Equipment
GolfWRX Members Choice: Best putter of 2021
What is the best putter in 2021? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. Needless to say, that extends to their GolfWRXers views on the best putter of 2021.
The bedrock of GolfWRX.com is the community of passionate and knowledgable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members—the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Best putter of 2021: The top 5
1. Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
What Scotty Cameron says: “Delivering what players worldwide have requested, Scotty’s new Phantom X 5.5 is not only a rolling change to a proven design. It’s as close to Justin Thomas’ Tour setup as you can possibly get. From prototype to full production, the new Phantom X 5.5 replaces its predecessor and includes the arc-enhancing small slant neck inspired by JT’s configuration, as well as the same overall sizing and material makeup.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the Phantom X 5.5 in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.
2. Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2
What Scotty Cameron says: “Arguably the most famous putter head shape in the world, with scores of professional titles won, Scotty’s flagship model—the new Special Select Newport 2—is the closest-to-Tour setup ever offered. With refinements made to every aspect, this timeless design returns to the roots of sound and feel with its insert-free, solid stainless steel putter head precision milled in the USA.”
You can read what other golfers are saying in the GolfWRX forums, and see our spotlight piece here.
3. TaylorMade Spider X
What TaylorMade says: “The hottest putter model on the PGA TOUR just got even better. To celebrate the 10th year of Spider putters, we’ve built upon every technology and design to create Spider X—fully redesigned and optically engineered to provide more stability and a reimagined approach to alignment. Spider X combines a heavy (320g) steel frame with a lightweight (15g) carbon composite sole to provide extreme perimeter weighting in a more streamlined shape.”
You can read what other golfers are saying in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.
4. LAB Directed Force 2.1
What LAB says: “The DF 2.1 can do amazing things other putters can’t because of Lie Angle Balance, or L.A.B. for short. Lie Angle Balance gives every golfer the ability to consistently repeat the putting stroke with far less effort than with other putters. And it does this by eliminating torque.”
You can read what other golfers are saying in the GolfWRX forums.
5. Odyssey Ten
What Callaway says: “The Odyssey Ten shape is a Tour proven design that puts an emphasis on alignment and high MOI for more confidence and consistency on the greens. The new Tens putters have improved on those two key performance features dramatically. They showcase exceptional alignment systems, our Tour proven, multi-material Stroke Lab shaft, and the Microhinge Star Insert for improved forward roll. The shape of your putter matters, and that’s why we’re bringing out these incredible new Tens.”
You can read what other golfers are saying in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here.
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Equipment
Rickie Fowler’s new putter: Standard-length Odyssey Jailbird 380 in custom orange
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
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Whats in the Bag
Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Emiliano Grillo WITB 2024 (May)
- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
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Bill
Jul 17, 2021 at 5:46 pm
New putter designs can be good( not great!), but even with better design, to help you have a BETTER perception of “the line”, the percentage ALL this can help to make you a better putter is VERY, very minimal!
The NUMBER of putters that amateurs, weekend warriors and other recreational golfers have IN THEIR CLOSET- is very telling- be HONEST, and Yes, you have to COUNT ALL the putters you ALREADY TRADED IN- for the shiny new putter!!
Somewhere- you NEED, come to SERIOUS terms with yourself,
PRACTICE, REFINING YOUR SET UP, and TIME ON THE COURSE!
So it really comes down to the old adage, the INDIAN, is much more important than the arrow!
Yes, you need a good arrow, not a $200-$300 arrow!!
KP
Jul 15, 2021 at 2:57 pm
Just a heads up, the photo you are using of Scotty’s new Phantom X 5.5 is the old model, not the new one that seems to be much more well received.
https://www.scottycameron.com/putters/phantom-x/phantom-x-55-2021/
Garrett
Jul 13, 2021 at 5:42 pm
It’s good to see LAB putters get some love!! I sold off most of my other putters because non of them could consistently kick my LABs out of the bag.
I have a standard, the arm-lock, and a broomstick – they make putting enjoyable for me. They each shock my system enough to keep putting fresh and prevent me from becoming too much of a mechanical putter. I totally recommend those interested in getting fit (remotely worked great – surprisingly quick and easy) and give these things a try. I’d be shocked if you regret it.