Equipment
Spotted: Charley Hoffman’s one-off Scotty Cameron putter
Major championships are major business for players. Everything gets a second look as pros pull out all the stops in an attempt to cement legacies beyond just racking up tour wins.
Pulling out the stops and a new putter this week is Charley Hoffman — a man known for consistently finding his way up leaderboards at majors, and tinkering with putters along the way. As putters go, what we spotted at Bethpage is a complete one-of-one for Hoffman and it has a lot of tech going one with some throwback flair for fun.
First let’s talk the tech: what we have here is a multi-piece, multi-material head designed to maximize MOI. Looking “under the hood” we can see that it is essentially a Phantom X 8 if the Prototype T8 wasn’t already a dead giveaway. BUT there are some big difference that certainly draw some inspiration from Cameron putters from the past.
We have very soft lines and edges compared to the standard retail model, which has already been pointed out in our forums. Our man on the ground confirmed from “the Hoff” and his caddy that soft rounded lines are what he prefers, and as I have mentioned before, when it comes to high ranking tour players and custom gear, all you really have to do is ask.
The other major difference (see what I did there) is the elimination of the black finish (now I’m two for two in tournament references) and the variation on the standard site line. Dark and black finished putters are always hit or miss with players of all skill levels and from this putter, it seems CH prefers the classic aluminium body vs the anodized one. Speaking of classics and aluminium this brings me back to what I said earlier and how this putter will remind some Cameron faithful about a model found in the wayback machine — the Caliente.
Milled from aluminium and having what we would now consider a rudimentary multi-material construction from the top, the spacing of the lines isn’t exactly the same but the flowing nature of the Prototype quickly bring back memories of this putter and if you consider the scale difference between the T8 and the Caliente the alignment appears very close to the naked eye.
From a looks perspective, I’ve never had a personal preference between standard grey “steel” finished clubs and black ones, and if you were to take a look at my putter and wedge collection that would quickly become apparent. For Mr. Hoffman, a guy known more for his prodigious ball striking than putting, this putter change could make a big difference this week and potentially help him turn the page (there I did it – snuck the whole course name into the article) on his major record.
To see more pics and join the discussion check out the forum thread.
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Equipment
A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic
Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.
Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.
We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.
Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).
See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here
Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge
Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.
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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.
See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here
Turning Back the clock
Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.
But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.
For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.
Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.
The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.
The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.
Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter
Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.
Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.
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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.
If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.
Brilliant.
See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here
Stricker’s unrecognizable putter
Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.
Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.
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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates
Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.
Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.
It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.
Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines
Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.
Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.
FitzMagic teams back up
Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.
See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here
And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.
We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!
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Whats in the Bag
Alejandro Tosti WITB 2024 (April)
- Alejandro Tosti what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 80 TX
Hybrid: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour Rescue (22 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 6.5 100
Irons: Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID, 58-10 MID, 60-06 LOW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Mid Tour Issue X100, S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron
Grips: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
Check out more in-hand photos of Alejandro Tosti’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
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Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
Mini driver: TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper (13.5 degrees)
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (19 degrees)
Irons: TaylorMade P790 (4-8, PW), TaylorMade P760 (9)
Wedges: TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09, 56-10, 60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Prototype
Check out more in-hand photos of Drew Brees’ clubs here.
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Rod Brink
May 15, 2019 at 5:31 pm
That Prototype,the Caliente,was probably born from Ray Cook M1-X…I’m sure Scotty remembers that model.
Realist
May 14, 2019 at 10:33 pm
He used the cameron red x for years….anybody catch the similarities….with more moi!?
Charles Knox
May 14, 2019 at 9:36 pm
One (perhaps two) other notable difference(s): Significantly less offset with what seems to be a bend at a higher point on the shaft. Not just for how the putter looks soled behind the ball, but also pushes the alignment features slightly left of the stock putter.
Brandon Wooley
May 14, 2019 at 9:05 pm
I had that Caliente Grand back in the day. I couldn’t putt with it to save my life. In hindsight I probably shouldn’t have left it in the bag for like 6 years.
Ab
May 14, 2019 at 3:02 pm
That is the ugliest Alien-baby looking POS putter I’ve ever seen
LoveIt
May 14, 2019 at 11:53 am
Like the putter. Hate Matt Kuchar.
Jack
May 14, 2019 at 1:59 pm
I concur. Kuch is a d-bag
Tommy
May 14, 2019 at 2:34 pm
WTH does this have to do with Kuchar and why vent your hate in public?…..BTW, I’m sure he’s going to lose lots of sleep over it.