Equipment
What the 10 best golfers in the world are putting with
What do the world’s best golfers putt with? It’s an interesting question, albeit one that ought to have little bearing on the average golfer’s selection of putter.
Here’s a tally by putter manufacturer among the top 10:
- Odyssey: 3
- TaylorMade: 2
- Scotty: 3
- Ping: 1
- Nike: 1
And a breakdown by putter style (blade vs. mallet):
- Blade: 8
- Mallet: 2
Without further ado, then, here are the top-10 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking, what staff they’re on, what putter they use, and how they placed in strokes gained: putting in 2015.
10. Patrick Reed
- Staff: Callaway
- Putter: Odyssey White Hot Pro #3
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 19 (.405)
- 2015 WITB
9. Jim Furyk
- Staff: Callaway
- Putter: Odyssey Versa #1W (WBW)
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 115 (-.024)
- 2015 WITB
8. Dustin Johnson
- Staff: TaylorMade
- Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Newport 2 G.S.S. Prototype
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 70 (.131)
- 2015 WITB
7. Justin Rose
- Staff: TaylorMade
- Putter: Rose switches putters frequently, but was most recently spotted with a TaylorMade White Smoke DA-62 Milled Prototype
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 100 (.018)
- 2016 WITB
6. Rickie Fowler
- Staff: Cobra
- Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Prototype
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 35 (.311)
- 2016 WITB
5. Henrik Stenson
- Staff: Callaway
- Putter: Odyssey White Hot XG #7H (Garsen Grip)
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 16 (.435)
- 2015 WITB
4. Bubba Watson
- Staff: Ping
- Putter: Ping Milled Anser 1
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 54 (.209)
- 2016 WITB
3. Rory McIlroy
- Staff: Nike
- Putter: Nike Method Origin B201 (prototype)
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 126* (-.070) (*McIlroy didn’t play enough rounds to officially place statistically)
- 2015 WITB
2. Jason Day
- Staff: TaylorMade
- Putter: TaylorMade Ghost Spider IB Black Prototype
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 6 (.585)
- 2015 WITB
1. Jordan Spieth
- Staff: Titleist
- Putter: Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype (SuperStroke Flatso Ultra grip)
- Strokes gained: putting 2015: 8 (.572)
- 2016 WITB
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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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At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for an Artisan 0521 custom putter
From the seller: (@Nobody2): “$775 -Artisan 0521 custom putter PVD (black finish) with sweep neck hosel. There are no personal stampings other than my player # in very small print on the side of the hosel (all Artisan products have this along with the date it was made). This putter looks absolutely amazing and has only been used for 3 rounds. It has a black steel shaft and has a very Cam Smith look to it. The putter looks new and has no wear marks anywhere on the putter. It comes with extra weights (one set of of 5 gram weights and one set of 15 gram weights). The head cover is a a navy blue ‘quilted blade putter cover.’ If you are wondering why I am selling…I flat out have the yips and the only thing saving me is a broomstick. New, this putter is $1085, so if the specs work for you (grip, length and lie can certainly be tweaked) it will save you some good money and 2 month wait time.
Specs:
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Artisan 0521 custom putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
View this post on Instagram
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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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...
Drew Brees WITB 2024 (April)
View this post on Instagram A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx) Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)...
Daniel Berger WITB 2024 (April)
Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Rasmus Højgaard WITB 2024 (April)
Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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19th Hole2 weeks agoDave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
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19th Hole4 days agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
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19th Hole4 days ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
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19th Hole2 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
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19th Hole1 week agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
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19th Hole2 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
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19th Hole1 week agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
Desmond
Dec 18, 2015 at 9:40 am
Okay, let’s get this right (generally) — it does not matter in terms of performance to any golfer what another golfer is using in his bag, especially the putter or the maker of the putter. Pros are bought and sold, the power of suggestion is strong with them, and golfers, unfortunately, buy into the power of suggestion. The way you aim a putter varies with the shape of the head, offset, lines, length, etc. The weight of the putter, the shaft, the counterweight, etc depends on your stroke, tempo and whether the putter is keeping up with your hands. So while it may be interesting for some, what someone else uses, pro or am, is not relevant to the performance or fit of any one golfer.
graymulligan
Dec 18, 2015 at 10:04 am
So the two guys that are using a putter that the company who “bought” them doesn’t make…how does that work by your logic? I hate this argument. Almost every tour pro with a contract from the big 4/5 companies has a clause that they can put other manufacturers clubs in the bag. It’s one of the reasons we see all of these prototypes and one-offs, where a company copies something someone else is making to get it into their pro’s bag.
Desmond
Dec 18, 2015 at 8:02 pm
I said “generally”, and your point is not my principal point. Hope that helps.
Alex
Dec 18, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Technology is hardly of use for the putting stroke. It’s the most mental part of the game. Applying a lot of tech to a putter is like technology on pool cues. The rest of it is marketing and consumer stuff.
You find a putter you like and voilá. And if you’re a poor putter, it’s all in the head.
slider
Dec 17, 2015 at 10:18 pm
rorys putter looks very similar to the Cameron that he won two majors with and maybe DJ should consider a new putter it was a tough 3 putt at chambers for him
Tom
Dec 18, 2015 at 12:31 pm
It’s the Indian not the arrow.
Jay
Dec 18, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Can DJ get a new Indian??
Tom
Dec 19, 2015 at 12:38 pm
ROFLMAO
Joe
Jan 3, 2016 at 2:44 am
Native American.
Alex
Dec 17, 2015 at 9:33 am
Most great putters have always used blades. Best touch, especially with a thin grip, and the simplest alignment.
