Scottie Scheffler, the top-ranked pro in the golf world, has been consistently performing well with his bank account seeing gains, but he has been struggling with his putter. The lack of trips to the winner’s circle has led to increased interest in finding a solution for his putting struggles. The question arises: can a return to a TaylorMade Spider mallet get Scottie Scheffler’s putter back on track?
The Influence of Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy, a respected pro who has also battled with his putter in the past, offered some putting advice to Scheffler during his recent start. McIlroy suggested that the switch to a mallet putter could be a beneficial change for Scheffler. According to McIlroy, the mallet putter provides a bit more margin for error in the stroke, giving the golfer more confidence knowing that even with an imperfect stroke, the ball won’t stray too far off the intended line. McIlroy expressed his desire to see Scheffler try a mallet putter, acknowledging that Scheffler’s all-around skills give him an advantage over other competitors.
Scheffler seems to have taken McIlroy’s advice to heart, as he was seen using the TaylorMade Spider Tour X (X1) mallet putter during the Arnold Palmer Invitational. With putting coach Phil Kenyon observing, Scheffler practiced his putting stroke with the mallet putter on the practice green. The Spider Tour X features a single black sight line and a Golf Pride Pro Only Green Star grip, designed for consistent thumb placement.
A Myriad of Putter Options
Scheffler’s search for the perfect putter has led him to try out various options. Previously, he used a blade putter crafted by Logan Olson, which played a role in his win at the Hero World Challenge. Additionally, he experimented with a TaylorMade Spider Tour X Proto putter during the FedEx Cup playoffs last year.
A Closer Look at Scheffler’s Latest Spider
The new Spider putter in Scheffler’s bag features a traditional white Pure Roll insert made from a blend of Surlyn and aluminum, contrasting with the solid, milled face of the previous Spider Proto. This change will likely affect the feel of the putter. The weight distribution is also notable, with TSS weights visible in the sole of the current Spider, providing a more balanced feel compared to the previous model’s forward-weighted design.
By opting for a full-on mallet putter, Scheffler aims to enhance his performance on the greens. He has always struggled with putters that have a lot of weight in the back, and the forward-weighted mallet provides the feel of a blade putter that he prefers, while also offering clear visual alignment aids.
Looking Ahead to the Masters
Ranked 144th in SG: Putting, Scheffler is hoping that the potential benefits of his new putter will help improve his performance. With the Masters just around the corner, now is the perfect time for Scheffler to regain confidence in his putting and get back on track. Admitting that Rory McIlroy was right about the benefits of a mallet putter may be a small price to pay for a return to putting success.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What kind of putter is Scottie Scheffler currently using?
Scottie Scheffler is currently using the TaylorMade Spider Tour X (X1) mallet putter.
Who is Scottie Scheffler’s putting coach?
Scottie Scheffler’s putting coach is Phil Kenyon.
What other putters has Scottie Scheffler tried?
Scottie Scheffler has tried a blade putter crafted by Logan Olson and a TaylorMade Spider Tour X Proto putter.
How is the weight distribution different in Scheffler’s new Spider putter?
The weight distribution in Scheffler’s new Spider putter is more evenly balanced throughout the head, with TSS weights visible in the sole.
What is SG: Putting?
SG: Putting stands for Strokes Gained: Putting, which is a statistical measure of a golfer’s putting performance compared to the field average.
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