Equipment
Scotty Cameron Futura X5 and X5R Putters
Oversized putters were once a rarity in professional golf, but not anymore. These days, they’ve become the norm, with as many as 50 percent of PGA Tour players using them each week on Tour.
Scotty Cameron’s new Futura X5 and X5R are a result of the increased demand for larger putters by the world’s best players.
“The Futura X5 mallet is for someone who likes the stability of a bigger head, the feel of a bigger grip and likes to look down and see more lines for alignment purposes,” Cameron said. “X5 is more of a mechanical shape where the X5R is a softer, rounder shape. There’s no right or wrong. Same performance, same weight, same feel. It all depends on what you like to look at.”
Futura X5
Futura X5R
Both putters have a multi-material design that includes a 303 Stainless Steel body and a 6061 aluminum sole plate. The use of aluminum extends into the “wings” of the putters and allowed Cameron to move weight to their extreme perimeter. That improves a putter’s stability and resistance to twisting.
And there’s another, not-so-hidden benefit to larger putters.
“The bigger the head, the more lines you can add for alignment,” Cameron said. “We worked with many players on tour and in the Putter Studio during the development of X5 and they all told us the same thing: It adds confidence.”
Futura X5
Futura X5R
The X5 and X5R putters also have single-bend shafts with a higher bend point that make them face-balanced.
“The single bend came from taking feedback from the tour and working with players in the Studio. Double bends have been around for years and for X5 we really wanted to clean up the look,” Cameron said. “We had many players say they wished that the shaft leaned at their target or on their line, so we worked to find the proper offset and lean of the shaft so, at address, the bend lines up pointing right at your target. That was a key one because the mechanical-industrial shape of the head and the clean mechanical-industrial bend match perfectly. What I didn’t want was a heavy, flowing bend onto a mechanical head.”
Each model has a 10-inch Matador Red Midsize grip that weighs 77 grams.
“The grip can complement or kill the design of the putter,” Cameron said. “I know that sounds strange, but grips make a difference. With blades, it’s a little more handsy, a little more flowing, a little more feel. With Futura X putters, it’s a little more robotic, a little more square-to-square and this larger Matador grip complements the head very well.”
The Futura X5 and X5R putters ($349) will be in stores on Oct. 31. They both have Cameron’s Silver Mist finish are are available in lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches. For lefties, the X5 is available in lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches.
Click here to see in-hand photos of the Futura X5 and X5R from the PGA Tour.
Futura X5 Dual Balance
A Futura X5 Dual Balance ($399) will also be available on Oct. 31. It has an extra 50-gram weight located under its aluminum sole plate, which is counterbalanced with a 50-gram weight in its 15-inch grip that can help smooth out certain golfer’s strokes.
Stock length is 38 inches, but lengths of 36-to-40 inches in 0.5-inch increments are available by custom order.
Click here to see in-hand photos of the Futura X5 and X5R from the PGA Tour.
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Whats in the Bag
Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)
- Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X
3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore
Putter: Odyssey White Hot No. 2
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip Rite
Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.
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Whats in the Bag
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2024 (April)
- Alex Fitzpatrick what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X
Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 TX
Irons: Ping iCrossover (2), Titleist T100 (4-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 9 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-12F, 56-12D, 60-08M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X
Putter: Bettinardi SS16 Dass
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Alex Fitzpatrick’s clubs here.
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Equipment
What’s the perfect mini-driver/shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing Mini-Drivers and accompanying shafts. WRXer ‘JamesFisher1990’ is about to purchase a BRNR Mini and is torn on what shaft weight to use, and our members have been sharing their thoughts and set ups in our forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PARETO: “New BRNR at 13.5. Took it over to TXG (Club Champ but TXG will always rule) in Calgary for a fit. Took the head down to 12, stuck in a Graphite Design AD at 3 wood length and 60g. Presto- numbers that rivaled my G430Max but with waaaaay tighter dispersion. Win.”
- driveandputtmachine: “Still playing a MIni 300. The head was only 208, so I ordered a heavier weight and play it at 3 wood length. I am playing a Ventus Red 70. I play 70 grams in my fairways. I use it mainly to hit draws off the tee. When I combine me, a driver, and trying to hit a draw it does not work out well most of the time. So the MIni is for that. As an aside, I have not hit the newest BRNR, but the previous model wasn’t great off the deck. The 300 Mini is very good off the deck.”
- JAM01: “Ok, just put the BRNR in the bag along side a QI10 max and a QI10 3 wood. A load of top end redundancy. But, I have several holes at my two home courses where the flight and accuracy of the mini driver helps immensely. Mine is stock Proforce 65 at 13.5, I could see a heavier shaft, but to normal flex, as a nice alternative.”
