Equipment
Jordan Spieth switches putters at the AT&T Byron Nelson (Updated)
Update: 5/18/17 at 10:06 a.m.
It’s official; Jordan Spieth has switched putters. Based on PGA Tour Live coverage, Spieth is using a Scotty Cameron T5W Tour Only mallet during his first round at the 2017 AT&T Byron Nelson. For the record, he missed the 8-foot par putt in the screenshot above, and currently sits at even par through his first 5 holes. He birdied his first hole of the day, sticking it to 3 inches from the hole on his approach shot; he would’ve made that 3-inch putt no matter what putter he was using, however.
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Say it ain’t so, Jordan!
At the AT&T Byron Nelson on Tuesday, we spotted Jordan Spieth with a new Scotty Cameron T5W Tour Only putter in the bag instead of his familiar, rusted-out Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype. Now this does not necessarily mean he will use the new putter come Thursday, but it certainly implies he’s looking to make a switch. Here’s a reminder of what the 009 looks like:
You probably recognize it because Spieth has used the 009 in just about every round as a professional, including his historical 2015 Masters and 2015 U.S. Open victories. The problem is, there’s been trouble in paradise of late. While he was second on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting in 2016, he’s fallen to 39th in that stat category in 2017. And while PGA Tour wins aren’t easy to come by, he’s recorded just one victory in 2017, coming at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Once the best player in the world, he’s fallen to No. 6 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Coming off a missed cut at last week’s Players Championship, he expressed concerns about his putting performance, specifically on Bermuda-grass greens.
“It’s just been on and around the greens I just haven’t quite figured it out,” Spieth said. “These greens get pretty crusty and, historically, whenever firm Bermuda or greens are crusty to where it’s tough to set the putter down, I just struggle with my alignment and it just kind of throws me off. It happened again here.”
The AT&T Byron Nelson, however, is played at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas, which is listed as having bent grass green surfaces.
Regardless, it seems Spieth is seriously considering switching out his 009 for a new flatstick. Even if it’s not this week, it’s clear he’s not happy with his putting performance and is willing to make a change.
Currently the top contender, based on the fact this putter was in his bag on Tuesday, is Scotty Cameron’s T5W Tour Only mallet with a flow neck and a SuperStroke FlatSo 1.0 grip.
We’ll be paying close attention on Thursday and throughout the week to see what Spieth ends up using on the greens. Check back here for updates.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Spieth’s new putter in the forums.
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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
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 a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ 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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tlmck1234
May 23, 2017 at 1:57 am
And poor me I’m stuck with my 1980 Bullseye Flange model. It has more tech than you’ll ever need to hole a putt. Much better feel than the modern stuff as well.
Moe
May 21, 2017 at 1:54 pm
You aim better… You putt better period.
Mallets our easier to line up. Yes they are more forgiving but these guys so good there not using for forgiveness as much as alignment. You can have greatest stroke ever but you better be able to read a green and (aim) start on your line to even have a chance.. Never mind speed. Spieth aims better you will see instant success on shorter putts
Tazz2293
May 20, 2017 at 9:32 am
Maybe it was/is the putter.
Yesterday it was the Driver
Until Spieth can hit more fairways and hit the ball closer to the pin Spieth will never win another major
russell platt
May 19, 2017 at 9:19 pm
He”s the pro and he knows his weaknesses better than anyone else. I wish him well and I know a lot of us are big Jordan fans. I was really hoping he would be the one to handle the Europeans, but that has changed, go Dustin, and watch the stairs.
Joey
May 19, 2017 at 6:17 pm
People always say “it’s not the putters fault” when someone misses a putt.. not the putter that’s good it’s the player! he could use whatever he wants as long as it’s the same set up. Definitely no magic in the putter. Just a whole lot of hard work
Ray Bennett
May 19, 2017 at 5:35 pm
If it looks good, feels good and performs good, it probably is good.????
