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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Equipment
Q&A: Martin Trainer on his Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers” putter, 6.5-degree driver, and “butter knife” 2-iron
As unbiasedly as I can put it, Martin Trainer has one of the coolest club setups in professional golf. (At some point soon, I’ll put together a top-10 list of “coolest club setups on Tour,” but I know that Trainer will be in the top-10)
What a lineup. He plays a 6.5-degree Wilson prototype driver, a 13-degree Wilson prototype 3-wood, a true blade Wilson Staff Model 2-iron, and a Bobby Grace “Greg Chalmers Commemorative” putter!
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I mean, look at this 2-iron from address…
To quote the great author R.L. Stine: “Goosebumps.”
On Wednesday at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, I caught up with Trainer to learn more about his bag setup.
Here’s what he had to say:
You have the Internet going crazy over your bag setup, and your putter. Where’d you pick the Bobby Grace-Greg Chalmers putter up? How long have you had it?
MT: This was from when Bobby Grace came to my course in California: Cal Club. And for whatever reason, they just started having them in the shop. So then I took my buddy’s, started using it, and made, like, a million putts in a row, which is how every putter story begins, I guess.
And then, I bought a couple of my own, used it for years, got to the Tour with it, won on Tour with it (the 2019 Puerto Rico Open). Then, about a year later, started using another putter, did that for a couple years, but now it’s back in the bag.
When did it come back in the bag?
MT: December of this past year. So a few months ago.
What year would you say was the first time you threw that in the bag, or, like, when you bought it?
MT: God…Probably, 2016, maybe? 2018?
Do you remember how much you paid for it?
MT: I don’t know, actually. Maybe $100-150 bucks or something. I think that’s the only golf club I’ve bought between high school and now. Well, two, since I bought two of them.
The driver is interesting, too. What went into the prototyping process?
MT: That was a version of the current driver, but it was the prototype that they first came out with for Tour guys to try. And for whatever reason, I just never switched out to the new one.
It’s just 6.5 degrees, right?
MT: Yeah. Very low loft, yeah.
What kind of ball speed do you have with that these days?
MT: Like high 170’s.
Yeah, that’ll work. And then a 2-iron blade? We’re seeing fewer and fewer of those out here.
MT: Yeah. The butter knife.
Very cool thing to have in the bag. Have you done any testing with driving irons?
MT: Yeah, I used to have a thicker one, but it was a little offset, and I never hit it that well. And then finally, I started messing around with the butter knife. And I remember the first time I looked down at it, I was terrified. And then I ended up getting used to it, putting it in play, and it’s been in place since. It’s a pretty good club for me.
How far do you carry that?
MT: Like 235.
A good little wind club, I’m sure.
MTL Yeah, exactly. I can hit it very low. It’s great.
I love it. You have people shook looking at that. Thanks for the time, man.
MT: Absolutely.
To see more photos and discussion of Trainer’s bag, click here.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (3/28/24): L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
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 L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick putter with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft.
From the seller: (@hibcam): “L.A.B. GOLF Mezz.1 Max Broomstick- LA Golf Paige Spiranac Shaft- 44″/79.5. Brand new, never used brown leather cover. The head was professionally anodized from Orange to Blue (Orange looked bad with the Pink shaft so I had it changed). Only a few rounds on this combo. Please see last pic- slight ding on back corner. 8.5-10 condition. THE SHAFT COST $475/ THE PUTTER $625. $799 shipped in the US. ONLY $699 SHIPPED.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max Broomstick with LA Golf Paige Spiranac shaft
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
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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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.