Equipment

Why does Charl Schwartzel have an upside-down Wilson logo on his putter?!

Published

4 years ago

Feb 15, 2022

I noticed something odd on the practice putting green on Tuesday at the Riviera Country Club ahead of the 2022 Genesis Invitational.

Or, at least, I thought it was odd for a brief moment in time.

Charl Schwartzel was experimenting with two different putters during a practice session on Tuesday, so I stopped to observe for a minute. The first putter was a gold Ping Vault Voss 2.0 putter, and his caddie was holding the other option. There was nothing noteworthy going on so far, and I nearly lost interest, although I was mildly curious to know what the other putter was.

Schwartzel then handed the Ping putter back to his caddie and began putting with the other option.

He laid the putter down behind the ball, and I thought to myself, “Wait, what?”

There was an upside-down Wilson logo in the back cavity of his putter head. I was standing a bit far back, so I couldn’t quite understand what was going on. It didn’t look like a Wilson putter, and even it was, why would the logo be upside down?

Well, when I looked a bit closer, the answer was obvious.

It’s absolutely not a Wilson putter, as you can clearly see above, and I felt dumb for thinking it was even for a fleeting second. While testing out his 2007 Scotty Cameron Catalina Classic putter, Schwartzel added a bit of weight to the putter head using Wilson lead tape he had in his golf bag.

As per the product information on tennisnuts.com:

Wilson Lead Tape allows you to customize your tennis racket by adding weight for more power and stability. Furthermore, by adding weight, you can improve your performance and match your racket to your style of play. The tape has clearly marked measurements by inches for easier use and easy application. This means you can accurately apply the tape for even application.

2 X 50cm strips (approx. 19.5 grams each)
Each inch weighs 1 gram, with clearly marked measurement by inch

I didn’t immediately pick up on the fact that it was lead tape, because this specific lead tape is actually made for tennis. Usually, the lead tape you see on PGA Tour clubs is completely gray with no logos. Schwartzel’s Wilson-made tennis lead tape, obviously, is more brand identifiable.

I’m not huge into tennis, so I learned something very important today: Golf is not the only sport that uses lead tape to fine-tune weighting and enhance performance. Also, Wilson’s tennis lead tape is actually easier to measure out exactly how much weight you’re adding.

Golfers, take notes.

Additionally, upon further inspection of his putter, Schwartzel uses all-gray lead tape directly below his Ping putter grip. This placement can help counterbalance the putter by reducing swing weight.

For more of our photos from the 2022 Genesis Invitational, check out the link here!

Also, check out the link below to listen to our recent podcast interview with the owner of an Instagram page dedicated to lead tape application on golf clubs (@leadtapechronicles).

Up Next

Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (2/16/22): Restored Ping ISI Iron set

Don't Miss

Tour Edge introduces new Exotics 722 iron series

Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

4 Comments

Pingback: Charl Schwartzel switches putters after a phone call with Adam Scott – GolfWRX
Pingback: Tour Report: Fowler switches to a TaylorMade putter, JT makes a wedge change – GolfWRX
TLW

Feb 16, 2022 at 5:29 pm

Turskey just came back. Cut him a break.

Reply Report comment
Mark

Feb 16, 2022 at 3:59 am

“This placement can help counterbalance the putter, or add overall weight without increasing swing weight in the head.”

Fixed it for you.

‘This placement can help counterbalance the putter, or add overall weight without increasing swing weight.’

Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Equipment

Interesting clubs at top of bag – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, users are talking about top of bag setups that are non-traditional or thought-provoking in some way. Original poster @SuperSpurs106 inquired about other members who might use unorthodox set-ups to help with gapping issues or weak spots.

They wrote:

“I currently have a PING G430 driver, TM Qi35 3W and a TM Qi4D 7W. Driver and 7W are fine but can’t get on with my 3W and have always struggling with this club over the years. Thinking of adding a 2H which I know would look odd. Just wondering if anyone else had a weird set up at the top of their bag?”

Our members in the forum have offered up their thoughts and personal experiences with non-traditional top of bag set-ups, and their reasoning for thinking outside of the box to begin with. 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.

BowMain42: “Don’t worry about what “looks” odd. If the club does what you need it to do, it’s the right club.”
scooterhd2: “I cant hit 3 woods either. Thats why I roll with a unicorn XL Hibore 2 wood. 400 cc head at 16 degrees of loft and its just a monster 3 wood off the tee. Off the deck, we are playing the f6 baffler. 5 wood at 41.75 inches and its easy to control.”
phizzy30: “I had driver, 3 metal, 2/4 hybrid once upon a time as a higher ss player. 4 hybrid is gone and in place is a driving iron nowadays. I don’t think what you’re proposing is weird in anyway, however the yardage gap might be glaringly huge between driver and 2 hybrid. What is it about your 3 metal that has got you all messed up? You could always go 4 metal with shorter shaft and see if that works.”

Entire Thread: “Interesting clubs at top of bag”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Equipment

Members of the Mini Driver Club – GolfWRXers discuss

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

Will Schube

In our forums, one user has gone searching for fellow users of a mini driver. In a post, @TightFade asked for other mini driver users to chime in with their weapon of choice, the reason for employing a mini, and what club follows it in the bag.

@TightFade asked:

“What mini are you playing? What spot in the bag did it take over? What’s the next club after it? For me: Elyte mini 13.5. Replacing 3w. Next up club looks like it’ll be 5w.”

Our members in the forum have been sharing their own bag setups featuring the mini driver, and the various reasons they purchased one in the first place. 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.

RCGA: “Ping G430 Max 12* ‘Thriver.’ Next club is a 4w and 2i (I play a weird course).”
JMB3: “R7 at 12.75 with Diamana BB 63s. 3w replacement. Next Club: Elyte Ti 5w at 17*.”
ColdOkieGolf: “R7 15.5 turned down to 13.5 It replaces the 3w. I found it surprisingly easy to hit off the deck, and it’s very rare that I need or want to hit something beyond 250 from the fairway, so next club is my 7w.”
ChaosTheory: “I’m sub-90 MPH with driver. But I’m able to hit DOD. I have been wanting something like the R7 15.5, so I just ordered one. I have a spot in the bag so nothing has to go. But I could see it replacing my trusty 4 wood, which I never use for approach shots. Just tee shots and lay ups. If I drop the 4 wood, I will turn my 7 wood down to ~20 degrees and will have good gaps. I recently tried a thriver build: 12 degree driver turned to 14, with a heavier 44 inch shaft and added head weight. I hit it great. Very accurate and not overly high, but the problem was that it sometimes went as far as a typical drive. And that’s not what I needed. So I will probably turn the 15.5 up to 16.5 or even 17.5. It’s all theoretical at this point. ?”

Entire Thread: “Members of the Mini Driver Club…Check In.”

If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!

Whats in the Bag

Chris Gotterup WITB 2026 (June)

Published

5 hours ago

Jun 3, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Chris Gotterup had >14 clubs in his bag when photographed prior to the Memorial Tournament.

Drivers: TaylorMade Qi4D (8 degrees), Ping G440 LST (9 degrees @8), Ping G440 LST (7.5 degrees)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS T1100 Handcrafted 6.5 TX 70 g, Project X HZRDUS Smoke Grey 6.5 TX 70 g