed the “feel” shaft yesterday to give it a try and Tad was 100% correct, really much softer feel than before, I was surprised that it could make that much difference compare to the TT stepless flare neck shaft.

Some might say I’m crazy for going to all the work but am very pleased with the outcome. Many thanks to Kyle of Kingston putters, Tom Slighter and Tad Moore.

I’m done with the putter now and can sleep much better. Thanks for your time.

justasgood · February 5, 2015

Will you accept trade offers when you list it on the BST?

Just kidding, love the journey and the end result.

Play well, be well....

Scotty1140 · February 5, 2015

Nice looking weld and even better looking finish

oneaugusta · February 5, 2015

[quote name='justasgood' timestamp='1423182501' post='10894397']
Will you accept trade offers when you list it on the BST?

Just kidding, love the journey and the end result.

Play well, be well....
[/quote]Ha, you never know. Might consider trades for GSS or Damascus putters if you have any extra's.

Colby327 · February 5, 2015

Looks great. What exactly is the "feel" shaft you have in it?

Mitchell · February 5, 2015

Thanks for sharing the journey, hope you putt well and enjoy it immensely! The Nippon shaft that came in many of Tad's earlier models gained quite a bit of a cult following after Woosie's Masters win. I personally know of quite a few players that like both the shaft and grip that came in Tad's Maxfli TM-2 putter.

Racerx63 · February 5, 2015

Now that is truly custom! Nicely done!

oneaugusta · February 6, 2015

[quote name='Colby327' timestamp='1423192920' post='10895791']
Looks great. What exactly is the "feel" shaft you have in it?
[/quote]It's made by True Temper, has steps that are 3 inches apart with the last on being around 8 inches. Not sure if it is special order for Tad or old stock and not made anymore. Guessing if you were to check the CPM for stiffness it would be way less than the modern stepless. Only issue I had was area just above the flare was really tight and had to sand the top half of the hosel post to get it to fit, it's also a .580 shaft instead of .600 so build up tape was necessary but not a big deal. Seems real similar to the old Titleist Microbell that Scotty used to use but even softer.