Hi Thomas C. -- it is an interesting question, isn't it? The most obvious answer is yes -- because if you look at some of the best players, they are all "faithful" to or just love their SC GSS putters. Jordan Speith, regarded as the best putter on tour, plays with his SC GSS putter that is 10 years old or more. So, while he could easily switch to a new putter from SC, he has a feel that he is comfortable with and takes a great deal of confidence from.

This past weekend, Tiger put his Scotty Cameron back into the bag and just watching him putt with it, he looked very comfortable with it and more importantly confident with it in his hands. I could very well be wrong, but I believe that his putter is a GSS putter as well.

BUT, I understand your point about the cost of SC GSS putters -- I would love to have one in my bag at a more accessible price point too! :-)

I have two Scotty Newports, one GSS and one American Stainless. I can detect no difference between the two in performance or feel. I doubt anyone else could in a blind test.

I also have a Newport style putter made in carbon steel by a no longer in business custom putter maker. It feels a little different, in a way that might be described as softer. There is very little to choose between the three.

2 or 3 years ago Scotty was making a Newport with a very deeply milled face. That felt softer if softer is what you want.

Ok here's my take on it, some will agree and some won't.

First of all Speith uses a 009 which is made of carbon, not GSS.

Second stainless steel, is stainless steel, no matter where it's made or produced its stainless steel, whether it's made in USA, Germany, Korea, Canada, ect. For it to be stainless steel it has to have the metal make up and properties of "stainless steel". So the origin of where it's produced......regardless, for it to be stainless steel, it has to have that material makeup. Just like carbon, is not stainless. The mix of those metals is different and that's why they are not the same material. I do not believe a single player on earth on could hit multiple punters (say 5 different putters) with the same exact putter heads, with the same exact head shape, head weight, shaft, length, milled face pattern, and grip, and wear ear plugs could tell the difference time and time again between the that set of say 5 putters at random, by feel alone.

Now, as far as collecting putters.....GSS is the rare of the rare in SC world, and putter world. So there for collecting purposes, and you can afford it, and it's nice to add to the collection cuz there are so few of them.

But if someone thinks they'll make more putts with GSS 009 vs carbon 009, I think they may be disappointed. Of course a person may prefer the feel of one over the other, and give someone more confidence but as far material, there's no magic in one vs the other.

Again, some may agree, and some will say I'm full of ____.

Totally agree. I have read a few articles on this exact topic. The experts say there is no real difference in the GSS versus SS made in the US. Its just one of those things that sounds cool. One article mentioned if you think it, it is! So the GSS is softer if you think it!

Spieths 009 looks like it would be soft as butter. I think some of the carbon putters feel soft and others feel clicky. Same model and weight, it all depends on the person using it. Id sure like to putt with JS's 009 though. Just to see!

@rymail ... I stand corrected about Spieth's putter. His is the 009 model ... made of carbon steel. I had read that one of the putters he looked at was a GSS but it is not in his bag. Tiger's is definitely a GSS putter.

I understand your point about metal composition and scientifically being able to distinguish the difference -- I generally concur.

My point about it is that it "obviously" makes a difference to some players. The "obvious" is that for some, they simply prefer that composition for their putters. Just as some will swear by the PRO V1 whereas others will be the same with the PRO V1x.

My point about Jordan is also correct and reinforces the point about preferred composition of the putter. Regardless of the fact that his is the 009 carbon steel, he is thoroughly "wedded" to that putter ... he has had ample opportunity to change the putter but has refrained from doing so. Tiger's first opportunity to switch and voila ... he's back to his GSS Scotty Cameron!

@Dino J,

Yes I agree 100% with you. Hopefully my post didn't come across as negative, cuz it was not supposed to be. If it did I apologize.

Yes and I'm glad to see Tiger back with his SC putter, and I hope he starts to drain big putts and winning again soon.

I'm not one for starting debates but " stainless steel is stainless steel" is not true.

www.bosunsupplies.com/.../
that being said, I'm also not there is a huge difference in feel. If the exact same putter was made with different grades of SS it would probably be hard to tell them apart.

@rymail ... no offense taken. I understand that I only half addressed the question or topic at hand and it left my comments open to further comment.

I generally concur with the sentiment about putter head composition ... there are subtle differences in composition as had been pointed out ...but it all comes down to player's preference for feel, etc. After all, I see that one PGA tour pro is trying the side saddle style of putting!