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In the world of professional golf, Scottie Scheffler‘s impressive ball-striking abilities have been the talk of the town this season. With an enviable track record of two wins and an astounding 15 top-10 finishes out of just 20 starts, Scheffler’s performance on the fairways has garnered well-deserved attention.

Yet, within this remarkable journey, a perplexing issue has persisted—the performance of his putter. Despite his undeniable success, he finds himself grappling with a paradox: while excelling in overall performance, he lags behind at 140th in SG: Putting. Delving deeper into this conundrum unveils a tale of experimentation, adjustment, and a renewed focus on the greens.

 The Quest for Consistency on the Greens

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While Scottie Scheffler’s ball-striking prowess has propelled him to the upper echelons of the game, the undercurrent of his putting struggles remains evident. A closer examination of his equipment history reveals a player who values stability, particularly in the realm of his putter.

Preceding the 2022 season, Scheffler had found success with a Scotty Cameron Tour Rat 1 blade putter. However, the winds of change swept in as the 2022 Masters beckoned. In a move that aligned with the major championship, Scheffler transitioned to a Special Select Timeless Tour type GSS Prototype putter. The result?

A resounding victory at the Masters, emphasizing the newfound synergy between player and equipment. Yet, as the subsequent events would unfold, the magic that defined his Masters’ win appeared to wane over time. Faced with the challenge of inconsistent putting, Scheffler embarked on a quest for solutions.

Seeking advice from the experienced Steve Stricker, he delved into a range of putter options, including a Scotty Cameron T5.5 mallet at the CJ Cup and a Newport 2 putter with a flatter lie angle. However, despite these endeavors, a dependable solution remained elusive.

A Promising Turn with the Spider Prototype

The turning point in Scheffler’s putter journey emerges with the emergence of TaylorMade’s Spider Prototype mallet putter. This development marks a departure from his past preferences, as he seriously contemplates integrating the mallet putter into his arsenal for the forthcoming FedEx St. Jude Championship. The significance of this shift lies not only in its potential impact on his putting performance but also in Scheffler’s willingness to embrace change for the sake of improvement.

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Recent days have witnessed Scheffler engaged in meticulous testing sessions, narrowing his options down to a single steel-shafted Spider putter for the pro-am event—an indication of TaylorMade’s mallet putter taking center stage. The collaborative efforts with TaylorMade’s Tour team have culminated in a version of the Spider putter that aligns with Scheffler’s preferences, addressing the crucial ‘feel’ factor that had previously been lacking.

The milled design, strategically placed screws around the face, and the incorporation of additional weight near the face have collectively contributed to enhanced consistency in reaching the hole.

Scottie Scheffler’s journey stands as a testament to the intricate interplay between player and equipment in the realm of professional golf. As his season continues to unfold, the spotlight on his exceptional ball-striking abilities is now joined by a renewed focus on his putting dynamics. The emergence of the Spider Prototype mallet putter signifies not just a technical switch but a shift in perspective—one that emphasizes adaptability and a relentless pursuit of improvement.

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With Scheffler’s eyes set on converting near misses into triumphs, the intriguing tale of his putter journey adds a layer of anticipation to his future performances on the greens.

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