There are certain places in golf that feel larger than the championships played upon them. Shinnecock Hills is one of those places.
Long before it became synonymous with U.S. Opens, major champions and unforgettable moments, the essence of Shinnecock was the land itself. Rolling dunes. Endless fescue. The constant presence of wind blowing in from the Atlantic. It’s a course that feels like it was discovered rather than built, shaped naturally over time by the same elements that continue to challenge the world’s best players today.
Inspired by Shinnecock Hills
For its latest Small Batch release, Toulon Golf draws inspiration from one of golf’s most revered championship venues with the introduction of the Small Batch Southampton, a limited-edition blade inspired by both the course and the championship memories it has produced.
For many of us, Shinnecock immediately brings back memories of the 2018 U.S. Open. The course was firm, the winds were relentless and pars were valuable. The champion navigated the challenge better than anyone, successfully defending his U.S. Open title and cementing himself as one of the era’s premier major championship performers.
According to Toulon, the design team found themselves revisiting that June weekend and the putter used to secure the trophy. While the classic blade profile immediately drew attention, it was the face insert that sparked the idea for what would eventually become Southampton.
A First for the Small Batch Line
While Toulon has built its reputation around premium milled putters, Southampton marks the first Small Batch release to incorporate an insert. The decision wasn’t driven by a desire to increase MOI or redistribute mass. Instead, Toulon wanted to create a softer, more muted feel at impact than traditional stainless steel alone could provide.
To accomplish that goal, Toulon turned to an unusual material: purple copper.
The Story Behind Purple Copper
Milled from ultra-high-purity copper, the insert introduces both a different feel and a different visual character. Fresh from the mill, the material displays a rich rose-red appearance that contrasts beautifully against the Tour Satin Silver Mist finish of the 904L stainless steel head. Over time, however, the insert begins to change. As a thin oxide layer develops, the copper gradually takes on the purple hue that gives the material its name.
That evolution feels particularly fitting for a putter inspired by Shinnecock Hills. Just as the winds and weather have shaped the landscape over generations, the insert itself will slowly develop a personality unique to each owner. No two Southampton putters will age exactly the same way.
Design Details Inspired by the Coast
The head design carries familiar Toulon DNA while introducing details intended to reflect the rugged character of the course. Drawing inspiration from the popular San Diego shape, Southampton features angular lines, squared proportions and carefully sculpted contours meant to evoke the feeling of something shaped by nature rather than machinery.
The sole graphics are inspired by the shifting Atlantic winds that define the area. The Small Batch heel stamp is surrounded by five stars representing the five founding clubs of the USGA, including Shinnecock Hills itself. Even the cavity engraving is understated, allowing the purple copper insert to remain the visual centerpiece.
There is a balance to Southampton that makes the concept particularly attractive to us. It acknowledges the championship moments that helped shape Shinnecock’s legacy while allowing the design itself, highlighted by the striking purple copper insert, to remain the focus.
Details and Specifications – Toulon Southampton
Model: Toulon Small Batch Southampton
Material: 904L Stainless Steel Body with Purple Copper Insert
Finish: Tour Satin Silver Mist
Face Milling: Ultra Fine Double Fly Mill
Head Weight: 360g
Toe Hang: 43°
Loft: 3°
Lie Angle: 70°
Shaft: KBS CT Tour Steel
Grip: Toulon Custom Southampton Pistol Midsize
Headcover: Small Batch Southampton Custom Headcover
For more information on the Toulon Small Batch Southampton, visit ToulonGolf.com.
