Former Masters champion Adam Scott has swapped his Augusta National winning ‘broomstick’ putter for a Callaway Odyssey ‘White Ice Core #7’ putter ahead of his first event of 2015.
The affable Australian hasn’t competed since contesting three events on the Australsian Tour in the lead-up to Christmas.
And while Scott has been busy becoming a new father following the birth of a daughter some three weeks ago, the current World No. 5 also has been experimenting with different putters ahead the January 1st, 2016 ban on ‘anchoring’ a club to any part of the body.
“Yeah, I’ve kind of enjoyed experimenting at home the last couple months because I’ve had so much time up my sleeve,” said Scott.
“I’ve got about 50 putters I’ve collected over my career back home in the garage, so to speak, but then I’ve also tried out lots of other putters at home in Australia over the these last few weeks.”
Adam Scott shown using an Odyssey ‘White Ice Core #7’ putter ahead of teeing-up in this week’s WGC – Cadillac Championship. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
Since 2011 WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship, Scott has relied on a long putter after falling to 186th on the PGA Tour in ‘Strokes Gained-Putting’.
He was using on a regular basis a 49-inch Scotty Cameron Futura X long putter that first went in the bag at the 2013 WGC – Cadillac Championship and also helped Scott win the 2013 Masters and climb to No. 1 in the world.
However with the exception of a putter switch at the 2014 Australian Masters, where he put a PING IN Series 1/2 Wack-E L in play, Scott’s stuck with the same model.
The replacement in his bag will come as a huge shock to Titleist as Scott’s getting very comfortable with a conventional-length Odyssey White Ice Core #7.
Callaway’s Odyssey ‘White Ice Core #7’ Putter being used by Adam Scott.
While the exact specs haven’t been confirmed, Scott’s Odyssey putter had “360g” stamped on one of the weight ports in the sole.
The retail version, which has since been discontinued, comes in two weights (345 and 360 grams), with the 360-gram head reserved for the 33- and 34-inch versions.
The putter also features a dark nickel finish that reduces glare, weighted alignment wings that improve stability, and a multi-layer White Ice insert with an inner core that’s 19 percent firmer for feel and 92 stiffer for improved resiliency.
Scott used the putter on Tuesday afternoon and again on Wednesday morning during his practice round. Along with the White Ice Core #7, Scott had three other putters in the bag prior to his practice round — two conventional-length and his Scotty Cameron Futura X long — including a Scotty Cameron that had a similar head shape and look to the Odyssey with a dark finish and white alignment lines.
Even though he has until his Thursday afternoon tee time to make a decision, Scott confirmed he’ll likely use a short putter this week with the same claw grip he used on his Futura X long. The putter model he’ll use, however, remains to be seen.
“I’ve putted lots of different ways at home, and you know, I’m probably going to putt with a shorter putter this week,” Scott said. “It’s been feeling good. I’ve enjoyed doing it. It’s not that big a deal.”
The Aussie isn’t the first high-profile name to shelve his long or belly putter recently as past PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, Brendan Steele and Webb Simpson all swapped belly putters for non-anchored versions in the last few months in preparation for the upcoming putter ban.
Aside from the significant change in length, Scott said the one change he’s working on getting accustomed to is his feel on long putts — something he said would come with patience and time.
“You know, I’ll just go out there and like I said, just stay patient with it all,” Scott said. “It’s going to be demanding, certainly if the wind is blowing. But I’m thinking, you know, my stroke and everything feels as good as it ever has.
“The big difference is probably on really long putts, where the feel differs. That seems to be coming quickly, as well.”
* Extra reporting thanks to www.pgatour.com