M Sizzle
May 19, 2017 at 12:02 am
Settle down Francises
Pingback: Look: Spieth makes putter change at Byron Nelson – Sporty Show
DH
May 18, 2017 at 12:20 pm
Go back and find as many 714 AP2 heads as possible and use them for the foreseeable instead of the 716, and hit more greens and the ball closer to the pin and you won’t have to switch from the 009.
Blake
May 18, 2017 at 11:23 am
Makes absolutely no sense for one of the best if not the best putter to change the putter he has used for 10+ years
moses
May 18, 2017 at 7:08 am
Wow one of the best putters I’ve ever seen (outside of 8 feet) is changing putters.
Photo
May 18, 2017 at 1:05 am
No surprise. If there is ever a place for forgiveness, it’s the putting green. Why make alignment more difficult? Expect the trend to continue.
MiuraLovechild
May 17, 2017 at 10:33 pm
I don’t know why everyone doesn’t play a face balanced high MOI mallet style putter. They’re easy to align and feel great. And no, a blade doesn’t free up your stroke any more either. I’m definitely more financially free with all the money I’m winning with my improved putting.
Tiger woods
May 18, 2017 at 1:59 pm
That is not a face balanced putter.
Guia
May 17, 2017 at 10:31 pm
Big mistake.
Tazz2293
May 17, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Rich Hunt did a statistical analysis of Speith’s game. From the the date of the article I would say this encompasses the 2014-2015 seasons up to June 30, 2015.
When putting from 15-25 feet Speith was 3rd in putting on the PGA Tour
When putting from 25+ feet Speith was 11th on Tour
10-15 feet he was 82nd
5-10 feet he was 84th
3-5 feet he was 178th
As of late, and for his career, Speith’s approach shots and proximity to the pin is below what should be expected of someone with the talent of Speith. Most of this is due to his driver stats. While Driver stats are not bad, they are not great. To add, since the 2016 masters Speith’s Driving issues are getting worse and not better.
Speith’s putting from 15 feet and over is what made him great for that short time frame. As I stated earlier, the putting stats on putts of 15 feet or more was a statistical anomaly and that a PGA Tour Pro cannot count on winning on a regular basis with putting metrics like this.
Tazz2293
May 17, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Here is a novel idea for Jordan
Hit more fairways then hit the green a lot closer to the pin in regulation. A player cannot count on sinking 20 to 25 foot putts consistently to win on the PGA tour.
Yes, you can have the odd year when you make everything from everywhere but those odd years are the statistical anomaly and not the norm.
Rex
May 17, 2017 at 9:06 pm
I say this about every time I get drunk with my buddies. Wonderful comment
The Dude
May 17, 2017 at 9:55 pm
your rational when your drunk??….wonderful comment…
Johnnythunders
May 17, 2017 at 5:07 pm
Jordann Speith will be on “where are they now” in 5 years. He was all make the 20 footer and he was great, didnt last, he does not have the game anymore. And that constent talking andnwiping the towel like Sergio in his meltdown years. Do no t like watching him play, and that chicken wing swing is so ugly. He needs a brain enema and s total swing iverhaul.
xjohnx
May 17, 2017 at 2:10 pm
This is the definitely the affect of the Spider Tour putters on tour right now. It’s crazy
Bobbyeggroll
May 17, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Yes Mallet putters are new.
Putt for Dough
May 17, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Why is everyone upset that he’s changing putters?? Is it because it’s a mallet, or just because everyone loves his current putter? If he’s struggling and seeing the players pass him in the OWGR using a mallet putter, why not try to find something?
God Shamgod
May 17, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Yikes. That is a bad sign coming from a guy who relies so heavily on his putter. He isn’t a terrible ball striker, but he is far from a world #1 with less than top 5 putting.
Johnnylongballz
May 17, 2017 at 12:47 pm
He needs to change drivers not putters.
Bobbyeggroll
May 17, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Funny how everybody knows what the former #1 needs. Im sure he will take your advice.
Benny
May 19, 2017 at 8:15 am
Im with Bobby. You guys are all hacks. I know im a hack and regardless if you have a club deal or in the us am you are still a hack, compared to Jordan. He is doing ecactly what any of us would do and thats search for anything that helps. Like Tiger only change can do that.