Why Milled

Investment casting and milling are two basic ways that putter heads are manufactured.  Milling is a far superior method of making putter heads.

When a putter head is cast, molten stainless steel is poured into wax putter head molds.  Once the steel has cooled, the wax mold is removed.  During that process there are ample opportunities for oxygen and carbons to enter the steel which can create an inconsistent grain structure or hot and cold spots.  Next is the hardening process, then hand finishing and polishing, both of which can effect the dimensions and specifications of the putter head.

It is common industry standard for companies to maintain (+ or -) 1 ½ ° tolerance in loft, and lie angle as well as (+ or -) 4 grams of weight.  Companies could demand a higher tolerance level, except that their per putter head price would go up.  In other words, you could buy a cast putter off the shelf that was specified to be 4°of loft, 71° of lie angle and 330 grams and end up with 2 ½°  of loft, 72 ½°  of lie angle and 334 grams, all diminishing the performance of the putter as well as your score.

The bottom line is that investment casting is an inexpensive way to mass produce putter heads of low quality that are sold to the unsuspecting consumer.

Milling is a far superior method of manufacturing putter heads. The steel is never heated, cooled or hardened, so it never has the opportunity to change its structure.  When a putter head is milled, you start with a block of cold rolled carbon steel.  The design specifications of the putter head are entered into the computer and the putter head is carved out to spec by a CNC machine.  With a CNC (machine milled) putter you are able to consistently mill the putter head to the design specifications. However, there are some shortcuts that can be taken in the milling process.  For one, milling overseas with foreign steel is generally much less expensive than milling in the United States.  Another shortcut is to mill the body of the putter and weld the hosel to save on material costs.

Coutour putters start with cold rolled carbon steel purchased and then milled in the United States.  Coutour putters are 1 piece construction, meaning that the hosel is a part of the CNC milling process.  The bottom line is that when you purchase a Coutour putter, you'll own a putter that has been held to the highest standards of manufacturing so that you'll have a putter that will yield repeatable and consistent results.