Benny
Dec 17, 2015 at 8:03 am
This is an awesome article btw. Really interesting to see and the added list our members brought in. So cool and great info! Thx fellas/wrx!
Benny
Dec 17, 2015 at 8:02 am
Spencer I don’t know the name of the device around Fyurk’s ball but you can see the STMP ramp next to it. He is using both devices to calculate distances by measuring his stroke. Example: if he pulls back 6″ then he strokes through 6″ and then measuring that distance and compares that with the STMP. It’s like the old “hip to hip” swing with a wedge and measuring that distance. I know hip to hip with my 60* is 50 yards all day long. Its breaking down distances in a calculated way. It’s important to always have the same speed and same back stroke as thru stroke/swing. One reason why Jimmy is a top putter, as anal as he is.
TheCityGame
Dec 17, 2015 at 9:30 am
Did you just call Furyk a top putter? He was 115th in strokes gained putting last year. He loses strokes to the field on average. If he was a good putter, he’d have about 5 majors and 30 wins. Furyk has been a top 5/top 10 ball striker for years (going by “strokes gained tee to green”).
Benny
Dec 17, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Yeah.. 115 in the world strokes gained sure does suck. So does 15 Tour wins, 1 major and the Fedex cup too.. He must not know how to make any putts…
Desmond
Dec 19, 2015 at 6:03 am
Well, if you follow Furyk and his history of finishing second and top 5’s, you will see that putting is his Achilles heel – I think that is the poster’s point. Furyk has about 30 second place finishes…
.?????
Dec 20, 2015 at 9:39 pm
No one said he sucked. When it comes to world class golfers, furyk is a below average putter. It’s really not heard to understand
Benny
Dec 29, 2015 at 11:49 am
What’s so “heard” is that I say “thats why he is a top putter” and you guys jump on my back as if I said something crazy!! I didn’t say “world clase”, nor did I say “top ten” (if you want to get literal), I said top putter. I feel like all of you are little boys looking up punching me in the shins yapping your stats. Jim is on here for a reason so I have the right to say he is a TOP Putter! Now go and cry to mommy while I get back to work..
Spencer
Dec 16, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Anyone know what the training aid around the ball in the Furyk picture is?
middie8
Dec 18, 2015 at 9:28 am
its called the perfect putter. that is the ramp thingy next to him. the “h” looking thing on the ball comes with it/
Spencer
Dec 16, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Anyone know what that training aid is around the ball in the Furyk picture?
Brad
Dec 16, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Is that a ding in the topline of Spieth’s 009 to the heel side of the alignment mark?
Dj
Dec 16, 2015 at 2:21 pm
That Nike putter is really nice looking. Can’t wait for it!
Steve
Dec 16, 2015 at 3:05 pm
It looks like it came out of a kids set
Jay
Dec 18, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Looks like it came out of Cameron’s workshop, then stamped Nike
Nor
Dec 19, 2015 at 3:00 am
They both came right off PING’s factory, no need to fight.
Tim
Dec 16, 2015 at 1:07 pm
1 Aaron Baddeley (.717) Yes! Callie (Anser copy)
2 Jimmy Walker (.690) Cameron Newport 2
3 Daniel Summerhays (.642) Ping Karsen TR B60
4 Lee Westwood (.598) Cadence TR Ketsch Mid Heavy
5 Brandt Snedeker (.586) Odyssey Rossie
6 Jason Day (.585) TaylorMade Ghost Spider IB Black Prototype
7 Brendon Todd (.584) Rife Titan
8 Jordan Spieth (.572) Cameron 009
9 Russell Henley (.570) Method 001 Long Neck Prototype
10 Harris English (.556) White Hot Pro 2-Ball
TheCityGame
Dec 16, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Pretty interesting that five or six — depending on what you call the B60 — of these guys use a mallet.
There might be models of the White Hot that aren’t mallets, but English does use a mallet version. Used to use a Versa mallet. . .I believe.
john
Dec 17, 2015 at 12:03 am
baddeley is actually using some weird Axis putter
Chuck
Dec 16, 2015 at 12:11 pm
I thought it would be interesting to see “what the 10 best PUTTERS in the world use to putt with.” There might be some overlap. You don’t get to be a WGR Top 10 without being a great (not merely good) putter.
And it is a bit of a challenge to even establish a “Best 10 Putters” list. The obvious thing is to go off the “Strokes Gained Putting” stat from the Tour. (But you lose everybody who isn’t a Tour member.) Here’s what that list looks like:
1 Aaron Baddeley (.717)
2 Jimmy Walker (.690)
3 Daniel Summerhays (.642)
4 Lee Westwood (.598)
5 Brandt Snedeker (.586)
6 Jason Day (.585)
7 Brendon Todd (.584)
8 Jordan Spieth (.572)
9 Russell Henley (.570)
10 Harris English (.556)
Why are Jason Day and Jordan Spieth so dominant in the WGR? Obviously, part of the reason is that they are among the best putters in the world. They are also terrifically powerful (Day) and reliable (Spieth) ball strikers. But that’s the only overlap. The all-world Spieth and Day. I’ll let the Board fill in the details on the putters used by the other Top 10 putters.
Richie Hunt
Dec 16, 2015 at 12:06 pm
I would be interested to see what the top-10 in Strokes Gained – Putting are putting with.
Chuck
Dec 16, 2015 at 12:13 pm
lol; I was writing (and looking at stats) while you posted, Richie.
Jeremy
Dec 16, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Westwood is up there?
kevin
Dec 17, 2015 at 7:46 pm
Westwood is up there.. been moving in that direction for over a year