Entire Thread: “What’s the perfect Mini-Driver/Shaft combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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j T
Jan 20, 2015 at 10:39 pm
I have every top line putter ever sold seriously and played them all but folks when you put a scotty in your hand you know it the feelins is totally exhilarating I would describe it as getting out boy a vega in to a Cadillac
DBN
Dec 18, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Umm why doesn’t everyone keep there opinions are so valuable since none of them are on tour. Lets get some responses to those who have actually tried the putter!! Tried it and loved it!! can’t beat a scotty and the way the ball releases off the face!!
Rich
Oct 16, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Yes the design is copied but as stated a few times below, it happens all the time in this industry. I think they are beautiful putter and from reading the article attached, it would seem at least there has been some thought go into the finer detail of these putter. I’m looking forward to seeing what they are like in hand.
dko
Oct 16, 2014 at 10:53 am
I wish, I wish, I wish … I could afford a Scotty Cameron putter.
TT X
Oct 15, 2014 at 3:33 pm
He copied an Odyssey and the Yes Sandy which is more round on the wings. The Odyssey was well before the YES which was 2012. Callie is an Anser style and Tracy has an Anser body but a double bend face balanced shaft. No hosel.
Kmac
Oct 15, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Who cares? He makes great putters. They mass produce.
TT X
Oct 15, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Didn’t say he doesn’t make great product, simply stating the facts as they are.
JB
Oct 16, 2014 at 1:44 am
All this nonsense about who copied who. Are we 12? Who cares, IMO. If it makes me a better putter, copy it from Tommy Armour for all I care.
Don Koo
Oct 16, 2014 at 10:51 am
Yup. Well said. EVERYTHING on the market today is a variation of something already there.
TT X
Oct 16, 2014 at 11:32 am
As long as the designer is compensated it shouldn’t matter copied who.
Jeff
Oct 15, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I think the odyssey #7’s popularity came from the Yes! Tom Watson used in almost winning the 2009 Open Championship. So it’s not really surprising to see the design make the rounds.
Kevin
Oct 15, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Any idea why they didn’t make the face deep milled like the Select line?
JB
Oct 16, 2014 at 1:46 am
I was wondering the same thing. Wonder if the deep mill didn’t really benefit that big of head?
Tom D
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:53 am
Should’ve named the X7, since they are obviously the Odyssey #7 shape.
Jeff
Oct 15, 2014 at 3:18 pm
+1
Will
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:39 am
Yes, this putter looks very similar to the odyssey #7 or sabertooth. But for those of you complaining about the similarities I hope you also complain about any anser/Newport style putter from Odyssey, Taylormade, Cleveland, see more etc as those are just a copy of the original Ping anser.
I have used an odyssey #7 for years now but I’m looking forward to a deep milled version.
GR
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:35 am
Zac, thanks for your articles and information. They are very helpful.
I do have a question though. Due to a tendency toward pulling putts, I have changed to center shafted mallets with a more straight back and forth putting stroke. However, I see mostly heel shafted (like the Futura outlined). More than likely it is a demand issue. What is the % of pros and/or golfers that use the center shafted putters? Any recommendations? Thanks.
Zak Kozuchowski
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:56 am
Center-shafted putters are rare on tour, but some players swear by them. It’s all about preference and confidence.
I used to play a center-shafted mallet as well, but I’ve since switched to a heel-shafted mallet after I saw that I got better numbers with those models on a SAM PuttLab. If there’s a SAM in your area, I’d recommend that you try it. Otherwise, guess and check is a great process.
And if your putter is working for you, why switch?
Thanks for reading, GR.
Food
Oct 15, 2014 at 9:58 am
Gimme some seed, I’ll go till the field with these and feed the world with the food I can grow
Baka
Oct 15, 2014 at 9:51 am
Blatant copy of Odyssey Tank Cruiser and Versa #7 putters. At Titleist, we don’t innovate we imitate.
Joe W
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:18 am
everyone copies everyone for the most part. they just add their little/tiny differences to the mock up.
Lane
Oct 15, 2014 at 1:06 pm
True, but I think the Cameron X5 looks better than its predecessors. IMO, it’s imitated AND improved.
t-ball
Oct 15, 2014 at 10:46 am
If we want to blame Scotty for copying, we have to blame Odyssey too ! I think the first version of this style head was a YES Callie. Plus, you really can’t compare a plastic insert to a deep-milled face.
Jeff
Oct 15, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Tracy. Callie’s a blade.
Rich
Oct 16, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Tracy is a blade too. Tracy was a face balanced blade and Tracy II was a short slant neck blade.
JB
Oct 15, 2014 at 9:48 am
This just made my day! Counting down the days!!