Pick the Newport 2 if you like a compact blade and your stroke has a gentle arc, and pick a Phantom if you want a more stable mallet with stronger alignment help. Both are Scotty Cameron putters milled from stainless steel, so the choice comes down to shape, stroke and what looks right to your eye.
We see plenty of both in the shop, so here is how they differ, who each one suits, and what to look for when buying one used.
What is the Newport 2?
The Newport 2 is Cameron's take on the classic heel-toe weighted blade first made famous by the Ping Anser. Tiger Woods used a Newport 2 GSS, built by Cameron in 1999, to win 14 of his 15 major titles, which helped make it one of the best known putter shapes in golf.
Cameron has offered the Newport 2 in many lines over the years, including Studio Select, Select, Special Select, Super Select and Studio Style. The newest versions, such as Studio Style, are milled from 303 stainless steel with a Studio Carbon Steel face insert, tungsten sole weights and a plumbing neck. Titleist lists the Studio Style Newport 2 with medium toe flow, which suits a stroke with a moderate arc.
What is the Phantom?
Phantom is Cameron's family of modern mallets. It started as the Phantom X line in April 2019, replacing the Futura mallets, and moved to the Phantom name in 2024. The 2024 Phantoms came in ten models across four head shapes, the 5, 7, 9 and 11, with 303 stainless steel faces and bodies, aluminum flanges and sole plates, and two adjustable heel-toe sole weights. Neck options included low bend, mid bend, straight shaft and jet neck.
Cameron redesigned the line again for 2026 with the Phantom 5, 7 and 9R. These use full-face Studio Carbon Steel inserts, deeper faces and flatter soles, with plumbing neck and jet neck options.
Blade or mallet: what is the real difference?
- Stability. A mallet spreads its weight farther from the face, so it twists less on off-center putts. That is the main reason golfers move from a blade to a mallet. A blade like the Newport 2 has heel-toe weighting too, just less of it.
- Alignment. Phantoms are built around alignment features like sightlines and milled sight dots. The Newport 2 keeps a simpler, classic look.
- Stroke type. Putters with more toe hang tend to suit strokes that open and close on an arc, and putters closer to face balanced suit straighter strokes. The Newport 2 has a moderate amount of toe hang. With a Phantom, the neck you choose changes the toe hang, so check which neck a used one has.
- Feel and look. Many better players like a blade because it is compact and gives clear feedback on where they hit it. Others simply feel more confident standing over a bigger head. Neither is wrong.
Who should buy the Newport 2?
The Newport 2 suits golfers with a slight arc in their stroke who like a classic look and want to feel each putt. It is also a good choice if you already putt well with an Anser-style blade and just want a Cameron version. For more background, read our Newport 2 spotlight.
Who should buy a Phantom?
A Phantom suits golfers who want more help on mishits, like strong alignment lines, or have a straighter stroke. Because the line includes several head shapes and necks, it is worth trying a few to find the one that fits your eye and stroke. Our Phantom X spotlight covers where the line started.
What should you check when buying a used Newport 2 or Phantom?
- Which line it is. A Newport 2 from one series is not the same putter as one from another, and Phantom models have changed shape and neck options between generations. Check the sole for the model and line.
- Face and sole. Look for dings on the topline and face, worn paint fill and heavy sole wear. Bag chatter is normal on a used putter, but deep marks on the face are not.
- Sole weights. Make sure both weights are in place and tight.
- Length and grip. Check the length against what you play now, and look at the grip for wear.
- Shaft. Make sure the shaft is straight and free of rust, and that the neck matches the toe hang you want.
Every used club at GolfRoots is listed on its own, with exact specs and a 1 to 10 condition grade, so you know which model, length and grip you are getting.
Where can you find a used Newport 2 or Phantom?
Browse our used Scotty Cameron Newport 2 putters or every used Scotty Cameron putter we have in stock, including Phantom models when we have them. All orders come with 60-day returns.
Trading in your old putter?
If you are switching from a blade to a mallet, or the other way around, you can trade in your current putter toward the next one. Get an instant quote with our trade-in value calculator, or see our Newport 2 trade-in page, Phantom X trade-in page or Scotty Cameron trade-in page. You can take cash or get 10% more in store credit, and walk-in trade-ins are welcome at our showroom in Farmers Branch, just north of Dallas.
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 vs Phantom FAQ
Is the Phantom the same as the Phantom X?
They are the same family. Cameron launched it as Phantom X in 2019 and moved to the Phantom name in 2024, with new head shapes and alignment features.
Is a mallet more forgiving than a blade?
Generally, yes. A mallet puts more weight away from the face, so it twists less when you miss the center. A blade like the Newport 2 is still forgiving for its size thanks to its heel-toe weighting.
Which is better for a straight back and through stroke?
A putter closer to face balanced usually suits a straighter stroke, and some Phantom neck options are built for that. The Newport 2's moderate toe hang fits a stroke with some arc.
Did Tiger Woods use a Newport 2?
Yes. Tiger used a Newport 2 GSS built by Cameron in 1999 to win 14 of his 15 major titles.
