A Sheffield-based company has joined up with the Bloodhound SSC team in a bid to create the most advanced golf club in the world. Zen Golf Works has turned to the Kickstarter ‘crowd-funding’ Web site to raise £100,000 from the public by the end of this month to enable the project to progress. Businesses and the public can pledge sums between £10 to £1,500.

Those supporting the Zen Bloodhound Golf project with £10 will have their name written on the tail fin of the Bloodhound SSC ‘super car’, which will attempt to set a new world land-speed record of 1,000mph next year before going on permanent public display. Supporters pledging £1,000 or more will be guaranteed one of the first 100 putters, which will have the signatures of the car’s driver (Wing Commander Andy Green) and the project director (Richard Noble) engraved on the head.

Only 1,000 of the Zen Bloodhound putters will be made (one for each mph of the record attempt); they will incorporate (in the sole of each putter) some of the aluminium alloy that was used in the car’s wheels. Nick Middleton, Zen Golf Works project leader said: “We have teamed up with Bloodhound SSC, whose target of 1,000mph is one of the earth’s most incredible challenges. Our own challenge is to encapsulate this same engineering excellence and spirit of adventure by creating the most awesome golf putter of all time.

“We do not have the backing of a multi-national company, and we are relying on public support to ‘kick-start’ the project. However, the rewards for showing support are great, not only for individuals pledging cash but also for the innovatory traditions of British engineering. We believe that this putter will put the UK on the centre stage of global golf manufacturing.”